Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Electronic Payments Made Through the Benevity Platform Reach an All-Time High of 87 Percent

May 1, 2018 8:00 AM ET

Benevity, Inc., the global leader in corporate social responsibility and employee engagement software, announced that electronic payments made to charities and nonprofit organizations through its platform have reached an all-time high. 87 percent of total employee and corporate donations processed through Benevity are sent electronically, providing charities and nonprofits with the most accurate, reliable, efficient and cost-effective way of receiving funds.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

The Intersection of the Employee Experience and Corporate Citizenship

Apr 30, 2018 5:10 PM ET

Corporate citizenship and HR stakeholders can work together to enhance the Employee Experience. These professionals will have the opportunity to meet, network, and learn at The Employee Experience Summit in Chicago on May 17th.

Media & Communications

TransCanada Releases 2017 Corporate Responsibility Report

Apr 30, 2018 5:00 PM ET

TransCanada Corporation has released its 2017 Corporate Responsibility Report, providing a comprehensive update on our performance on environmental, social and governance topics that matter most to the stakeholders, Indigenous groups, landowners and communities involved with or affected by our business across North America.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

SC Johnson Named No. 1 2018 Best Workplace in Central America

Apr 30, 2018 4:30 PM ET

SC Johnson Central America has been recognized as the top 2018 Best Workplace by the Great Place to Work® Institute, ranking No. 1 on this year’s list of companies. This is the 11th consecutive appearance in the rankings for SC Johnson Central America, and the third consecutive year being ranked No. 1.

Energy

Nestlé Waters Plant in Sacramento Now Powered Entirely by Clean Energy

Apr 30, 2018 3:15 PM ET

Nestlé Waters North America, in partnership with SMUD, today announced agreements that will allow its facility in Sacramento, California to be powered by 100% renewable energy. The agreement is a major step towards parent company Nestlé’s global goal to transition to 100% renewable electricity use in its operations.

The clean, renewable electricity generated by SMUD will be used by Nestlé Waters North America to produce sustainably-sourced, healthy beverage options for Californians, including the company’s Arrowhead® Brand Mountain Spring Water and Nestlé® Pure Life® Purified Water. By transitioning its electrical power needs to renewable sources, the carbon footprint of the Nestlé Waters factory will be reduced by more than 21,279 metric tons of carbon dioxide over the next three years.

Energy

GM and Bloomberg to Buy Energy From New Enel Wind Farm

Apr 30, 2018 3:00 PM ET

General Motors and Bloomberg LP have invested in long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) with Enel’s new wind farm, which is under construction in Illinois. Enel, through its US renewable company Enel Green Power North America, Inc. (EGPNA), started construction of the 185 MW HillTopper, its first wind farm in the US state of Illinois.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

How Offices Can Do More to Improve Sustainability

Apr 30, 2018 2:55 PM ET

Sometimes, the environmental impact of our working lives can seem so outside our personal control. It’s easy to get complacent, even self-congratulatory (“we’ve gone paperless!” – even if the power and ventilation to keep those office computers running is hardly environmentally friendly).

Media & Communications

US Corporate Leader Shares His Thoughts on Sustainability – EDF’s Fred Krupp Interviews Tom Linebarger of Diesel-Maker Cummins

Apr 30, 2018 2:45 PM ET

Fred Krupp is head of the two-million-member Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), a leading global not-for-profit that creates “transformational solutions” to address environmental problems by linking economics, law, science and innovative private-sector partnerships. Since the mid-1980s he has been a very vocal thought leader, activist, and champion for change on various climate change issues, striving to use the power of the marketplace to protect the global environment.

Research, Reports & Publications

For First Time, New Measure Can Capture a Company’s “Total Social Investment”

Apr 30, 2018 2:30 PM ET

In a groundbreaking study released by CECP: The CEO Force for Good, the way companies calculate and report on their various programs and initiatives to improve society will fundamentally shift. In its report “What Counts: The ‘S’ in ESG, New Conclusions,” CECP, with support from Cisco, introduces an aggregated calculation called “Total Social Investment (TSI).” The calculation is a forward-looking reflection of the innovative ways companies invest in society. TSI offers a high-level and comparable snapshot for use by investors and other stakeholders to determine the value created by the “S” efforts in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) measures.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Every Child Deserves Love

Apr 30, 2018 2:00 PM ET

For the past four years, Alex has known the love of a forever family, but for the first five years of his life, things weren’t as happy.

Education

National FFA Organization, John Deere and Discovery Education Team Up to Introduce the Next Generation of Manufacturers to Innovative and Accessible Careers In STEM

Apr 30, 2018 12:35 PM ET

The National FFA Organization, John Deere, and Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital content and professional development for K-12 classrooms, are teaming up to host a new Virtual Field Trip entitled John Deere: Careers that Innovate on Thursday, May 3, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT. During this immersive experience, high school students will take a tour of the John Deere facility in Moline, Ill., where they will be introduced to a range of interesting career paths, including: marketing, engineering, supply chain management and production.

Media & Communications

Fight for Love: Five Ways to Mobilize Millennials Behind Your Cause

Apr 30, 2018 12:30 PM ET

For decades, the ASPCA has been advocating for better breeding practices and adoption for dogs with campaigns that focused on educating the public on where pet store dogs come from.

But over time, the influx of digital technology has completely transformed how people get dogs. And Millennials, the largest generation of dog lovers ever, are increasingly relying on online sources, which makes it difficult to track where our furry friends are coming from.

With profound differences in how Millennials shop, seek information and share content, how do you re-imagine your cause to reach, engage and inspire a new generation?

BBMG recently partnered with the ASPCA to concept and design a campaign to mobilize Millennials as the generation that can end puppy mills.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Tetra Pak to Develop Paper Straws for Its Portion-Size Carton Packages

Apr 30, 2018 12:00 PM ET

Tetra Pak aims to launch a paper straw that is suitable for its portion-sized carton packages before the end of the year, as part of a broader programme to help address the issue of plastic straw waste.

Straws play an integral functional role on portion packages, but if not properly disposed of, they then become part of the plastics waste problem. The company has been working to encourage consumers to push straws “back in the pack” once empty, so they can be collected along with the rest of the package. Now, work is under way to develop a paper straw that is suitable for use on its portion-size carton packages.

Sustainable Development Goals

Earth Day Essity Style

Apr 30, 2018 11:45 AM ET

Essity Employees from all around the country participated in Earth Day activities to help their communities! Here are some of the ways that we are helping to make the world a better place.

Barton employees, "The Litter Getters," worked hard with some roadside pickup, filling eight contractor-size garbage bags with trash.

Georgeanne Hall from our South Glens Falls location taught first graders about recycling, and led a tickle plant potting activity with fourth grade students.

At the North American headquarters in Philadelphia, employees were reminded of ways that they can do their part year-round and commit to good recycling practices. The Cira Centre also hosted an event to show the tenants the Environmentally Friendly Cleaning practices of the building.

Green Infrastructure

Mass Transit Goes Green: Electrified Bus Programs Delivering on the Promise of Zero-Emission Transportation Options for Cities

Apr 30, 2018 11:30 AM ET

Growing interest in high efficiency, pollution-reducing transit options is propelling investment in new electrified mass transit projects across the United States. Reflecting this trend, Black & Veatch announced it has completed the charging station infrastructure that powers Washington, D.C.’s new electrified mass transit project – the latest move by U.S. cities to reimagine how to sustainably move people across urban landscapes and experience the benefits of clean transportation, both on and off the bus.

Education

Creating Employee Education with Upward Academy

Apr 30, 2018 11:20 AM ET

Upward Academy would not have been successful without the innumerable individuals and departments from within Tyson Foods who have lent their commitment and support as well as considerable expertise to help bring it to life. It is a clear example of the 5Cs, born out of a genuine desire to bring stability to our team members and help them and their families secure a place in the community. Together as a company, we’ve built something special.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

The ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine Announces the Four Recipients of the 2018 Shire/ACMG Foundation Next Generation Fellowship Awards

Apr 30, 2018 11:05 AM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Ecolab Provided 665 Tons of In-kind Product Donations in 2017 to Aid Global Disaster Relief

Apr 30, 2018 10:45 AM ET

Ecolab Inc. continued its commitment to supporting communities in need throughout 2017 by providing 665 tons of cleaning, sanitizing and public health products, valued at more than $5 million, to support natural disaster relief efforts throughout the world. Through partnerships with non-profit organizations, Ecolab’s products supported relief efforts in areas affected by natural disasters in North and South America, Europe and Asia.

Education

New Study Offers Key Insights for Guiding Generation Z Talent From Campus to Corporate Life

Apr 30, 2018 10:30 AM ET

Sodexo, a food services and facilities management company committed to improving Quality of Life, announced today the publication of a new white paper, Guiding Gen Z from Campus to Corporate Life: What College and University Administrators and Talent Recruiters Need to Know.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

BSR Welcomes Four Business Leaders to Its Board of Directors

Apr 30, 2018 10:00 AM ET

BSR today announced the recent addition of four respected business leaders to its board of directors, bringing new depth and expertise to the organization’s mission to create a just and sustainable world.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

iCause Partners With the Recovery Center of Medina County

Apr 30, 2018 10:00 AM ET

"We have many programs and events to support the recovery community and we are always looking for volunteers to help out at the center. iCause is the perfect fit for our organization because it allows us to manage events and volunteers in one place. iCause's concept of strengthening and building communities also ties in well with our mission to connect and empower those in recovery." Jessica Hazeltine, Administrative Manager

Innovation & Technology

Prórroga del Plazo de las Aplicaciones Anunciada para “El Poder de Crecer”, un Programa del Departamento de Estado de los Estados Unidos para Apoyar Micro Emprendimientos de Centroamérica.

Apr 30, 2018 9:30 AM ET

El día de hoy, La Red de Innovación e Impacto anunció la prórroga del plazo de las aplicaciones para el Concurso El Poder de Crecer hasta el 14 de mayo del 2018.

Innovation & Technology

Application Extension Announced for “Power to Grow,” a U.S. Department of State Program to Support Micro-Enterprises in Central America

Apr 30, 2018 9:30 AM ET

Today, the La Red de Innovacion e Impacto (the Innovation and Impact Network) announced the extension of the application deadline for the Power to Grow Innovation Challenge until May 14, 2018.

Environment

Subaru Teams Up With TerraCycle for Zero-Waste Box Partnership

Apr 30, 2018 9:05 AM ET

Subaru and participating Subaru retailers nationwide are launching our partnership with TerraCycle® to keep waste out of landfills and turn it into things like park benches, bike racks, and flower pots.

Environment

Xylem Shanghai Volunteers During 30 Day Challenge

Apr 30, 2018 9:00 AM ET

As part of this year’s Make Your Mark 30 Day Challenge, 60 employees from Xylem’s Shanghai site visited Nanhui Kwai Yuen Farm for a tree planting activity. As a team, they successfully planted 35 holly saplings at the farm.