Wed 13 Sep 2023 | by Rob Hutchins

Talking Tables hits major environmental and social impact goals one year into B Corp

Products of Change member, Talking Tables is celebrating its first anniversary as a B Corporation this month with an update on its performance against its key goals to improve its environmental and social impact for the year. At the same time, the London-headquartered business is celebrating bring shortlisted in the sustainability categories for two major awards: the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards and Scale Up Awards. Over the past year, Talking Tables has made a number of advances in its efforts to reduce its impact on the environment and deliver social impact for employees and the local community. As part of a commitment to source closer to home, Talking Tables is currently tracking 39% from Europe, ahead of its year target of 36%. The team has also achieved First Mile Gold Status, which means it is now recycling 80% of its waste at its head office. It also hopes to reduce water and energy usage at its head office by 10% this year. Talking Tables has also hit its reduction target for the use of single-use plastic, coming in at 4% for its new autumn/winter collection. As the business continues its net zero journey, it will also be using new carbon measuring tools to understand the key levers of change it can implement to reduce the carbon impact of products. Supporting 200 community events via product donations and volunteering. Talking Tables’ community strategy is based on extending the joys of gatherings to as many people as possible, especially those who may have less opportunity to get together. For example, it works at a national level with Re-engage, the charity committed to bringing the socially isolated elderly together via tea parties, and locally with the Lifeline group, hosting parties at head office for its members. It also donates ‘birthday boxes’ to foodbanks. In terms of social impact; Talking Tables is looking to continue its Great Place to Work status which will involve passing an independent staff survey this autumn. It is also holding its third inclusivity month in October around Black History month. Every quarter Talking Tables puts the spotlight on one of its communities via a series of team led activities. The purpose is to both celebrate and increase understanding, and previous events this year have revolved around carers and LQBTQ+. Founder Clare Harris says: “I wish to do business in the best way I can and the B Corp structures immediately resonated with my values. When out shopping for myself or the business I now gravitate to those products with a B Corp logo so that I give my spending pennies to brands who also seek to do business in a better way.”