Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Social Impact & Volunteering

Business Value of Pro Bono: Innovate and Adapt

Nov 13, 2017 11:30 AM ET

Pro bono service is a powerful way to drive social change. Yet, many corporate employees looking to bring pro bono service to their company struggle to get buy-in from leadership and other key stakeholders. Although these stakeholders may understand the social value of pro bono, they don't always see the business value.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Over 7,800 Hours Volunteered by Xylem Employees During Global Month of Service

Nov 13, 2017 11:30 AM ET

To commemorate its anniversary in October, Xylem, a leading global water technology company dedicated to solving the world’s most challenging water issues, held its second annual Global Month of Service. Embracing the goals of Xylem’s corporate citizenship program, Xylem Watermark, employees around the world came together to provide and protect safe water resources for communities in need and to educate people about water issues. Throughout the month, Xylem employees volunteered more than 7,800 hours by participating in nearly 100 events in 28 countries.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Secret to Aging Well

Nov 13, 2017 11:25 AM ET

I just turned 60. It’s an interesting age. Passed the years of fearing the “F’s” (The Big 40 & 50), I have found this birthday easy to embrace. I’m more confident and knowledgeable and less insecure about the march of time across my limbs. I am ready to grow with age, not fight it. Part of this is maturity, part anticipation of senior discounts and part from the insights I benefit from in my line of work.

Environment

Hotel Industry Teams up With World Wildlife Fund and The Rockefeller Foundation to Reduce Food Waste

Nov 13, 2017 11:10 AM ET

Today, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), with support from The Rockefeller Foundation, unveil results from a set of projects demonstrating innovative strategies aimed at reducing food waste in the hotel industry. Based on the results, WWF, AHLA, and The Rockefeller Foundation are releasing a toolkit with strategies to help hotel properties and brands meet measurable, time-bound goals to reduce food waste.

Innovation & Technology

Internet Essentials: Military and Veterans

Nov 13, 2017 11:05 AM ET

Josh Delano is the father of two school age daughters, a Navy veteran, and a full-time student in the Electrical Engineering Department at Fresno State. He is also a part of the more than 4 million low-income Americans that have benefitted from the Internet Essentials program since 2011. Josh qualifies for Internet Essentials because his girls participate in the National School Lunch Program. Being a present father to his two daughters, and working on the challenge of clean and renewable energy are Josh’s two passions in life. Having Internet Essentials means he no longer needs to sacrifice time with his girls in order to achieve his goals.

Environment

Recovering Value from Exploration & Production Waste

Nov 13, 2017 11:00 AM ET

There’s a Renaissance in Texas’ Permian Basin. Not a renaissance of art or literature, but of oil. In the past year, the number of active drill rigs operating in the local area has tripled. More exploration and production (E&P) = more solids and liquid-based muds, or byproducts from the E&P processes that must be managed responsibly. The renaissance is great for business. But, it’s also good for the environment.

Innovation & Technology

Hey COP23: Bitcoin Miners Exploding CO2 Emissions!

Nov 13, 2017 10:45 AM ET

New Scientist reports Bitcoin miners conspicuous consumption of (mostly fossil-based) electricity at 23.07 terawatts annually, see "Bitcoin Energy Bill Matches Ecuador's!" “Thus, COP23’s newest challenge is from the growing speculative bubble of Bitcoin and the rush to additional cryptocurrencies.

Sustainable Development Goals

Bechtel CASE STUDY & PODCAST: Rethinking Construction, Workforce Development, and Local Economic Development

Nov 13, 2017 10:25 AM ET

As part of Bechtel’s commitment to contribute 100 ideas to support the United Nation’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this case study examines how large-scale construction projects can be transformative by shifting from local content programs to long-term economic development. This change enables governments to organize business partnerships more strategically, broaden local participation, and promote systemic change across national workforce policies and programs.

Education

Hormel Foods Announces 2017 Hormel Heroes Scholarship Recipients

Nov 13, 2017 10:15 AM ET

Hormel Foods Corporation today announced the recipients of its $10,000 2017 Hormel Heroes Scholarships. The Hormel Heroes Scholarship Program was created by Hormel Foods to support female students with military backgrounds pursuing careers in culinary arts or a foodservice management related program, and is administered by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF).

Social Impact & Volunteering

VIDEO: 250 Charities Benefit from 2017 Shire's Global Day of Service

Nov 13, 2017 10:10 AM ET

This year, over 7,300 Shire employees volunteered 29,000 hours and we partnered with over 250 charities in 300 global locations.

Green Infrastructure

Recycled Garbage: Paving the Way to a Sustainable Future

Nov 13, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Recyclable waste may literally pave the way to a sustainable future. Around the world, an increasing number of urban planners and engineers are utilizing recycled garbage and turning it into viable, environmentally friendly infrastructure.

In 2013, Americans generated about 254 million tons of trash, recycling and composting about 87 million tons of it, equivalent to a 34.3 percent recycling rate. That’s a lot of waste just waiting to be converted into efficient, environmentally-sound structures and systems that can help cities flourish.

From unavoidable potholes on freeways to wobbly bridges over lakes in the Midwest, updating America’s aging infrastructure with eco-friendly materials derived from trash is a win-win.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

INFOGRAPHIC | eBay Everyday Heroes: Feeding the Hungry

Nov 13, 2017 9:55 AM ET

Millions of Senior Citizens struggle with hunger on a daily basis. Learn how a nonprofit is using eBay to help deliver food to those in need.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Nestlé USA and Nestlé Purina PetCare Earn Top Scores in 2018 Corporate Equality Index

Nov 13, 2017 9:45 AM ET

Nestlé USA and Nestlé Purina PetCare received scores of 95% and 100% respectively on the 2018 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices relating to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Nestlé USA and Nestlé Purina PetCare’s scores reflect a commitment to LGBTQ workplace equality, with respect to tangible policies, benefits, and practices.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

LIXIL Included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the First Time

Nov 13, 2017 9:45 AM ET

LIXIL Group Corporation, a global leader in the housing and buildings industry, announced that for the first time it has earned a place in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) for its sustainability performance. LIXIL Group was included in the DJSI Asia-Pacific Index as the highest scoring company in the Building Products Industry, and ranked third globally in this industry group.

Education

Bringing Education to Rural India Through Technology

Nov 13, 2017 9:45 AM ET

In September, 8 Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) employee volunteers traveled to Pune, India, as part of the HPE Leadership Through Service program. Their mission: to enhance a digital platform that will improve provide educational opportunities to 6 million underprivileged children.

Health & Healthcare

Diabetes Research Institute Foundation: Focused on Finding a Cure

Nov 13, 2017 9:30 AM ET

During November’s Diabetes Awareness Month and World Diabetes Day on November 14, our communities take notice of this global health threat that continues to grow. Diabetes is a disease that can strike anyone, from any walk of life. And it does at an alarming rate.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Sands Cares and Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth host Southern Nevada Youth Homelessness Summit at The Venetian

Nov 13, 2017 9:30 AM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Once Suicidal, Here's How Boys Town Helped Pyper Shine

Nov 13, 2017 9:25 AM ET

Diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a child, Pyper was bullied in school to the point of ​considering suicide. Pyper and ​her father found hope at Boys Town, where she fell in with a group of peers who immediately embraced her for her unique gifts.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Mark Your Calendar: Dinner at Wendy’s on November 14!

Nov 13, 2017 9:25 AM ET

On Tuesday, November 14 between the hours of 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm, 15% of restaurant sales from customers who visit a participating Wendy’s restaurant for dinner will be donated to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption® in recognition of National Adoption Month. These funds will support the DTFA’s continued efforts to find forever homes for children waiting in foster care.

Events, Media & Communications

Insider Perspective: Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference

Nov 13, 2017 9:20 AM ET

Held in San Francisco, CA on October 16 - 18, 2017, ABLC ‘Next’ offered participants a snapshot of the up-and-coming companies, technologies, projects and initiatives that are making waves in the bioeconomy throughout North America. The event brought together application and platform developers, investors, policymakers, end-use customers and development partners for three days of fresh updates and rich insights into the latest technologies of the advanced bioeconomy in health, nutrition, ‘AgTech’, genetics, big data, robotics, fuels, chemicals and materials.

Sustainable Development Goals

UN Global Compact Bulletin (November 2017)

Nov 13, 2017 9:15 AM ET

Find out how the private sector can contribute to accelerating and enhancing the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Paris Agreement at COP 23 in Bonn on 15 November. Join the world's largest annual gathering on business and human rights at the 2017 UN Forum on Business and Human Rights in Geneva on 27-29 November.

Diversity & Inclusion

Exploring Portland's Rich Native American & Indigenous History

Nov 13, 2017 9:15 AM ET

November is National Native American Heritage Month, and here in Portland, Oregon, we are celebrating the artistic contributions from the American Indian and Indigenous community with this year’s Portland Film Festival (PDXFF). As the presenting sponsor, Comcast provides support for our festival to bring a wide array of diverse voices to audiences across the region. This year, we are screening over 152 films from around the world, 89 of which were directed by women – that’s nearly 60 percent of the films being screened – and, each day, a film will be shown that highlights current Indigenous voices.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

PANDORA’s Prize Winning Waste Management

Nov 13, 2017 9:00 AM ET

At PANDORA Production Thailand, waste is seen as a resource. In 2016, 86% of the waste produced by its crafting facilities was reused or recycled. The dedicated effort put into the company’s waste management has now been rewarded by the Department of Industrial Works in Bangkok, Thailand.

Events, Media & Communications

Cutting-Edge Business Performance Metrics Revealed at Sustainable Brands New Metrics ‘17

Nov 13, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Members of the Sustainable Brands® community gather in Philadelphia to kick off the 7th annual New Metrics conference. More than 300 global senior executives are convening today through Nov 15th to unveil cutting-edge corporate practices that will enable brands to identify and measure entirely new forms of business risk and value.

Research, Reports & Publications

British American Tobacco Launches Sustainable Agriculture and Farmer Livelihoods Focus Report

Nov 13, 2017 8:25 AM ET

British American Tobacco’s commitment to working to enable prosperous livelihoods for all farmers who supply our tobacco leaf is the focus of the latest report on Sustainable Agriculture and Farmer Livelihoods, available now.