Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Innovation & Technology

Unified for Impact – Meet the Electronics Industry Citizenship Coalition

Dec 6, 2016 10:00 AM ET

Big problems require wide-scale collaboration and when problems daunt an entire industry, it behooves that industry to come together to solve them. That was the vision of eight electronics companies that, in 2004, saw the opportunity to “drive positive change and increase efficiency.”

Responsible Production & Consumption

Ecocentricity Blog: Congrats to the Lifecycle Building Center

Dec 6, 2016 9:45 AM ET

The Lifecycle Building Center has a permanent home, and I’m sure that Shannon, Adam and the whole team are feeling a sense of pride. Given their hard work the last several years, they deserve this moment.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

El Abra, a Freeport-McMoRan Company, Receives Award for Renewable Energy Project

Dec 6, 2016 9:25 AM ET

The El Abra mining operation recently received the National Environmental Award 2016 from the Recyclápolis Foundation for its part in a project that built Chile's first community hybrid power plant.

Environment

Reconceiving the Water Challenge: Turning Scarcity Into Abundance

Dec 6, 2016 9:15 AM ET

While there may be sufficient physical sources of water, behavioural patterns often lead to water scarcity. That which may be abundant effectively becomes scarce through waste, poor pricing, ineffi cient allocation or the inability of human systems to keep up with the latest technologies. However, institutions can foster decisions that take us on a path from scarcity back to abundance.

To assess the true sustainability of a resource you have to look at both sides of the coin to fully appreciate water risk and security as material issues on a country’s water balance sheet.

Research, Reports & Publications

What Makes Sustainability Reports Shine? Vision, Culture and Leadership

Dec 6, 2016 9:05 AM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Barclays Entrepreneurs Index: British Entrepreneurs Enjoy Five-Year High

Dec 6, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Britain enjoyed a five-year high in opportunities for entrepreneurs leading up to the EU referendum in June, but that progress is at risk of being set back by current market uncertainty.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

MicroEdge + Blackbaud Webinar: What is Your Outcomes Maturity Level?

Dec 6, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Ready to grow your organization's outcomes capacity for greater impact? No matter where you are in your outcomes journey, join us in this webinar led by Michelle DiSabato to learn the essential steps to strengthen your impact and outcomes.

Environment

Moana New Zealand Blue Abalone Receives 1st ASC Certification in NZ

Dec 6, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Moana New Zealand – Blue Abalone at Bream Bay in Northland is the first aquaculture business in New Zealand to achieve Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification, and only the fourth abalone producer to have done so globally.

Education

Investing in Young Athletes through Gildan Leadership Scholarships

Dec 6, 2016 9:00 AM ET

For the 11th year, Gildan supports the Fondation de l’athlète d’excellence du Québec (FAEQ) with the contribution of five scholarship bursaries to young athletes.

Environment

Tetra Pak Gets Closer to Fully Renewable Packaging Goal with New Aseptic Carton

Dec 6, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Tetra Pak announces the launch of a new version of Tetra Brik® Aseptic 1000 Edge Bio-based LightCap™ 30. This is the first aseptic carton package in the world to receive the highest class of Vinçotte certification for its use of renewable materials.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Ideas that Matter 2016 | Blank Plate - Trainer's Playbook

Dec 6, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Another one of our Ideas that Matter winners are Mai Kobori, Eulani Labay, Amy Findeiss from Parsons, The New School for Design. They worked with Blank Plate to create their Trainer’s Playbook, which is a toolkit and workbook that incorporates Blank Plate’s 10-week culinary design curriculum, empowering community leaders to become facilitators.

Green Infrastructure

Why Developers Should Welcome A Resource Revolution

Dec 6, 2016 8:05 AM ET

The emerging concepts of circular economy and resource-efficient design offer opportunities for developers. By embracing these approaches, they can reduce costs, de-risk material price volatility, improve residual values and appeal to a new generation of firms and employees for whom sustainability is a key priority.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

FedEx Named One of the 2016 10 Best Workplaces for African Americans by Great Place to Work® and Fortune

Dec 6, 2016 8:00 AM ET

FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) today announced that it was chosen as one of the 2016 10 Best Workplaces for African Americans by global research and consulting firm Great Place to Work® and Fortune. The company ranked #3 on the list, which is based on employees’ assessments of workplace fairness, opportunities for training, and access to senior leadership, among other factors.

Diversity & Inclusion

Aramark Named a Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality

Dec 5, 2016 7:00 PM ET

Aramark, a global leader in food, facilities management and uniforms, proudly announced that it received a perfect score of 100 percent for the third consecutive year on the 2017 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBT workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Aramark joins the ranks of 517 major U.S. businesses which also earned top marks this year.

Education

Focusing on Sustainable Palm Oil

Dec 5, 2016 5:00 PM ET

One of the growing issues concerning sustainability is the production of palm oil.

Palm oil is found in 1 of 10 products in grocery stores, and this list of items includes toothpaste, baby food, deodorant, chocolate, shampoo, and many other products.

Environment

General Motors Corporate Responsibility Newsletter - December 2016

Dec 5, 2016 4:50 PM ET

General Motors Corporate Responsibility Newsletter - December 2016

Health & Healthcare

3 Quality of LifeHacks to Prevent the Spread of Germs at Work

Dec 5, 2016 4:35 PM ET

It’s National Handwashing Awareness Week. Everyone knows that handwashing is key to prevent the spread of germs. This is especially important in the workplace.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

CSX Recognized on Corporate Equality Index

Dec 5, 2016 4:00 PM ET

“CSX believes that the results our people deliver create incredible value to our economy and communities, so we strive to create an inclusive environment that motivates each employee to contribute the best of his or her ability,” said Diana Sorfleet, Chief Human Resources and Chief Diversity Officer. “The diversity of our workforce has never been greater, and, with an evolving marketplace and ever advanced technologies, our commitment to employee excellence will continue to drive our success.”

Environment

Aramark Enhances Green Thread™ Environmental Sustainability Platform

Dec 5, 2016 4:00 PM ET

Building on the company’s long-standing commitment to environmental sustainability, Aramark today announced a refreshed and enhanced Green Thread environmental sustainability platform. Green Thread brings to life Aramark’s commitments and programs focused on responsible sourcing, waste minimization, operational efficiency and transportation management. As part of Green Thread, the company is also introducing a new Sustainable Seafood Sourcing Policy and a partnership with LeanPath to support food waste tracking and measurement across the company.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

HP Makes CDP Forest A List

Dec 5, 2016 2:50 PM ET

Environment

Innovative Kimberly-Clark Recycling Program Helps Two Midwestern Universities Turn Used Gloves into Eco-Responsible Durable Goods

Dec 5, 2016 2:45 PM ET

The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Purdue University have diverted almost six tons of waste from landfills through an innovative recycling program that turns used lab gloves and garments into shelving, flowerpots and lawn and garden furniture.

Health & Healthcare

Pfizer Foundation Grantee Sevamob Uses Entrepreneurial Approach to Provide Low-cost Care in India and South Africa

Dec 5, 2016 2:05 PM ET

Shelley Saxena is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sevamob, which operates 18 mobile clinics in India and South Africa that provide care for more than 20,000 people each month. Shelley is using his entrepreneurial background to redefine expectations about the cost of quality healthcare for low-income patients. Sevamob’s clinics provide critical access to primary and preventive care using a subscription-based model.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

The National Diversity Council Announces 2016 Top 50 Women in Entertainment

Dec 5, 2016 2:00 PM ET

The National Diversity Council announces the 2016 Top 50 Women in Entertainment, a definitive list of female executives, influencers and achievers impacting the entertainment industry. These women have reached the top of their profession and are effective leaders within their organization. They drive change, contribute to business growth, and inspire others to succeed.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Human Rights Campaign Names Diageo as a “Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality” for Ninth Consecutive Year

Dec 5, 2016 1:45 PM ET

Diageo, a global leader in beverage alcohol, is proud to announce that it has earned a perfect score of 100 percent on the 2017 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation. Diageo has been consistently placed among the “Best Places to Work” and recognized as a top company supporting equality for LGBT employees. This is the ninth consecutive year Diageo has earned a perfect score on this index.

Education

AT&T and Teach for America Expand Computer Science Opportunities to Serve 2,500 Students in Low-Income Communities

Dec 5, 2016 12:55 PM ET

NEW YORK, Dec. 5, 2016 — Teach For America announced today that it will expand its Computer Science (CS) initiative, bringing high-quality opportunities to teachers and students in seven regions with support from AT&T. Through its signature philanthropic initiative, AT&T Aspire, the technology company will contribute $900,000 over the next two years to provide Udacity Nanodegree credential scholarships to help students learn the skills needed for entry-level jobs in the tech industry, and also to support quality professional development and resources for teachers serving 2,500 students across the Bay Area, Dallas-Fort Worth, Kansas City, New York City, Rio Grande Valley, South Carolina, and Washington D.C.