ESG News from Leading Brands

Social Impact & Volunteering

An Introduction to SROI Training in Calgary and Toronto

Aug 30, 2018 12:00 PM ET

SiMPACT builds capacity in social impact and valuation through a variety of courses. These include social return on investment (SROI) training, SROI Accreditation Training, and courses highlighting techniques to maximize impact. One-on-One SROI coaching and customized training courses are also our speciality.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

A New Plan Will Bring Toilets to 250 Million People Who Need Them

Aug 30, 2018 11:30 AM ET

A new partnership between UNICEF and LIXIL, one of the largest home and water product suppliers in the world, aims to jumpstart progress on one of the goals: SDG 6, which mandates improved access to clean water and sanitation for all. Around 2.3 billion people in the world currently don’t have access to a clean, safe toilet. By 2021, LIXIL and UNICEF want to help lower that number by 250 million to supplement progress on SDG 6. “There aren’t any impossibilities or any lack of technology posing a barrier to access,” says Jin Montesano, chief public affairs officer for LIXIL. “But it is a very complex issue that requires more focus on solutions and partners coming together to accelerate progress on the goal.”

Innovation & Technology

Walmart's First Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Tennessee Installed at Ooltewah Store

Aug 30, 2018 11:30 AM ET

As Walmart continues to seek to provide convenient services for its customers and contribute to reducing emissions in the communities where it operates, the retailer announced on Wednesday the installation of eight Electrify America electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at its Ooltewah Supercenter at 5588 Little Debbie Parkway. The EV chargers are Walmart’s first in the state, and are operational and ready for customers to use.

Education

Arrow Electronics Hosts 196 Interns Across the United States

Aug 30, 2018 11:20 AM ET

This summer, Arrow Electronics hosted 196 interns across the United States, giving them valuable experience in a corporate setting to kick-start their professional careers.

Most of the interns are completing the three-month program in the Denver headquarters, but others are spread throughout the country, spanning from Arrow locations in Nevada to Minnesota.

Environment

A Fresh Resource for ESG-Oriented Financial Advisors

Aug 30, 2018 11:15 AM ET

One of the gurus of ESG investing has recently launched a new service for financial advisors (FAs) who want to integrate Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors into their investment process. He has created a site called “Sustainable Investing” and filled it with content about ESG investing. Those who subscribe (there is a three month free trial option) get a quarterly newsletter and access to some otherwise hidden research reports.

Diversity & Inclusion

Building Capacity for STEM Nonprofits

Aug 30, 2018 11:15 AM ET

Around the world, employers are seeking highly-skilled workers to take on existing and emerging roles in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, also known as STEM. Workforce development and education, particularly as related to STEM, are two of the largest focus areas for corporate and foundation giving as well as two of the largest mission focuses for nonprofits, according to the CECP’s 2017 Giving in Numbers report. Yet, even given this great investment, gaps in STEM education still exist, leaving both employers and students without the critical thinking and analytical problem-solving skills sorely needed in our ever-changing global economy.

Environment

A Holistic Approach to Water Stewardship: 5 Strategic Considerations for Food & Beverage Companies

Aug 30, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Antea Group analyzes 5 considerations that food and beverage companies need to think about to rise to the challenge of diminishing water resources.

Environment

Reef Futures Looking Up! Large Scale Coral Reef Restoration is Possible

Aug 30, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Needing to change our visual and professional perspective was the common theme behind several promising low-cost technical solutions reviewed at a recent Coral Reef Restoration Workshop. The workshop sponsored by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Mars, Inc. and Paul G. Allen Philanthropies, convened a unique multi-disciplinary coalition of scientists, NGOs, coral restoration practitioners, Government and business, in Bali, Indonesia. Its aim was to identify promising evidence-based standards to scale coral restoration efforts globally.

Sustainable Development Goals

THIS IS OUR JOURNEY: From Pushcart Operator To Businessman

Aug 30, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Every year, thousands of young Nigerians enter the labour market, academic qualification in hand, and hope in their hearts.

This was the story of Mr. Wasiu Adeyeye, an educated young man, but that hope slowly faded, as it seemed the dream job was never going to come.

Wasiu was introduced to Nescafé’s My Own Business scheme by his old school friend and fellow coffee vendor Lekan Ajayi.

“At first, when he told me about the job, I didn’t think I would be successful at it,” Wasiu says. “However, three months into the job I realised that with hard work and persistence I would succeed.”

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Hallmark President Dave Hall Helps Provide Leadership for United Way of Greater Kansas City

Aug 30, 2018 10:45 AM ET

For decades, Hallmark and its businesses have supported the United Way to improve the health, education and financial stability of the communities where its employees work and live. In 2017, Hallmark was the No. 1 giver to the United Way of Greater Kansas City, with a donation of nearly $2.3 million. Another $773,500 was pledged from other Hallmark locations for their respective United Way chapters.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Follow the Money: How Sands Cares Assists Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth

Aug 30, 2018 10:40 AM ET

Environment

PepsiCo Offers Free Resources to Help Schools Increase Recycling

Aug 30, 2018 10:20 AM ET

Global consumers now use a million plastic bottles every minute. Though most beverage bottles are made from a readily recyclable type of plastic, less than 10 percent are ultimately recycled—and up to 14 million metric tons of plastic, including discarded beverage bottles, enter the world’s oceans every year. As our growing addiction to single-use plastic becomes painfully apparent on land and sea, citizens, NGOs and other stakeholders are calling on consumer goods manufacturers to do more to reduce plastic waste.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Behind the Scenes VIDEO | Nutopia Carpet Plank Collection from Mohawk Group

Aug 30, 2018 10:15 AM ET

Our Nutopia carpet plank collection is designed to achieve petal certification by meeting stringent requirements for the Living Product Challenge. Created to transition across the floor or create defined areas in the built environment, Nutopia’s four styles can be used together as a cohesive system, or separately depending on the desired configuration, end use, and budget. Layouts can be subtle or vivid and dramatic – just like the dynamics of city life.

Green Infrastructure

Wells Fargo Commits $5 Million to Establish GRID Alternatives’ Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund

Aug 30, 2018 10:00 AM ET

Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) announced today a philanthropic commitment of $5 million over three years to support solar projects in tribal communities across the U.S.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Defense News Elevates Booz Allen Hamilton to #17 on its Top 100 List

Aug 30, 2018 10:00 AM ET

Booz Allen Hamilton has ranked #17 on Defense News’ annual Top 100 list of defense contractors, climbing five spots from last year. This list provides a snapshot of the key players who are dominating in the defense space.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Applications Now Open for The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Hometown Community Garden and Greenspace Grant Fund

Aug 30, 2018 9:15 AM ET

At ScottsMiracle-Gro, our roots run deep. This year, we’re celebrating the 150th anniversary of our company, and we contribute a big part of our success to the local community in Marysville, Ohio, who’s helped us grow over the years. That’s why we’re honored to partner with The Union County Foundation to provide more resources for garden and greenspace development in our own corporate backyard of Union County, Ohio.

Innovation & Technology

VIDEO | Barclays Citizenship Awards: Digi Dhan Team

Aug 30, 2018 9:10 AM ET

The Digi Dhan team set up Digi Dhan, meaning digital money, in partnership with the NASSCOM Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to using technology for good.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Smithfield Foods Donates More Than 35,000 Pounds of Protein to Montana Food Bank Network

Aug 30, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Smithfield Foods, Inc. and Albertsons joined forces to donate more than 35,000 pounds of protein to Montana Food Bank Network. Smithfield’s contribution was part of the company’s 2018 Helping Hungry Homes® donation tour. Now in the program’s 10th year, Helping Hungry Homes® is Smithfield’s signature hunger-relief initiative focused on alleviating hunger and helping Americans become more food secure. The donation, equivalent to more than 141,000 servings, will help families fight hunger across Montana.

Health & Healthcare

PT Freeport Indonesia, a Freeport-McMoRan Company, Supports Healthcare for Indigenous Communities

Aug 30, 2018 9:00 AM ET

PT Freeport-Indonesia’s Partnership Fund for Community Development (LPMAK) provides healthcare to residents of Mimika Regency in Papua, Indonesia, at the Mitra Masyarakat Hospital in Timika.

The hospital opened in 2000 and is now a four-star accredited healthcare facility, providing access to healthcare for a previously underserved community.

Innovation & Technology

Technology Can Help Counter the Forces of Economic Concentration

Aug 30, 2018 8:55 AM ET

While the U.S. economy continues to grow, there is widespread concern that too many communities are being left behind. However, global ecommerce platforms like eBay connect small businesses to millions of buyers around the world, providing a boost to Main Street small businesses, whether they are thriving in a growth hub or faced with a deeply challenged local economy.

Education

Amgen Biotech Experience in Netherlands

Aug 30, 2018 8:10 AM ET

The Amgen Biotech Experience and DNA Labs On the Road have partnered to bring students in the Netherlands a real-world biotechnology lab experience in the classroom, helping them better understand what science is and how it influences their daily lives.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Sappi Invests in the Future of Graphics Papers at Cloquet Mill

Aug 29, 2018 5:00 PM ET

Significant upgrades were recently made to the headbox on the No. 12 Paper Machine at the Cloquet Mill, including improved dilution control.

The modifications will result in improved sheet flatness and roll quality. The previous headbox controlled basis weight through slice lip profi ling, where the shape of the discharge nozzle is defl ected slightly to spread the fiber evenly across the machine.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Sysco Improves Sustainability in Seafood Supply Chain

Aug 29, 2018 4:45 PM ET

Sysco is committed to working with suppliers to improve sustainability in our seafood supply chain through fishery improvement programs (FIPS). In partnership with World Wildlife Fund, we are working with fishermen to improve record-keeping and traceability, reduce bycatch and better manage fish stocks, helping increase the supply of sustainable seafood for current and future generations.

Education

Mohawk Helps Revitalize Georgia Schools in Partnership With Community-focused School Crashers Program

Aug 29, 2018 4:30 PM ET

This year many Georgia schoolchildren will work and play in classrooms and media spaces with a fresh look and energy due in part to Mohawk Industries and the Georgia United Credit Union School Crashers℠ program.

Since the program’s inception five years ago, Mohawk has partnered with the Georgia-based credit union to “crash” select community schools and give them much-needed renovations. Each year hundreds of schools apply for facility makeovers, providing a list of their needs, and School Crashers chooses the lucky winners.

Green Infrastructure

Nation’s 1st Pollinator-Friendly Right-of-Way Solar Project Moves Forward in Georgia

Aug 29, 2018 4:30 PM ET

The Georgia Public Service Commission (Georgia PSC) has authorized funding for Georgia Power to construct, own and operate a one-megawatt solar array on Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) property at Exit 14 off Interstate 85, which is known as “The Ray.” Georgia will be the third state in the nation to utilize the grassy shoulder of an interstate highway, called the “right-of-way” (ROW), to generate solar energy. This unique project will pilot the use of native flowering plants as ground cover in test plots within the solar array, making Georgia the first in the nation to pilot pollinator-friendly, right-of-way solar.