Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Your Kitchen, A Year Older: 4 Ways Food Companies Will Evolve in 2017

Dec 27, 2016 2:15 PM ET

Some things about food never change―it can bring people together to share a meal, satisfy cravings and nourish our bodies and souls. Other things, like the enormous popularity of gelatin salads in the 1930s, have their moment at the table and depart into culinary obscurity.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Technology Companies, China Pledge to Stop Human Rights Abuses in Cobalt Mining

Dec 27, 2016 1:50 PM ET

Human rights and news organizations have recently revealed the extent of human rights abuses associated with artisanal cobalt mining. As a result, electronics and automotive companies around the globe have announced various commitments to stop the use of forced labor and child labor for cobalt mining.

Health & Healthcare

The Hospital Of The Future May Be A Tiny, High-Tech Medical Kit

Dec 27, 2016 12:00 PM ET

In so many ways, the gadgets seen in Star Trek remind us that the show is science fiction—a fantasy world inspired by the one we live in. And at times, the show can act as a glimpse into the future. The medical tricorder—that all-in-one portable device that can accurately diagnose anything—sits somewhere in the middle of that spectrum. Medical tech has gotten smaller and more accurate, but we've yet to design a handheld diagnostic panacea. That could change soon.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Reducing Empty Miles Through Coyote

Dec 27, 2016 12:00 PM ET

An empty mile is distance traveled by a vehicle with no cargo on board. In 2015, UPS acquired a Chicago based logistics company, Coyote Logistics, that specializes in filling empty miles.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Scotiabank Recognized as an Outstanding Corporate Philanthropist

Dec 27, 2016 11:30 AM ET

Scotiabank was honoured to have been recognized at the Association of Fundraising Professionals Ottawa Philanthropy Awards as an Outstanding Corporate Philanthropist on November 17.

Environment

Program Incentivizes Recycling with Free Coffee and Yoga

Dec 27, 2016 10:15 AM ET

Although the concept of recycling is nothing new to Americans, the U.S. recycling rate still hovers around 34 percent. And even with numerous campaigns to encourage Americans to recycle – from clearer labels to efforts to make recycling hip – the issue still plagues companies and consumers alike. Yet, according to the 2014 Cone Communications Recycling in the Home Survey, the top motivator to get people to the bin is through earning rewards, money or incentives. Now, one initiative in the Netherlands does just that – incentivizing individuals to recycle by providing free cups of coffee or discounts on yoga classes.

Health & Healthcare

Tork Xpressnap® Comparison Video: Better Hygiene for Customers

Dec 27, 2016 10:10 AM ET

Tork Xpressnap® is North America’s best-selling line of napkin dispensing systems because it reduces napkin usage by at least 25%—Guaranteed!* That means fewer refills and lower labor costs. Better hygiene for customers.

Education

Ten to Watch: Joy Wolfram, Ph.D.

Dec 27, 2016 9:40 AM ET

Joy Wolfram is a postdoctoral fellow at the Houston Methodist Research Institute where she is working on drug delivery systems to directly target cancers.

Events, Media & Communications

Using the Power of Communications for Social Impact

Dec 27, 2016 9:05 AM ET

Dentsu Aegis directs its employees’ skills toward community-based charities. Adam Woodhall reports . . .

[crosshed] “Over the past five years, the agency has helped more than 2,500 small charities to increase their communications capabilities.”

On an average day in the Western world, people see between 250 and 270 pieces of advertising. Globally, approximately $600 billion was spent on advertising in 2015, with the UK spending nearly 1% of its GDP on marketing. The power and reach of marketing and advertising in our society is unquestionable.

Environment

#SeizeTheSnowDays: Subaru WinterFest Lifestyle Tour Celebrates Winter Adventure

Dec 27, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Subaru of America, Inc. has announced the start of Subaru WinterFest 2017, a one-of-a-kind, multi-city mountain destination and lifestyle tour for passionate winter warriors. Featuring fifteen stops across twelve resorts, skiers, snowboarders, winter enthusiasts and Subaru owners can enjoy live music, food and beverage, daily giveaways, gear demonstrations and more.

Events, Media & Communications

Atlas Copco Business Services Turkey Breathes New Life into a Year End Meeting

Dec 27, 2016 8:15 AM ET

ACBS Turkey gathered for a year end meeting in Antalya and the team proved once again that sustainability in an organizational spirit is provided by choosing the right people and it is what keeps people loyal and committed.

Diversity & Inclusion

Norfolk Southern Goes Grassroots with Diversity and Inclusion

Dec 27, 2016 6:30 AM ET

Recognizing the benefits of a diverse workforce, Norfolk Southern has established employee Diversity and Inclusion Councils in each of its 10 operating divisions. These grassroots councils promote a respectful workplace, contribute to business goals, and maximize employee potential. By the end of 2015, more than 200 employees were serving on the councils.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

G20 Task Force Wants Companies to Come Clean on Climate Risk

Dec 26, 2016 5:50 PM ET

A global task force set up to try to prevent market shocks from the warming of the planet will ask companies to disclose how they manage risks to their business from climate change and greenhouse gas emission cuts.

Events, Media & Communications

HEINEKEN USA Announces Its 13th Annual “New Year. Safe Ride.” New Year’s Eve Program

Dec 26, 2016 9:15 AM ET

HEINEKEN USA (headquartered in White Plains, NY) has announced that for the 13th year in a row, it is partnering with The City of White Plains and the White Plains Business Improvement District on its New Year. Safe Ride. program, created to help local residents get home safely on New Year’s Eve.

Innovation & Technology

How the Digital Ceiling Could Change Commercial Real Estate

Dec 26, 2016 7:55 AM ET

Two decades ago, technology firm Cisco moved voice calling from conventional phone lines to data lines, enabling capabilities like Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication. Some five years after that, the company moved closed-circuit cameras onto the same lines, allowing commercial property owners, for instance, to combine data, voice and camera functions into a single network.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Companies Need to Disclose More on Climate Risks, Panel Says

Dec 23, 2016 2:40 PM ET

Investors need more information about the risks companies face from global warming so they can fund development of the new technologies that are needed to control climate change and mitigate its effects, a task force said Wednesday.

Environment

Keep America Beautiful's Recycling Tips for the Holidays!

Dec 23, 2016 1:15 PM ET

The holiday season comes with a lot of purchasing, wrapping and feasting which can substantially increase the amount of waste that we generate.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

How Doing the Right Thing Can Inspire Employees and Build Customer Loyalty

Dec 23, 2016 12:30 PM ET

In today’s competitive landscape, brands need to be purpose-driven if they want to outperform their competitors and increase their bottom line.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Wishes Delivered

Dec 23, 2016 12:00 PM ET

Sharing a Wishes Delivered story from ups.com/wishes donates $1 to charity. Help us reach up to $100,000.

Health & Healthcare

Huggies Brand Continues to Answer President Obama's Call to Close the Diaper Gap

Dec 23, 2016 11:45 AM ET

Today, Huggies announced that it's giving hugs for the holidays to help babies in need this giving season and beyond. In early 2017, Huggies will become the first global diaper brand to offer a program that will enable diaper banks to purchase bulk quantities of high-quality Huggies diapers at competitive prices. Additionally, now through the end of the year, Huggies is matching all Rewards Point diaper donations made to help babies in need.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Aflac Holiday Helpers to Provide a Combined $50,000 to Help Families Across the Country

Dec 23, 2016 10:00 AM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

Timberland Sample Sale Benefits Victims of Hurricane Matthew

Dec 23, 2016 10:00 AM ET

In the wake of Hurricane Matthew, a devastating October storm that struck communities in Haiti and the U.S., employees of outdoor lifestyle brand Timberland mobilized to support the disaster relief effort.

Education

Visa Supports Financial Education for Youth

Dec 23, 2016 9:05 AM ET

The global payments business partners with Junior Achievement Europe to create innovative e-commerce and personal finance programmes. Tom Idle reports…

The digitisation of our global economy has very quickly transformed how we think about and use money. Paying for goods and services online, spending our salaries in stores with the swipe of a card and transferring cash in virtual environments has made lives easier and the handling of ‘real’ cash a thing of the past.

Diversity & Inclusion

Meet Business Line Manager, Maicon Lopes, from Atlas Copco in Brazil

Dec 23, 2016 8:10 AM ET

Maicon is sharing his approach to work and life at Atlas Copco.

Innovation & Technology

First Lady Hosts DC Students for Screening of Fox’s ‘Hidden Figures’ to Celebrate Decades of Women in Space Exploration

Dec 23, 2016 7:00 AM ET

Middle and high-school students from Washington, D.C. area schools gathered at the White House on December 15 for a private screening of Hidden Figures, the new film from Fox 2000 following three female African American engineers who played crucial roles in the 1960s Space Race. Stars Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae were in attendance and joined a panel discussion following the screening to celebrate the contributions these women and many more African Americans have made to the STEM fields. First Lady Michelle Obama hosted the screening, part of a larger event series recognizing the untold stories of women in STEM, and delivered closing remarks.