News from Leading Brands

Keep up with the latest impact news from companies embracing the triple bottom line, shared via 3BL's publishing platform.

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Diversity & Inclusion

Aflac Diversity Council Hosts 2018 World Fair

Aflac’s Diversity Council hosted a world fair to raise awareness of the importance of celebrating diversity and its role in the company’s success.

Environment

Five Things You Need to Know About Updated GRI Water Standard

The Global Reporting Initiative has released its first updated standard - Water and Effluents 2018 - which provides a holistic approach to reporting on water stewardship. Here's what you need to know about the standard.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Avery Dennison Continues to Pioneer Change by Launching Recycled PET Liners in Europe

Avery Dennison will be the first pressure sensitive labelling material supplier to introduce liner made from recycled PET (rPET) commercially in Europe. This move reflects the firm’s commitment to finding more sustainable solutions for the labelling industry.

Social Impact & Volunteering

An Introduction to SROI Training in Calgary and Toronto

SiMPACT builds capacity in social impact and valuation through a variety of courses. These include social return on investment (SROI) training, SROI Accreditation Training, and courses highlighting techniques to maximize impact. One-on-One SROI coaching and customized training courses are also our speciality.

Innovation & Technology

Walmart's First Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Tennessee Installed at Ooltewah Store

As Walmart continues to seek to provide convenient services for its customers and contribute to reducing emissions in the communities where it operates, the retailer announced on Wednesday the installation of eight Electrify America electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at its Ooltewah Supercenter at 5588 Little Debbie Parkway. The EV chargers are Walmart’s first in the state, and are operational and ready for customers to use.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

A New Plan Will Bring Toilets to 250 Million People Who Need Them

A new partnership between UNICEF and LIXIL, one of the largest home and water product suppliers in the world, aims to jumpstart progress on one of the goals: SDG 6, which mandates improved access to clean water and sanitation for all. Around 2.3 billion people in the world currently don’t have access to a clean, safe toilet. By 2021, LIXIL and UNICEF want to help lower that number by 250 million to supplement progress on SDG 6. “There aren’t any impossibilities or any lack of technology posing a barrier to access,” says Jin Montesano, chief public affairs officer for LIXIL. “But it is a very complex issue that requires more focus on solutions and partners coming together to accelerate progress on the goal.”

Education

Arrow Electronics Hosts 196 Interns Across the United States

This summer, Arrow Electronics hosted 196 interns across the United States, giving them valuable experience in a corporate setting to kick-start their professional careers.

Most of the interns are completing the three-month program in the Denver headquarters, but others are spread throughout the country, spanning from Arrow locations in Nevada to Minnesota.

Environment

A Fresh Resource for ESG-Oriented Financial Advisors

One of the gurus of ESG investing has recently launched a new service for financial advisors (FAs) who want to integrate Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors into their investment process. He has created a site called “Sustainable Investing” and filled it with content about ESG investing. Those who subscribe (there is a three month free trial option) get a quarterly newsletter and access to some otherwise hidden research reports.

Diversity & Inclusion

Building Capacity for STEM Nonprofits

Around the world, employers are seeking highly-skilled workers to take on existing and emerging roles in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, also known as STEM. Workforce development and education, particularly as related to STEM, are two of the largest focus areas for corporate and foundation giving as well as two of the largest mission focuses for nonprofits, according to the CECP’s 2017 Giving in Numbers report. Yet, even given this great investment, gaps in STEM education still exist, leaving both employers and students without the critical thinking and analytical problem-solving skills sorely needed in our ever-changing global economy.

Sustainable Development Goals

THIS IS OUR JOURNEY: From Pushcart Operator To Businessman

Every year, thousands of young Nigerians enter the labour market, academic qualification in hand, and hope in their hearts.

This was the story of Mr. Wasiu Adeyeye, an educated young man, but that hope slowly faded, as it seemed the dream job was never going to come.

Wasiu was introduced to Nescafé’s My Own Business scheme by his old school friend and fellow coffee vendor Lekan Ajayi.

“At first, when he told me about the job, I didn’t think I would be successful at it,” Wasiu says. “However, three months into the job I realised that with hard work and persistence I would succeed.”

Environment

Reef Futures Looking Up! Large Scale Coral Reef Restoration is Possible

Needing to change our visual and professional perspective was the common theme behind several promising low-cost technical solutions reviewed at a recent Coral Reef Restoration Workshop. The workshop sponsored by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Mars, Inc. and Paul G. Allen Philanthropies, convened a unique multi-disciplinary coalition of scientists, NGOs, coral restoration practitioners, Government and business, in Bali, Indonesia. Its aim was to identify promising evidence-based standards to scale coral restoration efforts globally.

Environment

A Holistic Approach to Water Stewardship: 5 Strategic Considerations for Food & Beverage Companies

Antea Group analyzes 5 considerations that food and beverage companies need to think about to rise to the challenge of diminishing water resources.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Hallmark President Dave Hall Helps Provide Leadership for United Way of Greater Kansas City

For decades, Hallmark and its businesses have supported the United Way to improve the health, education and financial stability of the communities where its employees work and live. In 2017, Hallmark was the No. 1 giver to the United Way of Greater Kansas City, with a donation of nearly $2.3 million. Another $773,500 was pledged from other Hallmark locations for their respective United Way chapters.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Follow the Money: How Sands Cares Assists Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth

Environment

PepsiCo Offers Free Resources to Help Schools Increase Recycling

Global consumers now use a million plastic bottles every minute. Though most beverage bottles are made from a readily recyclable type of plastic, less than 10 percent are ultimately recycled—and up to 14 million metric tons of plastic, including discarded beverage bottles, enter the world’s oceans every year. As our growing addiction to single-use plastic becomes painfully apparent on land and sea, citizens, NGOs and other stakeholders are calling on consumer goods manufacturers to do more to reduce plastic waste.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Behind the Scenes VIDEO | Nutopia Carpet Plank Collection from Mohawk Group

Our Nutopia carpet plank collection is designed to achieve petal certification by meeting stringent requirements for the Living Product Challenge. Created to transition across the floor or create defined areas in the built environment, Nutopia’s four styles can be used together as a cohesive system, or separately depending on the desired configuration, end use, and budget. Layouts can be subtle or vivid and dramatic – just like the dynamics of city life.

Green Infrastructure

Wells Fargo Commits $5 Million to Establish GRID Alternatives’ Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund

Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) announced today a philanthropic commitment of $5 million over three years to support solar projects in tribal communities across the U.S.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Applications Now Open for The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Hometown Community Garden and Greenspace Grant Fund

At ScottsMiracle-Gro, our roots run deep. This year, we’re celebrating the 150th anniversary of our company, and we contribute a big part of our success to the local community in Marysville, Ohio, who’s helped us grow over the years. That’s why we’re honored to partner with The Union County Foundation to provide more resources for garden and greenspace development in our own corporate backyard of Union County, Ohio.

Innovation & Technology

VIDEO | Barclays Citizenship Awards: Digi Dhan Team

The Digi Dhan team set up Digi Dhan, meaning digital money, in partnership with the NASSCOM Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to using technology for good.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Smithfield Foods Donates More Than 35,000 Pounds of Protein to Montana Food Bank Network

Smithfield Foods, Inc. and Albertsons joined forces to donate more than 35,000 pounds of protein to Montana Food Bank Network. Smithfield’s contribution was part of the company’s 2018 Helping Hungry Homes® donation tour. Now in the program’s 10th year, Helping Hungry Homes® is Smithfield’s signature hunger-relief initiative focused on alleviating hunger and helping Americans become more food secure. The donation, equivalent to more than 141,000 servings, will help families fight hunger across Montana.

Health & Healthcare

PT Freeport Indonesia, a Freeport-McMoRan Company, Supports Healthcare for Indigenous Communities

PT Freeport-Indonesia’s Partnership Fund for Community Development (LPMAK) provides healthcare to residents of Mimika Regency in Papua, Indonesia, at the Mitra Masyarakat Hospital in Timika.

The hospital opened in 2000 and is now a four-star accredited healthcare facility, providing access to healthcare for a previously underserved community.

Innovation & Technology

Technology Can Help Counter the Forces of Economic Concentration

While the U.S. economy continues to grow, there is widespread concern that too many communities are being left behind. However, global ecommerce platforms like eBay connect small businesses to millions of buyers around the world, providing a boost to Main Street small businesses, whether they are thriving in a growth hub or faced with a deeply challenged local economy.

Education

Amgen Biotech Experience in Netherlands

The Amgen Biotech Experience and DNA Labs On the Road have partnered to bring students in the Netherlands a real-world biotechnology lab experience in the classroom, helping them better understand what science is and how it influences their daily lives.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Sappi Invests in the Future of Graphics Papers at Cloquet Mill

Significant upgrades were recently made to the headbox on the No. 12 Paper Machine at the Cloquet Mill, including improved dilution control.

The modifications will result in improved sheet flatness and roll quality. The previous headbox controlled basis weight through slice lip profi ling, where the shape of the discharge nozzle is defl ected slightly to spread the fiber evenly across the machine.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Sysco Improves Sustainability in Seafood Supply Chain

Sysco is committed to working with suppliers to improve sustainability in our seafood supply chain through fishery improvement programs (FIPS). In partnership with World Wildlife Fund, we are working with fishermen to improve record-keeping and traceability, reduce bycatch and better manage fish stocks, helping increase the supply of sustainable seafood for current and future generations.

Latest Campaigns

  1. AEG's Commitment to Social Impact and Volunteerism
    AEG embraces its responsibility to enrich the lives of people in the communities around the world where we do business, and to use business to create...
  2. Southwire Giving Back
    Our neighbors depend on us, just as we depend on them, so we are committed to improving the quality of life in the communities in which we work. At...
  3. Carbon Footprint
    We are accelerating our efforts to help build a low-carbon economy and avert the worst impacts of climate change. Our goal to reduce our GHG emissions...
  4. Environmental Sustainability
    As sustainability leaders, we implement our sustainability strategy across all company activities along the entire value chain, from raw materials to...
  5. Corporate Social Responsibility
    Corporate Social Responsibility
  6. International Paper | HEALTHY & ABUNDANT FORESTS
    Vision 2030 Goal: Lead forest stewardship efforts globally
  7. Sustainability Report
    Our latest Sustainability Report highlights recent accomplishments and progress toward achieving goals in the environmental, social and governance...
  8. Social Impact at Mastercard
    At Mastercard, we’re powering economies and empowering people, building a sustainable economy where everyone prospers.
  9. Kingfisher Around the World
    The SCS Kingfisher certification mark is showing up on an increasing number of products around the world. It differentiates companies that are making...
  10. License to Operate
    Corporate governance, risk management, operational integrity, and regulatory compliance are demanding challenges that companies face in today’s ever...
  11. IWBI | WELL Building Standard
    Our built environment can shape our habits and choices, regulate our sleep-wake cycle, drive us toward healthy and unhealthy choices, and passively...
  12. Leading ESG & Sustainability Stewardship
    The new CNH continues on its longstanding path of excellence in sustainability, which is recognized by the foremost authorities.
  13. Green Mountain Energy Commitment to Sustainability
    At Green Mountain Energy Company, we share our customers’ commitment to the environment and sustainability. We are inspired by the success that we...
  14. KeyBank's Community Investment
    In states where Key has a presence, there are approximately 1.7 million low- to moderate-income (LMI) households. Many LMI individuals don’t have bank...
  15. GoDaddy | Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
    Diverse teams build better products — period. At GoDaddy, we make apps and services that our worldwide community of entrepreneurs can relate to. Our...