Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Innovation & Technology

Meet Post-doc Researcher Caitlin DeJong, HP Labs’ First Molecular Biologist

Mar 28, 2017 9:15 AM ET

Dr. Caitlin DeJong is the first molecular biologist to be hired at HP Labs. She joined the Life Sciences Research Group in HP’s Print Adjacencies and 3D Lab last May on a three year post-doctoral research position.

Research, Reports & Publications

Verizon (NYSE:VZ) Publishes Corporate Responsibility Report

Mar 28, 2017 9:00 AM ET

In its Corporate Responsibility Report, published in concert with its 2016 Annual Report, Verizon detailed the progress it has made over the past year toward reaching its corporate responsibility goals, and demonstrated how its technology can help people lead better lives, solve problems in new ways and create lasting value both for Verizon and for society.

Environment

Xylem Watermark | Bringing Clean Water to Communities Across Asia

Mar 28, 2017 9:00 AM ET

The world is facing unprecedented water challenges brought on by popular growth, urbanization, and shrinking fresh water supplies. Xylem employees helped address these challenges by helping to build innovative water towers and bring water education to schools and communities.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Rebuilding Together Affiliates to Engage 40,000 Volunteers on 1,600 Rebuild Projects During National Rebuilding Month this April

Mar 28, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Rebuilding Together, a leading national nonprofit in safe and healthy housing that provides homeowners in need with critical home repairs, will host its annual National Rebuilding Month this April. Nearly 40,000 volunteers will serve in more than 1,600 affiliate-led rebuild projects across the country throughout National Rebuilding Month.

Research, Reports & Publications

AkzoNobel Digital Report 2016: Going Beyond the Numbers

Mar 28, 2017 9:00 AM ET

One of the most inspiring aspects of 2016 was seeing examples of our purpose being brought to life. Our Human Cities initiative played a major role in this, underlining how we welcome our responsibility to play an important role in the communities where we operate.

Education

Sands Cares Donates $10,000 to Communities in Schools

Mar 28, 2017 9:00 AM ET

The donation will help offset the costs of college application fees and other post-secondary interests for CIS of Nevada seniors. SAT and ACT testing can cost $75 per student, cap and gown rental can cost graduates $85 each and non-refundable college application fees can cost students between $45 and $75 per application.

Diversity & Inclusion

Nat Geo Explorers Encourage Girls to Pursue STEM Careers at Microsoft Events

Mar 28, 2017 8:45 AM ET

On March 18, girls across the United States gathered in Microsoft Stores to hear from National Geographic Explorers about the importance of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. The events were in partnership with Microsoft’s “Make What’s Next Campaign,” which aims to inspire the next generation of inventors, scientists, mathematicians and engineers. Given that only 6.7 percent of women graduate with STEM degrees, the campaign encourages girls to pursue these subjects from a young age, effectively doubling the potential to solve the worlds’ problems.

Education

Oklahoma Pipeline Simulator Supports Next-Gen Learning

Mar 28, 2017 6:00 AM ET

It was the last piece of the puzzle needed to complete the pipeline simulator at Central Technology Center in Drumright, Oklahoma.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Celebrating Farmworkers Through Simple Purchases

Mar 28, 2017 6:00 AM ET

Because fruits and veggies are such a staple, it's easy to forget that behind each tomato, pineapple and grape is a person, a farmer or worker with a family and community. (..)

Environment

Bright Lights In Big Cities Go Dark For World’s Earth Hour

Mar 27, 2017 6:45 PM ET

AEG’s STAPLES Center and the Los Angeles Convention Center went dark on Friday night in support of World Wildlife Fund’s Annual Earth Hour, a movement to encourage people, communities and businesses to turn off non-essential lights for an hour as a symbol of their commitment to protecting the planet and fighting climate change.

Environment

Your Cities Can Change Our World

Mar 27, 2017 5:20 PM ET

Cities account for 60-80% of energy consumption and 75% of carbon emissions on the planet.* Because of their population density, cities are also likely to feel the impacts of climate change – including water shortages, more intense natural disasters and heat waves.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

KeyBank Arranges $18.2 Million in Total Financing to Preserve Affordable Housing in Troy, NY

Mar 27, 2017 5:00 PM ET

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

America Just Got Its First Fair Trade Certified Farm

Mar 27, 2017 5:00 PM ET

With National Farmworker Awareness Week running March 24-31, ending on Cesar Chavez Day, we'd like to take a moment to recognize the many farmerworkers who feed us daily. And this year, Cesar Chavez Day and Farmworker Awareness Week arrive at an especially exciting time: Wholesum’s Amado farm is the first produce farm in America to become Fair Trade Certified™.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Celebrating Farmworkers Through Simple Purchases

Mar 27, 2017 5:00 PM ET

Fruits and vegetables are an essential part of our daily diet. They provide us with nutrients, reduce our risk of certain diseases, and they taste delicious!

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Procter & Gamble and Whirlpool Corporation EMEA Together with the Civil Protection Dept. Donate 10 “Laundry” Containers to Earthquake Stricken Families in Central Italy

Mar 27, 2017 4:45 PM ET

Procter & Gamble and Whirlpool Corporation Europe, Middle East & Africa have teamed up to support communities hit by the earthquake in central Italy.

Environment

Combating Pollution with Bioswales

Mar 27, 2017 4:15 PM ET

Last week, The Ray and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) installed five to ten acres of native grasses and pollinator plant seeds in the median and northbound lane gore area of Exit 6 on I-85 near LaGrange, Georgia

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Eastern Bank Joins Influential Sustainability Group to Help Advance Clean Energy Economy

Mar 27, 2017 3:20 PM ET

The nonprofit sustainability organization Ceres announced today that Eastern Bank has joined the Ceres Company Network. The Ceres board of directors approved the mutual bank’s membership in February 2017.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Good News about the Proposed PA State Budget for Intellectual Disability and Autism Services

Mar 27, 2017 3:10 PM ET

Pennsylvania's proposed budget includes critical funding for autism and intellectual disability services, affecting both people with disability and the people who support them.

Diversity & Inclusion

Northern Trust London Office Signs Women in Finance Charter

Mar 27, 2017 3:05 PM ET

Delighted to announce that our London office has officially signed the Women in Finance Charter run by HM Treasury, whose plan is to increase female representation in leadership positions and tackle gender inequality in financial services.

Environment

Videos: Nestle Waters' Nelson Switzer on World Water Day

Mar 27, 2017 3:00 PM ET

During the segments, Nestle Waters Chief Sustainability Officer Nelson Switzer discusses the company's focus on protecting national resources, as well as the importance of clean water access. He also discussed key water partnerships, including the company's work with Imagine H20, Project WET, and Keep America Beautiful.

Diversity & Inclusion

Driving Gender Equality by Advocating for Women Leaders

Mar 27, 2017 2:45 PM ET

Gender equality in the workplace isn’t just a women’s issue. Male leaders can drive gender equality in executive leadership roles by proactively advocating for female leaders in their organizations.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Timberland Addresses Future Sustainability Leaders at Patagonia’s Worn Wear College Tour

Mar 27, 2017 2:30 PM ET

Last week, global outdoor lifestyle brand Timberland joined a panel discussion as part of Patagonia’s Worn Wear College Tour, hosted at the University of New Hampshire in collaboration with the UNH Sustainability Institute.

Media & Communications

Arrow Electronics’ Carol Baroudi Honored for Top Blog

Mar 27, 2017 2:30 PM ET

Arrow Electronics’ sustainability and compliance expert Carol Baroudi was named a finalist in the Blog category at the 2017 PR News CSR Awards last week in Washington, D.C. Carol publishes timely and thought-provoking content on a dedicated blog for Arrow’s value recovery business.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Baltimore Utility Chief Emphasizes CSR Following Freddy Gray Death

Mar 27, 2017 1:15 PM ET

Freddy Gray’s death while in the custody of Baltimore police pushed the riot-torn city’s only African America big company CEO into action, emphasizing corporate social responsibility to heal the scab that had been ripped off the community”

Baltimore Gas & Electric chief Calvin G. Butler Jr. said the 2015 death and racial strife pushed the 200-year-old utility to use the power of procurement in partnership with service providers and nonprofits to hire and train more people from inner city neighborhoods.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Agribusiness and Food Companies Join Forces to Address Hunger and Nutrition Crisis in East Africa

Mar 27, 2017 12:25 PM ET

The companies will contribute a combined $525,000 to help the World Food Programme (WFP)—the world’s leading humanitarian agency fighting global hunger—reach tens of thousands of families in East Africa.