Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Sustainable Development Goals

During Renovations, the Venetian and the Palazzo Use Sustainable Wall System

Jan 3, 2018 9:15 AM ET

During the renovation at The Palazzo casino and other parts of the property, the properties Sustainability team learned of an innovative product called Envy Walls, a temporary wall that is made of 100% recyclable and reusable materials. The manufacturing company states that every 700 square feet of Envy Wall reduces one ton of landfill debris compared to conventional framing, metal studs, and dry wall.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Northern Illinois Food Bank in Geneva to Use $200k in Donations to Encourage More Giving

Jan 3, 2018 9:05 AM ET

Data marketing company Alliance Data announced in a news release that its Conversant and Epsilon businesses donated $100,000 to the food bank in Geneva.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Does Your Company Offer Adoption Benefits? We Want to Celebrate You!

Jan 3, 2018 9:00 AM ET

In just a few days, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption will launch its 2018 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplace survey. This survey measures the financial reimbursement given to employees who adopt, paid time off to employees who adopt as well as any benefits given to employees who are foster parents.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Brand Advocacy vs Aspiration in the Trump Era

Jan 3, 2018 9:00 AM ET

​Like few times in our history, brands and businesses are facing a profound moment of challenge and change. Trust has never been lower. Expectations have never been higher. And in our new political and cultural reality, there’s no middle ground and there’s no place to hide.

At BBMG, we believe the only way for brands to remain relevant and resilient is to put humanity first. Based on our global research into Aspirational and Advocate consumers, we’ve identified two paths for using the power of brand to fight injustice and create the good life.

If you’re ready to authentically inspire fans, mobilize champions and win in this new era, it’s no time for fear. It’s time to be brave.

Education

Can a Shipping Container Increase Access to Hands-on STEM?

Jan 3, 2018 8:55 AM ET

Designing STEM outreach programs for K-12 classrooms often becomes a balancing act between ambitious goals and limited resources. Scientific equipment is just one kind of resource, but one that is unavailable to many schools. Time is a less obvious resource, but time away from classroom curriculum is becoming increasingly hard for teachers to justify with their administrators. And personal access to relevant experts – face time with actual scientists – is a resource that many programs don’t even get to add to their wish lists.

Events, Media & Communications

WEBINAR | Schneider Electric to Host Deep-Dive Discussion About Science-Based Targets with WWF and HP

Jan 3, 2018 8:45 AM ET

Join Alexander Liedke with WWF as he discusses the SBTs Initiative, and HP as they provide an overview of their SBTs journey, including how they secured internal buy-in, overcame challenges, and their plan to meet targets through strategies like renewable energy.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

De Beers Group Provides a Solution for a School's Crowded Classrooms

Jan 3, 2018 8:30 AM ET

The mine sent in a lowbed truck and crane and partnered with local contractors to transport unused mobile classrooms from Alldays High School to the nearby Alldays Primary School in Limpopo Province, saving the school R150,000, which is what it would otherwise have cost to move them.

Education

Meet Amgen Scholars Alumni Andrea Pérez González From Universidad Francisco de Vitoria

Jan 3, 2018 8:25 AM ET

"Although I had no previous research experience, Dr. Hugh Robinson gave me the opportunity to do my project on electrophysiological properties of small-cell lung cancer.”

Environment

Plants of the Future: Sustainable Food Processing from Beginning to End

Jan 3, 2018 8:25 AM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

National Grid to Present the “Not Impossible Ignition Award” to OffGridBox

Jan 3, 2018 8:10 AM ET

National Grid will recognize OffGridBox with the “Not Impossible Ignition Award” at CES® (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas on January 11, 2018. The Not Impossible Awards celebrate the work and stories of people who exemplify innovation in technology. OffGridBox is a modular, compact unit that provides renewable energy and treated water in off-the-grid areas. They will be one of five recipients to receive the award and the only business recognized for their strides in the energy industry.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Alliance for Community Tree Groups Are Dedicated to Improving the Livability of Towns and Cities Through Tree Planting

Jan 3, 2018 8:00 AM ET

Local impact happens when community-based tree planting organizations create projects that involve citizens, schools, churches, and government. This is the work of the 125 members of the Alliance for Community Trees program. This is the work of the 125 members of the Alliance for Community Trees program. for Community Trees program.

Sustainable Development Goals

Expert Interview With Sam Huston, Water and Sanitation Expert

Jan 3, 2018 8:00 AM ET

Sam Huston is Chief of Party for Tetra Tech’s U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene Financing (WASH-FIN) project, which focuses on closing financing gaps to achieve universal access to water and sanitation services. Sam has 15 years of experience working in the WASH sector, with expertise in infrastructure financing, utility reform, and water-related conflict issues in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the United States.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

The 2018 Benevity Goodness Calendar

Jan 3, 2018 7:15 AM ET

A new year calls for a new Goodness calendar! The Benevity Goodness Calendar is a handy list of cause-focused awareness dates throughout 2018 that is sortable by cause focus area and date. Use it as a source of inspiration to build an engaging year-round Goodness program and ensure your upcoming campaigns are relevant and top-of-mind.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Social Responsibility at Sappi North America

Jan 2, 2018 4:30 PM ET

Our social responsibility efforts focus on our employees, customers and our local communities. We engage with customers to create relevant and innovative products. Across our operations, we focus on the safety, well-being and expertise of our employees, and we routinely work to connect and contribute in our local communities.

Innovation & Technology

Atonix Digital™ to Provide Data-driven Infrastructure Solutions

Jan 2, 2018 3:05 PM ET

Responding to the widening importance of Big Data analytics across the global business landscape, leading engineering, construction and consulting company Black & Veatch today launched Atonix Digital™ LLC. Atonix Digital is a wholly-owned subsidiary tasked with delivering transformational, data-driven solutions for clients.

Energy

New Hampshire Businesses Call for Strong Clean Energy Policies to Help the State Thrive

Jan 2, 2018 2:15 PM ET

As the legislature gears up for the 2018 session, over 50 New Hampshire businesses united in calling for the Legislature to support economic growth and business development through advancing clean energy policies. Dartmouth Hitchcock, Hannaford Supermarkets, Hypertherm, Velcro Companies, Timberland and Worthen Industries are among the businesses that signed on to a series of “Clean Energy Principles.”

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

To Kick-Off the Holiday Season, JetBlue Customers and Crewmembers Checked In For Good in Houston, Jamaica and Bahamas

Jan 2, 2018 1:30 PM ET

Throughout the month of November, JetBlue customers and crewmembers checked in for good on three volunteer trips with some of the airline’s non-profit partners. More than 8,000 customers entered the #CheckInForGood contest. Nearly one hundred customers and crewmembers participated in trips focusing on the three JetBlue For Good pillars: youth and education, community and the environment. These trips took place around #GivingTuesday, the international day of giving kicking off the holiday season.

Research, Reports & Publications

Caterpillar Global Parts EVC Program Delivers Profitability With Sustainability

Jan 2, 2018 1:00 PM ET

With thousands of suppliers, plants, dealers and customers in our value chain, there are opportunities to improve efficiencies in moving raw materials and finished products from point A to point B.

Media & Communications

We Are Far Now From Milton Friedman’s Prevailing View on CSR in 1970 – Companies Are Showing the Way – Here Are 5 Examples

Jan 2, 2018 12:00 PM ET

The stage was set in 1970 by Professor Milton Friedman, who wrote in a New York Times Magazine essay: The social responsibility of business is to increase its profits. He famously said in conclusion: “here is one and only one social responsibility of business–to use it resources and engage in activities designed to increase its profits so long as it stays within the rules of the game, which is to say, engages in open and free competition without deception or fraud."

Media & Communications

Zero Mass Water: A New Source for H2O

Jan 2, 2018 11:55 AM ET

In our household we do our best to avoid buying bottled water - we're keenly aware of what those darn plastic bottles are doing to the environment. Instead, we just drink our tap water - it's safe and delicious, because we live in San Francisco, and our water is sourced from the magnificent Hetch Hetchy Reservoir.

Events, Media & Communications

Subaru Encourages Winter Warriors to Seize the Snow Days With the Return of #SubaruWinterFest

Jan 2, 2018 11:40 AM ET

Subaru of America, Inc. has announced the return of Subaru WinterFest, the automaker’s mountain destination and lifestyle tour that brings together winter warriors across the country for a one-of-a-kind experience. Featuring a blend of entertainment and adventure in amazing places, the 2018 tour will celebrate the winter season, while encouraging attendees to seize the snow day with an array of memorable activities.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Opens Final Year of GRO1000 Grassroots Grants to Benefit Communities Through Gardens

Jan 2, 2018 11:30 AM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Whirlpool Corporation Among Top-ranked Companies in 2017 Newsweek Green Rankings

Jan 2, 2018 11:30 AM ET

Whirlpool Corporation has risen in the Newsweek Green Rankings to 50 and 82 on the national and global lists respectively. The rankings assess the environmental performance of the largest publicly traded companies in the U.S. and the world. This year, Whirlpool Corporation was classified as a "top-ranked company," a designation awarded to fewer than 100 companies on either list.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

As Temperatures Plunge, Heating Costs Rise -- but Help Is Available to Keep the Heat on at Home

Jan 2, 2018 10:35 AM ET

Temperatures plunged across the Midwest this week, and if the bitter cold isn't bad enough, energy costs are rising. Bigger bills are expected to show up in January and already, 90,000 Consumer Energy customers are behind on their heating bill payments.

Social Impact & Volunteering

The Biggest Event at Rose Bowl Stadium Helps Feed Hundreds Locally

Jan 2, 2018 9:50 AM ET

More than 90,000 fans were gathered yesterday at the Rose Bowl Stadium for the venue’s biggest event of the year. Following the event, the stadium’s concessions partner, SodexoMAGIC, a partnership with Magic Johnson Enterprises and Sodexo, a food services and facilities management company, fed hundreds in need when it donated remaining food items to the Pasadena Hot Meal Program just as it has done for the past seven years.