Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Environment

Addressing Climate: What's the Big Deal?

Sep 29, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Over the last two years, we’ve sharpened our pencils on the glide path to 2025. Let’s be honest: it isn’t easy or obvious. There are many business hurdles and operational challenges to realizing this goal. But our commitment to making progress has not changed. Why? Because long term, it makes sense for our business and it makes sense for the planet. We want to position our company to have access to quality ingredients at a cost that we can afford into the future. All of this depends on a healthy planet.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Habitat for Humanity and Bank of America Kick Off Fourth Global Build

Sep 29, 2017 10:35 AM ET

Habitat for Humanity and Bank of America are partnering for the fourth consecutive year on a Global Build that will engage bank employees and local Habitat organizations around the world.

Between Sept. 30 – Oct. 7, approximately 2,500 employee volunteers (#BofAVolunteers) will join their local Habitat organizations to help build, rehab or repair homes and revitalize neighborhoods in more than 90 communities in six countries, including the United States, Canada, Ireland, Australia, Hong Kong and Indonesia.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Maria Menounos Debuts “Maria's Greek Kitchen” at Fenway

Sep 29, 2017 10:20 AM ET

Aramark, Fenway Park’s food and beverage partner, and Emmy-winning Maria Menounos, have partnered and opened a new “pop-up” concessions concept at Fenway Park, featuring Menounos’ healthy and authentic Greek family recipes. The opening of “Maria’s Greek Kitchen” marks a return of sorts to Fenway for Menounos, who grew up in nearby Medford, MA, attended Emerson College in Boston, and sold sausages behind a cart outside Fenway Park, before and after Red Sox games.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Mohawk Receives Three GreenStep Honors from Floor Covering Weekly

Sep 29, 2017 10:15 AM ET

Mohawk Industries received three GreenStep awards from Floor Covering Weekly, including the inaugural People award, which was presented to George Bandy, vice president of Sustainability, for his leadership in providing environmental, economic and socially responsible solutions to the organization and its customers.

Environment

Promoting Sustainably-Managed Woodlands One Parcel at a Time

Sep 29, 2017 10:15 AM ET

It’s a little-known fact that more than 75 percent of forestland in the southeastern region of the United States is owned by private woodland owners. Most people assume that this swath of the Appalachian Mountains is either federally held or the property of corporations in the business of making and selling wood-fiber based products such as writing paper, diapers, and paper towels.

Health & Healthcare

Wellness at Work Goes Mainstream

Sep 29, 2017 10:15 AM ET

Hosted in London, Wellness17 built on the foundations of WORKTECH to further explore all the facets that affect wellness within the workplace, from the impacts of technology and job design to workplace culture and best practices for supporting mental health.

Environment

With Hope That Plastic Will Be Eliminated, Man Starts 'Papers Be Green' Business in Tunisia

Sep 29, 2017 10:05 AM ET

Health & Healthcare

The Circadian System: Aligning the Body’s Internal Clock

Sep 29, 2017 10:05 AM ET

Environment

The Sustainable Coffee Challenge Partners With Coffee Industry Innovator Nespresso

Sep 29, 2017 10:00 AM ET

The Sustainable Coffee Challenge today welcomed Nestlé Nespresso SA (Nespresso) among its 83 partners who are seeking to make coffee the world's first sustainably grown commodity.

Environment

Land Restoration for Peace and Profit

Sep 29, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Land degradation is at the nexus of a vicious spiral which links low land productivity and biodiversity loss with poverty, hunger, instability and insecurity.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

INFOGRAPHIC | Bacardi's Commitment to Being a Responsible Corporate Citizen

Sep 29, 2017 9:50 AM ET

Bacardi's commitment to being a responsible corporate citizen is guided by its values of Trust, Passion, Caring and Excellence. Check out the company’s corporate responsibility (CR) one-pager to see how the largest privately held spirits company in the world approaches CR.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Bringing Hope

Sep 29, 2017 9:45 AM ET

Hormel Foods has been a partner of Convoy of Hope for several years, sending resources to help the group stage community events that give people an opportunity to get services otherwise out of their reach. “Groceries and even haircuts,” says Kelly Braaten, manager of external communications for Hormel Foods.

The relationship expanded recently when the company jumped at the chance to stock Convoy of Hope’s warehouse shelves, giving the group much-needed supplies for its disaster-relief program.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

How Dell Is Addressing Responsible Mineral Sourcing

Sep 29, 2017 9:35 AM ET

If you’re a frequent Direct2Dell reader, you’ve likely heard about Dell’s 2020 Legacy of Good Plan and our mission to use our technology and expertise to improve our communities and planet. You’ve maybe even read about our recycled carbon fiber initiative or our new program to intercept ocean-bound plastics for use in our packaging.

Diversity & Inclusion

Suppliers Stir Up Fresh Perspectives

Sep 29, 2017 9:35 AM ET

Variety isn’t merely the spice of life — it’s also healthy for our business. Every day across Comcast NBCUniversal, our thousands of suppliers with diverse ethnic, cultural, and experiential backgrounds contribute unique perspectives that help us better serve customers and viewers.

We continually invest in creating new and greater opportunities for diverse-owned companies to work with us. In 2016, Comcast NBCUniversal’s spending with diverse suppliers topped $3 billion, and we participated in more than 100 national, regional, and local supplier diversity outreach events across our footprint.

Energy

Pentair Pool Owners Surpass 12 Billion Kilowatt Hours Saved With Energy Efficient Pool Pumps

Sep 29, 2017 9:30 AM ET

With the close of the summer pool season, global water company Pentair has surpassed energy savings of 12.7 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) since 2005 with its energy efficient pool pumps—helping pool owners save $1.4 billion in energy costs and conserve enough energy to power 1.3 million U.S. homes for one year.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Carlsberg Aims to Produce Beer with Renewable Energy

Sep 29, 2017 9:30 AM ET

When someone takes a swig from their favorite beer, they may not realize that brewing beer is an energy intensive process. But brewing companies that desire to reduce their carbon emissions are well aware. Carlsberg Group, a global brewer headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, has set a lofty goal of powering its breweries with only renewable energy by 2022. Call it the company’s "100 percent renewables by 2022 goal."

The 170 year-old company has a new program called Together Towards Zero, launched this summer. The program is a means to meet its pledge to achieve zero carbon emissions at its breweries by 2030. By that same year, Carlsberg aims to have reduced the carbon footprint of putting a beer in its customers' hands by 30 percent.

Sustainable Development Goals

How to Power a Sustainable Future: The Latest Version of UN Global Sustainability Yearbook

Sep 29, 2017 9:25 AM ET

Are you part of the energy (r)evolution? Get connected with Global Sustain’s annual yearbook, which includes contributions from leading orgs — UN Conference on Trade and Development, Stanford University, World Energy Council, and others.

Health & Healthcare

What Would a Foodborne Illness Cost Your Business?

Sep 29, 2017 9:20 AM ET

Foodservice Consultant is the multiple award-winning quarterly magazines from Foodservice Consultants Society International (FCSI), the premier global member body for hospitality and foodservice professionals.

Education

Weatherford Families Celebrate Fun Day of STEM Activities in Ukraine

Sep 29, 2017 9:00 AM ET

This year, Weatherford marks 10 years serving the Ukrainian market. In celebration, the company hosted its employees and their families for a day of fun and learning. Weatherford is committed to enriching the communities in which it operates. This commitment to sustainability includes not only safeguarding the well-being of employees, but also inspiring the next generation to explore science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) so that they might one day follow in their parents’ footsteps with a career in energy.

Diversity & Inclusion

American Banker Names PNC’s Karen Larrimer and Diana Reid to 2017 Most Powerful Women in Banking List

Sep 29, 2017 8:35 AM ET

The Most Powerful Women in Banking are reshaping not only their institutions, but also their industry.

Environment

TreesCharlotte and NASCAR Green Host Community Tree Planting in Celebration of NeighborWoods® Month

Sep 29, 2017 8:00 AM ET

Trees Charlotte, a member of the Arbor Day Foundation’s Alliance for Community Trees program, is partnering with NASCAR Green to plant 66 trees at the CharMeck Police Memorial Garden in the Nevin Community Park (6000 Statesville Road). The planting will take place on October 6, 2017 from 9:00–11:30 a.m. The community event is made possible with the support of NASCAR Green and is part of NeighborWoods Month, a national celebration of communities and trees.

Health & Healthcare

World Heart Day 2017 – a Global Vision for Healthy Hearts

Sep 29, 2017 4:00 AM ET

Cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, account for nearly half of the world’s deaths from non-communicable diseases (NCDs). With almost 75% of NCD deaths occurring in LMICs, the Novartis Foundation recognizes the importance of World Heart Day in raising awareness of cardiovascular disease and promoting good heart health globally.

Energy

Erb Institute | Business for Sustainability Director Joe Arvai - What is (and, is not) an Energy Strategy?

Sep 29, 2017 2:25 AM ET

When most people talk about energy strategies, they’re actually not talking about strategy at all. Oftentimes, narratives are about what companies and policy makers could or should be doing when it comes to energy transitions are framed as “strategy”. For example, I’ve heard people say that putting a price on carbon, or the need to transition to an electrified economy that does not depend upon fossil fuels, is an “energy strategy.”

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Nespresso to Showcase Key Partnership With the Rainforest Alliance on Coffee Sleeves

Sep 29, 2017 2:00 AM ET

Nespresso has announced the inclusion of the Rainforest Alliance Certified™ seal on all Nespresso permanent Grand Crus coffee sleeves to help build awareness of the AAA Sustainable Quality™ Program.

Energy

Republic Services and Soltage Host Ribbon Cutting Dedication to Celebrate the Activation of a Major Solar Project Capable of Powering 1,900 Local Homes

Sep 28, 2017 7:10 PM ET

Republic Services and renewable energy company Soltage today celebrated the activation of a 13.5 megawatt solar energy project constructed on three former landfill sites, or brownfields, in Massachusetts. Based on preliminary estimates, the project is expected to produce enough electricity to power 1,900 local households. When complete, the project will be comprised of 41,000 solar panels that will provide electricity for Massachusetts municipalities. These solar farms, located in East Bridgewater, Plainville and Randolph, are also expected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 14,000 tons, which is the equivalent of removing the impact of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from almost 2,000 homes.