Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Social Impact & Volunteering

Timberland Kicks Off Five-Year Urban Greening Commitment with Restoration Project in New York

Jun 30, 2016 12:00 PM ET

Last week, global outdoor lifestyle brand Timberland helped transform a community garden in New York as part of the brand’s commitment to urban greening. More than 100 volunteers pulled on their boots in partnership with local non-profit GrowNYC, to restore the United We Stand Garden—a 32,000 sq. foot garden in the Mott Haven neighborhood of South Bronx.

Innovation & Technology

One Safe Drop: Africaqua Harnesses Innovation for Accessible Clean Water in Kenya

Jun 30, 2016 11:35 AM ET

AfricAqua, a social enterprise focused on innovative solutions for delivering clean water to low-income communities, joined the Business Call to Action (BCtA) with a commitment to provide 20,000 Kenyans with access to safe drinking water through 100 Watershop water outlets.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Holland America Line Hosts American Cancer Society’s ‘A Toast to Life’ Fundraiser Luncheon on Board ms Amsterdam in Seattle

Jun 30, 2016 11:30 AM ET

At a recent fundraising luncheon for Seattle’s American Cancer Society chapter aboard ms Amsterdam, Holland America Line President Orlando Ashford spoke about his company’s commitment to raising money that will save lives and help end cancer. The cruise line hosted the fundraiser Sunday, June 12, at the Port of Seattle as a launch event for Hope Gala, an ASC black-tie celebration, live auction and exclusive dining experience to be held in September featuring Seattle chefs and local vintners.

Environment

LG Electronics Gas Clothes Dryers First In World To Meet New Sustainability Standard

Jun 30, 2016 11:05 AM ET

Gas clothes dryers from LG Electronics are the first in the world to meet the requirements of CSA verification for industry’s new Sustainability Standard for Household Clothes Dryers. Building on their ENERGY STAR® certification, more LG gas and electric dryers than any other brand, a total of 32 LG models, achieved the scores required to meet the new environmental standard, according to CSA Group, which verified the units following extensive testing and data analysis.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

U.S. Conference of Mayors, Wells Fargo Announce 2016 CommunityWINS Grants

Jun 30, 2016 10:30 AM ET

The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) and Wells Fargo today announced Mayors Charlie Hales of Portland, Ore.; Setti Warren of Newton, Mass.; and Steve Williams of Huntington, W. Va. are recognized with top honors on behalf of nonprofits in their cities with the 2016 CommunityWINS® Grant Program funded by the Wells Fargo Foundation.

Health & Healthcare

Intro to Industrial Hygiene

Jun 30, 2016 10:20 AM ET

Let's take a peek behind the curtain of one of our practitioner specialties--industrial hygiene. Read on for an interview with one of Antea Group's experienced pros.

What is Industrial Hygiene?

Industrial hygiene is a science and art devoted to the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, prevention, and control of those environmental factors or stresses arising in or from the workplace which may cause sickness, impaired health and well-being, or significant discomfort among workers or among citizens of the community.

Environment

Meet the New Food System Game-Changers

Jun 30, 2016 10:00 AM ET

Winners announced for 2016 Biomimicry Global Design Challenge

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Deloitte Recognized as One of the Most Community-Minded Private-Sector Organizations in the Country by Points of Light

Jun 30, 2016 9:50 AM ET

Deloitte was recognized as one of the most community-minded private-sector organizations in the nation as a part of the Civic 50, a Points of Light initiative that sets the standard for corporate civic engagement and helps create a roadmap for private-sector organizations seeking to best use their time, talent and resources to help improve the quality of life in the communities where they do business.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Wells Fargo Commits $5 Million to Boost Seattle-King County Homeownership

Jun 30, 2016 9:45 AM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

Jump-Start a Skills-Based Volunteer Program in 3 Easy Steps

Jun 30, 2016 9:30 AM ET

Imagine increasing employee engagement, helping employees develop their skills, and providing real community impact. Skills-based volunteering is one component of a successful employee volunteer program that you can jump-start in three easy steps: 1.) Look Within Your Company, 2.) Find Connections, and 3.) Learn & Scale.

Research, Reports & Publications

One Country, Every Community: BCBS Companies Work Together to Make an Impact

Jun 30, 2016 9:00 AM ET

When it comes to improving the health of local communities, one size fits none. The health challenges faced by people in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, are distinctly different than those faced by residents of Boise, Idaho. The obstacles to healthier living in Trenton, New Jersey, can’t be grouped with the issues facing communities in Honolulu, Hawaii. But one thing is true across every community in the United States: there is a locally-based Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) company working to make a positive impact on the health of all residents.

Social Impact & Volunteering

CITGO Lemont Refinery Celebrates 90th Anniversary with Breakfast for Community Partners

Jun 30, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Last week, over 75 leaders of local community organizations gathered at the CITGO Lemont Refinery for a special breakfast in celebration of the refinery's commitment to Fueling Good for over 90 years.

Research, Reports & Publications

Cigna Releases Third Annual Corporate Responsibility Report

Jun 30, 2016 9:00 AM ET

With the release today of its 2015 Cigna Connects Corporate Responsibility (CR) Report, global health service company Cigna (NYSE:CI) offers an up-close look at the company’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policies and priorities.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Ideas that Matter: Empowering Today’s Dreams to be Tomorrow’s Reality

Jun 30, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Have you heard of Sappi’s Ideas that Matter competition? More than a decade ago, Sappi established the grant program to recognize and support designers who use their skills and expertise to solve communications problems for a wide range of charitable activities. Since 1999, Sappi has funded over 500 nonprofit projects, contributing over US$12million worldwide to causes that enhance our lives and our planet.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Ideas that Matter: Empowering Today’s Dreams to be Tomorrow’s Reality

Jun 30, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Have you heard of Sappi’s Ideas that Matter competition? More than a decade ago, Sappi established the grant program to recognize and support designers who use their skills and expertise to solve communications problems for a wide range of charitable activities. Since 1999, Sappi has funded over 500 nonprofit projects, contributing over US$12million worldwide to causes that enhance our lives and our planet.

Environment

Raising Oysters for a Healthy Harbor in Baltimore

Jun 30, 2016 8:30 AM ET

Raising oysters in Baltimore's Inner Harbor is an exercise in optimism. Even though a recent water quality report card gave Inner Harbor a disappointing grade of “F,” the Healthy Harbor Initiative still has a goal to make the water swimmable and fishable by 2020 and growing thousands of oysters in the Inner Harbor could help.

Social Impact & Volunteering

LIVESTRONG Leaders Headed to Austin

Jun 30, 2016 8:00 AM ET

This weekend, 98 LIVESTRONG Leaders from 30 states and 16 countries will converge in Austin to talk about how to support cancer survivors in their home towns. The LIVESTRONGLeaders Program engages volunteers across the globe in support of our mission to improve the lives of people affected by cancer now. This yearly advocate training is a unique opportunity and allows dedicated individuals to deepen their understanding of LIVESTRONG’s efforts and meet other survivorship advocates from all over the world.

Energy

National Grid Completes sea2shore Cable Landing

Jun 30, 2016 1:15 AM ET

Innovation & Technology

Benevity Launches Ground-Breaking Incubator and Consulting Services to Drive Broad Social Change

Jun 29, 2016 9:00 PM ET

Benevity, Inc., the global leader in online workplace giving, matching, volunteering and grant management solutions, launched Benevity Labs to accelerate broad social change through experimentation, predictive analytics and data science.

Health & Healthcare

New LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA Commitment Highlighted by White House and National Cancer Moonshot Initiative

Jun 29, 2016 7:30 PM ET

Vice President Joe Biden highlighted a commitment by LIVESTRONG and YMCA of the USA (Y-USA) to double the size and scope of the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program by 2021 to serve 100,000 cancer survivors and to integrate the program into clinical practice across the country. The commitment was one of multiple around the U.S. catalyzed by the Cancer Moonshot initiative and released by the White House today.

Diversity & Inclusion

Helping Customers Make a Difference with Their Dollars

Jun 29, 2016 6:45 PM ET

Today, at our home office in Bentonville we hosted our annual U.S. Manufacturing Summit and Open Call where we met with our suppliers and hundreds of potential suppliers who were here to pitch their American-made items to sell at Walmart.

Innovation & Technology

Quadriplegic Racecar Driver Tackles Hairpin Turns of Pikes Peak Race in the Arrow Electronics SAM Car

Jun 29, 2016 6:10 PM ET

Centennial, Colo., June, 29, 2016 /3BL Media/ – Quadriplegic former IndyCar driver and current team owner Sam Schmidt completed the bottom half of the challenging, high-altitude Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Sunday in the Arrow Electronics, Inc. Semi-Autonomous Motorcar (SAM car).

Social Impact & Volunteering

MGM Resorts International Fights Child Hunger in Southern Nevada with $50,000 Donation to Three Square Food Bank

Jun 29, 2016 6:00 PM ET

MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) donated $50,000 to Three Square Food Bank to support BackPack for Kids, a children’s meal program. The donation will ensure the program is available to the community throughout the summer.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Why Taking the Long View with Disaster Recovery is Essential

Jun 29, 2016 5:55 PM ET

It’s June, and that means hurricane season has officially begun. This year’s season is expected to be “near-normal.” And yet, normal is still scary. Experts at the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration predict 10 to 16 named storms, of which four to eight could become hurricanes. With this prediction comes the need for preparation and planning.

Research, Reports & Publications

HP Commits to Zero Deforestation by 2020

Jun 29, 2016 5:35 PM ET

HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) announced a commitment to achieve zero deforestation by 2020. All HP brand paper and paper-based product packaging[1] will be derived from certified and recycled sources by 2020, with a preference for virgin fiber from certified sources of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). This pledge is one of several 2016 goals outlined in the company’s latest Sustainability Report released today.