CIRCULAR ECONOMY -
General Motors has made an additional donation of scrap sound-absorption material from its Chevy Malibu and Buick Verano models to a Detroit nonprofit for use as insulation in waterproof, self-heating coats that become sleeping bags for the homeless.
CIRCULAR ECONOMY -
Since 2006, Indianapolis-based RecycleForce has paid over $10 million in wages and employed 650 ex-felons to recycle over 20 million pounds of electronic waste. The non-profit social enterprise has a dual mission: to help people coming out of prison successfully transition back into civil society, and to keep as much electronic waste as possible out of Indiana’s landfills. RecycleForce deconstructs electronic waste and other recyclables provided by residents and corporate partners, separates the reusable materials, and disposes of the waste safely and cleanly.
Founded in 2010 in the UK, the Social Enterprise Mark Company (SEM) awards its “Social Enterprise Mark” to organisations that demonstrate their social, environmental and ethical values and behaviours, in particular with regards to profit distribution.As the only international certification scheme for “genuine” social enterprises, the Mark helps social enterprises gain competitive advantage by highlighting their social and environmental credentials and purpose to stakeholders (much like a B Corp certification).
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS -
Marriott International recently released its 2013 Sustainability Report update, which claims the company reduced global water usage by 12 percent and greenhouse gas emissions by 16.5 percent in 2012.The international hotel chain also says it is looking to move beyond its current global footprint of more than 3,800 hotels in over 70 countries and focus on providing sustainable economic activity and local employment. In coming years, more than half of its new hotels will be located in emerging markets, where tourism is a major driver of new jobs and economic development.
ORGANIZATIONAL GOVERNANCE -
Four female executives at the top of their respective fields will come together next month for a “Presidents panel” at the Women’s Leadership Conference in Las Vegas.The panel will include Carol Evans, President of Working Mother Magazine; Kathleen (K.C.) Ciaramello, President of National Foodservice & On-Premise at Coca-Cola Refreshments; Cindy Kiser Murphey, President and COO of New York-New York Hotel & Casino; and Gail Becker, Chair of Canada, Latin America and U.S. Western Region, Edelman Communications.
BLOG -
The afternoon of day three at SB ’13 continued with more insightful discussions covering an array of timely topics.
COLLABORATION & CO-CREATION -
The United Nations Global Compact has announced it is redoubling its efforts to scale up corporate sustainability in Africa and emphasize the private sector’s role in contributing to the continent’s full economic and social renaissance.
FINANCE & INVESTMENT -
Women, particularly in developing countries, face numerous challenges, including sexual violence, limited access to health resources, barriers to education and economic opportunities.
ORGANIZATIONAL GOVERNANCE -
Four more companies now will make gender and race diversity part of the criteria for board nominees, thanks to a board diversity shareholder proposal filed by Trillium Asset Management.
INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY -
Reckitt Benckiser, the parent company of well-known consumer brands such as Clearasil and Lysol, announced a new sustainability strategy targeting water conservation, more sustainable health and hygiene innovations for women, and further decreases of its carbon footprint.
FINANCE & INVESTMENT -
The ice cream brand aims to help 5,000 female cocoa farmers in Côte D'Ivoire achieve financial stability and diversify their incomes, for greater prosperity in the cocoa-farming offseason, by 2025.