Branded marketing materials manufacturer Wild Thang takes big step towards official recognition as one of the most sustainable businesses in Liverpool city region. Tony McDonough reports
Branded marketing materials specialist Wild Thang has taken a big step towards what its founder says will be a ‘monumental milestone’ for the business.
Bootle-based Wild Thang, which employs more than 50 people close to the Port of Liverpool, has submitted its application to become a B Corp certified company, a fiendishly difficult accreditation to achieve.
If it is successful in its application Wild Thang, which produces branded marketing materials for multiple blue chip customers, will be able to justifiably call itself one of the most sustainable businesses in Liverpool city region.
B Corp organisations have to commit to the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. The rigorous assessment process includes answering 250 questions that all have sub questions.
To achieve the milestone Wild Thang has enlisted the help of Liverpool-based consultancy 2030hub. It is recognised by the UN as a Local2030 Hub, part of a global network aiming to make cities more sustainable.
Wild Thang founder and managing director, Andrew Dwerryhouse, said the firm’s commitment to ESG (environmental, social and governance) was “not just a policy tick list”, adding: “It’s a commitment that genuinely shapes everything we do as a team at Wild Thang.”
Andrew can now point to multiple examples where the company has made a genuine and tangible contribution in the fight against climate change.
“Our commitment to the environment and ESG is structured around an ambitious eight-stage sustainability pledge,” explained Andrew.
“This comprehensive plan outlines our steps towards reducing our carbon footprint and enhancing our ecological efforts as we accelerate our journey towards net zero.
“From reducing waste in our operations to engaging in global carbon offsetting projects, each stage of our pledge is designed to make a significant impact on our environmental and ESG responsibilities.”
Since unveiling its plans in early 2023, Wild Thang has saved more than 1,000 tonnes of CO2. This is equivalent to the carbon emissions from 600 long-haul flights, saving 2,345 square metres of ice, or avoiding 1.9m miles driven by an average car.
In October 2023, LBN revealed that Wild Thang had installed 290 solar panels on the roof of its headquarters. They are already providing around 80% of its energy needs.
It has also demonstrated a commitment to reforestation. With 54,540 trees planted to support global reforestation efforts, enhancing biodiversity and helping to regenerate ecosystems that are vital for life on earth.
Wild Thang is actively involved in 17 carbon avoidance projects worldwide. These include diverse projects such as solar power in Indonesia, fuel efficient cookstoves in Uganda and Kenya, protection of forests in Columbia and a wildlife sanctuary in Cambodia.
Each project not only helps reduce global carbon emissions but also supports local communities through job creation and infrastructure improvements.
Wild Thang has already set a target of becoming a net zero carbon business by 2030. Now it is to embark on the next stage of its sustainability journey by achieving B Corp status.
To achieve the milestone Wild Thang has enlisted the help of Liverpool-based consultancy 2030hub. It is recognised by the UN as a Local2030 Hub, part of a global network aiming to make cities more sustainable.
And much of the sustainability work in-house has been undertaken by Carrie Dwerryhouse, the firm’s ESG manager. She says B Corp “has been challenging but it is the right thing to do”.
She added: “We are really proud of the progress we are making, and we are more excited than ever about our continuing journey towards becoming a certified B-Corp.
“It has been a long road to get to this point, but we genuinely want to make a difference as an organisation and as a team to benefit all people, communities and the planet which is the world class Wild Thang way.
“This certification will not only validate our environmental and social performance but also align us with a very special global community of leaders committed to using business as a force for good.”
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Dave Connor from 2030 Hub, also said: “B Corp is one of the fastest-growing, and most important movements in the world of business.
“It is a thoroughly challenging and holistic stocktake of how a for-profit company is performing socially and environmentally, and significantly, how that ethos is also locked into the formal governance structure.
“Wild Thang is a fantastically vibrant example of a local Liverpool community of businesses wanting to prove their intentions to be a force for good.”