SOURCE:DuPont

DESCRIPTION:

Welcome to DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products, where our mission is to provide customers with a competitive advantage by offering improved, higher-performing ingredients from a petroleum-free, sustainable and renewable source. Our 1,3-propanediol serves as the building block for ingredients that enhance people’s lives, protect the environment, and reduce the world’s dependence on petroleum.

Our production facility is a blueprint for successful innovation in industrial biotechnology. It brings together the best of two organizations, DuPont and Tate & Lyle, to create a first-to-market process and product that continue to demonstrate versatility and functionality in the global marketplace. Our success has inspired the academic and industrial science communities around the world to invest in industrial biotech.

DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products provides solutions for a wide variety of markets and applications through our bio-based performance brands, Susterra® and Zemea® 1,3-propanediol.

Performance is in our Nature. 

Visit our website to learn more.

Tweet me:See DuPont Tate & Lyle's blueprint for successful innovation in industrial biotech http://bit.ly/2qDDPlZ

KEYWORDS: Innovation & Technology, Energy, Biotechnology, DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products, DuPont, Tate & Lyle

One cannot help but notice history repeating itself as we enter a new era: a Second Scientific Revolution

SOURCE:Capital Institute

DESCRIPTION:

How is it possible that in America, on the 47th anniversary of Earth Day, it was concluded that our situation was so dire that what was needed was not just a march for aggressive climate policies, but rather a “March for Science” itself?  

Small-minded, corrupt, and power hungry state governors banning the mere use of the phrase “climate change” in official communications seemed laughable at the time.  But now the ignorant and dangerous Trump regime has signaled double-digit cuts to scientific research, including climate science, after appointing a climate-denier to head the Environmental Protection Agency.

One cannot help but notice history repeating itself.  A mere 401 years ago, an Inquisition under the direction of Pope Paul V issued a Special Injunction against Galileo instructing him to “abandon completely the opinion that the sun stands still at the center of the world and the earth moves, and henceforth not to hold, teach, or defend it in any way whatever, either orally or in writing.”

In 1616, Pope Paul and his minions’ concerns were quite clear:  the heliocentric worldview “explicitly contradicted” the literal interpretation of the Holy Scripture. The “alternative facts” of an earth-centered universe were the very foundation of the Pope’s power over the Western world. Consequently, the unquestioned power of the Church would be undermined if the heliocentric view were to be accepted as fact.  

Fast forward to the present day.  Like all things Trump, the present situation is both worse and more complex than it might appear.  First, let’s be clear:  Trump is more putz than Pope, an ignorant narcissist, but also a clever opportunist at his core.  Trump’s influence in the world is, by comparison, a far cry from that of Pope Paul V 400 years ago.  But we have given Trump, with the aid of the Russians or not, frightening power—in absolute terms far greater and more dangerous than any Pope has ever had. 

But here’s why the situation is both more complex—and more of an opportunity—than meets the eye.   The science most of us believe we are marching for is the science of the Scientific Revolution that Copernicus and Galileo ushered in 400 years ago.  It is rooted in the reductionist logic—simplify what is complicated by breaking it down into understandable parts—that brought us airplanes, iPhones, and all the progress we hold dear.  It opened up the way to the Enlightenment, which replaced blind faith in the doctrines of the Church with a belief in each individual’s human potential.

In the ultimate irony: it is the modern day Pope who understands what the reductionist science of Modernity and what contemporary “leaders” don’t see (and Trump could not understand).  In the Pope’s words, included in his beautiful Encyclical, Laudato Si, “We urgently need a humanism capable of bringing together the different fields of knowledge, including economics, in the service of a more integral and integrating vision.”  

We appear to have entered a new era, a Second Scientific Revolution, that is permeating all fields of knowledge.  Integrated medicine, regenerative agriculture, integral urban design, and the entire study of ecology are all examples of this systems-based approach.  In it, integral or holistic thinking is augmenting the reductionist method, unlocking unimagined potential, and, in the process, the only genuine solutions to the critical and complex challenges of our time to emerge at the edges of our individual disciplines. Our failure to make this transition is a life and death matter.  It is critical to our understanding the interconnected climate and other ecosystem crises, the healthcare crises, and the economic system crises accelerating around us at an exponential rate.  

Is it possible that the Trump insanity might just be the jolt our scientific research community needs to make the historic, essential, and immensely difficult shift into effective transdisciplinary thinking and collaboration?  For example, how much of the National Institute of Health’s immense $30 billion annual budget goes towards “chasing a cure for cancer” (using the best reductionist science) when those researching (with pennies in comparison) and practicing integral health – both physical and mental – increasingly understand that a “disease” like cancer is actually often a mere symptom, whereas the genuine root cause (holistically understood) is more likely to relate to communication breakdowns at a cellular level in the natural regenerative capacities of our immune system?

If we want to reverse the health crisis (much less the healthcare crisis), we must invest in better understanding and support of our immune system, and immune system health begins with the food we eat and the soil it is grown in, most of it now toxic from the financially entrenched, industrial agriculture system our reductionist method delivered to us unaware of the disastrous unintended consequences.  How about in response to the Trump budget shake-up, an allocation of just 10 percent of the NIH budget to regenerative agriculture, which will enhance health and unlock the massive potential for real climate solutions through natural carbon sequestration in the process.  This is but one example of the potential that lies at the “edges” of disciplines that will be revealed in the Second Scientific Revolution. 

Don’t get me wrong.  I don’t support cutting science research so we can increase our insanely bloated military budget. But far more important than a few years of budget chaos is the need to understand our future in the integral age lies in probing across disciplines, not merely digging ever deeper into each one, treating symptoms rather than root causes.  Systems and established institutions don’t change without a shock to the system.  Let us work creatively and smartly to use the Trump circus, with all its ignorance and bluster, as that needed shock opening up unimagined new possibilities.  In human and ecological health, and in our economic health. 

The Second Scientific Revolution is indeed afoot, ushering in the rise of integral science – the physical sciences and social sciences together.  It is happening, but it is happening outside our leading institutions, which by design are resistant to such threatening challenges, just as the Church was four centuries ago.  Woven together as never before with the great wisdom traditions—Western, Eastern, and indigenous, all of which have stood the test of time—it will trigger a movement future historians may call the “Great Second Enlightenment”.  It will demand universal participation, our best and most creative minds, bodies, and souls, and give much-needed meaning to our lives. 

That’s the parade I want to march in!

Tweet me:One cannot help but notice history repeating itself as we enter a new era: a 2nd Scientific Revolution. http://bit.ly/2qE7v24 @CapInstitute

KEYWORDS: Innovation & Technology, Energy, March for Science, Capital institute

By Jim Arbogast, Ph.D., Hygiene Sciences and Public Health Advancements Vice President, GOJO Industries

SOURCE:GOJO

DESCRIPTION:

May 5, 2017, marks the day that hospitals around the globe join the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to raise awareness for the importance of hand hygiene.

The WHO SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands campaign was launched in 2009 as a major global effort to improve hand hygiene in healthcare. The WHO campaign provides the venue and the opportunity to raise awareness and educate on the importance of hand hygiene and the work being done to reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) to improve the safety of healthcare workers and patients.

Improved hand hygiene is a simple but powerful tool to improve patient health and help stop the spread of antibiotic-resistant germs. The WHO 2017 campaign, “Fight antibiotic resistance – it’s in your hands,” focuses on the fight against antibiotic resistance in the context of hand hygiene and infection prevention programs, which help to reduce the need for antibiotics.

What is Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance, which occurs when bacteria change in a way that reduces the effectiveness of antibiotics, is a top-of-mind issue for many. Both the CDC and the WHO have deemed antibiotic resistance as one of the most pressing public health threats for society today. For example, in the United States alone, antibiotic resistance causes more than 23,000 deaths each year and more than two million illnesses.[1]So, how can we prevent its spread?

Preventing its Spread

According to the CDC, the use of antibiotics, typically drugs ingested orally, is the single most important factor that causes antibiotic resistance, and up to one-half of antibiotic use in humans is either unnecessary or inappropriate. To prevent this threat to public health, it is important to take antibiotics only when needed. Also, antibiotics can only treat illnesses that are caused by bacteria (not viruses). 

One of the best infection prevention approaches is hand hygiene – it’s proven, affordable, relatively simple and something we can all do to reduce the spread of illness-causing germs. Staying healthy and preventing infections from happening is very effective and the most important way to reduce the use of antibiotics. This is why practicing good hand hygiene – handwashing with soap and water and hand sanitizing with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol at key moments – is so critical to overcoming the global public health threat of antibiotic resistance.

Resources Available

The WHO SAVE LIVES: Clean Hands Campaign offers hospitals expertise and tools to help increase hand hygiene compliance through its Plan, Act, Communicate message.

1. Plan

• Commit to WHO’s campaign theme
• Visit WHO May 5, 2017 website regularly for ongoing updates and new downloads. Website materials include a short advocacy slide set, a monthly newsletter, an engagement/activity tool for infection preventionists and new advocacy and instructional videos

2. Act

• Sign up to the ‘SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands’ campaign if you have not already done so, and ask others to join the campaign as well. More information here: http://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/register/en/
• Get team members involved
• Register for the May 5th telecast (08:30 EST)

3. Communicate

• Follow the World Health Organization on Twitter (@WHO), Facebook, Instagram, and share social media posts relating to May 5th activities with your followers and friends.
• Share photos on social media using the #handhygiene and #antibiotic resistance – remember to join the conversation on May 5th
• Download the NEW poster pdfs from this WHO page and choose from the selection of GOJO educational items below to raise awareness

Additional resources are available through the CDC as well. The CDC Clean Hands Count Campaign is a national educational campaign to improve hand hygiene compliance in healthcare settings to reduce the number of HAIs.  The campaign features a variety of communications for healthcare workers, patients, and family members, including infographics, posters, factsheets and brochures. 

To learn more about the Clean Hands Count Campaign, visit www.cdc.gov/handhygiene.

Together, this May 5, let’s raise awareness and help educate others about the growing problem of the overuse of antibiotics continues to have on infection prevention through good hand hygiene all year long! 

1. CDC Threat Report: http://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/threat-report-2013/pdf/ar-threats-2013-508.pdf#page=5

Tweet me:.@GOJOindustries raise awareness for World Hand Hygiene Day read more: http://bit.ly/2qEl7us #handhygiene

KEYWORDS: Health & Healthcare, the cdc, world health organization, GOJO Industries, World Hand Hygiene Day

SOURCE:General Motors

DESCRIPTION:

Energy Efficiency

GM Earns ENERGY STAR® Award for Environmental Leadership
GM earned the 2017 EPA ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year — Sustained Excellence award for continued leadership in protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency. GM’s commitment to reducing energy intensity saved $73 million in energy costs last year and avoided 388,000 metric tons of carbon emissions, equivalent to the electricity use of 57,000 U.S. homes.
Read more…>

Greener Vehicles

Earth Week Guest Post: A GM Engineer’s Drive to Make Recycled Content Mainstream
For our annual Earth Week guest post series, we’re showcasing a variety of voices in the sustainability space. First up, Matthew Vandyke, a materials engineer at General Motors, offers tips on how to incorporate more recycled content into manufacturing.
Read more...>

Bolt EV Owners Drive 4.5 Million Miles
Chevrolet reported that 3,492 Bolt EV owners in the United States have driven a cumulative 4,570,300 miles as of April 2, 2017 since the vehicle went on sale in December 2016. These all-electric miles have resulted in more than 175,000 gallons of fuel saved based on the average EPA-estimated 26 mpg for 2017 vehicles in the U.S.  
Read more…>

Maven Debuts Elevated Car-Sharing Service in Baltimore
Baltimoreans and visitors to the city can now access new cars on demand for hourly or daily rates through Maven’s seamless mobile app. Maven is expanding its offerings in Baltimore from the Lyft Express Drive program to now include Maven City car sharing. 
Read more…>

GM Announces More Than 1,100 Jobs to Expand Cruise Automation Self-Driving Operations in California
GM announced that it will add more than 1,100 new jobs and invest $14 million in a new research and development facility for Cruise Automation in San Francisco. These investments will allow Cruise Automation to expand development of self-driving technologies that will transform personal mobility. 
Read more…>

Cadillac Super Cruise Sets the Standard for Hands-Free Highway Driving
The 2018 Cadillac CT6 will feature Super Cruise, the industry’s first true hands-free driving technology for the highway. Unlike other driver assistance systems, Super Cruise utilizes two advanced technology systems — a driver attention system and precision LiDAR map data — to ensure safe and confident vehicle operation.
Read more…>

GM and SAE International Select 8 North American Universities for New Autonomous Vehicle Competition
At WCX 17: SAE World Congress Experience, SAE International and GM announced the eight North American universities who will compete in the upcoming AutoDrive Challenge. This new autonomous vehicle design competition is a three-year challenge to develop and demonstrate a fully autonomous passenger vehicle.
Read more…>

Resource Preservation

GM Employees to Plant 25,000 Hardwood Trees in the U.S.
The national nonprofit Living Lands & Waters began its MillionTrees Project in 2007 by collecting and planting acorns. This year, 27 GM facilities in seven states are taking part, providing more than 25,000 oak trees to employees and their families for Earth Day and Arbor Day plantings.
Read more…>

Employees Photograph Wildlife at GM Sites
From a parts warehouse in Talegaon, India to an Ontario assembly plant, many animals make GM lands their home. Employees take notice, capturing images for the company’s annual wildlife habitat calendar and photo contest. Last year, nearly 350 photos were submitted from sites certified by the Wildlife Habitat Council.
Read more…>

Outreach & Impact

DoSomething.org and GM Team Up to Stop Texting and Driving
DoSomething.org is teaming up with GM to address texting and driving behavior in young people across the country through the Crash Text Dummy campaign. The program is designed to shift young people’s perceptions of how dangerous texting and driving is to increase their likelihood of intervening.
Read more…>

General Motors Expands Take 2 Program for Those Resuming Careers
GM continues to expand its career reentry program, Take 2, which provides training and development opportunities for experienced professionals returning to the workforce after taking a career break of two or more years. 
Read more…>

To subscribe to GM’s CR newsletter, visit GeneralMotors.Green. Learn more about GM’s impact at GMSustainability.com.  

Tweet me:.@GM's May 2017 #sustainability newsletter is now live http://bit.ly/2q2qF4W

KEYWORDS: Responsible Business & Employee Engagement, Diversity & Inclusion, General Motors, GM, dosomething.org, MillionTrees, living lands & waters, SAE International, Cadillac, Cadillac Super Cruise, Cruise Automation, Bolt EV, Chevrolet, Maven, baltimore, Earth Week, Recycling, Energy Star, Energy Star Partner of the Year

SOURCE:Bloomberg

DESCRIPTION:

Mike Bloomberg and Carl Pope talk about the significant advances made to address climate change on MSNBC's Morning Joe.

To watch the video, click here. 

Tweet me:.@MikeBloomberg & @CarlPope Talk Climate Change on @Morning_Joe http://bit.ly/2pxkDYz #climateofhope #climatechange

KEYWORDS: Environment, Energy, Bloomberg, Mike Bloomberg, climate of hope, climate change, Carl Pope

by Angela Phinney, Director of Business Development at The Arc of Lane County in Oregon

SOURCE:Comcast Corporation

DESCRIPTION:

I’m proud to work for an organization that advocates to enhance the dignity, expand the opportunities, and protect the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. We serve 500 people in the Eugene and Springfield areas of Oregon, and support them in any way we can. But we cannot do this work alone to make the impact we must make to help people live their fullest lives.

While 83 percent of U.S. households have a computer, only 25 percent of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities own one. We are working to close this gap through our partnership with Comcast NBCUniversal. A 2016 grant helped us create the Comcast Technology Learning Lab at our center as well as a "Keys to Success" class that focuses on making the world of technology accessible to all.

We partnered with our local Comcast team to make sure families in our community knew about the Keys to Success project. That’s how I met Comcast Community Investment Director Rebecca Brown. As I talked with her about what we do, I mentioned one of our families. Laura and Rob Dahill are the proud parents of 12-year-old twin boys, Ethan and Jackson. Ethan has autism and as a small child often ran away. This left Jackson at risk as Laura chased her other son. There are no parks in the area that are fully gated and free of the safety risks nearby traffic can pose. Ethan is not alone; there are over 800 children in the area who experience intellectual and developmental disabilities who we know would benefit from an enclosed park.

The Dahill family prompted our dream to build the "Arc Park." Over three years, we formed focus groups and started research, but we did not have a partner to make this a reality. Rebecca jumped in and arranged for us to kick off our new initiative during Comcast Cares Day, the company’s global celebration of its 365-day commitment to strengthening communities.

On Saturday, April 22, more than 150 Comcast NBCUniversal and community volunteers banded together to build a fence around the site of a future three-acre park that will be available to kids of all abilities. The day was a flurry of nail guns firing, paint flying and garden beds being planted. Volunteers put up over 500 fence boards, painted 10,000 square feet of program space in The Arc’s building and planted dozens of flowers on the facility grounds. I have never experienced such passion and dedication from the community. It was amazing to see everything come together in such a short period of time. The volunteers were a well-oiled machine that drove the progress and shared the vision I hold so close to my heart.

Patrick Hunter, a maintenance technician at Comcast and one of the project coordinators, has declared himself a volunteer for life. He jokes that The Arc will never get rid of him. He has big plans to build an "ark" for the new park. While there is still a lot of fundraising left to accomplish, planning is moving forward. Comcast NBCUniversal has joined The Arc in planning for the Arc Park and the big project for Comcast Cares Day 2018 will be assembling the play structure. While we are grateful for the partnership and how it is helping dreams become reality, we know this project is bigger than just that– it is a concept for the community to come together and play together.

Tweet me:Building opportunities for all through #ComcastCaresDay by Angela Phinney http://bit.ly/2qEUju4 @Comcast @ComcastImpact

KEYWORDS: Social Impact & Volunteering, Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, comcast, comcast cares day, the arc

An initiative of the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER)

SOURCE:Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable

DESCRIPTION:

Growing stakeholder expectations and increasing requests for sustainability disclosures present an opportunity for the beverage sector to help ‘shape the future’ of transparency and disclosure -- a future where information sharing is streamlined to meet specific stakeholders needs, while supporting the advancement of company strategies.

This appropriate balance between telling the sustainability story and actually making an impact lies at the heart of the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER)’s efforts. As part of our recent exploration efforts, BIER facilitated two Investor Panel sessions with invited stakeholders.

At these Investor Panels, BIER members solicited insights related to:

We've accumulated these insights in our new report, Nine Top Investor Takeaways from BIER.  Key areas of emphasis include the importance of materiality, the future of reporting, and potential reporting fatigue. We've included challenges, tips, and suggestions gleaned from our investor panelists, with the intention of furthering dialogue towards shaping the future of sustainability transparency and disclosure.

To learn more about these insights, we encourage you to download the full report at http://bit.ly/9Takeaways

Tweet me:.@BIERoundtable offers key insights on transparency and disclosure from investors. Check out our top takeaways at http://bit.ly/9Takeaways

Contact Info:

Margaret Uttke, Communications Director
Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable
info@bieroundtable.com
@BIERoundtable

Laura Nelson, Transparency and Disclosure Lead
Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable
laura.nelson@anteagroup.com

KEYWORDS: Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment, Environment, Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER), investor insights, transparency and disclosure, materiality, sustainability

SOURCE:ReportAlert

DESCRIPTION:

The 2016 Sustainability report for Flowserve includes information regarding the Flowserve Flow Control Division (FCD), the Engineered Product Operation (EPO) and the Industrial Product Division (IPD). The report provides general information regarding Flowserve Corporation, including a statement from the CEO, an overview of the Flowserve approach to sustainable development, and information regarding our stakeholders, governance, and marketplace initiatives using 2016 data.

The report highlights information specific to FCD, EPO and IPD for various performance indicators and metrics, based on the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) reporting framework and guidelines. Key indicators were selected based on review of the overall GRI indicator list, and include those that are relevant to Flowserve manufacturing, service and repair operations.  The report highlights information specific to all Flowserve operating divisions and locations for the first time.

The data collection is based on a broad range of quantitative and qualitative information from all locations around the world representing all Flowserve product offerings and countries of operation. This report includes all types of Flowserve operating facilities and provides a comprehensive summary of our corporate sustainability program (e.g., manufacturing for pumps, seals, valves and controls; foundry operations; and service centers), and covers safety and sustainability efforts for 2016.

The Flowserve team maintains a focused approach to keeping internal operations, and those of our customers, more sustainable in the marketplace, while looking for continued success and accomplishments in safety and sustainability.  The report celebrates the diversity, inclusion and sustainability contributions by Flowserve associates to their workplaces, communities and the world in over 40 countries, serving thousands of customers.

Our products and services enable customers to operate in an environmentally responsible manner. Simultaneously, we work to protect the environment by monitoring and enhancing our performance each day. In addition, we see the importance of treating our employees with respect and fairness, while helping to make a difference in communities around the world.

It is hoped that you will find this report useful and enlightening as Flowserve shares the lessons learned and applied during this, our most recent sustainability reporting period.

Read the report

Media Contacts: 
Lars E. Rosene
Vice President, Global Communications and Public Affairs
Flowserve Corporation
Direct: 972.443.6644
Cell: 972.832.8707

Mike Mullin, CFA
Director, Investor Relations
Flowserve Corporation
Phone: 972-443-6636
Cell: 214-697-8568

Tweet me:Latest report from Flowserve celebrates diversity, inclusion and #sustainability contributions http://bit.ly/2qEWUnE via @ReportAlert

KEYWORDS: Research, Reports & Publications, Diversity & Inclusion, ReportAlert, Flowserve

SOURCE:Albertsons Companies

DESCRIPTION:

BOISE, Idaho, May 5, 2017 /3BL Media/ — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced that Albertsons Companies is winner of the prestigious Safer Choice Partner of the Year Award. This is the second year in a row that Albertsons has received the honor, which recognizes commitment to increasing awareness of the EPA’s Safer Choice Program for sustainable products.

Albertsons was recognized in the “Retailer” category for promoting the Safer Choice Program in stores, advertising and online messaging.

“We’re committed to our partnership with the EPA on this important initiative to ensure the safety and sustainability of the products that people use in their homes each day,” said Jonathan Mayes, SVP of External Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer. “It is a true honor to receive the Safer Choice Partner of the Year Award and an honor to help consumers make safer choices every day.”

The Safer Choice program, formerly known as the Design for the Environment (DfE) Safer Product Labeling Program, was developed in 1997 and draws upon chemical and environmental expertise from across EPA. Safer Choice uses the technical tools and expertise of EPA’s New Chemicals Program to evaluate the environmental and human health impacts of every chemical ingredient in a product, allowing only the safest ingredients in labeled products. As a voluntary partnership program, Safer Choice brings all interested parties together to advance sustainability in chemical products. More than 2,000 products currently qualify to carry the Safer Choice label.

EPA developed the Partner of the Year Awards to recognize Safer Choice stakeholders who have furthered the safer chemistry and safer product goals of the Safer Choice program. Partner of the Year award winners represent a wide variety of leadership organizations, such as Fortune 500 companies and small- and medium-sized businesses. Albertsons Companies actively promotes the Safer Choice program and Safer Choice-labeled products in its 2,300+ stores across the country. Several of the company’s items in the Bright Green line of earth-friendlier household products qualify for the Safer Choice label.

The 2017 Safer Choice Partner of the Year Awards will be presented during a public ceremony on May 15, 2017 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Oxon Hill, MD.

About Albertsons Companies
Albertsons Companies is one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States, with both a strong local presence and national scale. We operate stores across 35 states and the District of Columbia under 19 well-known banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen and Carrs. Albertsons Companies is committed to helping people across the country live better lives by making a meaningful difference, neighborhood by neighborhood. In 2016 alone, along with the Albertsons Companies Foundation, the company gave nearly $300 million in food and financial support. These efforts helped millions of people in the areas of hunger relief, education, cancer research and treatment, programs for people with disabilities and veterans outreach.

Tweet me:.@AlbertsonsCos named #EPASaferChoice Partner of the Year Award winner for second year in a row http://bit.ly/2pyy8a9 #sustainability

KEYWORDS: Awards, Ratings & Rankings, Green Awards, Albertsons Companies, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Safer Choice Partner of the Year Award, Safer Choice program

SOURCE:SCA

DESCRIPTION:

May 5th marks World Hand Hygiene Day – a call to action to increase awareness and instances of effective hand hygiene. 

To promote awareness around the tangible risks of infection during “the fifth moment,” SCA commissioned a study to better understand the pathogenic risks in a patient’s immediate surroundings. The examined surfaces harboured a wide variety of bacteria, some of which are potential pathogens and can lead to infections.

To combat these risks, SCA Tork brand suggests three meaningful ways to mitigate infection spread:

Click here to continue reading

Tweet me:World Hand Hygiene Day, @SCA_US, @Tork_SCA_Brand brand suggests three meaningful ways to mitigate infection spread: http://bit.ly/2qIPkZc

KEYWORDS: Health & Healthcare, SCA, tork, World Hand Hygiene Day

SOURCE:TransCanada

DESCRIPTION:

Following a transformational year that saw TransCanada acquire Columbia Pipeline Group and post record-setting financial results, the company’s strong performance has continued into this year.

That is the message from President & CEO Russ Girling as TransCanada reported its first quarter results and holds its annual meeting of shareholders in Calgary today.

“2016 was truly a transformational year for TransCanada as our portfolio of high-quality energy infrastructure assets performed very well, while our long-term strategy and financial discipline enabled us to undertake unprecedented growth that will reward our shareholders for years to come,” Girling says. “Today we are advancing a $23 billion near-term capital program that is expected to generate significant growth in earnings and cash flow and support an expected annual dividend growth rate at the upper end of an eight to 10 per cent range through 2020.”

Asset base grows
The addition of Columbia along with the completion of several other growth projects saw TransCanada’s asset base grow to $89 billion. At the same time, the company’s share price reached all-time highs and net cash provided by operations exceeded $5 billion for the first time in the company’s history. Based on this success, the board of directors approved the company’s 17th consecutive annual increase in the common share dividend, amounting to a 10.6 per cent increase in the annualized dividend for 2017.

“We continued to build on those accomplishments in early 2017,” Girling says. “Excluding specific items, we generated record first quarter financial results. Comparable earnings per share increased 16 per cent compared to the same period last year primarily due to strong performance across our Natural Gas Pipelines business, while comparable funds generated from operations were $1.5 billion.”

Our commitment to safety
Girling says TransCanada continues to be focused on the safe and reliable delivery of the energy that millions of North Americans rely on.

“With the exception of a very small minority of professional activists, people know they need the energy we provide. However, without exception, their expectation is that that energy is delivered safely, and that safety above all else is our top priority,” Girling said.

“We have a 65-year track record of safe and reliable operations, but we believe all accidents and incidents are preventable, and we are focused on a goal of zero incidents and we will not be satisfied until we achieve it.”

The company also continues to pursue $45 billion in longer-term growth projects that will help meet North America’s demand for energy in decades to come, which could further augment or extend dividend growth in the future.

Girling said he has been impressed with how the employees of TransCanada and Columbia have come together over the last year to create a stronger and more competitive company and he expects the company’s strong performance will continue.

“Seventeen years ago we set our vision to become one of North America’s leading energy infrastructure companies and we are well on our way to realizing our vision,” he said. “It is clear that the strategy we put in place in 2000 continues to pay off for our shareholders, as they have been rewarded with growing dividends and an average annual total return of 14 per cent over that period.”

• READ MORE | TransCanada 2016 Annual Report
• READ MORE | TransCanada and Columbia – ‘stronger together’
• READ MORE | Corporate Social Responsibility at TransCanada

*This blog contains information that is forward-looking and is subject to important risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements reflect TransCanada’s beliefs and assumptions based on information available at the time the statements were made and as such are not guarantees of future performance. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is given as of the date it is expressed. TransCanada undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information except as required by law. For additional information on the assumptions made, and the risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from the anticipated results, refer to TransCanada’s First Quarter 2017 Report to Shareholders and 2016 Annual Report on our website at www.transcanada.com or filed under TransCanada’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov.

Tweet me:TransCanada enjoys a strong start to 2017 - http://bit.ly/2qILWgM

KEYWORDS: Energy, Research, Reports & Publications, Columbia Pipeline Group, TransCanada, energy infrastructure

SOURCE:Keep America Beautiful

DESCRIPTION:

The Georgia Adopt-A-Stream program recently named Kevin Smith of Keep America Beautiful affiliate Keep Forsyth County Beautiful (KFCB) its 2016 "Trainer of the Year."

This award is given to trainers who exemplify leadership and dedication to promoting the Adopt-A-Stream program’s goals towards watershed awareness and protection in local communities.

Kevin serves as KFCB's Community Outreach Specialist, and has been a certified Adopt-A-Stream trainer for more than 10 years. In 2016 alone, Kevin taught 26 Adopt-A-Stream workshops.

Continue reading here.

Tweet me:#FF @kabtweet Affiliate Stories: Kevin Smith of @kfcbinc recognized as Georgia Adopt-A-Stream "Trainer of the Year" http://bit.ly/2q7W45J

Contact Info:

Mike Rosen
Keep America Beautiful
+1 (203) 659-3008
mrosen@kab.org
http://www.twitter.com/kabtweet
http://www.facebook.com/keepamericabeautiful
http://www.instagram.com/keepamericabeautiful
http://www.youtube.com/kabnetwork

Larry Kaufman
Keep America Beautiful
+1 (203) 659-3014
lkaufman@kab.org

KEYWORDS: Social Impact & Volunteering, Education, Keep America Beautiful, Georgia Adopt-A-Stream, Keep Forsyth County Beautiful, Kevin Smith

Amit Mathradas, General Manager and Head of Small Business NA, PayPal

SOURCE:PayPal

DESCRIPTION:

Tweet me:For #SmallBizWeek, @PayPal is celebrating the #innovation that propels local commerce and global impact http://bit.ly/2qK6c1B

KEYWORDS: Social Impact & Volunteering, Innovation & Technology, PayPal, small business week, small business development, entrepreneurship, fintech

SOURCE:VMware

DESCRIPTION:

The collective impact of customers using VMware’s server virtualization products is estimated to have avoided 340 million MT CO2e over the last 13 years*. Having pioneered the development of server virtualization technologies, we’ve significantly increased the operational efficiency of IT resources and reduced the number of servers needed. In fact, every server virtualized is estimated to avoid the output of 4 tons of CO2 per year.

Watch the video above, and learn more about VMware's commitment to sustainability here.

Tweet me:Did you know virtualizing 1 server avoids 4 tons of CO2 output per year? http://bit.ly/2qFo4dZ @VMware #tech #sustainability

KEYWORDS: Innovation & Technology, Environment, VMware, Emissions, co2, Virtualization, sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility

SOURCE:Major League Baseball Players Trust

DESCRIPTION:

Ian Kinsler is playing his fourth season at second base for the Detroit Tigers and is again among the keys to  the team’s playoff hopes. The consistent veteran star also is playing a significant role in the community through his involvement in several philanthropic organizations, as usual.

Kinsler supports the Family Gateway Center in Dallas, where he spent the first eight years of his career playing for the Rangers. The Center, according to the official website, is designed to “provide stability and life-changing supportive services to children and families affected by homelessness.” The FGC provides housing and educational services to children and families in need.

To read more about Kinsler's philanthropic efforts, click here. 

Tweet me:#IanKinsler @tigers all over the map #GoingToBat for others bit.ly/2pOUYJl #KinslersKids #CareActInspire

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Community Development, Baseball, Detroit Tigers, Ian Kinsler, dallas, Detroit, Texas Rangers, Texas, Major League Baseball Players Trust

SOURCE:Cone Communications

DESCRIPTION:

With the complex challenges facing businesses today, it’s not uncommon for them to go beyond company walls in search of real-world solutions. Now, one company is opening its doors to all types of innovators from different walks of life to create a product that meets the needs of a diverse set of consumers.

Two years ago, Nike launched the FlyeEase shoe, designed in collaboration with high schooler Matthew Walzer, a Nike fanatic with cerebral palsy, who had written to Nike describing the difficulties of putting on traditional athletic shoes.  Since then, the company has worked to expand their footwear line for all athletes. In 2016, the company decided to invite non-employees to the design table by announcing the Nike Ease Challenge. The contest asked designers, engineers and innovators to advance and reinvent footwear designs for athletes of all abilities. The winning shoe designer would receive $50,000 and the chance to see their design come to life. In April, a judging panel that included Nike CEO Mark Parker, Olympian Carl Lewis and Paralympic medalist Tatyana McFadden picked a winner. 

To continue reading, please click here.

Tweet me:Nike invited creators of all backgrounds to participate in the Nike Ease Challenge & make an impact for all athletes http://bit.ly/2qM4EDw

KEYWORDS: Diversity & Inclusion, Innovation & Technology, Nike Ease Challenge, FlyeEase, Cone Communications, Innovators, footwear

Gifts that give back

SOURCE:Fair Trade USA

DESCRIPTION:

As Mother’s Day approaches, it’s important to recognize how important moms are in our lives. They listen to us, support us, care for us, teach us and help shape us into the people we are today. Such incredible works deserves daily presents, but since that is slightly impossible for most of us, picking out the perfect present this Mother’s Day is the next best thing– and we know just how to find it!

Enter this Mother’s Day Gift Guide, composed of some of our favorite Fair Trade Certified™ products. Mom will enjoy any one of these gift options, and will also love knowing that her present empowers and supports mothers and families around the world.

So, rest easy; your perfect gift is closer than you think:

Chuao Chocolatier Enamored Bar Gift Set

Almost every mother loves chocolate. No actually, every mother does love chocolate. This beautiful Enamored Chuao Chocolatier Bar Gift set contains three different bars of organic, Fair Trade Certified dark chocolate that have been elegantly paired with organic fruit and hints of floral. And, as an added touch, each bar is wrapped with an empowering message to perfectly compliment your own Mother’s Day card. Inspire happiness with every bite.

Terralite Tealights and Reusable Tins Set

Candles have the unique power to bring comfort and relaxation to almost any setting. From dinners to bubble baths, their warm glow and sweet scent can transform mom’s most stressful days into sweet moments of bliss. Terralite Tealights possess just this power, and are made from a blend of pure rice bran wax and Fair Trade Certified organic coconut oil. Plus, the tins that they come in are reusable so you will be giving her a gift that she can reuse for years to come. Good for the environment and great for her.

Numi Holistic Teasans

When our positive aspirations become real, we inspire the world around us. Numi Organic Tea’s new Holistic Teasans are a botanical alchemy of indigenous herbs, flowers, and spices crafted to infuse each of mom’s days with positivity and peace from the inside out. These unique blends feature Fair Trade Certified ingredients. And, the best part is, for each purchase Numi dedicates a portion of sales to funding Together for H2OPE, a non-profit initiative benefiting farming communities who lack access to clean water.

Nourish Organic Rejuvenating Rose Butter

Give mom the gift of sweet-smelling rejuvenation that she can always carry with her. Nourish Organic’s Rejuvenating Rose Butter is the perfect addition to any daily routine. From morning ‘til bedtime, this rich, silky blend of rose hip seed oil, rose clay and Fair Trade Certified shea butter will help condition and hydrate her skin every moment of the day. The rose hip seed oil is fast absorbing while the rose clay works to remove toxins to promote faster skin regeneration. Maximum pampering achieved.  

Coyuchi Air Weight Bath™ Linens

Help mom bring that cozy spa feeling home with Coyuchi Air Weight™ Bath linens. Made from organic cotton and loomed in a Fair Trade Certified factory, these soft and absorbent towels are designed to dry quickly on the towel bar and in the dryer, saving mom an extra trip to the laundry room. Choose from an array of beautiful earth tones that will add a hint of color and sophistication to any bathroom. Mom will love wrapping up in these elegantly crafted linens knowing that they were made with great respect for the earth.

west elm Organic Cotton Frayed-Edge Sheet

A good night’s sleep is one the best things in the world. Help mom get one every single night while cuddled up in west elm’s Organic Cotton Frayed-Edge sheets. These deliciously soft, beautifully made sheets are crafted from 100% organic cotton in a Fair Trade Certified factory in India. The slightly frayed-edge adds a delicate dash of unexpected detail, while the cool ocean tones go perfectly with any room décor. Mom will rest well knowing that each piece of her new sheet set directly improves the lives of the artisans who made them.

PACT Super Soft Organic Drawstring Pants

Every mom needs a pair of exceptionally soft weekend pants, and thanks to our friends at PACT, you can make sure yours is covered. These super soft, drawstring pants are made with 95% Fair Trade Certified cotton and were designed with maximum coziness in mind. Their relaxed fit makes them the perfect casual pants for all of mom’s weekend activities. From long hikes to gardening to days spent reading on the couch, mom’s only problem will be deciding whether they are work-appropriate on Monday.

Terra Thread Jorden Tote

A new bag is one of the easiest ways to spice up a summer wardrobe. Terra Thread’s new Jorden Tote is the perfect accessory to get mom ready for the warmer months. Made in a Fair Trade Certified factory from 100% organic cotton, it comes in over ten different colors, so you can find the perfect hue to match any lifestyle. This cute tote can easily serve as a work bag thanks to padded laptop sleeve, or a new travel bag to get mom from point A to point B in a style.

Mighty Leaf Fair Trade Tea Chest

If your mom is even an occasional tea drinker, we have just the gift for you. Mighty Leaf’s Fair Trade Tea Chest is sure to excite tea lovers of all varieties with its  individually-wrapped hand-stitched pouches carefully tucked into a keepsake matte grey box. Each pouch of tea offers a small taste of heaven in four organic flavors, including Coconut Assam, Almond Spice, Breakfast and African Nectar. Each tea leaf was grown with respect for the farmers who grew it and the earth that produced it. Happy sipping. 

Fair Trade Flowers

Flowers are one of the simplest yet most beautiful gifts you can give to mom this Mother’s Day. So why not make them Fair Trade and spread the love even further, like to the farming mothers who grew them? Whole Foods Market’s Whole Trade roses are an easy purchase that is sure to brighten mom’s day. They come in a variety of beautiful colors so you can easily choose the bouquet that is right for her.

If you live far away from you mom but still want to make sure she receives the best this Mother’s Day, order Fair Trade Certified roses right to her doorstep from One World Flowers. Order now so that they arrive on time!

And remember, every time you purchase an item with the Fair Trade Certified seal you are supporting safe and healthy working conditions for the people who produced them. Each purchase also generates an additional amount of money, called a Community Development Premium, that is sent back to the farmers, workers and fisherman to invest back into their communities.

We wish you and your family a happy Mother’s Day!

Tweet me:Need a gift idea for Mother's Day? Check out @FairTradeUSA's Mother's Day gift guide http://bit.ly/2qJDKwL

Contact Info:

Elise Segars
Fair Trade USA
esegars@fairtradeusa.org

KEYWORDS: Responsible Production & Consumption, Fair Trade, Fair Trade USA, Fair Trade Certified, Mother's Day gift guide, flowers, Mother's Day, Gift Set

Amit Mathradas, General Manager and Head of Small Business NA, PayPal

SOURCE:PayPal

DESCRIPTION:

Tweet me:.@PayPal Business in a Box makes it easy for owners to grow small businesses http://bit.ly/2q8mjsP #SmallBizWeek

KEYWORDS: Innovation & Technology, PayPal, Business in a Box, fintech, small business development, small business week, WooCommerce, Xero, Partnerships

Recognition Embodies Republic’s Commitment to Safety & Customers

SOURCE:Republic Services

DESCRIPTION:

NEW ORLEANS, May 9, 2017 /3BL Media/ – Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE: RSG) is pleased to announce that collection drivers Jesse Peña and Javier Verduzco were recipients of prestigious Driver of the Year awards in the large industrial and large commercial truck categories, respectively. The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) celebrates the industry’s best drivers each year with the distinguished recognition based upon exemplary safety records and customer service. Both drivers were honored this morning in New Orleans at WasteExpo, North America’s largest annual waste industry tradeshow.

“Safety is the foundation of our business and the cornerstone upon which our initiatives and programs are built,” said Don Slager, president and chief executive officer. “It is why we have established a best-in-class driver training program that enables our more than 15,000 drivers across the country to continually improve. It is fundamental to our commitment to customers and how we make a positive impact each day in the communities we serve. On behalf of Republic and our 33,000 employees, I am proud to congratulate Jesse and Javier, and their families, on this extraordinary recognition.”

Mr. Peña and Mr. Verduzco were selected from approximately 1,000 driver nominations submitted by industry peers from across the country. Since 2009, Republic Services drivers have won 75 percent of the NWRA’s Driver of the Year awards, in the large truck categories. 

Republic’s relentless commitment to safety led to the formation of a comprehensive, industry-leading safety program that relies on continual training to reduce accident frequency. Last year, more than 12,000 employees earned Republic’s Dedicated to Safety Award, and roughly 5,000 employees received Dedicated to Excellence recognition. Based on Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) data, Republic’s safety performance has been 41 percent better than the industry average over the past eight years.

For 26 years, the NWRA Driver of the Year program has honored drivers who have upheld the field of solid waste management as an honorable occupation, and have conducted themselves and the vehicles they operate in a safe and responsible manner.

2017 Driver of the Year:  Jesse Peña
Mr. Peña has devoted more than 35 years of service to the industry. He began his driving career with Republic in Phoenix, Ariz., in 1994. Over the past 23 years, Jesse has maintained a perfect safety record, with zero accidents or injuries.

Among his customers and coworkers, Jesse is known for prioritizing safety. He has been the recipient of Republic’s Dedicated to Safety Award and Dedicated to Excellence recognition since 2005. Jesse is also considered a leader and role model for fellow drivers, both as a direct supervisor and mentor for new drivers, inspiring team members to approach the day with a positive attitude, commitment to excellence and willingness to always go above and beyond for customers.

His many customers credit Jesse for his great service, attitude and focus on safety. Even in Valley communities that are experiencing rapid population growth, Jesse knows many of his customers personally, interacting with them on a first name basis.

Jesse is a proud husband, father of eight, grandfather of 25, and great grandfather of three. He drives an average of 660 miles per week, in the service of more than 60 municipal customers, collecting over 280 tons of waste.

2017 Driver of the Year:  Javier Verduzco
Mr. Verduzco began his driving career with Republic Services’ Hunting Beach division in 1980. Over the past 37 years, he has earned and maintained an impeccable safety record, with zero accidents or injuries.

Javier is relentless in his commitment to continual safety training. He is a recipient of Republic’s Dedicated to Safety Award and Dedicated to Excellence recognition. He is also known for actively seeking out and participating in Republic’s Focus 6 safety program, as well as OSHA safety exercises.

Within his division, Javier has established a reputation as a selfless team member. He mentors and encourages fellow drivers. He volunteers to go back out and assist other drivers upon completing his route, and he offers help his fellow drivers serve customers on busy weekends.

Javier also places a high priority on his customers and community. His customers credit Javier for his reliable service and great attention to detail, frequently checking to ensure their satisfaction. In his community, Javier is dedicated to service at his church, often leading and participating in retreats and programs.  

Javier is a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He drives an average of 220 miles per week, in the service of more than 600 customers, collecting over 95 tons of waste.

About Republic Services
Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE: RSG) is an industry leader in U.S. recycling and non-hazardous solid waste.  Through its subsidiaries, Republic's collection companies, recycling centers, transfer stations and landfills focus on providing effective solutions to make proper waste disposal effortless for their commercial, industrial, municipal, residential and oilfield customers. We'll handle it from here.™, the brand's promise, lets customers know they can count on Republic to provide a superior experience while fostering a sustainable Blue Planet™ for future generations to enjoy a cleaner, safer and healthier world.

For more information, visit the Republic Services website at RepublicServices.com. "Like" Republic on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RepublicServices and follow on Twitter @RepublicService.

Media                                  
Jennifer Mitchell Eldridge
(480) 718-0119                                                                                   
Media@RepublicServices.com

Tweet me:.@RepublicService drivers earn Driver of the Year awards for commitment to safety http://bit.ly/2qnsB8j @wasterecycling

KEYWORDS: Awards, Ratings & Rankings, Environment, Republic Services, National Waste and Recycling Association, Recycling, safe driving, waste management

SOURCE:Ray C. Anderson Foundation

DESCRIPTION:

May 9, 2017 /3BL Media/ - John Picard, Advisory Board Member for the Ray C. Anderson Foundation and Founding Board Member for The Ray will be speaking today and tomorrow in two panel discussions at Sustainatopia in San Francisco.

Today, Picard will be part of a breakout session at 11:45 a.m. Pacific Time entitled "Designing & Catalyzing Public-Private Impact Partnerships." He will be able to shed light on a new kind of partnership that has emerged with The Ray; The Public-Private-Philanthropic Partnership (P4).

Tomorrow, Picard will be part of another breakout session entitled "Clean Energy Future Under a Trump Presidency." He will highlight the various renewable energy projects that The Ray is engaged in from right-of-way solar on a Georgia highway, to solar road (Wattway) test installations to solar powered electric vehicle charging stations.

If you are at Sustainatopia, be sure to attend these two sessions.

Sustainatopia: http://www.sustainatopia.com

Tweet me:.@ecojohnpicard speaks about @TheRayHighway @Sustainatopia today and tomorrow at 11:45a Pacific http://www.sustainatopia.com/

Contact Info:

Valerie Bennett
Ray C. Anderson Foundation
+1 (770) 317-5858
valerie@raycandersonfoundation.org

Anna Cullen
The Ray
+1 (404) 405-2685
anna@theray.org

KEYWORDS: Events, Media & Communications, Environment, John Picard, Ray C. Anderson Foundation, The Ray, Sustainatopia