Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Environment

How Companies Harness the Power of Trees to Advance Their Sustainability Goals and Bottom Lines

Jun 14, 2018 11:40 AM ET

With all the global issues we face today — including poor air and water quality, climate risk, deforestation, poverty, and hunger — more and more corporations are taking a proactive step to become part of the solution. And they are turning to trees to make a difference.

Green Infrastructure

WheelRight Tire Safety Station on The Ray Now Includes Sidewall Reading

Jun 14, 2018 11:30 AM ET

This week, The Ray and WheelRight have upgraded the unique WheelRight drive-through tire safety station to include tire sidewall reading. The WheelRight system previously allowed for tire pressure and tread depth readings, but this additional capability contains all the critical information necessary to describe the tire and identify a suitable replacement.

Environment

Taking the Long View: 30 Years in EHS and Sustainability

Jun 14, 2018 11:05 AM ET

Antea Group’s VP, Tod Christenson, looks back on his 30 year career in EHS and sustainability as he prepares to retire.

Education

Curiosity Cube Brings Science to Life for Sacramento Kids

Jun 14, 2018 10:45 AM ET

Rather than reading from a science book, kids got to do hands-on experiments and learn about cells. Organizers said the goal of the Curiosity Cube is to spark an interest in science and create a new generation of problem-solvers.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Tupperware Brands' Leadership Team Visits Boys and Girls Club in Guatemala

Jun 14, 2018 10:35 AM ET

Rick Goings and other members of Tupperware’s leadership team visited a Boys & Girls Club in Zona 4 de Mixco, Guatemala. Rick and his team were quickly impressed by the number of kids at the club, who were very eager to welcome them and share their stories.

Energy

Mohawk Group Partners with Groundswell and Elevate Energy to Bring Solar to Community Hub in South Chicago

Jun 14, 2018 10:35 AM ET

As part of Mohawk Group’s ongoing commitment to leave more handprints than footprints, the leader in commercial flooring joined Groundswell, Elevate Energy and other partners in south Chicago today for the unveiling of a new smartflower™ solar system.

Research, Reports & Publications

WEBINAR: Need to Know Insights From the 2018 Cone/Porter Novelli Purpose Study

Jun 14, 2018 10:15 AM ET

Purpose isn’t just the latest marketing buzzword or moment-in-time tactic. Not only do Americans expect companies to lead with Purpose, they are ready to reward these companies in a variety of ways. In fact, companies that lead with Purpose will stand to build deeper bonds with existing consumers, expand the consumer base and enlist those brand advocates to share the brand message.

Innovation & Technology

How Rise Companies Are Transforming Financial Services

Jun 14, 2018 10:05 AM ET

Diversity & Inclusion

PepsiCo Named One of the Top Companies Worldwide for Millennial Women

Jun 14, 2018 10:00 AM ET

At PepsiCo, we know our teams are stronger when all voices are heard at the table, which is why we’re committed to attracting and retaining the next generation of female leaders. And now, in recognition of our efforts, we’ve been named one of the Top 1,000 Companies Worldwide for Millennial Women in 2018 – and given honoree recognition among 150 companies – by Mogul, an online platform that enables women around the globe to connect, share information and learn from each other.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Bringing Transparency to Steel Doors with Environmental Product Declarations

Jun 14, 2018 10:00 AM ET

The Steel Door Institute has commissioned third-party certifier and LCA expert SCS Global Services to prepare the first industry-wide Environmental Product Declarations for two widely used steel door products. EPDs are independently verified declarations of the potential environmental impacts associated with products. Industry-wide EPDs are important because they enable individual manufacturers to benchmark their performance through comparison of their own EPD to the industry average, and reinforce improvement efforts.

Sustainable Development Goals

Consumers Energy Proposes Long-Term Plan, Cleaner Energy Future for Michigan

Jun 14, 2018 9:55 AM ET

Consumers Energy today announced it is seizing a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape Michigan’s energy future with a plan that embodies its Triple Bottom Line commitment to people, the planet and prosperity.

Research, Reports & Publications

NRG Energy CEO: Businesses Create Value by Fulfilling Societal Need in a Meaningful Way

Jun 14, 2018 9:20 AM ET

Businesses create the most value when they fulfill a societal need in a meaningful way. I often find myself reflecting on this sentiment and the importance of electricity in our modern life. Electricity, the lifeblood of modern society, powers individuals, homes, businesses and, increasingly, other areas such as transportation. In a more connected and digital future, we will rely more on electricity, not less. As a power company that generates and sells electricity, I recognize the great responsibility we have in enabling this future.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Sodexo Named NACAS West Business Partner of the Year

Jun 14, 2018 9:05 AM ET

Sodexo, a food and facilities management company committed to improving Quality of Life, announced today it was named NACAS West Business Partner of the Year for outstanding customer service and support of the educational programs at NACAS West institutions. Sodexo was nominated by two of its university clients, New Mexico State University and the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

Education

Saying Goodbye: When It’s Time to Remove Your Tree

Jun 14, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Trees bring so much benefit and beauty to the landscape, it can be hard to part with them. But, while a tree may seem healthy to the untrained eye, it could be a disaster waiting to happen. Tree removal is usually a last resort, when no other safe management option, like pruning or disease mitigation, is sufficient. Dead, dying or otherwise hazardous trees can lead to thousands of dollars in damage, plus the priceless cost of personal injury. Often a tree doesn’t look dangerous until after a storm or heavy snow exposes its vulnerabilities.

Education

$1 Million ScottsMiracle-Gro Hagedorn Legacy Endowment Established at Ohio State

Jun 14, 2018 8:45 AM ET

Strengthening its commitment to equipping future leaders with the skills, experiences and networks necessary to succeed, The Ohio State University Max M. Fisher College of Business has announced the establishment of the ScottsMiracle-Gro Hagedorn Legacy Endowment, a $1 million fund to help students pursue their dreams of attending college.

Innovation & Technology

5 Ways Duke Energy is Using Drone Technology

Jun 13, 2018 6:05 PM ET

For nearly a century, unmanned aerial vehicles – or drones – were primarily tools for the military, but in the last decade, the use of drones for civilian tasks has skyrocketed. Industries from real estate to agriculture and retail to entertainment are using the technology to work faster, safer and in new ways. The energy industry is no exception. Duke Energy started using drones in 2015 to inspect wind and solar sites, and the ways the company can use the technology grows each year with tasks becoming more complex. For example, in February 2018, Duke Energy drone operators engineered a way to help string power lines in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

KeyBank Provides $14.2 Million in Total Financing for Preservation of Affordable Senior Housing in Buffalo

Jun 13, 2018 5:00 PM ET

KeyBank Community Development Lending & Investment (CDLI) has provided $14.2 million in construction financing for the renovation of Riverview Manor and Piotr Stadnitski Gardens in Buffalo, NY. The project will be developed in partnership with Smith and Henzy Advisory Group and MDG Design + Construction and is supported by existing project-based HUD Section 8 vouchers.

Responsible Production & Consumption

NeoCon Exhibitors Announced Living Product Certifications

Jun 13, 2018 4:45 PM ET

Five different manufacturers are celebrating 10 Living Product certifications at NeoCon 2018, bringing the total number of Living Product certifications to 20. The Living Product Challenge (LPC) was launched in 2014 by the International Living Future Institute (ILFI) to inspire manufacturers to pursue ambitious goals to dematerialize and detoxify their products and ultimately go beyond doing ‘less bad’ to create positive health and environmental impacts.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Wendy's and Sugardale Come Together for the Greater Good of Taste and the DTFA

Jun 13, 2018 3:35 PM ET

Sugardale is also a proud supporter of our brand charity of choice, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. Sugardale has supported the Foundation since its inception in 1992 and continues to us help find permanent, loving homes for children in foster care by sponsoring Wendy’s annual Frosty 5K Run for Adoption, various golf tournaments, and our annual Wendy’s Convention.

Education

Northern Trust Summer Interns Learn Hands on Training

Jun 13, 2018 3:10 PM ET

Our interns have arrived! Our 10-week program is designed for interns to learn more about our organization and industry by gaining hands on experience participating in partner and client meetings, working on key projects and task, delivering presentations to upper leadership and more!

Diversity & Inclusion

Deloitte | Women Can Soar When the Mentored Become Mentors

Jun 13, 2018 2:25 PM ET

This is graduation season, and along with the nearly four million postsecondary degrees being handed out, new graduates are getting a lot of good advice from commencement speakers and loved ones. Allow me to add one more piece of advice, and it’s a simple one to remember: Keep building your network of mentors, advisors and sponsors. The people who gave you good advice about the right professional track, coursework and summer jobs and internships are often the same people who can help you as your professional life gets l

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

GRI Is Looking for Accomplished Nominees for Its Governance Bodies

Jun 13, 2018 2:00 PM ET

GRI’s mission to empower decisions that create social, environmental and economic benefits for everyone, can only be fulfilled if everyone is represented. Once a year, there is an opportunity for experts in sustainability to become part of our governance bodies. We are currently seeking members for a term of 3 years - find out more!

Environment

PepsiCo Program Brings in 160 Million Recycled Containers

Jun 13, 2018 1:00 PM ET

PepsiCo’s 2017-2018 Recycle Rally program encouraged participating schools to start recycling, bringing in more than 160 million recycled beverage containers from the 4,000 schools enrolled in the program.

Education

Sodexo Fuels College Athletes for Game Day and Beyond

Jun 13, 2018 12:45 PM ET

Sodexo, a food and facilities management company committed to improving Quality of Life, announced today a new pilot program called The Circuit designed to equip college athletes with the proper nutrition, game-ready facilities and opportunities for professional growth and advancement.

Health & Healthcare

Why Designing Workspaces Should Be a Walk in the Park

Jun 13, 2018 12:30 PM ET

Bringing the outside in, today’s workspaces are increasingly mirroring the lush green landscapes of the great outdoors.

From cascading fountains to botanical-rich workspaces, companies big and small are creating natural, park-like environments. More than aesthetically pleasing, greened indoor workspaces are good for people and for business.

These calming spaces are designed to reduce stress, enhance overall wellness and boost productivity and efficiency. Plus, they offer financial benefits for property owners and developers.