5 companies doing great things for the environment

Unless you don’t believe in climate change (Trump, we’re looking at you) it’s likely you have some understanding that our actions have an impact on the environment. Sadly, we’ve not looked after our planet in the way that we should have (Great Grandma, I’m looking at you) and now we need to slow/reverse the damage we’ve done to the planet. 

Luckily, there are lots of fantastic organisations helping us to be more environmentally conscious in the way that we shop and consume, finding solutions to the challenges we face. 

As part of our ‘Escape 100: Best Companies to Escape to in 2019’ list, we got to know some of the best companies helping to do great things for the environment. We scored them based on our environment scale which ranges from planet-negative to planet-positive.

Here are some of the companies which scored highest in this category and are considered ‘planet-positive’ (actively making a positive environmental impact on the world). 

1. Olio

OLIO is a free app connecting neighbours with each other and volunteers with local shops so surplus food & other household items can be given away - not thrown away. 

OLIO has 2.5 million signed up users who have shared over 9 million portions of food in 54 countries. They harness the power of mobile technology and the sharing economy to empower individuals to reduce their waste and connect with their community. 

2. Climate Care

ClimateCare is a profit-with-purpose business which works with forward-thinking organisations to help turn their climate responsibilities into positive outcomes.

“Our vision is a climate-neutral world: a world where everyone takes responsibility for their climate impact.”

Currently ranked the number one B Corp in the UK, ClimateCare has more than 21 years’ experience as a leader in the global carbon markets and climate change sector. They work with major public and private sector clients to fund sustainable development projects that reduce carbon emissions at scale, measurably increase the quality of life and deliver towards the UN Global Goals. They also advise on a range of climate change mitigation and adaptation subjects, from large scale implementation to national climate change policies.

3. Dame

DAME is on a mission to reduce waste by making the sustainable, aspirational. Their flagship products are D, the world's first reusable tampon applicator, and DAME organic tampons. 

So far they’ve stopped 130 million pieces of plastic going to waste, and they’ve donated over 150,000 period products to women in need. 

4. Oddbox

Oddbox is the UK’s first fruit and vegetable box that fights waste. Founded by wife and husband team Emilie and Deepak (he’s Escape alumni who completed an accelerator course in 2015!). They work closely with farmers & growers from all across the UK (& abroad), to rescue & fill up boxes full of fresh, seasonal fruit & veg which are at risk of going to waste. The reason for this? They're simply seen as too oddly shaped, too oddly sized, or even just - too many. So far they’ve rescued over 9.2 million kilograms of friend and veg which would have otherwise gone to waste. 

Alongside their community, they help make a difference to the planet each week - fighting food waste at farm-level, preventing unnecessary CO2e emissions and saving water along the way. Oddbox counts Yotam Ottolenghi among their subscribers and are rapidly expanding across the UK, making wonky, cool again.

5. Terracycle

Terracycle has been previously listed by Fortune as one of the top 10 companies changing the world. 

Operating in 21 countries, they’re the global leading in innovative and sustainable recycling solutions for waste that would otherwise be destined for landfill or incineration. Almost all waste which is considered ‘non-recyclable’ through council collections, such as crisp packets, toothbrushes or contact lenses, can be collected and transformed into raw materials for the creation of new sustainable products. They make recycling possible by partnering with brands to create free recycling programmes and through their own Zero Waste Box™ solution.

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You can find more organisations committed to using their business to power a better world on the 2019 Escape 100 list.

If you work for an organisation which does great things for the world, applications to be in the Escape 100 list for 2021 are open until January 8th. For more information visit: https://www.escapethecity.org/escape100