We’ve got some brilliant news to share: Printed by Us is now a People and Planet First Verified Social Enterprise! 🎉
This recognition is more than a badge, it’s a reflection of the values that drive everything we do. From the very beginning, we set out to build something that puts people and planet before profit, and this verification shows we’re doing just that.
So what does it actually mean? Let us tell you.
💚 What Is People and Planet First Verification?
People and Planet First is an initiative led by the Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF). It was created to help customers, partners, and communities easily identify organisations that are genuinely purpose-led—that is, businesses that prioritise social and environmental impact over shareholders and profit margins.
To be verified, a business must:
- Be mission-driven
- Reinvest most of its profits into its purpose
- Be transparent about its impact
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Operate ethically and sustainably
- Put people and the planet at the heart of how it works
👕 What That Looks Like at Printed by Us
This verification gives us the chance to reflect on what we’ve built and what we’re still working towards. Here’s how we put people and planet first, every day:
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Supported employment for people overcoming homelessness or other complex challenges
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Real Living Wage for all staff
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Creative training and workplace support to build confidence and skills
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Eco-conscious printing using organic cotton garments and water-based inks
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Handmade, small-batch production to minimise waste
- Local partnerships with ethical suppliers and independent makers
None of this is a bolt-on or afterthought—it’s baked into how we do things.
🌱 Why It Matters
There are a lot of companies out there using the language of "impact" without doing much to back it up. That’s why we’re so excited about this verification—it holds us accountable.
And in a world facing huge challenges—from inequality to environmental breakdown—we think this kind of business model shouldn’t be the exception. It should be the norm.
We're proud to be part of a growing global movement showing that business can be a force for good, and that profits don’t need to come at the cost of people or the planet.
💬 Want to Support the Movement?
You can check out the full list of verified social enterprises here:
👉 peopleandplanetfirst.org
And if you want to support the work we do, every single order—whether it’s a tote bag, tee, or screen print—helps us provide training, wages, and opportunities for people building back their lives.
Thanks for helping us keep people and planet first.
– The team at Printed by Us 💚
