Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Responsible Production & Consumption

Environmental Paper Network Launches Extensive Update to Its Paper Calculator

Jul 12, 2018 10:00 AM ET

An improved web-based Paper Calculator, launched today by the Environmental Paper Network-North America, provides users with new information and features to help them measure the impacts of their paper and reduce that impact through better choices. Paper Calculator version 4 is the most comprehensive update of this tool to be released. It delivers more expansive environmental impact categories including additional pollutants and new biodiversity and ecosystem impacts, for a total of 24 indicators in all. It provides more accurate climate change reporting and has been updated with the latest paper industry and life cycle assessment data from trusted sources. Additionally, the new calculator covers an expanded range of paper grades. Read more...

Environment

Uniting Team Members to Clean Up the World’s Shorelines

Jul 12, 2018 9:55 AM ET

Dell employees on almost every continent organized Shore Up events to collect plastics and other litter from local beaches, waterways and other areas.

Environment

VIDEO | P&G Asks Kids What 2030 Will Be Like

Jul 12, 2018 9:25 AM ET

We don’t know what the world will be like in 2030 so we asked the next generation. Hear what they say and how our new 2030 sustainability goals will help leave a better world for them.

Education

Fast-Growing Small Shade Trees

Jul 12, 2018 9:00 AM ET

It can be hard to find the right tree for the right place when you have a small space to work with. But that shouldn’t stop you from planting trees. There are plenty of small trees that are meant for small spaces. But before you plant, decide what purpose you want your tree to serve: are you planting for beauty? Shade? Privacy? Windbreak? Determining what you want your tree to do will help you narrow down your tree selection.

Research, Reports & Publications

BD Shares Progress Towards Achieving 2020 Sustainability Goals

Jul 12, 2018 9:00 AM ET

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX), a leading global medical technology company, today issued its 2017 Sustainability Performance Update that focuses on four key strategic areas that support the company’s 2020 Sustainability Goals.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Sodexo Recognized by Vizient as Purchased Services Supplier of the Year

Jul 12, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Sodexo, a food services and facilities management company committed to improving Quality of Life, announced that is has been named as Purchased Services Supplier of the Year by Vizient, Inc., the largest member-driven healthcare performance improvement company in the country.

Events, Media & Communications

Sustainable Brands Announces New Metrics 2018

Jul 12, 2018 7:00 AM ET

Sustainable Brands® recently released the brochure for its 8th annual New Metrics conference. New Metrics ’18: The ROI of Sustainability will take place October 29-31 at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel in Philadelphia, PA.

Social Impact & Volunteering

What Could Your NGO Accomplish With Free Support From Skilled Business Professionals?

Jul 12, 2018 6:00 AM ET

Join Taproot Foundation’s webinar on Thursday, July 26th for all the tools you need to get started on Taproot+, the cost-free online platform that connects charitable organizations in the United Kingdom, India, the United States, and Singapore with skilled volunteers for short-term pro bono projects. During the event, Taproot staff will show you how to translate your challenges and plans into a clear volunteer request and guide you through posting your project live.

Research, Reports & Publications

PepsiCo Reports Significant Strides in Pursuit of Performance With Purpose 2025 Agenda

Jul 11, 2018 5:00 PM ET

In its latest Sustainability Report, released today, PepsiCo reported important progress in 2017 against each of the company's three focus areas – Products, Planet, and People – while also returning $6.5 billion in cash to shareholders during the same period. This progress advances PepsiCo's ongoing sustainability efforts across its operations, value chain, and the food and beverage industry at-large, as part of the company's Performance with Purpose 2025 Agenda.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Less Space for Waste

Jul 11, 2018 3:45 PM ET

Despite an impressive start, single-use technology recycling is still in its infancy in the biopharma industry. The MilliporeSigma/Triumvirate partnership is the only one of its kind in the industry and is focused primarily on East Coast facilities. As global disposable plastic production continues to exceed the ability of waste management to keep up, recycling is becoming imperative.

Research, Reports & Publications

LifeStraw Releases First Responsibility Report Highlighting New Commitments and 13 Years of Global Safe Drinking Water Efforts

Jul 11, 2018 3:00 PM ET

LifeStraw, a global leader in developing innovative filtration and purification products for safe drinking water, today released its first responsibility report highlighting 13 years of global safe drinking water efforts. Specifically, it outlines new commitments to its retail give back programs, sustainability efforts, support of public lands and programs empowering its employees.

Green Infrastructure

SCE Helps Builders Build Energy-Efficient Homes

Jul 11, 2018 3:00 PM ET

Over the years, much has been done to improve the energy efficiency of refrigerators, washers and dryers and other home appliances, but California is now focusing on a bigger target — the construction of the house itself.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Timberland Sample Sale Raises $29,000 to Help End Hunger in Derry, NH

Jul 11, 2018 2:45 PM ET

At the company’s spring sample sale in June, Timberland employees opened their wallets and raised $29,000 to benefit the Derry, NH Chapter of the non-profit organization, End 68 Hours of Hunger. End 68 Hours of Hunger puts nourishing food in the hands of school children in need, to carry them through the weekend. Each bag of food provides two breakfasts, two lunches, and three dinners for a child, with some left over to share.

The Derry chapter of End 68 Hours of Hunger typically feeds 70 families per week during the school year, and set a goal to expand to 120 families in fall 2018. The $29,000 donation from the Timberland sample sale, which translates into 2,900 bags of food (at $10 per bag), enables them to achieve this goal.

Environment

Brent Constantz: Concrete Plans

Jul 11, 2018 2:35 PM ET

Most people wouldn’t guess it, but concrete is the single most widely used material in the world. And both production and consumption are on the rise. The amount of energy used to produce all of this concrete is mind-numbing, as is its impact on the climate.

Sustainable Development Goals

Video: Investing in Sustainable Development Goals Pays Off

Jul 11, 2018 2:00 PM ET

UN Sustainable Development Goals give companies and investors a unique chance to create a better world. In this video, prominent members from the investor world explain why the SDGs matter when it comes to making better investment decisions.

Innovation & Technology

Black & Veatch, Kansas to Test Beyond-Line-of-Sight Drone Under FAA Pilot Program

Jul 11, 2018 2:00 PM ET

As unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) – commonly known as drones – become more vital for commercial use, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is weighing whether to free up more national airspace for them by relaxing restraints on their operation. Such airspace rules changes could allow beyond-line-of-sight use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), and Black & Veatch is part of the team helping test the safety of that.

Diversity & Inclusion

Astellas Employees Celebrate Pride Month in Support of the LGBTQ Community

Jul 11, 2018 1:35 PM ET

Approximately 100 employees, family members and friends came out to represent Astellas in Chicago's annual LGBTQ Pride Parade on Sunday, June 24. This was the company’s ninth consecutive year of participation in the event.

Events, Media & Communications

Brands Taking Stands | Companies Push Back as Trade Wars Roil Markets

Jul 11, 2018 1:15 PM ET

The global trade wars have begun, despite a rising drumbeat of concern from companies and trade associations.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Creating a More Sustainable World Through Logistics

Jul 11, 2018 1:05 PM ET

The world is growing more connected, and UPS is playing an important role in that transformation. We enable commerce by connecting individuals and organizations in more than 220 countries and territories. Customers use our broad logistics capabilities, global presence, industry-leading technologies, and innovative solutions to grow businesses and build strong, connected communities.

Health & Healthcare

WATCH | Miss America 2018 Cara Mund Talks With Childhood Cancer Survivor Chloe Davison About My Special Aflac Duck

Jul 11, 2018 12:20 PM ET

See why 2018 Miss America Cara Mund and Chloe Davison, childhood cancer survivor, are excited about My Special Aflac Duck™, which Aflac is giving to newly diagnosed pediatric cancer patients in the U.S. free of charge in hopes of providing a comforting companion during treatment.

Environment

Addressing Local Water Data Gaps

Jul 11, 2018 12:00 PM ET

BIER believes that collaboration is key to tackling the complex and ever-changing sustainability challenges our world and industry faces. We’ve done incredible work, but we’re just getting started. Meet the environmental leaders committed to forging a more sustainable future for the beverage industry and world.

Energy

ComCapp, Green Mountain Energy Announce Sustainability Partnership to Power Communities with Rooftop Solar and 100% Renewable Electricity

Jul 11, 2018 12:00 PM ET

Private real estate management and investment firm Commerce Capital Partners (ComCapp) has teamed up with Green Mountain Energy to power 10 Texas apartment communities with 100% renewable electricity, add rooftop solar to one of its Corpus Christi communities, and offer renewable energy at a special rate to the residents of all ComCapp communities in deregulated markets. By switching the common areas of these multi-family properties to wind energy, the real estate firm will avoid 4.7 million pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions every year. That’s like driving 5.8 million fewer miles or taking 500 cars off the road for a year.

Sustainable Development Goals

Agroforestry Systems for Producing Nutritious Food for Smallholders in Odisha, India

Jul 11, 2018 11:35 AM ET

The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) South Asia Regional Programme recently launched a three-year project: Enabling Smallholders in Odisha to Produce and Consume More Nutritious Food through Agroforestry Systems.

Sustainable Development Goals

MetLife Aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals

Jul 11, 2018 11:25 AM ET

Responsible Production & Consumption

Ecolab's Smart Technology Helps Ford Drive Major Water Savings at Chicago Plant

Jul 11, 2018 11:15 AM ET

When it comes to water management, Ford Motor Company continually strives to go further. The company has reduced water use by more than 10 billion gallons since 2000 and is aiming for an additional 30 percent reduction per vehicle from 2015 to 2020. Its long-term ambition: zero freshwater use in manufacturing.