What Does It Mean to Be a B Corp? Let’s be honest: “B Corp” isn’t a certification you hear about every day (though we’d love to change that!). In short, being a B Corp means that a company doesn’t just focus on profits but also commits to making a positive impact on society and the environment. It’s not just a little “B” badge—it’s a way of working that permeates every aspect of what Arbos does.
Being a B Corp requires us to be transparent and accountable to all our stakeholders, from our employees and customers to the local community and the environment we operate in. Every decision we make must consider not just our financial health but also the well-being of all people and resources involved in creating our products.
The B Corp certification is internationally recognized and far from easy to achieve. We had to prove, with numbers, actions, and tangible results, our commitment to sustainability and social responsibility—and we’re incredibly proud of that.
We’re Also a Benefit Corporation: What’s the Difference?
You might be wondering, “So what’s a Benefit Corporation, and how is it different?”
Don’t worry, you’re not alone—this topic often creates some confusion. Let’s break it down.
A Benefit Corporation is a legal structure we’ve adopted to formalize our commitment to social and environmental goals. This means we’ve written into our bylaws a legal obligation to pursue not only economic objectives but also goals that serve the common good. In other words, we are legally bound to operate not just for profit but also for the benefit of society and the planet.
While B Corp certification is an external “seal of quality” granted by an independent organization after rigorous evaluation, being a Benefit Corporation is the legal foundation on which all our activities are built. In essence, we’re doubly committed—by choice and by law!
Living the B Corp Values in Our Daily Work
It’s easy to talk about values, but putting them into practice is another story. At Arbos, we don’t just make lofty claims—we strive to make a difference every single day.
Take our choice of materials, for example. The resources we use to create our products—like recycled paper, straw paper, Ricuoio®, Tar Paper®, and Ristoffa®—aren’t chosen randomly. They’re selected to minimize our environmental impact. This means no trees are cut down to make our notebooks, and we transform what would normally be considered waste into valuable resources.
It’s not just about materials. Our production processes are designed to reduce environmental impact: everything is made in Italy, supporting local supply chains and ensuring workers’ rights are respected. We prefer working with artisans because their craftsmanship is priceless.
And then there’s our focus on people. We’ve always believed that a company’s true value comes from its people. This means fostering a healthy, stimulating, and respectful work environment where everyone can reach their full potential.
Being a B Corp also means having a positive impact on our community. We collaborate with local organizations like the Valbrenta Cultural Center, Veneto Barbaro, La Città del Dono, and the Bassano Civic Library, supporting educational and cultural projects that we believe are vital to our region.
Why Being a B Corp Is So Important to Us
You might be asking, “Why go to all this trouble? Wouldn’t it be easier to focus solely on profit?” The answer is simple: we believe in a different kind of business model—one where economic success goes hand in hand with respect for people and the planet.
For us, being a B Corp isn’t just about having a badge to display. It’s a concrete commitment that influences everything we do. It pushes us to constantly improve, to innovate, and to find new ways to be more sustainable and responsible. Take our Ocean spiral notebook, for example—it’s a symbol of our dedication: made with covers from recycled plastic collected during river clean-ups, it’s a tangible step toward reducing marine pollution. We believe the future of business lies with companies that can combine innovation, profit, and ethical values.
We chose to become a B Corp because we want to make a positive impact. We want our notebooks to be not just beautiful and functional but also to tell a story of respect and love for the environment. We want to be part of the change that makes the world a better place, step by step, page by page.
And let’s be honest—who wouldn’t love the idea of doing good while doing business? We’re convinced that our customers, our partners, and even our team members appreciate this vision and feel part of something bigger. Maybe the next time you pick up one of our notebooks, you’ll see it differently, knowing there’s a story of sustainability and commitment behind every single page.
Being a B Corp is a responsibility, but it’s also a fantastic opportunity—to show that a different way of doing business is possible. And at Arbos, we’re here to prove it, one notebook at a time.
