Sipsmith Gin proudly announced as a Certified B Corp!

B Corporations are a group of 3720 companies in 74 countries, spanning over 150 different industries, all committed to meeting the highest standards of social and environmental performance. They’re part of a global movement setting out to benefit all communities, people and the planet, working toward reduced inequality, lower levels of poverty, a healthier environment, and the creation of more high-quality jobs with dignity and purpose.

Now, Sipsmith Gin is officially part of the B movement, using business as a force for good.

Founder Sam Galsworthy explains, “It has always been our mission to champion a better way of crafting gin and pioneer positive changes within our industry. Today sees us laying out even more ambitious plans for every single one of us to be part of crafting a better future.”

When Sipsmith Gin launched in 2019, it was the first London-based distillery to open in almost 200 years. Inspired to bring gin back to the city where it earned its name, Sipsmith has developed into a brand with sustainability at its core and this new certification reflects that. 

Sam explains, “Meaningful change requires a great deal of hard paddling under the surface; it demands rigour and determination. Our priority goals will ask everyone within the Sipsmith Gin ecosystem, from suppliers to our wider community, to come with us on the journey to become the active force for good we seek to be. Being part of a wider community of businesses that strive for better will give us support and encouragement to keep up the momentum.”

The Sipsmith Gin sustainability strategy, 'Crafting a Better Future', focuses on five missions with which they strive to be better for the planet and people, and to be champions of progress.

First in their 2030 roadmap is to be better than carbon net-zero, with emissions of carbon dioxide to be balanced with its removal, alongside a goal to make decarbonisation business as usual.

Secondly, Sipsmith is striving to be better for the local communities, businesses and charities. During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Sipsmith formed a partnership with Imperial College London to produce hand sanitiser, which was donated directly to NHS hospitals and local authority hubs across London. In total, Sipsmith produce 12,085 litres of sanitiser. 

Sipsmith’s third goal is for better resource use and to contribute to a recycling-orientated society, promoting the 3Rs across the business - reduce, reuse and recycle. One of the initiatives has been the installation of a new cooling system, which allows the team to switch from using mains water to cool the stills, to using water recycled within their cooling system. The result? Reducing their water consumption on-site by around 40%. 

Fourth, Sipsmith is committed to better sourcing, using raw materials that are sustainably sourced and have the lowest possible social and environmental impact. Alongside this they are working with sustainable partners and local businesses with common goals. In 2018, 58% of Sipsmith’s expenses were spent with local, independent suppliers, within a 50-mile radius of the distillery–a percentage that the brand plans on increasing year on year.

Last but by no means least, Sipsmith will be focusing on their team. Nicknamed the ‘Swans’, the aim is to nurture a thriving workforce and a demographic that represents their London home. This includes the creation of a Diversity and Inclusion group, made up of representatives across the team, with an ambition for Sipsmith to be a beacon for diversity within the local area, and the hospitality industry as a whole. 

With this new certification, the Sipsmith team will continue to work toward a more sustainable future. For further reading, their 2030 Roadmap is available to view online, alongside a more detailed 2020 Impact Report. 

For Sam, this is a long-awaited day. “Mark Twain said ‘The two most important days of your life are the day you are born and the day when you figure out why’ - This is a favourite quote of mine. I haven’t truly figured this out for myself just yet, but I am feeling it when it comes to Sipsmith.”

Want to join in on the conversation? Head to Sipsmith’s Instagram and Facebook.

We’ll cheers to that.