Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Labor Day: Orange County’s Toughest Jobs and the People Who Do Them

Aug 31, 2018 2:25 PM ET

Health & Healthcare

Simple Steps to Relieve Mealtime Stress

Aug 31, 2018 1:00 PM ET

Let’s be honest. By the end of summer, many parents are excited for back-to-school season. That is, until we remember the planning it takes to get back into a busy schedule. It can be tricky to balance new school and after-school activities while maintaining a “normal” household — especially around meal and snack times. I’ve found that being prepared and mapping out your family’s week really helps. Try these tips and tricks to encourage healthy behaviors and cut back on stress.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

GRI Newsletter: New Tools to Improve Reporting

Aug 31, 2018 12:35 PM ET

The August issue of the GRI newsletter is full of practical examples and tools that can help you as the new reporting cycle begins for many report preparers.

Environment

EPEAT: Dell EMC PowerEdge Servers Further Validated as the Responsible Choice

Aug 31, 2018 11:15 AM ET

Those who know the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) registry know it is one of the best indicators of sustainably produced electronics. The Green Electronics Council is expanding their registry to include a new server category, and customers can find multiple Dell EMC PowerEdge servers from the start.

Energy

Sustainability and Industry Are No Longer Mutually Exclusive – Part 1

Aug 31, 2018 11:15 AM ET

World energy use has increased by 50% over the last 25 years, and yet two million people on our planet still lack access to reliable electricity. Add to that the forecast that energy demand will increase by almost another 50% by 2050. In addition, we know that 85% of CO2 emissions are linked to energy use and that industries use one third of worldwide energy. And we know that there will be a gap of 40% between the supply of, and the demand for, clean water by 2030.

The result is that we must cut emissions in half to avoid significant and irreversible damage to our planet.

There is no doubt that the easiest, cheapest, fastest, and most profitable way to embrace green energy is to save energy and to consume it smarter.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Food and Agriculture Companies: A Challenge From a Millennial Mom

Aug 31, 2018 11:00 AM ET

As a working mother, I often have to multi-task. Recently, as I watched my toddler push his food around his plate, I caught up on last week’s news that Fortune had released its annual “Change the World” list of top companies using the profit motive to help the planet and tackle social problems.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Sysco's Commitment to a Responsible Supply Chain

Aug 31, 2018 10:00 AM ET

Sysco is committed to supplying products responsibly by improving animal welfare in the foodservice industry; minimizing negative environmental, social or ethical impacts when sourcing products; and ensuring that human rights are respected in the company’s operations, as well as the global supply chain.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Windsor Mill’s Circular Economy Reduces Waste

Aug 31, 2018 9:55 AM ET

You’ve heard about ecosystems: the way all living things in a given area interact with each other and their environment. There’s a similar concept in sustainability called “industrial ecology,” which is the notion that industrial processes benefit from mimicking the closed-loop efficiency, or circular economy, of a natural ecosystem

Diversity & Inclusion

3 Top Women in Grocery Share Insights on Success, Mentoring, #MeToo and More

Aug 31, 2018 9:00 AM ET

I believe that success in the workplace is when a workforce is engaged and feels “connected” to their organization. Connected employees care about their company’s success, and they truly believe their company cares about them.

Success in the workplace is where diverse groups of people are always challenged yet choose to step up and work together to find great solutions. It is where every employee sees a path for themselves to learn and grow, is motivated to contribute at a high level, feels valued and appreciated as well as feel they are part of something bigger than themselves.

Research, Reports & Publications

Where Life-Changing Technology Meets Sustainability

Aug 30, 2018 8:20 PM ET

At Abbott, our goal is not just to help people live their best lives through life-changing technology – it's also to make this important work sustainable for the future.

For us, sustainability is about applying the power of our business to drive positive economic, social and environmental impact – making sure that the work we do helps people live healthier and better, both today and for generations to come.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Closing the STEM Gap Through Skilled Volunteerism

Aug 30, 2018 4:40 PM ET

Around the world, employers are seeking to enlist workers with relevant skills for existing and emerging roles in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, also known as STEM. According to the CECP 2017 Giving in Numbers report, workforce development and education, particularly as related to STEM, are two of the largest focal areas for corporate and foundation giving. These are also two of the largest mission focus areas for nonprofits. In spite of such determined investment and effort, gaps persist, leaving employers and students without the critical thinking and applied skills needed to propel our evolving global economy.

Environment

Brightening Our Corner Newsletter - August 2018

Aug 30, 2018 4:30 PM ET

This is the quarterly newsletter for the Ray C. Anderson Foundation, a private family foundation that seeks to promote a sustainable society by supporting and funding educational and project-based initiatives that advance knowledge and innovation in sustainability.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Tyson Foods Grant to Help Serve Hungry Neighbors

Aug 30, 2018 3:45 PM ET

As part of Tyson Foods’ commitment to support the communities it serves, the company announced today a $125,000 grant to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. The investment will bolster the food bank’s ability to supply its agency partners and pantries with a variety of food through two projects.

Diversity & Inclusion

In the Not So Distant Future, Comics Won’t be About Superheroes — They’ll be About You

Aug 30, 2018 3:20 PM ET

Deirdre Hollman always read the funny pages in the newspaper growing up, but didn’t really get into comics until she had a child of her own. She saw that her son liked DC and Marvel comics like Nightwing and Batman, and Hollman wanted to diversify his reading material. She headed to Harlem to pick up a few comic books featuring black characters so her son could see some heroes who looked like him.

Environment

Subaru Offers Americans Tips on How to Keep National Parks Clean Leading Into Labor Day Weekend

Aug 30, 2018 3:00 PM ET

Last year, more than 330 million people visited the national parks and with Labor Day weekend around the corner, parks across the country are likely to see a surge of visitor traffic. While everyone is encouraged to visit a national park in their area, with more visitors comes more waste that the National Park Service (NPS) must manage. Each year, NPS manages nearly 100 million pounds of visitor waste nationally, much of which is brought in from outside the parks.

Environment

After Date Nights in the Garden, a Farm Emerges

Aug 30, 2018 2:30 PM ET

For some married couples, a date night might include dinner and a movie. For Rene and Monika Owczarski, most of their evenings together involve going out — to garden by moonlight.

“We get the kids to bed, go outside, and put on our head lamps to weed,” Monika Owczarski said. “Luckily, our baby monitor reaches that far.”

Education

Mobile Science Lab Visits Milton, Sparks Curiosity

Aug 30, 2018 2:30 PM ET

The Curiosity Cube made a stop at the Milton Library Saturday. The Curiosity Cube was created with the goal to inspire children with hands-on science to children. MilliporeSigma, a life-science company with a facility in Oakville, created the cube by converting a 22x10-foot shipping container into a mobile science lab.

Diversity & Inclusion

Aflac Diversity Council Hosts 2018 World Fair

Aug 30, 2018 12:20 PM ET

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

Aug 30, 2018 12:05 PM ET

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

Aug 30, 2018 12:05 PM ET

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

Aug 30, 2018 12:00 PM ET

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

Aug 30, 2018 11:30 AM ET

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

Aug 30, 2018 11:30 AM ET

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

Aug 30, 2018 11:20 AM ET

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

Aug 30, 2018 11:15 AM ET

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.