What is a three-thinking business?
A three-thinking business is any business that makes environmental and social values, as well as financial values, an integral part of its business decisions. That might include ensuring the products you sell are ethically sourced and environmentally sustainable, working to reduce your carbon footprint, providing fairly-traded refreshments in the workplace, using a bank that doesn’t lend to unethical businesses or choosing to trade with other businesses who share your values.
We need three-thinking businesses across all sectors. That means three-thinking designers, decorators, hairdressers, accountants, lawyers – anyone that provides a service or product. The more three-thinking businesses there are, the more choice we have. So when we make a purchase we can choose to buy from a business that’s helping grow the economy we want.
For more details about what we look for when businesses are submitted for inclusion on the Purple directory map please see our three-thinking criteria.
Main menu
You are here
Identifying ethical products
More information on the labels and products to look for when you shop.
Standards labels
Consumer guides
In-depth information
Books, films and research covering key themes in business ethics and sustainability.
Publications and films
Research organisations


