We're Australia's First B Corp Optometrist - So, what is B Corp?

Seekers. The first and only Certified B Corp optometrist in Australia. What does that mean and how did we get here? In 2022, Seekers began our application to become a Certified B Corp. Sustainability and social impact have always been in our sightline, now these initiatives have been recognised with our official B Corp Certification in August 2023.

What does it mean to be a B Corp?

A Certified B Corporation is a business, big or small, that meets and maintains the highest standard of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Receiving a B Corp Certification is independent acknowledgment that a business is contributing positively to society and implements sustainable practices into their operation. It is an ongoing and conscious effort, to continuously maintain and implement new initiatives that benefit our society. The B Corp Certification is more than just a label. In becoming a B Corp, a business is joining a community of like-minded people working collectively to use their business as a force for good in the world. This movement redefines success in business, shifting from commercial success to a model of making positive change.

What’s involved in becoming a Certified B Corp?

For Seekers, the journey started at day one. As a local business, Seekers has always sought to create a positive impact on the environment and our Fitzroy community. We are constantly looking for opportunities to do good. With many positive sustainable and community initiatives in place and many more on the horizon, Seekers applied to become a Certified B Corp. This included reviewing all our suppliers and operations, and publishing our Environmental Sustainability Policy. In completing our B Impact Assessment to become a Certified B Corp, we affirmed our commitment to do good. This process assessed our impact, compared it to other businesses that have undergone the assessment and then identified avenues for improvement.

Our initiatives and approach

Our small, but dedicated team at Seekers have established the following programs to support our local community and create an environmentally sustainable practice:

• Seekers Supports: Since 2020, Seekers has been making quarterly donations to local charities selected by our clients, such as Outback Vision, Guide Dogs Victoria, Minus18, The Father Bob Maguire Foundation and most recently Thorne Harbour Health.
• Reuse, Re-lens, Recycle: In our ongoing efforts to create an environmentally sustainable practice, Seekers sell high-quality plant-based acetate or titanium frames that are durable and can be easily refurbished as they age. We encourage our clients to re-lens their existing frames when their prescription changes, by offering a 20% discount on their new prescription lenses.
• Contact Lens Recycling: Seekers provides contact lens clients with a plant-based pouch to store their used contact lenses and packaging to return to the practice for recycling through our partnership with TerraCycle.
• Lions Recycle for Sight: In an effort to reduce waste, recycle and support those in need, Seekers donates second-hand frames to Lions Recycle for Sight, offering a $20 discount on new frames to donating customers.
• Lens Waste Recycling: Seekers fit all prescription lenses in our on-site lab where water used in the edging process is filtered and recycled, reducing our water consumption and removing plastic from the water for recycling through TerraCycle.
• Sustainably Sourced, Biodegradable and Non-toxic Supplies: To reduce our impact on the environment, Seekers exclusively use recycled, sustainably sourced, biodegradable and non-toxic supplies. This includes Sustainable Print Co paper products, HeapsGood compostable mailers, FSA-certified cardboard bags and Who Gives a Crap toilet paper.
• Green Power: Seekers use 100% green energy to power our practice.
• Ethical Banking: Since the beginning, Seekers have banked with Bank Australia, a fellow B Corp.
• Bicycle Couriers: To reduce our environmental impact when making urgent client deliveries, Seekers use bicycle couriers where possible.