The current volume of worldwide refugees is staggering—20 million people are categorized as refugees out of 60 million displaced from their homes according to the United Nations Human Rights Council—and the pace of this overall crisis has greatly increased since the beginning of the Syrian conflict. What Frontex classifies as ‘illegal border crossings’ have shot up six-fold in 2015 versus 2014 to the EU alone, even twelve-fold in the Q4 comparison. And the problem is here to stay: The average length of conflict-induced displacement is 17 years according to a United Nations study. The complexity of this situation requires new solutions beyond traditional government response, and the private sector in particular has an important role to play.

When Whirlpool discovered 20 percent of students struggle with access to clean clothes and often skip school as a result, the company saw a clear opportunity to help.

Increasing after-life use of products is increasingly a priority for product and packaging managers seeking to apply the principals of the Circular Economy and concepts embodied in the New Plastics Economy in order to promote resource conservation and optimize existing resource value. Over the past two years, Antea Group has had the opportunity to work directly with a number of our clients and with the Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council to explore and develop solutions to enable after-life use of products and packaging.

Fifteen graduating seniors from five area high schools earned scholarships from CITGO Petroleum Corporation to help them pursue higher degrees in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), thanks to a partnership between CITGO and the Alief Independent School District (ISD). Support from CITGO for Alief ISD students is part of the larger CITGO STEM Scholarship program, which provides funds for high-achieving students in public schools across the Houston area.

Taproot Foundation announces the election of new Co-Chairs Kellie Krug and Sarah Mankowski to its Board of Directors.

JetBlue (Nasdaq: JBLU), New York's Hometown Airline®, recently announced The Bronx Greenmarket Hot Sauce as the next winner of its “BlueBud" business mentoring program. BlueBud (buddies + budding new companies) focuses on pioneering food companies and taps into JetBlue’s goal to offer more nutritious and flavorful onboard food options.