Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Social Impact & Volunteering

Navigating Change with Skills-Based Volunteering

Jan 26, 2017 10:45 AM ET

January always lends itself to predictions about hot trends in the year to come. Indeed, if you look up “2017 CSR and sustainability trends” in your search engine right now, you’ll see a collection of insightful articles sharing expert (and of course widely divergent) opinions on what’s in store for us over the next twelve months. This January, though, in the face of a starkly different administration in Washington D.C., the social sector is looking at an even more uncertain, unpredictable climate. This has the Common Impact team thinking less about trends, and more about how to practically navigate the twists and turns ahead.

Education

Who Are Today's "Hidden Figures"?

Jan 26, 2017 9:40 AM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Cone Communications Announced as Key Speaker at Jewelry Industry Summit

Jan 26, 2017 9:30 AM ET

Cone Communications will be heading to Tucson, AZ to participate in the second Jewelry Industry Summit January 29-30. The two-day conference will facilitate an open forum between stakeholders of the jewelry industry on sustainable and responsible sourcing.

Environment

Dr Pepper Snapple Group and Keep America Beautiful Kick Off Fifth Year of Recycling Partnership

Jan 26, 2017 9:00 AM ET

The Dr Pepper Snapple Group/Keep America Beautiful Park Recycling Bin Grant program opened its 2017 application process today, offering new opportunities to make recycling convenient for communities across the country.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Public Consultation Period on the Latest AA1000 AccountAbility Principles Opened

Jan 26, 2017 9:00 AM ET

The latest revision of the AccountAbility Principles, the AA1000AP (2017) has been opened for public consultation via a globally accessible web platform today. The AA1000 series are widely applied for integrating and embedding sustainability and accountability into the governance and performance of organisations.

Responsible Production & Consumption

The Complete Guide to Finding a Recycling Partner for Your Hospital

Jan 26, 2017 9:00 AM ET

This complete guide to finding a hospital recycling partner will help you get your program up and running. We'll walk you through resources for finding the right partner, whether you can start with your current waste hauler, recycling partners, or other services providers, or are beginning the search from scratch.

Environment

New Product Category Rule Developed for Roundwood and Pulp/Paper

Jan 26, 2017 8:30 AM ET

SCS Global Services and Environmental Paper Network have developed an innovative Product Category Rule specifying rules for Life Cycle Assessment focused on wood and paper.

Diversity & Inclusion

Engaging Employees by Advancing the Value of Human Capital with Steph Sharma, Human Value Institute

Jan 26, 2017 8:00 AM ET

Events, Media & Communications

National Geographic Documentary Films Launches Further Filmmaker Fellowship with Sundance Institute to Spotlight Young Filmmakers Who Enlighten and Inspire

Jan 26, 2017 7:00 AM ET

National Geographic Global Networks CEO Courteney Monroe announced the creation of the Further Filmmaker Fellowship, a grant program supporting young documentarians who embody the company’s spirit of exploration. The fellowship, a partnership with the Sundance Institute, was named for National Geographic’s global brand tagline “Further,” which symbolizes the desire to take risks, never settle, be radical about facts and always be hungry for more.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Detroit Workforce System Leadership Development Academy Inaugural Class Announced

Jan 26, 2017 6:00 AM ET

JPMorgan Chase & Co., in partnership with Corporation for a Skilled Workforce (CSW) and The Aspen Institute, today announced the selection of twenty-two participants for the first ever Detroit Workforce System Leadership Development Academy (Academy).

The Academy will leverage and build on the expertise of leaders across the workforce ecosystem through an intensive twelve month learning program, led by local Detroit leaders and guest faculty from across the nation, providing the group with an opportunity to collaborate on developing practical solutions to solve some of the city’s most challenging workforce issues.

Innovation & Technology

3 Questions Marketers Should Ask Before Investing in AI

Jan 25, 2017 4:35 PM ET

The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) might have many marketing execs rolling their eyes and saying “Not again!”

Innovation & Technology

Avnet Supports ‘Hacking for Good’ Weekend

Jan 25, 2017 4:30 PM ET

During Avnet’s second annual Global Month of Service in October, Avnet partnered with PayPal to host the fourth annual Arizona Opportunity Hack event, in which nonprofit organizations received free solutions to their most pressing business and technology needs.

Diversity & Inclusion

3 QOLhacks for Creating a Fun Work Environment

Jan 25, 2017 3:35 PM ET

Most of us spend at least half of our waking hours at work, so why not make it fun? In fact, research has shown that creating a feeling of optimism and happiness at work can improve employee performance. A survey of HR managers showed that the majority encourages fun at work because they believe it benefits both the individual and the organization.

Education

Meet Amgen Scholars Alumni Assama Ketegou

Jan 25, 2017 3:25 PM ET

One source of my passion for science and medicine is that I was born with a chronic illness called sickle cell disease. It’s a rare genetic blood disorder that predominantly affects people of African ancestry. The complications that come along with having sickle cell— like pain crises which land me in the hospital almost monthly—puts me on the frontlines of health care. Treatment options are limited for sickle cell, and research is the only way to change that.

Education

Volkswagen Partners with State of Tennessee to Establish $1 Million Science Lab Program

Jan 25, 2017 3:00 PM ET

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., January 24, 2017 /3BL Media/ — Volkswagen Group of America, Chattanooga Operations (Volkswagen Chattanooga) and the State of Tennessee announced the establishment of a $1 million program that will allow Hamilton County middle and high schools to apply for funds to create a science lab in their school.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Aramark Named a Top 50 Employer for People with Disabilities

Jan 25, 2017 2:00 PM ET

Aramark (NYSE:ARMK), a global leader in food, facilities management and uniforms, has once again been named a Top 50 employer for providing a positive working environment for people with disabilities by CAREERS & the disABLED magazine.

“We are honored to be named a Top 50 employer for people with disabilities for the third consecutive year,” said Lynn B. McKee, Executive Vice President of Human Resources for Aramark. “We are grateful for the valuable contributions of our disabled team members and will continue to provide them with a positive, encouraging environment where they can thrive and succeed.”

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation Announce $200,000 Towards Tornado Relief and Recovery

Jan 25, 2017 1:45 PM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Keep America Beautiful Announces Winners of “How Will You…End Littering?” Video Contest

Jan 25, 2017 1:30 PM ET

The Grand Prize Winners were announced today for Keep America Beautiful’s “How Will You … End Littering?” Video Contest, which was open to students from grades 9-12.

Events, Media & Communications

Second Generation of CSR/ESG Metrics & Bringing ‘Dark Data’ to Light

Jan 25, 2017 1:20 PM ET

We are seeing a rising wave of change as we transition from our current metrics systems to a second generation.
Download the Sustainable Brands New Metrics full presentation to learn more.

Education

UNIDO and Partners to Create More Than 6,000 Jobs for Young People in Tunisia

Jan 25, 2017 1:20 PM ET

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Italian Development Cooperation and the HP Foundation today launched the second phase of UNIDO’s youth employment project. “Mashrou3i” (“My project” in Arabic) aims to create more than 6,000 jobs for young people in Tunisia over the next five years.

Environment

Republic Services Makes Disposing of Batteries and Bulbs Effortless

Jan 25, 2017 1:05 PM ET

The beginning of a new year is a smart time for businesses to replace batteries in fire alarms and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, as well as replacing fluorescent light bulbs and lighting ballasts. Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE: RSG) offers two simple solutions for businesses to discard items that contain mercury, lead or other hazardous materials that should not be thrown away with regular waste.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Volkswagen Group of America Foundation Donates $50,000 to the Dollywood Foundation to Aid Tennessee Wildfire Relief Efforts

Jan 25, 2017 1:00 PM ET

Herndon, VA (December 19, 2016) – The Volkswagen Group of America Foundation, created by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VWGoA), announced today that it has donated $50,000 to the Dollywood Foundation’s My People Fund, in support of relief and recovery assistance efforts following the devastating wildfires in Tennessee.

Education

Scotiabank Renews Support for Financial Literacy Module to Connected North Schools for 2017 School Year

Jan 25, 2017 12:20 PM ET

Last year, Scotiabank created a unique program focusing on developing financial literacy skills for youth. Thanks to their renewed support, we are able to again offer the Scotiabank Financial Literacy module to all of the Connected North schools for the 2016-2017 school year.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Supply Chain Communication: A Barrier to Food Industry Transparency

Jan 25, 2017 12:00 PM ET

The international food industry continues to experience challenges in supply chain communication, especially as food safety rules become increasingly strict and consumers demand more transparency.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Atlas Copco Employees Support Welthungerhilfe with €60,000 for Clean Drinking Water in Kenya

Jan 25, 2017 10:05 AM ET