This is also known as Human Capital. It really just means treating your employees right, but furthermore also the community where your business operates. In this part of the Triple Bottom Line model, business not only ensures a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay; but also reinvesting back some of its gains into the surrounding community through sponsorships, donation or projects that go towards the common good. This reinvestment can usually be written off come tax time as part of business operating expenses.
This is Natural Capital. A business will strive to minimize its ecological impact in all areas – from sourcing raw materials, to production processes, to shipping and administration. It’s a “cradle to grave” approach and in some cases “cradle to cradle” i.e. taking some responsibility for goods after they’ve been sold – for example, offering a recycling or take-back program. A 3BL business will also refrain from the production of toxic items.