Fairware at 20: Two Decades of Doing Good Through Ethical Branded Merch

Cue the seed paper confetti cannons and raise a reusable water bottle—Fairware is officially 20! Over the past two decades, we’ve grown from a scrappy startup with big dreams to a trailblazer in sustainable and ethically sourced branded merchandise.

Along the way, we’ve helped changemakers like you tell their stories, spark conversations, and prove that business can be a force for good. This milestone isn’t just about looking back—it’s about celebrating what we’ve built together and getting amped for the future. Let’s dive into the highlights, the certifications that make us proud, and the big goals we’re chasing next!

Milestones Worth Celebrating

1. Founding Vision and Transition in Leadership: Co-founders Sarah White and Denise Taschereau built Fairware on the principles of sustainability and justice. Sarah’s recent retirement marks the end of an era, but her legacy continues to inspire the team.
   
   
2. Certified B Corporation: Since 2010, Fairware has been a proud Certified B Corporation, meeting rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. This certification underscores our dedication to doing business as a force for good.
   
   
3. Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Discrimination Efforts: Fairware is deeply committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and discrimination-free workplace. Through initiatives like internal anti-discrimination training and annual surveys on visible and invisible disabilities via Pledge to Measure, we actively engage in creating a supportive environment. In 2024, 30.43% of our employees identified as having a disability, reflecting our dedication to understanding and supporting diverse experiences. Our efforts have been recognized with accolades such as being a finalist for the 2023 Untapped Awards and winning the 2024 Workplace Inclusion Award as a Small Business Inclusion Champion from the Open Door Group.
   
   
4. Integrating Advocacy: Our advocacy efforts extend globally as a participant in the United Nations Global Compact, where we align with universal sustainability principles and support the Global Goals. To ensure transparency and accountability, we’ve also implemented a formal advocacy tracking system to monitor and report on our positions and contributions. These initiatives demonstrate our dedication to ethical business practices, environmental restoration, and driving meaningful change for a sustainable future.
   
   
5. Nature Based Solutions:  In January 2023, we partnered with veritree to plant 10 kelp for every order, with a goal of planting 80,000 kelp over five years—already achieving 40.91% of our target. This initiative reflects our commitment to nature-based solutions and restoring marine ecosystems. Additionally, as a member of the Restorative Coalition, we collaborate with like-minded organizations to drive transformative change, heal the planet, and inspire others to take action.
   
   
6. Clean Creatives:  In the fall of 2022, we formalized our commitment to a sustainable future by signing the Clean Creatives pledge, a project for PR and ad professionals dedicated to combating climate change. While we have rarely worked with fossil fuel clients since our inception, this pledge solidifies our stance by committing us to refuse future contracts with fossil fuel companies, utilities heavily reliant on fossil fuels, and industry-funded groups promoting their interests. This step aligns with our long-standing values and ensures transparency and accountability in supporting a safe climate future.

Certifications That Matter

Fairware’s certifications are a testament to our dedication to ethical practices and sustainability:

• B Corp Certification: Demonstrates leadership in using business as a force for good.
  
  
• EcoVadis Silver Rating: Places Fairware in the top 12% of companies for sustainability performance.
  
  
• Women-Owned and LGBTQ+ Certifications: Fairware is proud to be a certified Women’s Business Enterprise through WBE Canada and a certified LGBTQ+ Business through the CGLCC. These designations recognize that we are a women-led and diverse-owned company, and they connect us to supplier diversity opportunities with government and corporate partners across Canada. Together, they highlight our role in building a more inclusive and equitable economy.
  
  
• Fair Labor Association Licensee: Ensures adherence to fair labor practices across the supply chain.
  
  
• Living Wage Employer: In 2017, Fairware became a Certified Living Wage Employer, ensuring fair compensation for its team and setting a standard for community economic prosperity.

Looking Ahead of our ethical practices: Big Goals, Bigger Impact

The next chapter of Fairware’s story is shaping up to be our most exciting yet. We’re not just coasting on two decades of success—we’re doubling down on our mission to make merch matter and create a better world while we’re at it. Here’s what’s on our radar:

1. Net Zero Emissions by 2040: We’re on a mission to shrink our carbon footprint faster than you can say “Race to Zero.” By 2030, we’ll cut our emissions in half, and by 2040, we’re going full-on net zero. Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword for us—it’s the air we breathe (and we want to keep it clean!).
   
   
2. Expanding Community Impact: From planning another beach cleanup, kicking it with Vancouver Street Soccer League, to making annual donations to our community partners,  our mission is clear: to create positive change.
   
   We’re proud to back the PromoCares Water4Good Campaign, funding clean water initiatives through the sale of reusable water bottles. In partnership with Directors and UGM, we’ve also introduced a new process to share overstocked merchandise with those who need it most. And just recently, we completed our third consecutive beach cleanup with Reeve Consulting — because caring for our community means caring for our coastlines too.
   
   

3. Innovating for Sustainability: We’re turning up the dial on sustainable materials and ethical practices, helping our clients create merch that doesn’t just look good but does good. Because when your promo items align with your values, everyone wins.
   
   We’re expanding upcycling opportunities and getting ready to launch our ReMerch program — a new initiative to give branded goods a second life (more details to come!). All that, and we offer North America’s largest selection of sustainable products to meet all your merch needs with purpose and impact.

A Big Thank You to Our Community

We couldn’t have done any of this without you—our clients, partners, and community. You’ve been with us every step of the way, proving that a values-driven business is the way forward. As we celebrate 20 years, we’re more fired up than ever to help changemakers like you tell your stories through responsible, impactful merchandise.

Here’s to the next 20 years of sparking conversations, driving change, and making merch that truly matters. Let’s keep the good vibes (and great work) rolling!

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