ESG News from Leading Brands

Education

Keep America Beautiful Kicks Off Eighth Annual Recycle-Bowl

Aug 29, 2018 2:35 PM ET

Keep America Beautiful, the nation’s iconic community improvement nonprofit organization, announces the launch of the eighth annual Recycle-Bowl youth recycling competition. Registration for this incentive-based recycling competition is open to all public and private schools in the United States.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Verdani Partners Becomes a Fitwel Champion, Pursues Groundbreaking Fitwel Certifications in Collaboration With Clarion Partners, LLC for Largest Impact From One Company

Aug 29, 2018 1:15 PM ET

Six Properties in New York Metro Area, Managed by Clarion Partners and Submitted by Verdani Partners, To Be Recognized by Fitwel as the Largest-Scale Contribution By One Company to Resident Health and Well-being to Date. Verdani Partners is a third-party consultancy wholly owned by Clarion Partners, LLC, a Legg Mason company.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Impact at Work: Mission Economic Development Agency Project Spotlight

Aug 29, 2018 11:15 AM ET

In June 2017, Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) reached out to Common Impact to engage the support of a skilled volunteer team in achieving an important but challenging organizational goal – one that many nonprofit organizations are similarly striving to attain. MEDA's mission is to strengthen low- and moderate-income Latino families by promoting economic equity and social justice through asset building and community development. To ensure their work would be truly impactful and align with core themes in racial justice, MEDA’s leadership aimed to create a workplace that was reflective of the community it served.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

JetBlue Partners with VH1 Save the Music Foundation to Bring the Beat Back to Filer Middle School in Miami

Aug 29, 2018 11:05 AM ET

JetBlue today announced a special partnership with the VH1 Save The Music Foundation to reintroduce music to students at Henry H. Filer Middle School in South Florida. This school has been without a music program for more than 9 years. On August 28, 2018, JetBlue and VH1 Save The Music joined forces to donate musical instruments so the school can add music back to its curriculum. As a special surprise, singer/songwriter Emily Estefan performed a pop-up acoustic set at a special school assembly.

With a focus on STEAM (science, technology engineering, arts and math) education, JetBlue has been a proud partner of VH1 Save The Music for more than 10 years, raising more than $300,000 to boost the Foundation’s mission on a national level and save the music in public schools across the country.

Environment

Ecocentricity Blog: Summertime and the Living's Easy

Aug 29, 2018 11:00 AM ET

I’ve fallen out of the habit of reading in the summer, but fortunately, I was able to restart the habit this year. It was a good summer with some great books, and I’ll share a few over the next several posts.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Is Enjoying What You Do Key to Unlocking Career Success?

Aug 29, 2018 10:15 AM ET

All resumes being roughly equal, someone who’s passionate about they do is going to stand out amongst the crowd. Does your passion come through on paper?

Environment

Craig Downs: Coral Reef Rescue

Aug 29, 2018 10:05 AM ET

Visitors to the Hawaiian island of Oahu marvel at the splendor of Hanauma Bay, a volcanic crater teeming with coral reefs, tropical fish, and the occasional sea turtle. But there’s something else that the snorkelers may notice as they enjoy the bright colors of a local rainbow-hued parrot fish.

Research, Reports & Publications

NRG Sustainability Report: Key Issues Assessment

Aug 29, 2018 10:05 AM ET

Our key issues matrix identifies sustainability issues that are relevant to NRG’s current business and operating environment. While creating this matrix, NRG personnel interviewed more than 100 internal and external stakeholders – the results were synthesized into an executive briefing document shared with NRG leadership.

Research, Reports & Publications

Caterpillar Inc. | Extending Product Life

Aug 29, 2018 10:00 AM ET

Caterpillar strives to provide customers with quality equipment that delivers the best economic proposition for their business. Read more here about how we remanufacture (reman) and rebuild products and components that not only provides customers with immediate cost savings, but also help extend life cycles and use materials more efficiently.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Urban Tree Harvesting Requires Good Communication

Aug 29, 2018 9:50 AM ET

Energy

CLP’s Veltoor Plant in India Gains World’s First Solar Project Certification from DNV GL

Aug 29, 2018 9:30 AM ET

CLP Holdings Limited is pleased to announce Veltoor Solar Farm in India has received from DNV GL, a global quality assurance and risk management company, the world’s first project certificate for photovoltaic power plants in a recognition of its high standards for safety and technical compliance.

Events, Media & Communications

End of Summer Discount on 3BL Forum: Brands Taking Stands™

Aug 29, 2018 9:05 AM ET

3BL Forum is the pivotal event in fall 2018 to examine the Brands Taking Stands movement from the perspective of executives from CR, Sustainability, HR, Marketing, Communications, Human Resources, Foundation, Investor Relations and the C-suite.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

West Michigan Employers Named to 'Inclusion Index'

Aug 29, 2018 9:00 AM ET

A group of West Michigan employers have been cited in a list of organizations doing “high-quality diversity and inclusion work.”

Diversity Best Practices, a division of New York-based Working Mother Media, released its second-annual “Inclusion Index,” and three West Michigan-based employers made the list, as well as two other Michigan-based employers.

Research, Reports & Publications

The New Energy Economy

Aug 29, 2018 9:00 AM ET

The energy ecosystem is changing, driven by the advent of distributed clean energy, increased competition from new technologies and service providers, the evolving expectations of customers, and new opportunities for serving those customers. As the traditional business model changes, utilities are seeking new opportunities for revenue as they establish themselves as the “Preferred Energy Partner.” But getting there is another story, requiring a comprehensive category of innovative products and services that will define the future of revenue generation in the energy space.

Media & Communications

Gluten Intolerance Group Adds SCS Global Services as an Accredited Certifier for Gluten-Free Certification Organization

Aug 29, 2018 9:00 AM ET

The Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) has accredited SCS Global Services (SCS), an internationally recognized third-party certification body, to provide Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) services to food and beverage companies. GFCO, an industry program of GIG, helps manufacturers earn consumer confidence in their products and manufacturing facilities—keys to being successful in the expanding gluten-free market. The announcement highlights the global growth in the demand for certified gluten-free products, which is projected to reach $6.2 billion this year.

Environment

Cotton for Cattle: Recycling Organic Waste Into Feed Stock

Aug 29, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Gildan recycles almost all of the organic waste from its yarn spinning operations into bales or briquettes used as feedstock for local cattle. The cotton waste gets recycled into nutritious food for cows. Click here to learn more.

Research, Reports & Publications

Republic Services® Achieves Initial Sustainability Goals

Aug 28, 2018 5:25 PM ET

Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE: RSG) today released its 2017 Sustainability Report, demonstrating the Company’s commitment to providing regular reporting on its sustainability initiatives and progress. The report details the Company’s sustainability strategy and achievement of its time-bound goals set in 2014.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Erb Faculty, Andrew Hoffman Honored With Distinguished Scholar Award at Academy of Management

Aug 28, 2018 4:50 PM ET

Each year, the Academy of Management recognizes four outstanding individuals, who have made significant contributions to the field of management through their service, research, innovative teaching methods, breakthrough developments, and more over the course of their career. The 2018 Career Achievement Awards were presented at the 78th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Builds Are Underway in Support of Habitat for Humanity

Aug 28, 2018 3:05 PM ET

Avery Dennison believes in supporting the communities where our employees live and work. We look for local needs and opportunities for our employees to volunteer time and resources to making their communities stronger. Across the United States, there is an ongoing need for safe, affordable housing.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Tomorrow Is the Last Day to Nominate Your Company for the 2019 WEC Gold Medal Award for Sustainability

Aug 28, 2018 2:30 PM ET

Nominations are being accepted for the World Environment Center’s (WEC) 2019 Gold Medal for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development. The Gold Medal Award is presented annually to a global company that demonstrates deep, organization-wide commitment to sustainability in its business practice and beyond.

Education

Unlocking the Passion and Potential of the World’s Youth

Aug 28, 2018 2:25 PM ET

Through our Youth Learning program, Dell is working with nonprofit partners worldwide to give underserved youth better access to technology and education. Going beyond access, we’re also creating a culture of inclusion, wherein science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning is seen as being for everyone — boys and girls, rich and poor. And we’re teaching youth of all backgrounds how to be persistent and work though challenging problems.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

The Lasting Impact of Comcast Cares Day in Santa Rosa

Aug 28, 2018 2:10 PM ET

Last year’s wildfires were devastating for our area. As one of the most destructive wildfires in state history, they destroyed at least 8,400 homes and buildings and killed 22 people. In our district, about 800 students and 90 staff members lost their homes. The fires also destroyed one of our elementary schools and a high school farm.

When faced with unimaginable tragedy, this community came together, and we truly felt the support that came in from around the world. Comcast NBCUniversal, with over 500 employees in the local area, was intimately aware of the devastation and jumped in to help.

Research, Reports & Publications

Duke Energy Releases Updated Environmental, Social and Governance Reporting Template for Investors

Aug 28, 2018 2:05 PM ET

Duke Energy, a recognized leader in transparent environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting, is participating in an innovative industrywide approach to better communicate progress on ESG and sustainability issues.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Book Excerpt—The Challenge for Business and Society: From Risk to Reward

Aug 28, 2018 2:00 PM ET

Stan Litow’s new book, The Challenge for Business and Society: From Risk to Reward published by John Wiley & Sons, presents a fact-based assessment of the role that corporations have played in society both historically and currently and perhaps most important, offers a road map for a more promising future.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Las Vegas Sands Teams up to Build Wellness Kits for Community Preparedness

Aug 28, 2018 1:40 PM ET

Las Vegas Sands is collaborating with social enterprise Clean the World and humanitarian organization American Red Cross for a property-wide hygiene and comfort kit build to support disaster and social relief efforts. This will be the company’s first build with American Red Cross and its fifth annual effort to build a total of 80,000 hygiene kits worldwide that will improve the health and well-being of populations in need with Clean the World.