Vancouver, British Columbia-based Fairware (PPAI 262992, D7) has released its inaugural Impact Report, which offers a detailed look at the Canadian firm’s environmental and social impact.

A Certified B Corporation, Fairware is one of the leading distributors in corporate social responsibility (CSR). Doubling down on transparency, the company published the report to document and illustrate its ethical business practices in the various areas of its operations.

Elizabeth Wimbush, PPAI’s director of sustainability and responsibility, says the report accomplished two goals: enabling Fairware to start measuring its impact and creating official policies for initiatives the firm has had in place for some time.

“I hope this report inspires others in the industry to start looking at what they’re already doing around positive environmental and/or social impact and lean into it – what’s measured is managed,” Wimbush says.

“Fairware also did a good job pointing out where it wants to improve and what we can expect from future reports. I appreciate how the team kicked it off with an acknowledgement that they needed to reframe their mission, vision and values to reflect what got them here won’t necessarily get them there. Learning and growing is what it’s all about.”

Here are five key takeaways from the report:

  1. Responsible Sourcing

In late 2021, Fairware developed a more formal process to onboard new suppliers and train its sales team on them. The company’s goal is to onboard at least six impact suppliers a year.

As of 2023, the company asks all its suppliers who do formal sales training or product knowledge sessions with the Fairware team to address their sustainability and impact efforts.

  • In 2022, the company not only revised its code of conduct and supplier assessment questionnaire, but also updated supplier data for nearly all 30 of its significant suppliers, who constitute 80% of sales.

 

  • Additions to the survey included gathering data on diverse ownership, supply chain mapping and more robust questions regarding carbon accounting and climate-related goals.

In 2024, Fairware plans to track product level data on sustainable products, including those that are certified recycled, organic, regenerative organic, biodegradable or compostable.

  1. Cultivating Justice, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Over the past two years, Fairware partnered with B Corp Canada to present three hours of internal trainings on anti-Indigenous racism, reconciliation and the history of Indigenous oppression in Canada.

The company has also conducted an annual anonymous survey and training on disability (invisible and visible) in the workplace as part of its commitment to the President’s Group, a network of 25 change-driven British Columbia business leaders who are champions for more accessible, inclusive workplaces.

  • In 2022, 32% of employees identified as having a visible or invisible disability.

 

  • The company has provided two hours of staff training on how to identify disability/invisible disability and will ensure that its website and all social media platforms meet Canadian and U.S. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and standards.

Fairware’s other goals include providing a minimum of two hours of all-staff training on unconscious bias and to continue acknowledging and learning about bias at staff meetings and check-ins. The company also plans to update its new employee onboarding materials and ongoing staff training with education and awareness on anti-bias/anti-discrimination training and communications.

The company will also work with an external partner to build a “Reconciliation Plan” in recognition of the 2015 Truth and Reconciliations Report to address how Fairware can support reconciliation and anti-Indigenous racism on a daily basis.

  1. Maintaining A Welcoming Company Culture

Fostering an inclusive culture, Fairware supports hybrid work, a dog-friendly office and staff-led clubs that are based on common interests, such as biking and salads. The company has also set out to create a policy to enable employees to “switch” some Canadian statutory holidays with a cultural or religious holiday that better aligns with the holidays important to them.

  • Additionally, the company has developed a “Yellow Flag” framework for difficult conversations, along with a two-hour training on the practice.

Fairware embraces open hiring through partnerships with community organizations such as PosAbilities and the Canucks Autism Network. Plus, the company has simplified job postings, removed educational requirements where applicable and ensured postings have inclusive language.

  • The company includes transparent salary ranges on all job postings and doesn’t require criminal record checks.
  1. Giving Back To The Community

Fairware donates excess merchandise to community partners every year. In 2022, the company donated more than $17,500 worth of merchandise to three community organizations. As part of its membership in Reciprocity Road (PPAI 769354), the company also donated $7,500 to the Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF) and $5,000 to the Weingart Foundation.

  • Denise Taschereau, CEO and co-founder of Fairware, is a member of the PPAI Board of Directors. Currently the vice chair of financial services, she’ll serve as incoming chair in 2024. She is also on the board of PromoCares, an industry group dedicated to enhancing CSR in promo.
  • Sarah White, COO and co-founder of Fairware, is a member of the President’s Group and is on the board of the Vancouver Street Soccer League.
  • More than half (52%) of employees volunteered in the community in 2022.

Fairware has created a staff impact committee to drive in-house education and training on impact-related issues, as well as to track progress through annual cash and product donations and volunteer time. The company has also joined Clean Creatives, the Restorative Coalition and the UN Global Compact.

  1. Protecting The Environment

Fairware’s operations are guided by its sustainable procurement policy, environmental policy and end-of-life policy.

  • In 2022, the company measured its greenhouse gas (GhG) emissions for the eighth year.

Fairware aims to reduce GhG emissions in its operations and supply chain by cutting back on overall consumption and shifting to renewable energy where possible.

This year, the company has committed to the UN Race to Zero Campaign and the SME Climate Hub and declared its net zero climate commitment. Fairware is currently in the process of creating a science-based target for emissions reductions and reducing shipments made by air by 35% in 2024. The firm also aims to renew its EcoVadis certification and improve from a silver rating to a gold rating.