We're thrilled to announce that we're now a certified B Corporation! Since 2014, we've been on a whirlwind adventure, building a dream team while creating premium spirits in a sustainable, community-minded way. We're delighted to be the first B Corp on our island home and we hope other businesses will follow suit and join the movement. The B Corp principles of people, planet and profit are at the heart of everything we do. We've measured our social and environmental impact in accordance with B Corp guidelines, and we're over the moon to join a community using business as a force for good.

We achieved B Corp Certification by meeting and exceeding rigorous benchmarks across five categories of the B Impact Assessment: Community, Customers, Environment, Governance and Workers. This involved working with employees and customers to reach a high level of inclusion and working with our supply chain to achieve a high level of transparency and accountability. We met these criteria independently and unusually, without guidance from external consultants.

“Since our inception in 2014, the team at the Isle of Wight Distillery have been committed to the environmentally friendly production of spirits and the preservation of our island and marine environment,” comments Xavier Baker, co-founder.  “We want to use our brand as a force for good within the local community and are delighted to join a community of B Corp businesses that have been recognised for their commitment to operate in a way that has a positive impact on the planet”.

Our B Corp certification comes three years after relaunching Mermaid Gin in a strikingly sculpted, plastic-free and fully recyclable bottle. We’re now in the process of setting our near-term science-based targets, to eliminate and reduce emissions.

One of the key efforts recognised as part of the scoring and certification is the dedication of the distillery to reduce its impact on the environment by minimising waste and preserving resources. We’re engaged in a number of local and global initiatives that reinforce our commitment to sustainability, including:

• Seagrass restoration– We work with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust to monitor and restore seagrass meadows in the waters surrounding our island home.  It’s estimated that 92% of these seagrass meadows have been lost over the last 100 years. As well as financially supporting the project, the team take part in surveys and beach clean-ups, working as ‘Marine Champions’ for the Trust.

• We work with Surfers against Sewage (SAS) a national marine conservation and campaigning charity tackling plastic pollution and protecting the UK’s coastline for people to enjoy safely and sustainably.  

• Our Mermaid bottle is crafted from 100% natural materials, designed to be reused and plastic-free. The glass bottle is decorated with biodegradable paint and features an all-natural cork with a wooden top. The neck tag is recyclable and the tamperproof seal is crafted from corn and potato starch, which composts in food waste in 6-12 weeks. The cases of Mermaid Gin fit six bottles which do not require bubble wrap for protection and all tape has been replaced with metal

 As well as putting environmental sustainability at the core of our operation, we have a strong focus on the community. The majority of our employees live locally and we use local suppliers where possible. 

“Our mission when we founded the distillery was not only to create great quality spirits but also instil responsible practices in everything we do. We are a small team, the majority of whom live and work on the island and I am so proud of what we have all achieved.  To be considered as a company that holds some of the highest standards of social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability in the world of business, is a great honour.  Not only are we passionate about making people’s lives better and considering the well-being of our planet, we are proud of our Isle of Wight heritage and hope this achievement will give other local businesses the inspiration to become B Corp companies as well.” adds Xavier.