Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Social Impact & Volunteering

BCBS Employees Take an Active Role in Community Health Initiatives

Jul 27, 2016 9:00 AM ET

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) system provides health insurance coverage for one in every three Americans. About 150,000 of those people are employees of the 36 BCBS companies - people who live, work and play in the same communities we serve. From CEOs to or summer interns, BCBS employees are committed to taking an active role to help improve the health of our neighbors.

Energy

More Ethanol Could Reduce GHG ​Emissions ​By 14 Percent, New Study Shows

Jul 27, 2016 9:00 AM ET

There has always been a controversy around the ethanol in relation to its environmental credentials. Detractors say it could actually be worse than fossil fuel while supporters ​claim that​, by and large, it ​can help ​clean​ up transportation​, a major source of emissions that cause global warming.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Tetra Tech Employees Teach High School Students about their Local Environment

Jul 27, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Promoting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in our local communities and teaching students about Tetra Tech’s role in the community

Research, Reports & Publications

Xylem Human-Powered Pump for Rural Farmers

Jul 27, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Xylem’s Saajhi treadle pump uses human weight and motion to move water and was designed to help smallholder farmers in rural areas irrigate their land more efficiently.

Research, Reports & Publications

Fast Facts

Jul 27, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Responsible Production & Consumption

Net-Zero Energy Is Now ‘In the Grasp’ of Wastewater Treatment Facilities

Jul 27, 2016 9:00 AM ET

It is commonly known that wastewater possesses more energy than needed to operate a treatment facility, but the number of net-zero energy water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) is still very low worldwide. Yet, a recent study states that the possibility of net-zero energy is now in the grasp of many wastewater facilities, and the report provides some of the best insights on record as to how to achieve such results.

Environment

Albertsons Companies Increases the Use of Biodiesel for its Truck Fleets

Jul 27, 2016 8:00 AM ET

As one of the country’s largest food and drug retailers, Albertsons Companies is actively pursuing the goal of reducing waste and minimizing our environmental impact. We look for opportunities to lower the carbon footprint in our stores, offices, facilities and distribution centers across all of our banners (including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons and Pavilions).

Events, Media & Communications

Jack Kicks Cancer: 10 Years Strong

Jul 27, 2016 8:00 AM ET

Ten years ago Jack Blake was inspired to start a nonprofit called Jack Kicks Cancer to honor of his father, and to make a larger impact in the fight against cancer. Having just celebrated their 10th anniversary soccer tournament fundraising event, we caught up with Jack to hear more of his story and what continues to drive him forward.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

VolunteerMatch Names Finalists for 2016 Employee Volunteer Program of the Year Award

Jul 26, 2016 6:15 PM ET

VolunteerMatch, the web’s largest volunteer engagement network, announced today the finalists for its annual Employee Volunteer Program of the Year Award. This award honors companies for exemplary employee volunteer programs during the previous calendar year.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Sodexo Stands Up for Over 2,000 Veterans at Annual Operation Stand Down Event

Jul 26, 2016 4:00 PM ET

Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Life Services, proudly served the more than 2,000 veterans who attended Operation Stand Down from July 22 through 24 in Balboa Park, San Diego, CA. Coordinated by Sodexo’s employee resource business group, HONOR, volunteers from accounts in Sodexo’s Government, Healthcare, Universities and Corporate Services business segments served lunch for the attendees as well as hosted an employment table for all three days of the event.

Environment

PepsiCo and the Inter-American Development Bank: A Partnership with Purpose

Jul 26, 2016 4:00 PM ET

Responsible Production & Consumption

Transparency in Supply Chains

Jul 26, 2016 3:35 PM ET

Staying on top of supply chain transparency efforts is tough, and as supply chains become increasingly complex, the tasks become difficult for companies to achieve. There are many factors to take into account when evaluating your supply chain. Aspects of supply chains like, multiple tiers, supplier location, component costs, logistics and more can affect your decisions as a company. It is important to remember for the scalability of your supply chain that transparency is one of the most important factors you can evaluate.

Events, Media & Communications

Free Webinar: New Frontiers in Financial Capability

Jul 26, 2016 3:30 PM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Barclays Awarded Gold Status for Support of Disabled Customers, Clients and Colleagues

Jul 26, 2016 3:30 PM ET

Environment

Talk with Green Guy Show - The Church, Sustainability and Creation Care

Jul 26, 2016 3:30 PM ET

The Church, Sustainability and Creation Care - Talk With Green Guy Interview with Garry Harris.

Diversity & Inclusion

Ringing in a New Year of Disability Inclusion

Jul 26, 2016 2:15 PM ET

Last week I had the privilege of joining my close friends at AAPD to celebrate the anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a transformative piece of legislation that’s afforded individuals with disabilities essential civil rights and unprecedented opportunities in the workplace, the classroom and in their own homes and communities.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Arrow Electronics Employees Adopt Orphanage in Rural Africa

Jul 26, 2016 2:00 PM ET

In the fall of 2015, global technology company Arrow Electronics helped launch the first “DigiTruck” in Africa. The self-sustainable mobile computer lab brought technology and internet access to children living largely off the grid in the Tuleeni Orphans Home, located on the remote slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Astellas Employees Assemble to Benefit Metro Vancouver’s Native Youth in Need

Jul 26, 2016 1:30 PM ET

Approximately 200 Astellas Medical Affairs, Americas employees from across the United States, Canada and Brazil recently joined forces in Vancouver, Canada, to benefit Urban Native Youth Association.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

What You Can Do to Fix a Broken System. You Personally!

Jul 26, 2016 1:30 PM ET

“What can I do to fix a broken global economy? Me personally.” It’s a question I’ve heard a lot these past few months as I’ve crisscrossed the US speaking at TED venues, music concerts, the World Affairs Council, bookstores, on radio and TV shows, and at a variety of other forums.

Research, Reports & Publications

Diageo Welcomes Alcohol Industry Progress Against Producers’ Commitments

Jul 26, 2016 12:15 PM ET

Diageo welcomes today’s release of the latest Producers’ Commitments Report by the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD), which shows signatory companies have stepped up implementation of their Commitments to contribute to the global target of reducing alcohol-related harm by 10% by 2025.

Environment

SCS Global Services Launches Its First Corporate Blog

Jul 26, 2016 12:00 PM ET

SCS, a trusted leader in third-party environmental, sustainability and food quality certification, auditing, testing and standards development, has launched its first corporate blog. The blog will serve as a content hub for individuals, corporations and organizations with an interest in sustainability in relation to Forestry, Climate, Food and Agriculture, Environmental Certifications, Auditing and more.

Health & Healthcare

Amway Malnutrition Efforts Featured in USCCF Healthy Returns Report

Jul 26, 2016 11:55 AM ET

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation recognized Amway and several other companies and organizations this month for their efforts to address community health.

Research, Reports & Publications

Alliance Data Uses Data for Good

Jul 26, 2016 11:30 AM ET

Alliance Data is changing the face of big data. From AMBER Alerts to tornado warnings to helping out non-profits, we are “using data for good”. Watch this video to learn more about our responsible use of data in 2015.

Environment

Cerro Verde, a Freeport-McMoRan Company, Sponsors Wastewater Treatment Plant for the City of Arequipa, Peru

Jul 26, 2016 11:10 AM ET

Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde S.A.A. financed the construction of a new wastewater collection and treatment plant. The Enlozada water resource recovery plant recycles wastewater, which protects the Chili River and provides water resources for the Cerro Verde mine.

Responsible Production & Consumption

General Mills, SDSU Partner for Oats Research

Jul 26, 2016 11:00 AM ET

General Mills, the maker of Cheerios cereal, Nature Valley bars and Yoplait yogurt has chosen South Dakota State University as its partner in an effort to improve the quality of oats and make the crop more sustainable.