Responsible Production & the Circular Economy

Valvoline Inc. (NYSE: VVV), a leading worldwide supplier of premium branded lubricants and automotive services, today released its 2018 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report. The foundational pillars of corporate social responsibility at Valvoline™ continue to center on its “People, Product and Planet” approach with a strategic focus on achieving continual improvement in citizenship, sustainability, and diversity and inclusion.

“From efforts to minimize environmental impacts, to actions that make our communities better, our success is powered by Valvoline team members around the globe,” CEO Sam Mitchell said. “We are proud to feature their hard work and innovative thinking in this year’s CSR report.”

Antea Group shares three important sustainability trends related to consumers, as well as key takeaways, that every company needs to pay attention to.

The U.S. Northeast Northern Shortfin Squid fishery in the Northwest Atlantic has been certified sustainable against the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) fisheries standard. The assessment was executed by independent conformity assessment body SCS Global Services and requested by Lund’s Fisheries, Inc. and The Town Dock.

Globally, 90+ billion tons of natural resources are used per year — of which 8% is #Recycled. Schneider Electric is making sure 100% of transport packing comes from recycled or certified sources by 2020 in support of a circular economy. Schneider Electric was recently named one of Gartner’s top 25 supply chains in the world. EVP Global Supply Chain Annette Clayton speaks to the strengths and uniqueness of the supply chain at Schneider Electric.

There are many challenges in today’s food system, from resource scarcity to soil health and water quality. Cascadian Farm and General Mills believe it will take a collective movement to change how crops are commercially grown, to positively impact climate change, and that’s what we’re doing by collaborating to help develop Kernza.

eBay CEO Devin Wenig joined Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome in Baton Rouge to celebrate two economic initiatives with the city — the expansion of Retail Reviva, which aims to help traditional “Main Street” businesses effectively compete in today’s digital economy, and eBay@Home to Baton Rouge. The announcements come during National Small Business Week, when the contributions of entrepreneurs and small business owners are celebrated across the U.S.

After picking out the brimmiest hats and placing their bets, most Derby-goers aren’t exactly asking the hard questions about the bourbon that goes into their mint juleps. But in the face of climate change, some of Kentucky’s biggest distilleries are making environmentally friendlier shifts in the name of keeping their signature export’s $8.5 billion industry going strong in today’s rapidly globalizing economy. In recent years, in fact, it’s these unassuming Appalachian distillers that have taken the lead in the sustainable spirits industry.

The New Holland Construction plant in Contagem, in Minas Gerais state, Brazil, reached its ambitious target of Zero Landfill by treating 100% of its waste. The project, started in 2016, went through a feasibility study of various alternatives to ensure the environmentally correct choice was made: either through recycling or composting, and was then implemented in phases. The initiative was based on CNH Industrial’s World Class Manufacturing (WCM) philosophy, which seeks zero losses together with the methodology of the 5R Pyramid - refusing of waste (reverse logistics), reduction, reuse, recycling and recovery.

LG has joined the US EPA as a national launch partner for the ENERGY STAR Flip Your Fridge promotion, encouraging American consumers to responsibly recycle their old refrigerator and upgrade to an ENERGY STAR certified fridge to reduce energy consumption. On average, an old refrigerator could use nearly twice as much energy as a new ENERGY STAR refrigerator. If all refrigerators more than 15 years old were replaced with ENERGY STAR certified refrigerators, Americans would prevent more than 5.5 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions annually, equivalent to the emissions from approximately 550,000 vehicles!

Kentucky Bourbon industry releases results of first environmental benchmarking study with BIER.

Sustainability is nothing new to Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. In fact, it’s a way of life for businesses that are often family-operated and dependent upon natural resources, like wood, water, and grains.