Much has changed in just over three years since The Ray beautification and energy efficiency project was proposed for the section of Interstate 85 that passes through Troup County.

The Ray is a project on Interstate 85 that focuses on creating a green corridor, with a focus on both plant life and clean energy.

Welcome to “Beyond the Blue” — a place where readers can get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of both the seemingly simple and highly complex aspects of Republic Services. This blog will explore what happens to trash after it leaves your curbside container, how landfills can be a source for renewable energy, our sustainability work with major sporting venues and iconic resorts and hotels, the intricate process of recovering oil from exploration and production waste, configured products and solutions for our customers, as well as tips on how you can be more environmentally responsible in daily life — and so much more. This is a place where you can learn about the people, operations and innovation happening at Republic Services.

Main streets across the country participating in Partners in Preservation: Main Streets will host “Open House Weekend” events, October 7-9, featuring family-friendly activities ranging from block parties and live music, to walking tours and art exhibits. During the events, guests will be able to learn about the program, the districts’ histories and the importance of Main Street restoration efforts. Delta Air Lines is the official sponsor of the Partners in Preservation: Main Streets Open House Weekend.

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Rethink. Those concepts are not new. In fact, they exist in nature. If we look at nature, we see no waste. Everything in nature is reused and recycled, right down to every tiny bone and every small leaf. Waste is a man-made invention - and in the world with a growing human population and increasing resource scarcity, nature can inspire humans to a more circular thinking. And it is about time.

Today, 36 institutional investors with over $813 billion in assets and a network of major businesses with over $400 billion in revenue, called on the Trump administration to not weaken the current light-duty vehicle fuel economy and greenhouse-gas emissions standards. The ask comes in the form of a Washington D.C.-focused ad blitz as well as letters to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

People may look at our products and wonder what baby diapers and copy paper have in common.

The answer is the core of our business —sustainably sourced wood fiber. It is at the heart of our paper products, and in the case of our personal care products, it literally makes up the absorbent core.

It has been a long month for us, HPE’s Spaceborne Computer engineers, as we waited for an update from NASA on when we would be scheduled to power on the system in space. With much of my team and one of NASA’s main command centers based in Houston, we have all been tied up with the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. We finally received confirmation that all systems are a go for Thursday, September 14.

In developed countries, classrooms increasingly embrace accelerating innovation. Schools are adopting technologies like AR/VR devices, 3D printing and massive online open courses (MOOCs). Advancements in technology help students collaborate and create like never before, and allow educators to individualize lesson plans and monitor progress with unprecedented insight – ultimately preparing their pupils for success in the digital age.

As the first international home furnishings retailer to partner with Fair Trade USA in 2014, West Elm and parent company Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE: WSM) today announced plans to expand upon their responsible retail commitments to include a goal to pay premiums of $3 million towards Fair Trade Community Development by 2020.

Last week, Food Bank For New York City sent approximately 20,000 meals and critical supplies to its sister food bank, Banco de Alimentos de Puerto Rico. JetBlue and its partner, Atlas, delivered the items to Puerto Rico, where they’ll be distributed to victims of Hurricane Maria.

“JetBlue crewmembers regularly volunteer at Food Bank’s Community Kitchen. When we heard about the citywide effort to support relief efforts in Puerto Rico, we immediately jumped in, along with our partner, Atlas,” said Icema Gibbs, director of corporate social responsibility, JetBlue. “JetBlue is supporting recovery efforts in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean and we have asked our customers and crewmembers and community to do the same.”