Social and environmental responsibility of small businesses
It’s been a year since we Wert&Voll our online shop, Wert&Voll . Almost overnight and without any preparation, we decided to take the plunge into self-employment. We really enjoy the daily challenges and the diverse range of people we meet. By now, we can’t imagine life without the shop.
In this blog article, we would like to draw attention to an issue that is very important to us. We are talking about the social and environmental responsibility of small businesses. We believe that owning your own business is a great way to give something back to society and Mother Earth. Our manufacturers themselves ensure that higher than usual standards are maintained during production and invest part of their turnover in social and/or sustainable ecological projects.Klean Kanteen,forexample, is a member of1% for the Planet,andQwetchsupportsprojects inFranceas well as inChina, where the products are manufactured.
Many online stores that sell sustainable products plant a tree for every product sold. We think this is a wonderful development and a way to give something back to the planet directly. For the future of our society, we hope we can take it a step further. The current situation (the 2020 coronavirus crisis) clearly illustrates how our system is structured. Where money can be made, investments are made and infrastructure is expanded. Less lucrative sectors, such as our healthcare system or social services, usually receive only the bare minimum. Yet they are the ones fighting disease and social injustice. People who are healthy and content from within form the foundation for a life in harmony with nature. However, our economic system exploits both people and nature. That is why we have decided to donate a portion of Wert&Voll revenue Wert&Voll social organizations that, in our view, make an important contribution to a fair and just world.
Firstly, from 2020 onwards, we will be donating one percentofour annual turnovertothe non-profit foundationKinderschutz Schweiz (Child Protection Switzerland). As parents ourselves, we cannot believe how many children suffer physical, psychological, and sexual abuse every day. Even here in Switzerland. These traumatic experiences are passed down through generations and lay the foundation for a society in which exploitation and oppression are considered legitimate. Yet the expression of violence in families is only a reflection of the violence perpetrated by large corporations and the arms industry worldwide. By protecting the most vulnerable, we protect the planet.
To strengthen children's rights worldwide, we donate an additional percent of our annual sales to the non-profit organizationHumaniuminGeneva. With projects around the world, Humanium supports the fundamental rights of children. Only when all children are able to grow up in fairness and dignity will we live in a world where nature is cherished and all living beings are respected.
Our hope is that we will inspire even more small businesses and companies to get involved in social causes. Every contribution makes a difference. The primary focus should not be on what appeals to customers, but rather on the causes that you truly want to support. When you run a business, you bear responsibility for what our world will look like in the future.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article!
Your Wert&Voll
