Is it possible to run an ethical business that is also profitable?
We think so. After all, we at Blue Patch aim to do just that.
Our Purpose
- Guide consumers in their search for local businesses and encourage direct purchases to keep money in the local economy
- Engage consumers in conversations around what sustainability means, from low carbon lifestyles to ethical business practice
- Provide a network for SMEs committed to improving their sustainability, based in the UK and Ireland
- Reward and showcase circular and sustainable progress and business developments
- Provide training through our Blue Patch Learning
Our Journey
We began researching our business model in 2009.
Our starting point was the dozens of conversations with potential consumers about the possibility of creating a space where finding local, sustainably and ethically-intentioned businesses would become easy.
What we discovered was that everyone loved our idea of a local directory. A space that simplified connecting with and buying directly from local brands committed to sustainability was a new and intriguing idea.
We built our first directory in 2014. Six years later, in 2021, we launched a refreshed version of our original directory to reflect changing consumer and business needs.
Additionally, the directory and our mission go hand in hand with the needs of communities and the environment as well as stay true to our strong foundation and guiding principles.
What does success look like?
- Consumers engaging with our members, become inspired by their sustainability knowledge and commitments
- We increase climate-positive investments and expand Blue Patch Learning
- Blue Patch is able to increase its contribution to the low carbon, local economy
What does our Blue Patch model do?
- Membership subscriptions, patrons and sponsors contribute to improving sustainability know-how (Blue Patch Learning)
- Blue Patch increases the visibility of our business members – sustaining the local economy
- Blue Patch increases investments into community-owned renewable energy and initiatives
Sustainability is a long journey
Trading is a fundamental part of human behaviour, but at present, much of trade prioritises profit over wellbeing, with a side effect of toxic waste streams and destruction of the natural world.
The collateral damage caused by business can no longer be written off.
There is an increasing awareness of dangerous practices: the decimation of rain forests in order to fill everyday products from soaps to margarine with palm oil, the use of fossil fuel fertilisers to maintain fertility of exhausted soil, mountains of waste caused by fast fashion and plastics, escalating carbon levels caused by transportation.
This can, and needs to change.
Done mindfully, trade binds our communities.
We at Blue Patch want to play a role in facilitating mindful trade by enriching consumers’ lives with beautiful products and services with ambition to increase their choices over time. This requires looking at consumption through a different lens. Yes, businesses that strive towards sustainability can cost more. However, the benefits far outweigh the cost. The journey towards sustainability is complex with supply chains often ‘hidden’. This becomes especially challenging for a small business with limited ability to research technicalities of production methods and ‘disguised’ ingredients.
No one is perfect
At Blue Patch we define sustainability as a journey into provenance, materials, methods and processes. The journey continues deep into the supply chain, from creation of raw materials to end of life of the product – all impacts should be considered – and that’s hard.
Our job is to examine and find ways to mitigate environmental impacts by supporting a transparent and curious community, where research and improvement is actively engaged with.
We hope you enjoy browsing through our directory.
Blue Patch is a social enterprise company limited by guarantee, with an asset lock, preventing sale of the company for profit.
Follow the story
We’d love to get to know you!