ESG News from Leading Brands

Environment

Air-Bending at Borden: Heating at a Cooler Price

Oct 18, 2018 7:40 AM ET

There is no natural gas pipeline that extends anywhere near Chapleau or the Borden site, so the team had to find a solution for heating fuel to warm the air underground during colder months.

Propane was the expensive go-to consideration. Biomass such as refuse from the forestry industry was briefly considered but would require significant traffic on site and it was not sure if it could economically compete with propane. Liquified Natural Gas was another option looked at quite extensively, though that required both a significant site footprint and government funding to become a reality. The team felt strongly about finding solution that was going to be even better for the environment and be cost efficient as well.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

3 Trends Shaping Today's Top CSR Programs

Oct 17, 2018 7:00 PM ET

eBook: The top three CSR trends that are changing the way companies engage their people in purpose-driven workplace cultures. Actionable tips you can use to engage more people and create bigger impact along with examples from companies such as Levi’s, Prudential, QVC, TripAdvisor and more who are leading the way.

Research, Reports & Publications

Take the LBG Canada Mini Survey on Executive Interest in Community Investment

Oct 17, 2018 7:00 PM ET

Take the LBG Canada Mini Survey and tell us how your company acknowledges executive interest in community!

The LBG Canada program provides community investment professionals with data analytics to inform long term strategy, daily work, impact measurement and corporate reporting.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Anything Is Possible When People Are Able to Pursue Their Potential. Here's How Melwood Provides Pathways to Independence.

Oct 17, 2018 6:35 PM ET

At Melwood, we believe anything is possible when people are able to pursue their potential.

We see the lasting, positive effect on society when people of differing abilities – individuals with cognitive, physical, and other disabilities, as well as military veterans – have the power to apply their unique talents in meaningful ways. That is why we are so passionate about introducing their contributions throughout our communities. For more than 55 years, we have charted a path to inclusion for this remarkable yet underserved population.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

The Global Engagement Forum: Live Convenes Leaders for Cross-Sector Collaboration

Oct 17, 2018 5:45 PM ET

Last week, the 2018 Global Engagement Forum: Live convened leaders and experts from business, government, and nonprofit organizations to collaborate around solving specific problems within the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Hosted by PYXERA Global, the Forum convened over 300 leaders, experts, and stakeholders in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

Research, Reports & Publications

Caterpillar Partners With International Women’s Day

Oct 17, 2018 4:00 PM ET

At Caterpillar, we know what it means to be bold. It’s appropriate, then, that in 2017, for the first time, Caterpillar served as an International Women’s Day partner; and the 2017 theme was #BeBoldForChange.

Environment

Raven Brooks: Getting The Vote Out

Oct 17, 2018 3:00 PM ET

Voting. It’s the fundamental premise underpinning our governmental system. There shouldn’t be disagreement about that, irrespective of political party, right?

Innovation & Technology

Albertsons Digital Marketplace Spices up Customers’ Online Shopping Variety

Oct 17, 2018 2:45 PM ET

Albertsons Companies today announced that Albertsons Digital Marketplace now offers over 40,000 specialty products to customers nationwide, like hard-to-find spices and condiments, specific flavors of coffee, unique health and beauty products, and other health and wellness items. The newly launched Albertsons.com/Marketplace site plans to offer more than 100,000 products by the end of the calendar year.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Wells Fargo Donates $200,000 for New Mexico Housing, Education and Small Business Efforts

Oct 17, 2018 2:30 PM ET

Wells Fargo & Company announces $200,000 in donations to three New Mexico nonprofits

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Scotiabank Named One of the World's Best Workplaces 2018

Oct 17, 2018 1:35 PM ET

Events, Media & Communications

Video: HPE Sustainability Helps Grow $240 Million in New Revenue

Oct 17, 2018 1:25 PM ET

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Chief Sustainability Officer Chris Wellise revealed on Bloomberg TV that $240 million in new revenue can be linked to its sustainability-related practices through the first three quarters of 2018. He also discussed HPE's partnership with the World Economic Forum to end global hunger and India as the company's main Asia opportunity. Wellise spoke to Bloomberg's Ramy Inocencio on "Bloomberg Daybreak: Asia" on the sidelines of the fourth annual Bloomberg Sustainable Business Summit in New York.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Crafton Hills Fire Academy Hopes to Increase Number of Female Firefighters

Oct 17, 2018 1:25 PM ET

Jessica Renfrow, 21, recalls a story her police officer father told her as a young girl about being called out to a burning building. The fire department hadn’t arrived yet, but a woman said her child was still inside.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Keep America Beautiful Advances Effort to Recycle More and Recycle Right Ahead of America Recycles Day

Oct 17, 2018 1:15 PM ET

America Recycles Day, a Keep America Beautiful national initiative that takes place on and in the weeks leading into Nov. 15, recognizes the economic, environmental and social benefits of recycling, and provides an educational platform to raise awareness about the value of reducing, reusing and recycling – every day – throughout the year.

Green Infrastructure

Lessons Learned on the Path to Sustainable Urban Logistics

Oct 17, 2018 11:45 AM ET

UPS Chief Information and Engineering Officer Juan Perez is leading transformation on the future of our network – how we are integrating technology to connect the facilities, fleet, drivers and information systems fueling a more sustainable global network.
From disrupting our industry – and ourselves – with our new technologies to overhauling our approach to city delivery, there’s much to discuss in this period of transformation.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

JetBlue Scholars Named a Winner of the U.S. Department of Education’s ‘2018 Reimagining the Higher Education Ecosystem Challenge’

Oct 17, 2018 11:45 AM ET

JetBlue and its employer-sponsored college degree program – JetBlue Scholars – was recently named a winner of the U.S. Department of Education’s “2018 Reimagining the Higher Education Ecosystem Challenge.” The U.S. Department of Education announced the winners last week at a special ceremony in Washington, D.C. JetBlue Scholars offers the airline’s crewmembers the opportunity to earn a fully-accredited associate or bachelor’s degree with JetBlue covering most of the cost.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Behind the Scenes VIDEO | Sunweave Woven Broadloom

Oct 17, 2018 11:25 AM ET

Mohawk Group's Sunweave woven carpet responds to current desires for artisanal materials in the built environment. Inspired by women weavers of indigenous cultures around the world, Sunweave evokes natural patterns found in baskets, blankets and textiles.

Sunweave features the innovative award-winning yarn system, Heathered Hues. This fiber’s natural texture and blending provides a variegated wool-like appearance. Sunweave is Red List-free and Living Product Challenge Petal Certified.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Merck Named Number 4 on Equileap's List of World's Top Companies for Gender Equality

Oct 17, 2018 11:20 AM ET

Merck has been ranked in the 2018 Gender Equality Global Ranking by Equileap, making us one of the leading companies globally making progress towards gender equality in the workplace!

Research, Reports & Publications

Making Road Trips Safer With Pets Aboard Is All About 'Location'

Oct 17, 2018 11:20 AM ET

Despite rising gas prices, millions of Americans will be packing up the family SUV and taking to the highways on weekend excursions and extended vacations alike. And given the cost of care and boarding, a large percentage of them will be taking their road trips with one or more pets coming along for the ride.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

With the Guidance and Support of Seattle Goodwill, Lazon Campbell Finds Employment and a Renewed Sense of Purpose

Oct 17, 2018 11:15 AM ET

Millions of people from all around the world connect on eBay. Each time that happens, something positive happens in the world. These are the stories of everyday people on eBay making an extraordinary difference in the lives of others.

For nine years, Lazon Campbell’s depression consumed him. What started as a byproduct of his parents’ passing became an everyday, uphill battle.

Environment

Ecocentricity Blog: Letting the Expert Speak

Oct 17, 2018 11:15 AM ET

As I’m sure you know, Hurricane Michael recently slammed into the Florida panhandle and then made its way across South Georgia. While a lot of coverage of the storm focused on what happened to the impacted coastal communities (short story – they got hammered), I feel like there has not been enough attention paid to the impact of Michael on Georgia agriculture.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Five Steps to Building a Healthy Relationship for Nonprofit and Corporate Partners

Oct 17, 2018 11:05 AM ET

Throughout the year, Common Impact has been taking a closer look at The Knitting Factor as a concept that best explains effective skills-based partnerships. Today we explore the sticky relationship component as a way to describe meaningful partnerships between companies and nonprofits that sustain far past an initial volunteer opportunity. Creating these relationships takes intention, time and an appreciation of the knowledge, resources and needs of both parties.

Environment

The Great Debate: Plastic vs. Paper Drinking Straws

Oct 17, 2018 10:40 AM ET

Paper or plastic? It’s a debate that has raged for years about a variety of goods, including grocery bags, food packaging materials, lollipop sticks, personal care items and other single-use products. The latest item to make headlines is the humble straw. Plastic drinking straws are ubiquitous, but they may soon take a backseat to paper drinking straws.

Education

Seventh Grader Aims to Improve Treatment for Pancreatic Cancer Using Artificial Intelligence

Oct 17, 2018 10:30 AM ET

Discovery Education (@DiscoveryEd) and 3M (@3M) have named 13-year-old Rishab Jain the winner of the 2018 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge (#YoungScientist). Rishab created an algorithm to make pancreatic cancer treatment more effective by using artificial intelligence to accurately locate and track the pancreas in real-time during MRI radiotherapy.

Innovation & Technology

How Social Entrepreneurs Are Using Tech-based Solutions to Tackle Global Poverty

Oct 17, 2018 10:25 AM ET

The challenge of ending poverty for the world’s 3.7 billion poor is larger than any one entity can solve. Crucially, this task also presents a market opportunity so large that there is more than enough work for all active stakeholders to engage in. More than ever before, digital technology is making these opportunities easier to harness.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Leading Investor and Environmental Groups Issue Methane Guidelines for the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures

Oct 17, 2018 10:00 AM ET

As the private sector adopts climate disclosure standards established by the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), the oil and gas industry faces increasing pressure from its investors to disclose how it is managing climate risk, including emissions of methane from oil and gas.