Energy Provider Honored for 4th Time; Helps Customers Cut Bills by Over $1B

SOURCE:Consumers Energy

DESCRIPTION:

JACKSON, Mich., April 6, 2017/3BL Media/ – Consumers Energy this morning was again honored nationally for its excellence and commitment to energy efficiency with the ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“We work to provide energy efficiency solutions that have helped Michigan households and businesses to save over $1 billion on their monthly energy bills since 2009,” said Ted Ykimoff, Consumers Energy’s director of energy efficiency programs. “We are grateful to receive this honor and will continue to help our customers reduce their energy use.”

This is the fourth time in five years that Consumers Energy has received an ENERGY STAR award, which recognizes businesses for their efforts to protect the environment through energy efficiency programs. 

Officials from Consumers Energy will receive the award April 26 in Washington, D.C.

Consumers Energy offers an array of energy efficiency programs that are available for homes and businesses. The energy provider also has carried out efforts that raise public awareness of reducing energy waste and make an impact in Michigan communities:

• Will provide up to 150,000 high-efficiency LED bulbs to Michigan families through food banks as part of its "Light the Moment with ENERGY STAR Buy a Bulb, Give a Bulb" campaign, which runs through April. For every LED bulb that's purchased at participating retailers, the energy provider will donate an LED bulb to food banks.

• Helped over 1,300 nonprofits and places of worship last year to reduce energy use, allowing them to save at least $1.5 million on their energy bills this year.
• Provided free energy efficiency upgrades to help 11 nonprofit organizations and municipalities in Jackson, Saginaw and other Michigan communities reduce their natural gas use. 

Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.7 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

About Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy  is one of the nation's largest combination utilities, providing electric and natural gas service to nearly 6.6 million of Michigan's 10 million residents, in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. Our Growing Forward strategy calls for investing more than $6 billion in Michigan over the next five years. That includes significant investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy, environmental and customer service enhancements, and new power generation. The investments make Consumers Energy one of the largest investors in Michigan and will help the utility maintain and improve service to customers, create jobs, boost the state’s economy and expand the
state’s tax base.

About ENERGY STAR
The 2017 Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Awards are given to a diverse set of organizations that have demonstrated continued leadership in energy efficiency. In 2015 alone, ENERGY STAR and its partners saved American businesses and consumers $34 billion on their energy bills. For a complete list of 2017 winners, visit www.energystar.gov/awardwinners. ENERGY STAR has 16,000 partners working to protect the environment through greater energy efficiency, including manufacturers, retailers, public schools, hospitals, real estate companies and home builders. Since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners have saved American families and businesses $430 billion on their energy bills while achieving broad emissions reductions—including 2.8 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

Check out Consumers Energy on Social Media - Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to www.ConsumersEnergy.com

Tweet me:.@ConsumersEnergy receives U.S. environmental protection agency recognition as @ENERGYSTAR partner of the year http://bit.ly/2nO7hnk

KEYWORDS: Awards, Ratings & Rankings, Consumers Energy, Energy Star

SOURCE:USCCF Corporate Citizenship Center

DESCRIPTION:

[Editor's Note: Hugh Welsh, President & General Counsel of DSM North America, will be speaking at our 2017 Circular Economy Summit: From Aspiration to Implementation on the topic of disruptive technology and designing for circularity.]

Most often, when people think of disruptive technology their eyes turn to the sky and thoughts of high tech “rocket science.” Today, instead of looking up, lower your gaze down and follow your feet. Inevitably, at some point today you will notice you are standing on a very common product found in homes and offices buildings around the world, carpeting. The plush pile beneath your feet is an opportunity for disruption that will drastically change a well worn industry, largely unchanged since the Apollo Space program.   

Niaga® is bringing to market technology that enables the production of a fully recyclable carpet by taking into account the regeneration of the materials in the process design, joining a nascent group of companies that are early adapters of the circular economy. This revolution in carpeting products is by made possible by a partnership between a Netherlands based technology start up Niaga® and DSM, a leader on the DOW Jones Sustainability Index. The DSM-Niaga® partnership is an example of the benefits that are realized when large corporations and small start-ups with similar values and visons for the planet join forces with a purpose in mind: Do Something Meaningful and impactful for the benefit of society. 

In 2016, a whopping 4 billion pounds of carpet waste entered the solid waste stream in the US and those old carpets will stay in landfills for decades to come. The latex adhesives used in manufacturing make it nearly impossible to recycle. Making a truly recyclable carpet required re-engineering all the steps from beginning to end.  Engineers used drastic simplification to reduce a complex set of inputs to pure materials, designed a simpler series of steps to create the components and adhere them together.  This allowed for the design of a facile process to break the carpet apart to start at the beginning again so that there is no end to its utility.

Carpeting made with this forward-thinking technology has many advantages over traditional carpets made today.  The greatest being, at the end of the carpets life cycle it can be re-made into a new carpet of the same size and of the same quality without using any virgin raw materials. The regenerated carpet needs 90% less energy to be produced and uses no water in the lamination process. Future proofing is inherent in the process, and possible new business models to be born from this disruptive technology face only the limit of imagination.

One of the primary advantages for consumers and installers alike is it is safer than carpeting made with latex, as polyester has enhance flame retardant properties, there are no VOC’s, and there is no dizzying new carpet smell.  Another advantage is that it is lighter and more flexible than carpet that is currently on the market, making it less expensive to transport, easier to install and remove. But the best part, it is easier to clean. Who doesn’t want a carpet that doesn’t smell and is easier to clean?

If you are interested in accelerating progress toward a circular economy, consider joining us in June at the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s 2017 Circular Economy Summit or tweet us your questions and thoughts.

Tweet me:.@DSM partners to develop a fully recyclable carpet. Read how this sustainable technology works: https://goo.gl/R8KQU0 #CircularSolutions

KEYWORDS: Innovation & Technology, Environment, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center, Circular Solutions, circular economy, sustainable carpet technology

SOURCE:VMware

DESCRIPTION:

VMware has once again been recognized for our unique culture and commitment to our global community. In partnership with the Great Place to Work Institute, People magazine released their inaugural “50 Companies that Care.”

The “50 Companies that Care” list is based on personal stories from employees about their company's benefits and social responsibility programs, which generously serve local and global communities. This is a tremendous honor and testimony to our shared values and culture of giving back.

To learn more about this recognition and to share the news with your connections, please visit VMware’s feature on the list here. #50CompaniesCare

Congratulations VMware team!

Tweet me:.@VMware honored by @People magazine as one of #50CompaniesCare http://bit.ly/2otwEhT #CSR

KEYWORDS: Awards, Ratings & Rankings, Responsible Business & Employee Engagement, VMware, People Magazine, Great Place to Work Institute

Lynwood and Ontario are the first among 50 sites to install the charging stations in SCE’s territory

SOURCE:Edison International

DESCRIPTION:

Southern California Edison has launched its Charge Ready program to expand access to electric vehicle charging in its service territory, beginning with construction of the first charging stations in the cities of Lynwood and Ontario.

The two cities are among the 50 sites within SCE’s service area currently scheduled to add more than 800 charging stations through Charge Ready. Sites include workplaces, hospitals, destination centers, apartment and condominium complexes and fleet parking areas.

“Charge Ready is designed to accelerate the market for electric vehicles by boosting the number of charging stations,” said Megan Mao, SCE principal manager of Product Development & Division Management, who oversees the program.

“SCE is working with cities, employers, apartment building owners, charging equipment manufacturers and others to install electric vehicle charging stations at locations where plug-in electric vehicles are parked for four hours or more.”

Many of the charging stations will be installed in “disadvantaged communities,” or communities the state has identified as being disproportionately affected by pollution and economic hardship.

In Lynwood, one such community, six electric vehicle charge ports are now fully operational and are being used to charge up Lynwood’s new fleet of electric vehicles driven by city employees from code enforcement and other city operations. Eight more charge ports in the civic center public parking lot are expected to come online this month.

The charging stations are being installed with financial assistance provided through the $22 million pilot program in which the utility provides the electrical infrastructure necessary for EV charging, as well as a rebate to help pay for the charging station itself.

“We are excited that this program not only gives our citizens more options to charge electric vehicles, but also by having a fleet of electric cars, the city of Lynwood is part of the solution to cleaner air and lower greenhouse gas emissions in Southern California,” Lynwood City Manager Alma Martinez said.

Through the Charge Ready program, the city of Ontario will install more than 45 new electric vehicle chargers at seven key locations throughout the city. The first sites to come online will be at Ontario Convention Center, City Hall and the police station, according to City Manager Al Boling.

"We are pleased to be working in partnership with SCE to bring resources to our community that will protect our environment,” Boling said. “These projects highlight the city council's commitment to operate in a businesslike manner, invest in our infrastructure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

Most of the other Ontario charging station locations, including Ontario Library, Citizens Bank Arena, Whispering Lakes Golf Course and a community center in south Ontario, are expected to come online this summer.

The pilot is just one example of how SCE supports critical greenhouse gas and air quality goals by promoting the adoption of electric vehicles. Earlier this year, SCE also filed a wide-ranging plan with the California Public Utilities Commission to increase electrification of a broad range of vehicles, including buses, medium- and heavy-duty trucks and industrial vehicles and equipment.

Tweet me:.@EdisonIntl to add 800 #EV charging stations in SoCal, beginning in Lynwood and Ontario http://bit.ly/2nDZysH #renewableenergy

KEYWORDS: Energy, Edison International, Southern California Edison, electric vehicles

By: Beth Winthrop

SOURCE:Sodexo, Inc.

DESCRIPTION:

In today’s media-saturated world, information about health and nutrition is everywhere. But while we have access to more reliable information about nutrition than ever, there are also many scientifically questionable or even false claims presented as fact. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to sort out truths from falsehoods.

One such questionable source is the website “Is It Bad for You?”  This site publishes health and nutrition reviews of food products, restaurants and a variety of products and services.

Every review on this website includes a brief write-up and letter rating from “A” to “F.”

For example, Dasani Water received a “D” rating because the writers claimed it contains “added minerals some of which can cause unwanted side effects.” Hot Yoga received an “F,” as did Tic Tacs and a category called “Too Much Tea.” Even tap water receives a “C”, followed by plenty of ads for water filters.

The challenge with reviews such as these is that they are not authored by credentialed nutrition experts and do not offer scientific evidence to support their claims. As a result, we must become savvy consumers if we want to distinguish the science-based facts from the “clickbait.”  Statements supported with “one study shows” should raise the question in our minds “Which study is that?”

Sodexo is the only foodservice management company profiled on this website in an article titled, “Is Sodexo’s Food Bad You?,” which gave Sodexo’s food a failing grade.

The author does not substantiate any of the claims against the food served by Sodexo. To that end, we wanted to highlight Sodexo’s efforts to provide healthy, nutritious food choices for our customers.

Sodexo is the world’s largest employer of registered dietitians (RDs), employing over 500 RDs across the United States. Our RDs work closely with our chefs to develop healthy recipes and menus at every one of our sites.

At Colleges and Universities throughout the USA, Sodexo  caters to different tastes and preferences, accommodates food allergies or intolerances, works with religious diet requirements, as well as dietary convictions such as a vegan lifestyle.  In fact, we strive to offer healthy choices for everyone. Sodexo’s Mindful Progam  helps guide students toward the healthiest options, making the healthy choice the easy choice.  Sodexo has eliminated an estimated five tons of salt and 14 tons of sugar from the food we serve since the introduction of Mindful in 2013.

Sodexo’s Simple Servings and My Zone programs are University best practices for students with food allergies, allowing them to find allergen-safe dining options while remaining included in the social aspects of dining. Sodexo  even created an app called Bite that provides complete nutrition and allergen information on every item served and offers students a way to give us feedback. Sodexo has received awards from the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) for its efforts in health and well-being, especially in schools and universities.

Does Sodexo offer French fries?  Certainly.  Often hand-cut from locally farmed vegetables.  University foodservice is about healthy food, but also creating an inclusive experience that builds community and student engagement.  Sodexo chefs engage students in trying authentic global flavors and learning about their fellow students through their cuisine.

Sodexo strives to provide consumers with a variety of choices. In doing so, Sodexo plays a critical role in providing healthy diets for countless Americans. So, while it is easy to generalize whether a company like Sodexo’s food is healthy or unhealthy, savvy consumers can discern fact from fiction. When you look at the facts — including the nutrition facts — it’s clear that Sodexo offers nutritious options, and supports healthy diets and lifestyles for students and others across the country.

Tweet me:What’s behind the headlines? Separating health and #nutrition #facts from fiction https://goo.gl/t0cZls @sodexoUSA

KEYWORDS: Health & Healthcare, Good Health and Well-Being, PHA, mindful by sodexo, Study, registered dieticians, Sodexo

Brian Wolf, senior business management for AT&T Technology Operations

SOURCE:AT&T

DESCRIPTION:

I always appreciated those who gave their time to serve their communities but I didn’t realize how much their impact mattered until I found my reason to serve.

My son Jack was diagnosed at the age of five with a rare genetic disorder called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). DMD is characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness and is one of many other neuromuscular diseases that is labeled under muscular dystrophy. Children with DMD often have a hard time with many daily activities that people take for granted like brushing your teeth or feeding yourself, they often lose the ability to walk before they hit their teens.

Today, Jack is in the 11th grade and he and his brother Mark are Eagle Scouts. He is also an integral player on his Challenger Baseball team. On Friday nights you’ll find him under the football stadium lights playing the tuba in his high school marching band. In fact, there isn’t much my son can’t do and almost nothing he does without a smile on his face and a positive word for others. And so he inspires me to do more. More for him, more for other children with serious diseases and more for my community. Because I believe that we can build a better tomorrow if we all find ways to help each other.

In 2016 I spent more than 500 hours volunteering. Several of those hours were spent on activities to help kids like Jack by raising funds and awareness in search of a cure for DMD. Several more were spent working with my state representative to pass a Right to Try law for people with terminal illness to have access to experimental drugs in Ohio. I helped get service dogs – like Jack’s dog Tommy who you can find marching beside him at those football games – to kids who need them through Wags 4 Kids. I also managed to sneak in a few hours teaching CPR with the American Heart Association – this helps me in one of my favorite weekend activities as a member of the National Ski Patrol. I volunteer in order to make a difference in the life of my son and other children who suffer from terminal diseases.

This National Volunteer Month, I encourage you to join me and the rest of us at AT&T and find a cause that matters to you. If you’re looking for inspiration, check out the incredible stories of some of my fellow employee volunteers here. You will never truly know the profound impact your actions have on others.

Tweet me:.@ConnectToGood "Finding Your Reason to Serve" http://soc.att.com/2oID9xu #ATTimpact #NationalVolunteerMonth #PVSA

KEYWORDS: Social Impact & Volunteering, Awards, Ratings & Rankings, AT&T, national volunteer month, PVSA, President's Volunteer Service Award, vounteer, employees, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Eagle Scouts, Boy Scouts, marching band

Eastman celebrates sixth consecutive ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Award

SOURCE:Eastman Chemical Company

DESCRIPTION:

KINGSPORT, Tenn., April 6, 2017 /3BL Media/ – For the sixth consecutive year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognizes Eastman (NYSE: EMN) with an ENERGY STAR^® Partner of the Year Award for continued leadership and superior energy efficiency achievements. This year marks Eastman’s fourth consecutive ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award, EPA’s highest ENERGY STAR honor. The award reaffirms Eastman’s commitment to managing natural resources, which continues to drive sustainable and impactful improvements in energy performance, resulting in energy intensity reductions, avoided costs and lowered emissions.

Eastman became the only chemical company to receive the Sustained Excellence recognition beginning in 2014. Additionally, the EPA named Eastman an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year in 2012 and 2013.

“To be recognized by the EPA six years in a row for Eastman’s commitment to energy management is a tremendous honor,” said Mark J. Costa, Eastman’s Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. “Eastman has been on a transformative journey to become a specialty materials company over the last several years. I’m incredibly proud of the Eastman team and their continued focus on environmental stewardship as the company portfolio evolves. To be the only chemical company to ever receive the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year - Sustained Excellence Award is a reflection of the hard work by many people around the world every day.”

“At Eastman, we believe a truly sustainable company is one that creates significantly more value than the resources it uses,” said David A. Golden, Senior Vice President, Chief Legal & Sustainability Officer, and Corporate Secretary. “We’re mindful that we manage natural resource-intensive operations, which is why we’re committed to implementing innovative ways to reduce our environmental impact. Our global natural resource management team continues to lead the charge and engage our employees and stakeholders globally to make a positive difference. I could not be more proud of the successes our employees are driving across the company and around the world.”

An ENERGY STAR partner since 2008, Eastman’s award-winning energy management program includes the following highlights from 2016:

• Reducing energy intensity by more than three percent over 2015,

• Formulating successful energy management strategies to control inefficiencies as the business shifted to the manufacture of specialty chemicals, which tend to be more energy intensive,

• Initiating more than 100 energy savings projects with a focus on optimizing steam and electrical systems,

• Participating in ENERGY STAR’s Challenge for Industry by achieving a 10 percent reduction in energy intensity in less than five years at two Eastman sites,

• Supporting ENERGY STAR industrial partners and engaging the community about energy efficiency and opportunities for savings.

            The 2017 Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Awards are bestowed upon a diverse set of organizations that have demonstrated continued leadership in energy efficiency, representing energy-efficient products, services, new homes, and buildings in the commercial, industrial, and public sectors. Eastman’s accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on April 26, 2017.

About Eastman
Eastman is a global advanced materials and specialty additives company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With a portfolio of specialty businesses, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. Its market-driven approaches take advantage of world-class technology platforms and leading positions in attractive end-markets such as transportation, building and construction and consumables. Eastman focuses on creating consistent, superior value for all stakeholders. As a globally diverse company, Eastman serves customers in more than 100 countries and had 2016 revenues of approximately $9.0 billion. The company is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA and employs approximately 14,000 people around the world. For more information, visit www.eastman.com.        

About ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR^® has 16,000 partners working to protect the environment through greater energy efficiency, including manufacturers, retailers, public schools, hospitals, real estate companies, and home builders. Since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners have saved American families and businesses $430 billion on their energy bills and 4.6 trillion kilowatt-hours of energy, while achieving broad emissions reductions—including 2.8 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. ENERGY STAR is the simple choice for energy efficiency. For 25 years, EPA’s ENERGY STAR program has been America’s resource for saving energy and protecting the environment. Join the millions already making a difference at www.energystar.gov.

###

Contact:
Amanda Allman
Eastman Corporate Communications
aallman@eastman.com
423.229.1025

Tweet me:.@EastmanChemCo EPA Recognizes Eastman with 2017 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award http://bit.ly/2nh2Rcp

KEYWORDS: Awards, Ratings & Rankings, Green Awards, sustainability, Eastman

Join the REM 2017 program as a speaker and share your ideas, insights, and predictions at the most important conference of the year for the clean energy market. Abstracts are due Tuesday, May 2.

SOURCE:Center for Resource Solutions

DESCRIPTION:

Don't miss this opportunity to speak at Renewable Energy Markets 2017, the most important annual conference for the clean energy market. We are seeking abstracts for panel sessions that are timely, unique, and informative. Sessions should be as discussion-oriented as possible, although some will need to feature presentations. We'd like sessions to feature new data or ideas, consideration of important issues, and most importantly, fresh and informed thinking about where renewable energy markets are headed. We're looking for dynamic, engaging speakers with a compelling story to tell.

We're looking for abstracts in the following program areas, though feel free to submit new ideas you think would be relevant and compelling:

Green Power Leaders. How corporate and institutional renewable energy purchasers are leading the way in the market. For example:
• Corporate Renewable Energy Procurement
• City and State Government Renewable Energy Procurement
• Renewable Energy in the Tech Sector
• Innovative Corporate Engagements/Partnerships
• Onsite Renewable Energy Installations
• Renewable Energy in the Supply Chain
• Corporate Engagement in Renewable Energy Market Development
• The Role of Corporations in Global Climate Policy and Negotiations

Direct Renewable Energy Procurement, Project Development & Finance. The role of direct procurement and renewable energy project development in the voluntary market; opportunities and strategies. Financial models and innovations. For example:
• Power Purchase Agreements
• Financing Corporate Renewable Energy Procurement
• Solar for Commercial and Industrial Customers
• Beyond the Deal (for example, certification and risk reduction).

Renewable Energy Policy. How regulatory policy and pending legislation at state, federal and local levels will influence the direction and growth of renewable energy markets and investments; any legal issues impacting markets; changes to guidance and voluntary standards that could impact market activity. For example:
• State RPS Updates
• Solar Policies (Net Metering, Value of Solar, etc.)
• Spotlight on New York Energy Policies
• Changes to state carbon policies affecting voluntary and corporate renewable energy

Community, Energy Service Provider & Utility Programs. Issues faced by providers of renewable energy. Sessions will address the unique challenges and opportunities faced by each of these provider categories: utility programs & products, community choice aggregation, competitive electricity and REC suppliers, and developer-led community renewables. For example:
• Marketing Renewable Energy & REC programs
• Community Solar (utility-led and developer-led)
• Community Choice Aggregation
• Utility Programs for Corporations
• Residential Programs
• Competitive Electricity Suppliers
• City Engagement with Renewable Energy
• Innovative Utility Products and Programs

International Renewable Energy. Green power procurement outside of North America. For example:
• International Renewable Energy Markets and Market Development
• International Corporate Renewable Energy Purchasing Goals
• Country Spotlight(s)

Market Growth and Trends. Data and trends on regional and technology-specific renewable energy markets. New platforms and practices, exchanges, auctions, brokerages, and tracking systems. For example:
• Spotlight on New York and the Northeast Power Markets
• Regional Voluntary and Compliance Markets
• Renewable Energy Tracking Systems
• Solar Market Trends
• Trader and Broker Data and Outlooks
• Blockchain Uses in the Energy Sector
 

Become a REM 2017 Sponsor
Sponsorship levels are available to your organization that offer unparalleled exposure to the renewable energy industry's most important leaders and stakeholders, learn more at REM 2017 Sponsorship. If you have questions or would like to learn more, contact Chip Wood at 415-568-4287 or cwood@resource-solutions.org.
 
Renewable Energy 2017
October 22–24, 2017
New York Hilton Midtown
For over two decades, Renewable Energy Markets has been the leading forum for the clean energy marketplace. Attracting participants from around the globe who share an interest in and commitment to promoting clean energy, REM remains the only conference of its kind focusing on national and international markets for renewable energy. Organized by the nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions and co-sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, this annual meeting of clean energy stakeholders includes generators, marketers, utility representatives, purchasers, policymakers, and regional stakeholders, and sets the agenda for the year to come. REM 2017 is taking place October 22–24, 2017 at the New York Hilton Midtown.

 
Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) is proud to be the official Conference Organizer of the annual Renewable Energy Conference.

Copyright © 2017 Center for Resource Solutions, All rights reserved. No endorsement by the U.S. EPA is intended or implied.

Tweet me:Join the #REM2017 program as a speaker, abstracts accepted through May 2 at www.renewableenergymarkets.com

Contact Info:

Jeff Swenerton
Center for Resource Solutions
+1 (415) 561-2119
jeff.swenerton@resource-solutions.org

KEYWORDS: Events, Media & Communications, Energy, Renewable Energy Markets 2017, Center for Resource Solutions

Companies that determine smelters of high concern exist or may exist in their supply chain can take action and still stay Dodd-Frank 1502 compliant by following these risk mitigation guidelines:

SOURCE:Source Intelligence®

DESCRIPTION:

Over the past three years, many companies have taken a proactive approach to mitigating the risks of unethical sourcing practices in their supply chains, like sourcing minerals from war-torn areas of the Congo (conflict minerals). However, many of these supply chain sourcing approaches that were effective in the past may not produce the same results; and, outdated supply chain data sharing practices may actually hinder ethical sourcing progress.

In a recent study conducted by Source Intelligence, it was found that over 87% of vendor data contained errors or incomplete information, which ultimately slows down the transfer of information and reduces supply chain communication efficacy without additional supply chain controls.

As the reporting deadline for conflict minerals is fast approaching, a data accuracy topic that is increasingly top of mind for executives managing conflict minerals programs is smelter verification.

The intention of verifying smelters is to identify smelters of high concern. Smelters of high concern, as defined by Source Intelligence, embodies criteria such as, but not limited to, geolocation, reputation, supply chain footprint, and history of human rights violations.

Companies that determine smelters of high concern exist or may exist in their supply chain can take action and still stay Dodd-Frank 1502 compliant by following these risk mitigation guidelines:

Click here to see the smelters of high concern and how to create a corrective action plan.

KEYWORDS: Supply Chain & the Circular Economy, Education, smelter, Smelter Verification, Conflict Minerals, due diligence, supplier, ethical sourcing, smelter of concern, sustainability, knowyoursupplychain, Source Intelligence

SOURCE:Antea Group

DESCRIPTION:

This month Antea Group spotlights Operational Performance and Assurance PM Danielle Pucherelli out of the Denver office, who tells us about her interests, the most interesting project she has worked on, and her favorite ways to unwind.

Read more on the Antea Group blog.

About Antea Group
Antea Group is an international engineering and environmental consulting firm specializing in full-service solutions in the fields of environment, infrastructure, urban planning and water. By combining strategic thinking and multidisciplinary perspectives with technical expertise and pragmatic action, we do more than effectively solve client challenges; we deliver sustainable results for a better future. With more than 3,000 employees in over 100 offices around the world, we serve clients ranging from global energy companies and manufacturers to national governments and local municipalities. Learn more at http://us.anteagroup.com. 

Tweet me:.@AnteaGroup Practitioner Spotlight - Danielle Pucherelli http://bit.ly/2nfLb0N

Contact Info:

katie.nordenson@anteagroup.com

KEYWORDS: Environment, practitioner, spotlight, Denver environmental, antea group

By: Pete Witkowski

SOURCE:Sodexo, Inc.

DESCRIPTION:

Waste is a crucial issue for businesses; reducing waste doesn’t just prevent pollution and conserve energy, it saves companies money.  This is especially evident in the food service industry, where billions of dollars are lost due to food waste.  It’s very clear that waste reduction isn’t just about sustainability; it’s a business imperative.

To see an impact—both on savings and sustainability—businesses should take a hard look at their supply chains, and determine how they can save money every step of the way. Good waste reduction strategies take into account how food is sourced, prepared and produced, as well as what’s done with any unavoidable waste created.  Here are some strategies to help your organization reduce waste:

Sourcing and selecting the right suppliers
Preventing waste begins at sourcing. Identify manufacturers who are committed to using the right practices to reduce waste, and who are themselves committed to sustainable sourcing. For example, Sodexo has built partnerships with some of our biggest suppliers, such as PepsiCo, to ensure we are all reducing food waste across the entire network.

Distribution
Pay attention to how purchases are transported. Minimize packaging, and create a schedule that allows you to get larger shipments in fewer deliveries. This cuts down on the fuel needed for transportation, which reduces costs and is more sustainable.

Local sourcing also goes a long way towards reducing the amount of fuel needed to transport goods to your site. And, when it comes to food, shorter transportation times mean fresher ingredients. In my job, we build relationships with dairy and produce farmers within a 100-mile radius of our sites. This reduces costs and has the added benefit of supporting small businesses in the communities we serve.

Menu planning
Strategic meal planning is crucial to reducing waste in any food-service organization. Food service companies can enable their sites to source food locally and use it efficiently—all the while providing delicious meals. We ensure that our chefs work closely with our supply chain to make sure we’re cooking seasonal food and sourcing locally as often as possible.

Production
Once we receive the food at our facility, it’s our job to make sure we create as little waste as possible. Best practices include storing the food safely and at the proper temperatures. Train staff to reduce waste when they’re trimming fruits or vegetables or slicing meat.

Portion control is also an important part of waste reduction. While we might like to give our customers a little extra food to show them we care, the reality is that those large portions are likely to end up going to waste. Allow customers to take only as much as they can eat and come back for more if they’re still hungry.

Handling waste
In food service, some waste is inevitable, so how you handle it is extremely important.  Strive to reuse leftovers in appropriate ways—for example, leftovers from today’s freshly roasted chicken could be delicious in a chopped salad tomorrow. Smart use of leftovers is yet another reason why meal planning is so important.

When we can’t reuse leftovers, we work closely with second harvest organizations, which bring our excess food to food banks or others who don’t have enough to eat. If we can’t reuse or donate our excess food, we compost it in order to minimize what goes into landfills.

Sodexo has announced a commitment to achieve zero waste in landfills by 2025. It’s part of the company’s vision of sustainability, but it also makes business sense.  Just as labor costs are a critical part of cost of operations, the cost of food is equally important. By reducing waste, you reduce your food cost; by spending less money on leftovers see more profit in from daily production. By using the sustainable logistics strategies I described above, we’re already seeing lower costs.

Tweet me:Waste is a Wonderful Thing to Mind: 5 strategies to help your organization reduce waste #sustainability https://goo.gl/SY63xc @sodexoUSA

KEYWORDS: Supply Chain & the Circular Economy, Food Politics, Food Waste, Supply Management, Waste Reduction, Sustainable sourcing, food banks, Sodexo

SOURCE:General Motors

DESCRIPTION:

See How Water Bottles Become Car Parts, Filters and Coat Insulation
Through its Do Your Part program, GM is turning recycled water bottles into car parts, air filters, and insulation for coats for the homeless. In this video, GM's global manager of waste reduction, John Bradburn, explains how the process works.
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Vehicle Scrap finds NEW Life at Flint Training Center
Leftover scrap sound-deadening material that insulates a variety of Chevrolet engines is now insulating the walls of the NEW Life Center, a jobs development and training facility in Flint, Michigan. GM tested the material diverted from its Rochester Operations facility in New York for building applications. Now more than 200 pieces have been reused, benefiting the environment and community.
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World Water Day: Lessons from A Water Expert
Whether at the GM's headquarters in the Great Lakes State or an assembly plant in a water-stressed area of Brazil, GM is consistently looking for ways to conserve water. In honor of World Water Day, here are five tips for industrial water conservation from Todd Williams, GM’s senior project engineer for water and wastewater treatment.
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Maven Introduces Reserve, a New Monthly Offering for Members
Maven has expanded its offerings to include a new monthly service, Maven Reserve. Maven members pay a monthly fee to reserve a new GM vehicle loaded with technology for 28 days. Members can download the Maven app to view pricing by market in real time for Maven Reserve.
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Tweet me:.@GM's April #CorporateResponsibility newsletter is now live http://bit.ly/2oKyJGH

KEYWORDS: Environment, Life on Land, General Motors, GM, earth hour, Waste Reduction, supply chain, Do Your Part, world water day, Maven, Los Angeles, Chevrolet, Cadillac, STEM, V2V technology, UN, Green Standards, Detroit, urban farm, American Red Cross

SOURCE:Cone Communications

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Building on the momentum of International Women’s Day, companies recognized Equal Pay Day as a moment in time to call attention to the gender-pay gap – from providing 20 percent discounts to customers to donating up to $100,000 to fund wage negotiation workshops. Yet, one company went above and beyond a day-long celebration to bring awareness to this issue in a more lasting way.

After the monumental success of their #OptOutside campaign, REI is again building a groundswell both inside and outside the company. After conducting research, REI found that 6 in 10 women say that men’s interests in outdoor activities are taken more seriously than women’s. In response, the company launched “Force of Nature,” a multifaceted approach to encourage and equip women to pursue outdoor passions. 

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Tweet me:.@REI is dedicating 2017 to empowering women through their new #ForceofNature campaign http://bit.ly/2nmQ5cy

KEYWORDS: Diversity & Inclusion, Gender Equality, REI Force of Nature campaign, Empowering Women, REI gender equality

SOURCE:Whirlpool Corporation

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized Whirlpool Corporation with the 2017 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Award for Sustained Excellence. Whirlpool Corporation received the award for manufacturing energy-efficient kitchen and laundry appliances that make outstanding contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Tweet me:.@WhirlpoolCorp Receives 2017 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Award from EPA http://bit.ly/2oKKxJ6

KEYWORDS: Awards, Ratings & Rankings, Energy, whirlpool, 2017 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year, EPA

SOURCE:Rebuilding Together

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Families with fewer financial resources are more likely to experience unsafe, unhealthy housing. When dealing with limited resources, food and medicine come before housing repairs. Rebuilding Together affiliates serve low-income homeowners who face financial dilemmas like this. Our vision is a safe and healthy home for every person. Find out more: http://bit.ly/1Yb8mBa

Tweet me:Families with fewer financial resources are more likely to experience unsafe, unhealthy housing http://bit.ly/2oK61Wo #RebuildingMonth

KEYWORDS: Social Impact & Volunteering, Events, Media & Communications, National Rebuilding Month, rebuilding together

SOURCE:Keep America Beautiful

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Remarkable results are pouring in from the Great American Cleanup events that are happening during Keep America Beautiful Month (April).

In its 36th year, Keep Brevard Beautiful’s Trash Bash covered about 40 sites with more than 1,100 volunteers dedicating more than 4,300 hours on Saturday, April 1. In just a short period of time, those volunteers removed more than 30,600 pounds (approximately 15 tons) of trash and debris from public spaces within Brevard County, Florida.

“We were so impressed with the leadership role that local municipalities and our elected officials took in this year’s initiative,” said KBB Volunteer & Events Coordinator Allison Arteaga. “The litter removal we’ve accomplished together will help to protect our ecosystems, our economy, and the health and well-being of our citizens.”

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Tweet me:#FF @kabtweet Affiliate Stories: @KBBBrevard Trash Bash great #KeepAmericaBeautifulMonth success! #DoBeautifulThings http://bit.ly/2oKT4vy

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, Environment, Keep America Beautiful, Great American Cleanup, Keep America Beautiful Month, Keep Brevard Beautiful, Keep Brevard Beautiful Trash Bash

Major leaguers going to bat to help others in need

SOURCE:Major League Baseball Players Trust

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Manny Machado of the Baltimore Orioles has enjoyed wild success on the field in his young career.

A Dominican-American born in Hialeah, FL, Machado exploded onto the scene in 2012 and has already tallied three All-Star appearances and two Gold Glove Awards.

But just because he has made it big in the majors, doesn’t mean he doesn’t have time to go to bat for others off the field. Machado particularly has a passion for helping Baltimore City Foundation, a non-profit that aims to help youth and underprivileged Baltimore residents.

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Tweet me:.@Orioles #AllStar #MannyMachado is #goingtobat for Baltimore area youth. #CareActInspire http://bit.ly/2pbe62u

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Events, Media & Communications

Challenge brings together graduate students seeking to address today’s sustainability issues by leveraging financial instruments

SOURCE:Morgan Stanley

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Morgan Stanley’s Institute for Sustainable Investing and Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management today announced that EduIndia was named the winner of the 2017 Kellogg-Morgan Stanley Sustainable Investing Challenge.  Comprised of students from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, the team was one of 10 finalists competing in the Challenge at Morgan Stanley’s New York offices on Friday, April 7.  EduIndia’s idea focuses on creating a private growth debt fund fostering education access and retention in India

Founded by Kellogg School of Management in 2011, Kellogg School and Morgan Stanley’s Institute for Sustainable Investing present the Kellogg-Morgan Stanley Sustainable Investing Challenge each year, a global competition that creates an opportunity to inspire future leaders to innovate conventional financing vehicles – or devise new ones – in ways that could address environmental, social and governance problems.  The 10 finalist teams were selected from 196 students at 37 schools across 29 countries.

“Millennials are taking notice and action on how to address our social and environmental issues through financial vehicles and are a key growth driver for sustainable investing,” said Audrey Choi, CEO of Morgan Stanley’s Institute for Sustainable Investing.  “The students in this year’s Challenge are leading the way for the next generation to creatively combine their passion for social change with the goal of achieving competitive financial returns.”

The winning team consisted of Ashwin Halgeri, Chris Shaw, and Erica Hoeveler.  This year’s runner-up was Carbon Offset Investment, whose idea focuses on the monetization of the carbon offset value of forestry companies.

“We are proud to host this challenge in which students can apply their financial acumen and creativity to craft strategies that drive both market returns and social impact,” said Megan Kashner, Professor at Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and Director of Social Impact.  “The Sustainable Investing Challenge forges the path for tomorrow’s business leaders and innovators.” 

The Challenge seeks to identify and encourage the next generation of sustainable investing practitioners and proponents, connecting students with industry professionals, and fostering greater emphasis on sustainability at graduate schools around the world.  More information on this year’s finalist and winning teams can be found on the Sustainable Investing Challenge website.  You can also follow the conversation on social media with #SIChallenge.

About the Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable Investing
The Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable Investing maximizes capital to build a more sustainable future – seeking both competitive financial returns and positive social and environmental impact.  The Institute is dedicated to accelerating mainstream adoption of sustainable investing by developing industry-leading insights and scalable finance solutions to address global challenges.  For more information about the Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable Investing, visit www.morganstanley.com/sustainableinvesting.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) is a leading global financial services firm providing investment banking, securities, wealth management and investment management services.  With offices in more than 42 countries, the Firm's employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions and individuals.  For more information about Morgan Stanley, please visit www.morganstanley.com.

About the Kellogg School of Management
The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University develops brave leaders who inspire growth in people, organizations and markets.  Based just outside of Chicago, the school is a global leader in management education, renowned for its distinctive thought leadership and pioneering approach to learning. Kellogg offers an innovative portfolio of programs: four Full-Time MBA programs including leading one-year program and joint degree programs with the engineering, law and medical schools; an Evening & Weekend MBA Program; the premier Executive MBA global network; and extensive non-degree Executive Education programs.  To learn more about Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, please visit www.kellogg.northwestern.edu and to learn more about Kellogg’s leadership and breadth in the realm of social impact, please visit www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/social-impact/.    

Tweet me:Congrats to the 2017 @KelloggSchool @MorganStanley #SIChallenge winning team EduIndia! http://bit.ly/2oLgVLw

KEYWORDS: Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment, Morgan Stanley’s Institute for Sustainable Investing, Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, EduIndia, 2017 Kellogg-Morgan Stanley Sustainable Investing Challenge, Morgan Stanley

Helping our emerging leaders hone their operational, financial, and interpersonal skills

SOURCE:Tetra Tech

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This March, 30 professionals from across Tetra Tech began their first session of the Tetra Tech Leadership Academy. The Class of 2017 represents the latest installment in Tetra Tech’s corporate professional development program. The Leadership Academy supports the development of outstanding business leaders, while broadening participants’ network of advisors, mentors, and colleagues.

Operating unit leaders from across the company nominate their top, rising project managers, and 30 men and women are ultimately selected by Tetra Tech Chairman and CEO Dan Batrack. Academy participants work with leading professionals from Tetra Tech’s global operations; interact with executive management; expand their knowledge of the company; and hone their operational, financial, and interpersonal skills.

The Tetra Tech Leadership Academy consists of three modules offered throughout the calendar year, focusing on our people, performance, and strategy. Members of Tetra Tech’s executive team lead each of the modules, which are tailored to the company’s business model and emphasize its 50-year history of Leading with Science. The sessions take place at locations in the United States and Canada and focus on key elements of leadership. Each session features Tetra Tech experts on topics such as financial and risk management, contract terms and conditions, strategic growth plans, business development, and human resources. As part of the Academy, participants will increase their understanding of corporate structure and functions, knowledge that is crucial for the company’s future leaders.

After completing the program, Academy alumni are tasked with special assignments, participation in corporate initiatives, and collaboration on strategic pursuits. Nearly 120 employees from across Tetra Tech’s markets and geographies have completed the year-long program since its inception in 2013.

“I have been very impressed by the caliber of the Academy’s participants, and look forward to seeing their continued development and contributions to Tetra Tech’s future success,” said CEO Dan Batrack.

Tweet me:.@TetraTech executives welcome 30 top, rising project managers as #Leadership Academy Class of 2017: http://bit.ly/2ncC3tU #FutureLeaders

KEYWORDS: Responsible Business & Employee Engagement, Diversity & Inclusion, Tetra Tech, Leading with Science, career development

Recognizing lifetime achievement in civil engineering and revolutionary geotechnical design methods

SOURCE:Tetra Tech

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On March 16, 2017, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) presented Dr. Harry Poulos of Coffey, A Tetra Tech Company, with the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award in Design during its annual Outstanding Projects and Leaders (OPAL) Gala in Arlington, Virginia. The award honors an outstanding civil engineering leader for lifetime accomplishments in innovation and excellence in civil engineering design.

Dr. Poulos’ pioneering work in pile foundation analysis and design enables geotechnical specialists to better understand the way structures interact with the ground. He is particularly known for developing design methods for piled raft foundations, which combine the benefits of shallow and deep foundations to support high-rise buildings in many parts of the world. His contributions to large-scale projects can be found in modern, iconic structures around the world. He has designed foundations for supertall structures including Dubai’s Emirates Twin Towers and the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building; the Incheon 151 Tower in South Korea; residential towers in Hong Kong; and other buildings in Israel, Malaysia, Singapore, Greece, Indonesia, and his home country of Australia.

Among his awards are the Australian-American Education Foundation Award, ASCE’s J. James R. Croes Medal, and the Australian Institution of Engineers’ W. H. Warren Medal. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and the Australian Academy of Technical Sciences and Engineering and an Honorary Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Australia. He also was named as a foreign member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering.

Dr. Poulos holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering with honors as well as doctorates in geotechnical engineering from the University of Sydney. He teaches as an adjunct professor for the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and serves as professor emeritus at the University of Sydney. Throughout 36 years of teaching at the University of Sydney, Dr. Poulos supervised 20 Ph.D. students, produced more than 400 papers, and wrote three books, two of which are considered classics in geotechnical engineering and pile foundations. He frequently is requested to lecture throughout the world.

Visit coffey.com to learn more about Dr. Poulous and watch a video about his career and achievements.

Tweet me:#ASCE awards Harry Poulos of @CoffeyInt 2017 #LifetimeAchievement Award in #Design: http://bit.ly/2nM1miv #geotechnical via @TetraTech

KEYWORDS: Awards, Ratings & Rankings, Green Infrastructure, Civil Engineering, Tetra Tech, Leading with Science, American Society of Civil Engineers, Coffey, High-rise Buildings, Geotechnical Engineering, infrastructure