ESG News from Leading Brands

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Deadline Extended for Hefty® EnergyBag™ Program Grant Application

Aug 31, 2017 2:00 PM ET

The deadline to apply for the Hefty®EnergyBag™ grant program, an innovative plastics recycling program, has been extended to 5:00 pm (EST) on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017. Ideal candidates have a strong passion to consistently improve their community, close ties to local organizations and access to a nearby recycling center.

Education

Shaping the Future: How Disruptive Innovation is Changing Higher Education

Aug 31, 2017 1:55 PM ET

The pace of change in higher education is accelerating faster than any time in history. Today, higher education is a global commodity with all the competition and product diversification of any Fortune 500 organization.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Albertsons Companies Raises Money Nationwide for Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief and Pledges $200,000 in Matching Funds

Aug 31, 2017 1:30 PM ET

As Hurricane Harvey continues to bring catastrophic flooding and devastation to parts of Southeast Texas, Albertsons Companies is mobilizing its entire chain of 2,300+ stores across the U.S. to aid in the disaster relief effort.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Taproot Foundation Expands Online Pro Bono Platform Taproot+ to First Global Market with Singapore Partner Empact

Aug 31, 2017 1:00 PM ET

The Taproot Foundation announces the global expansion of online pro bono matchmaking platform Taproot+ to Singapore in partnership with Empact Ltd. The pilot program will launch during Pro Bono Week, October 22 – 28, 2017. Taproot+ connects nonprofit and social change organizations with experts who are donating their skills and time pro bono.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Foster Care Adoption: Come Prepared with Faith and Heavy Duty Boots

Aug 31, 2017 12:00 PM ET

Stacie Booth is a mother of one adopted son and two biological sons, a devoted wife and a small business owner who provides Taekwondo classes for a homeschool group and Montessori schools. She is a relocated Texan living in Michigan and freezes to death every winter, but has found some solace in snowboarding and sledding with her sons.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Friendship Inspires One Girl to 'Light Up the World' for SMA Awareness

Aug 31, 2017 11:45 AM ET

“In elementary school, my best friend, Kale, was in a wheelchair and I didn’t know why,” said Bailey Walter, of North Tonawanda, New York. “It took me a long time to ask about it, but in fourth grade I talked to his mom and found out he was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at 18 months old.” Bailey told her mom she wanted to help Kale. Her goal? For them to dance together by the sixth-grade dance.

Environment

Download the Antea Group 2016 Sustainability Report

Aug 31, 2017 11:35 AM ET

Antea Group is always striving for Better Business, Better World®. Learn what we achieved last year in our 2016 sustainability report.

Energy

Want Solar Energy? New NC Law Makes It Easier for You

Aug 31, 2017 11:30 AM ET

Renewable energy and consumers will benefit from a new law in North Carolina to increase the amount of solar energy in the state.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

University of Florida Receives 2017 Energy Efficiency Leader Award From Trane

Aug 31, 2017 11:30 AM ET

Trane®, a leading global provider of indoor comfort systems and services and a brand of Ingersoll Rand, presented its annual Energy Efficiency Leader Award on Aug. 29 to the University of Florida. The award recognizes the university’s commitment to providing a healthy, productive learning environment with minimal impact on the environment.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Leading Companies Release Key Insights on Circular Water Management Solutions

Aug 31, 2017 11:15 AM ET

Business action on water will be key in the coming years, as demand for water is set to outstrip water supply 40% by 2030. In other words, wasting water no longer makes sense from a business perspective. Yet, 80% of wastewater still goes back into the environment untreated.

Sustainable Development Goals

Target, U.S. Bank Join Ceres Company Network

Aug 31, 2017 10:40 AM ET

The sustainability nonprofit organization Ceres announced today that Target (NYSE: TGT) and U.S. Bank (NYSE: USB) have joined the Ceres Company Network. The Ceres board of directors approved the two new memberships in July.

Research, Reports & Publications

HanesBrands Submits Data for Latest CDP Climate Change Report

Aug 31, 2017 10:25 AM ET

HanesBrands (NYSE: HBI), a leading global marketer of everyday basic apparel under world-class brands, has voluntarily disclosed its carbon emissions and related information for the CDP 2017 Climate Change Report – marking the seventh year that the company has participated in this initiative.

Environment

Domtar Sustainability: Unlocking the Secrets of Watergate

Aug 31, 2017 10:15 AM ET

By following the money, we are now establishing a better line-of-sight into the true costs of using water. This, in turn, has enabled us to begin building a model that will provide our managers not just a truer picture of their water costs, but more precisely where they should focus their water efficiency improvement projects for the greatest benefit. This model is now being tested in some of our mills and will be improved as we learn more.

Green Infrastructure

Hybrid Airship: Big Impact, Small Environmental Footprint

Aug 31, 2017 10:05 AM ET

More than two-thirds of the world’s land area and more than half of the world’s population have no direct access to paved roads. How then do you access remote sites safely, affordably and with a small environmental footprint?

Health & Healthcare

Top 5 Takeaways from the Light #WELLography

Aug 31, 2017 10:05 AM ET

We could not be more excited to share the Light WELLography™ after the Great American Eclipse, which took place on Monday. In case you weren’t in the path of totality or didn’t have a fantastically homemade contraption for viewing the moon’s path across the sun, fear not, the Light WELLography will get you up to speed on everything you need to know about light and how it impacts you.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

CBRE: People & Culture

Aug 31, 2017 10:00 AM ET

At CBRE, people are at the center of our strategy. We are at our best when people with different backgrounds and experiences come together to produce great results for our clients. Our recently released CR Report highlights our continued focus on diversity and inclusion.

Diversity & Inclusion

Sodexo Signs CEO Pledge and Reinforces Its Commitment to Workplace Diversity

Aug 31, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Sodexo, world leader of quality of life services, announced today that it has signed the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion Pledge. CEO Action is the largest CEO-driven business commitment to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Diversity & Inclusion

Creating a Diverse, Inclusive Workforce that Helps Our People Reach Their Full Potential

Aug 31, 2017 9:45 AM ET

In our recently published 2016 Sustainability Report, we acknowledge that people are our core strength at Goldcorp. More than any other factor, our success depends on their capabilities and commitment. We are a diverse organization, with our employees self-identifying with over 80 different nationalities, speaking approximately 20 different languages, yet we share a common set of corporate values based on safety, responsibility and productivity. Joanne Klein, Vice President, People, discusses how we are focused on attracting and retaining experienced and skilled talent with a culture that puts safety at its core and supports people to reach their potential.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

How Companies Can Enable Individual Contribution to the Circular Economy

Aug 31, 2017 9:40 AM ET

As climate change continues to impact the planet – and governments and organizations worldwide set standards to reduce its harmful effects – it’s important for companies to rethink how their products are created, used and maintained. The smartest, most sustainable products are not only crafted with care as part of a closed-loop supply chain; they’re optimized to enable consumers to enter the circular economy with little effort.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Merck Recognized for Supplier Diversity Spend and Inducted into Billion Dollar Roundtable

Aug 31, 2017 9:05 AM ET

Merck has been inducted into the Billion Dollar Roundtable (BDR) at a ceremony that showcased the company’s commitment to economic inclusion and supplier diversity. As one of 27 member companies, Merck joins an exclusive group of U.S.-based corporations that have attained $1 billion or more in annual supply-chain diversity spend.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Join Wendy's in Supporting the American Red Cross Relief Efforts for Hurricane Harvey

Aug 31, 2017 9:05 AM ET

Over the past few days, Hurricane Harvey has caused unprecedented and catastrophic flooding in southeastern Texas and Louisiana. Our thoughts and prayers are with the members of the Wendy’s Family and all those who have been affected by this tragedy.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

The Wilson Celebrity Invitational in Partnership With Safeway, Donates Over $1.6 Million to Strong Against Cancer

Aug 31, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, on behalf of his Why Not You Foundation, will present Seattle Children’s and its Strong Against Cancer initiative a donation of $1,675,367 during the Friday Seahawks versus Chiefs preseason game at CenturyLink Field.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Sodexo Named as Top-Scorer on the 2017 Disability Equality Index List®

Aug 31, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Sodexo, a food services and facilities management company, was named as a top-scorer in the 2017 Disability Equality Index® produced by the US Business Leadership Network® (USBLN®) and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). Sodexo, which received a 90 out of 100 percent, was among 110 companies who were evaluated on culture, leadership, community engagement and support services.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Hallmark Forest Stewardship | Sourcing Paper Responsibly

Aug 31, 2017 8:50 AM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Bristol-Myers Squibb Increases Support of Hurricane Harvey Relief Efforts in Texas

Aug 30, 2017 6:45 PM ET

Bristol-Myers Squibb and the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation have increased support of emergency relief efforts in southeastern Texas following Hurricane Harvey, the first major hurricane to make landfall in the U.S. in over a decade.