Green SMEs recognised for being ‘smarta’

The ‘Smarta 100’ is a newly launched business accolade, from Smarta.com, which provides advice and business tools and networking opportunities for small businesses. The ‘Smarta 100’ list was chosen by a judging panel including Meaden and Bebo founder Michael Birch.

The Thoughtful Bread Company, based in Bath, was chosen as one of Smarta.com’s ‘Top 5 for Ethics’ because it uses locally-sourced and foraged ingredients. It was launched just over a year ago by ethically-conscious entrepreneur and Courvoisier The Future 500 2009 finalist, Duncan Glendinning.

Carbon Retirement made it onto the list because of the ethical way it carbon offsets. On behalf of its customers, Carbon Retirement buys industrial ‘pollution permits’ and permanently removes them from the carbon trading system. These permits are needed by industrial companies, so by reducing the number available, Carbon Retirement forces industrial companies to reduce their emissions.

Smarta.com's top five ethical companies
The other three small businesses named in the ethical top five was Busymummy, which helps teenage parents get into education, training and work, Dragon Feeds, which has developed the first sustainable fish feeds, and Call of the Wild, an eco-friendly outdoor activity centre in Wales.

According to Smarta.com, the finalists proved to the judges that they had what it takes to run a successful venture, from spotting a new opportunity to making it a reality.

Meaden said: “Discovering great new businesses is a passion of mine as is encouraging businesses to think and work better. I was delighted to see ambitious people saving hard and raising finances to turn their ideas into flourishing businesses.”

“Being named one of the top five small ethical businesses in the UK is a huge honour, and we’re really proud to have been recognised for our innovation and creativity too – these are key values for us,” commented Carbon Retirement co-founder Jane Burston.

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Related links:
www.smarta.com/smarta100
www.carbonretirement.com
www.thethoughtfulbreadcompany.com
www.dragonfeeds.com
www.callofthewild.co.uk