Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Social Impact & Volunteering

Closing the STEM Gap Through Skilled Volunteerism

Aug 30, 2018 4:40 PM ET

Around the world, employers are seeking to enlist workers with relevant skills for existing and emerging roles in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, also known as STEM. According to the CECP 2017 Giving in Numbers report, workforce development and education, particularly as related to STEM, are two of the largest focal areas for corporate and foundation giving. These are also two of the largest mission focus areas for nonprofits. In spite of such determined investment and effort, gaps persist, leaving employers and students without the critical thinking and applied skills needed to propel our evolving global economy.

Environment

Brightening Our Corner Newsletter - August 2018

Aug 30, 2018 4:30 PM ET

This is the quarterly newsletter for the Ray C. Anderson Foundation, a private family foundation that seeks to promote a sustainable society by supporting and funding educational and project-based initiatives that advance knowledge and innovation in sustainability.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Tyson Foods Grant to Help Serve Hungry Neighbors

Aug 30, 2018 3:45 PM ET

As part of Tyson Foods’ commitment to support the communities it serves, the company announced today a $125,000 grant to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. The investment will bolster the food bank’s ability to supply its agency partners and pantries with a variety of food through two projects.

Diversity & Inclusion

In the Not So Distant Future, Comics Won’t be About Superheroes — They’ll be About You

Aug 30, 2018 3:20 PM ET

Deirdre Hollman always read the funny pages in the newspaper growing up, but didn’t really get into comics until she had a child of her own. She saw that her son liked DC and Marvel comics like Nightwing and Batman, and Hollman wanted to diversify his reading material. She headed to Harlem to pick up a few comic books featuring black characters so her son could see some heroes who looked like him.

Environment

Subaru Offers Americans Tips on How to Keep National Parks Clean Leading Into Labor Day Weekend

Aug 30, 2018 3:00 PM ET

Last year, more than 330 million people visited the national parks and with Labor Day weekend around the corner, parks across the country are likely to see a surge of visitor traffic. While everyone is encouraged to visit a national park in their area, with more visitors comes more waste that the National Park Service (NPS) must manage. Each year, NPS manages nearly 100 million pounds of visitor waste nationally, much of which is brought in from outside the parks.

Environment

After Date Nights in the Garden, a Farm Emerges

Aug 30, 2018 2:30 PM ET

For some married couples, a date night might include dinner and a movie. For Rene and Monika Owczarski, most of their evenings together involve going out — to garden by moonlight.

“We get the kids to bed, go outside, and put on our head lamps to weed,” Monika Owczarski said. “Luckily, our baby monitor reaches that far.”

Education

Mobile Science Lab Visits Milton, Sparks Curiosity

Aug 30, 2018 2:30 PM ET

The Curiosity Cube made a stop at the Milton Library Saturday. The Curiosity Cube was created with the goal to inspire children with hands-on science to children. MilliporeSigma, a life-science company with a facility in Oakville, created the cube by converting a 22x10-foot shipping container into a mobile science lab.

Diversity & Inclusion

Aflac Diversity Council Hosts 2018 World Fair

Aug 30, 2018 12:20 PM ET

Aflac’s Diversity Council hosted a world fair to raise awareness of the importance of celebrating diversity and its role in the company’s success.

Environment

Five Things You Need to Know About Updated GRI Water Standard

Aug 30, 2018 12:05 PM ET

The Global Reporting Initiative has released its first updated standard - Water and Effluents 2018 - which provides a holistic approach to reporting on water stewardship. Here's what you need to know about the standard.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Avery Dennison Continues to Pioneer Change by Launching Recycled PET Liners in Europe

Aug 30, 2018 12:05 PM ET

Avery Dennison will be the first pressure sensitive labelling material supplier to introduce liner made from recycled PET (rPET) commercially in Europe. This move reflects the firm’s commitment to finding more sustainable solutions for the labelling industry.

Social Impact & Volunteering

An Introduction to SROI Training in Calgary and Toronto

Aug 30, 2018 12:00 PM ET

SiMPACT builds capacity in social impact and valuation through a variety of courses. These include social return on investment (SROI) training, SROI Accreditation Training, and courses highlighting techniques to maximize impact. One-on-One SROI coaching and customized training courses are also our speciality.

Innovation & Technology

Walmart's First Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Tennessee Installed at Ooltewah Store

Aug 30, 2018 11:30 AM ET

As Walmart continues to seek to provide convenient services for its customers and contribute to reducing emissions in the communities where it operates, the retailer announced on Wednesday the installation of eight Electrify America electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at its Ooltewah Supercenter at 5588 Little Debbie Parkway. The EV chargers are Walmart’s first in the state, and are operational and ready for customers to use.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

A New Plan Will Bring Toilets to 250 Million People Who Need Them

Aug 30, 2018 11:30 AM ET

A new partnership between UNICEF and LIXIL, one of the largest home and water product suppliers in the world, aims to jumpstart progress on one of the goals: SDG 6, which mandates improved access to clean water and sanitation for all. Around 2.3 billion people in the world currently don’t have access to a clean, safe toilet. By 2021, LIXIL and UNICEF want to help lower that number by 250 million to supplement progress on SDG 6. “There aren’t any impossibilities or any lack of technology posing a barrier to access,” says Jin Montesano, chief public affairs officer for LIXIL. “But it is a very complex issue that requires more focus on solutions and partners coming together to accelerate progress on the goal.”

Education

Arrow Electronics Hosts 196 Interns Across the United States

Aug 30, 2018 11:20 AM ET

This summer, Arrow Electronics hosted 196 interns across the United States, giving them valuable experience in a corporate setting to kick-start their professional careers.

Most of the interns are completing the three-month program in the Denver headquarters, but others are spread throughout the country, spanning from Arrow locations in Nevada to Minnesota.

Environment

A Fresh Resource for ESG-Oriented Financial Advisors

Aug 30, 2018 11:15 AM ET

One of the gurus of ESG investing has recently launched a new service for financial advisors (FAs) who want to integrate Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors into their investment process. He has created a site called “Sustainable Investing” and filled it with content about ESG investing. Those who subscribe (there is a three month free trial option) get a quarterly newsletter and access to some otherwise hidden research reports.

Diversity & Inclusion

Building Capacity for STEM Nonprofits

Aug 30, 2018 11:15 AM ET

Around the world, employers are seeking highly-skilled workers to take on existing and emerging roles in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, also known as STEM. Workforce development and education, particularly as related to STEM, are two of the largest focus areas for corporate and foundation giving as well as two of the largest mission focuses for nonprofits, according to the CECP’s 2017 Giving in Numbers report. Yet, even given this great investment, gaps in STEM education still exist, leaving both employers and students without the critical thinking and analytical problem-solving skills sorely needed in our ever-changing global economy.

Sustainable Development Goals

THIS IS OUR JOURNEY: From Pushcart Operator To Businessman

Aug 30, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Every year, thousands of young Nigerians enter the labour market, academic qualification in hand, and hope in their hearts.

This was the story of Mr. Wasiu Adeyeye, an educated young man, but that hope slowly faded, as it seemed the dream job was never going to come.

Wasiu was introduced to Nescafé’s My Own Business scheme by his old school friend and fellow coffee vendor Lekan Ajayi.

“At first, when he told me about the job, I didn’t think I would be successful at it,” Wasiu says. “However, three months into the job I realised that with hard work and persistence I would succeed.”

Environment

Reef Futures Looking Up! Large Scale Coral Reef Restoration is Possible

Aug 30, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Needing to change our visual and professional perspective was the common theme behind several promising low-cost technical solutions reviewed at a recent Coral Reef Restoration Workshop. The workshop sponsored by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Mars, Inc. and Paul G. Allen Philanthropies, convened a unique multi-disciplinary coalition of scientists, NGOs, coral restoration practitioners, Government and business, in Bali, Indonesia. Its aim was to identify promising evidence-based standards to scale coral restoration efforts globally.

Environment

A Holistic Approach to Water Stewardship: 5 Strategic Considerations for Food & Beverage Companies

Aug 30, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Antea Group analyzes 5 considerations that food and beverage companies need to think about to rise to the challenge of diminishing water resources.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Hallmark President Dave Hall Helps Provide Leadership for United Way of Greater Kansas City

Aug 30, 2018 10:45 AM ET

For decades, Hallmark and its businesses have supported the United Way to improve the health, education and financial stability of the communities where its employees work and live. In 2017, Hallmark was the No. 1 giver to the United Way of Greater Kansas City, with a donation of nearly $2.3 million. Another $773,500 was pledged from other Hallmark locations for their respective United Way chapters.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Follow the Money: How Sands Cares Assists Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth

Aug 30, 2018 10:40 AM ET

Environment

PepsiCo Offers Free Resources to Help Schools Increase Recycling

Aug 30, 2018 10:20 AM ET

Global consumers now use a million plastic bottles every minute. Though most beverage bottles are made from a readily recyclable type of plastic, less than 10 percent are ultimately recycled—and up to 14 million metric tons of plastic, including discarded beverage bottles, enter the world’s oceans every year. As our growing addiction to single-use plastic becomes painfully apparent on land and sea, citizens, NGOs and other stakeholders are calling on consumer goods manufacturers to do more to reduce plastic waste.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Behind the Scenes VIDEO | Nutopia Carpet Plank Collection from Mohawk Group

Aug 30, 2018 10:15 AM ET

Our Nutopia carpet plank collection is designed to achieve petal certification by meeting stringent requirements for the Living Product Challenge. Created to transition across the floor or create defined areas in the built environment, Nutopia’s four styles can be used together as a cohesive system, or separately depending on the desired configuration, end use, and budget. Layouts can be subtle or vivid and dramatic – just like the dynamics of city life.

Green Infrastructure

Wells Fargo Commits $5 Million to Establish GRID Alternatives’ Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund

Aug 30, 2018 10:00 AM ET

Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) announced today a philanthropic commitment of $5 million over three years to support solar projects in tribal communities across the U.S.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Applications Now Open for The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Hometown Community Garden and Greenspace Grant Fund

Aug 30, 2018 9:15 AM ET

At ScottsMiracle-Gro, our roots run deep. This year, we’re celebrating the 150th anniversary of our company, and we contribute a big part of our success to the local community in Marysville, Ohio, who’s helped us grow over the years. That’s why we’re honored to partner with The Union County Foundation to provide more resources for garden and greenspace development in our own corporate backyard of Union County, Ohio.