CHEMISTRY, MATERIALS & PACKAGING -
The sourcing and manufacturing of materials are two of the most environmentally impactful aspects of the fashion industry. In an effort to shift the sector to a more sustainable model, key industry players have revved up efforts to move sustainable materials to the mainstream.
MARKETING AND COMMS -
In recent years, Unilever has distinguished itself both as a champion for sustainability and overcoming gender bias with campaigns, initiatives and internal actions that work to align the company’s products and purpose. Further building on this reputation, the consumer goods giant has launched a new global alliance aimed at eliminating stereotypical portrayals of gender in advertising and all brand-led content.
CHEMISTRY, MATERIALS & PACKAGING -
Viscose continues to dominate the news as brands ramp up efforts to eliminate the destruction of ancient and endangered forests and human rights violations from the viscose supply chain, while others fall behind.
PRESS RELEASE -
Goodwill, the leading nonprofit provider of employment placement, job training and education services, has been ranked #1 on the annual World Value Index, an anticipated annual report that ranks world-class organizations by measuring and ranking each brand's overall World Value, according to people's perceptions. In the rankings, Goodwill leads Amazon, Google, Kellogg's, Microsoft and other Fortune 100 and 500 brands.
LEADERSHIP -
Following President Trump’s pullout from the Paris Agreement — a move that has expectedly garnered criticism from governments, businesses and NGOs around the globe — former mayor of New York and current UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change Michael Bloomberg has pledged $15 million to keep US Paris Agreement efforts alive.
COLLABORATION -
Following the filing of two multi-million dollar lawsuits by Canadian pulp and paper manufacturer Resolute Forest Products to silence Greenpeace’s criticism of its controversial logging in the boreal forest, 100 authors and thought leaders, including Margaret Atwood, Michelle Alexander, John Maxwell Coetzee, Stephen Fry, Naomi Klein and Yann Martel — have signed the environmental NGO’s pledge to support free speech and stand up for forests.
SUPPLY CHAIN -
Cotton is often king in discussions surrounding the creation of a more sustainable apparel industry, yet over 120 million trees are felled every year — 30 percent of which originate from ancient and endangered forests — to produce textiles such as viscose and rayon.
WALKING THE TALK -
A more sustainable apparel industry is on the horizon thanks to continued efforts by industry leaders to develop innovative textile policies that value natural resources.
BEHAVIOR CHANGE -
Cleaning up supply chains and designing impacts out of products through the application of circular principles are essential components of reducing waste, but a more holistic approach to the problem of waste is needed. Consumers are increasingly educated on matters related to sustainability and recycling is more prevalent now than ever, yet litter continues to be a major issue across the globe. To initiate sustainable behavior change, the nonprofit Keep America Beautiful and the UK Government unveiled new litter strategies.
PRESS RELEASE -
On April 6, Amway joined the world in recognizing Global Health Day. Established in 1950 to mark the anniversary of the founding of the United Nations World Health Organization, Global Health Day raises awareness and mobilizes partners to address key global health issues.
The intent of this important day closely aligns with Amway’s Corporate Social Responsibility belief – by using the best of our business and the passion of our people we can solve global challenges and improve individual communities all over the world.
PRESS RELEASE -
The Dow Chemical Company, now in its 35th year of supporting Atlanta-based nonprofit Habitat for Humanity, recently announced that Colombia will be the site of one of the builds that the two organizations collaborate on this year.
The project in Tenjo, just outside of the capital of Bogotá, is unique in that it will be a pilot project for 2017 that uses the company’s polyurethane materials in PVC panels that will form the structure’s walls.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
England’s Open Water market officially launched on Saturday, April 1st, opening up new economic opportunities worth around £200 million for a wide range of players.
SUPPLY CHAIN -
Polaris, a leader in the global fight to eradicate modern slavery and help survivors restore their freedom, has released a new report, The Typology of Modern Slavery, that breaks down instances of sex and labor trafficking into 25 distinct categories, detailing the unique trafficker profile, recruitment tactics, victim profile, and method of control for each different subset of modern slavery.
PRESS RELEASE -
Investing in the Enhancement of Humanitarian and Public Health Supply Chains in Africa and Around the World
PRESS RELEASE -
DETROIT – The Michigan Urban Farming Initiative (MUFI) continues to innovate to uplift its North End Detroit neighborhood with agricultural concepts that transform blighted properties and vacant land into useful community assets. The all-volunteer organization will debut a new recreational space and water harvesting cistern this summer, thanks to grants and material donations from Garnier®, TerraCycle®, and Target Corporation.
COLLABORATION -
The Michigan Urban Farming Initiative (MUFI), an all-volunteer organization revitalizing Detroit’s North End neighborhood through agriculture, will debut a new recreational space and water-harvesting cistern this summer, thanks to grants and material donations from Garnier, TerraCycle and Target Corporation. The announcement coincides with the non-profit’s crowdfunding campaign to help convert a vacant three-story apartment complex into a community resource center.
SUPPLY CHAIN -
Nest, a New York-based nonprofit focused on creating a better life for workers in the cottage industry, has announced the formation of the Nest Artisan Advancement Steering Committee, a coalition of heavy hitters in fashion and home design committed to addressing sustainability issues impacting the global community of homeworkers and artisans.
PRESS RELEASE -
Green Standards oversees landfill diversion of tens of thousands of GM office assets including in-kind donations to community
More than 30 nonprofits have benefited and 1,500 tons have been diverted from landfill to date
Company donation of $4,500 boosts crowdfunding effort for Michigan Urban Farming
WASTE NOT -
According to environmental non-profit Basel Action Network (BAN), electronics recycling may not be quite as straightforward as consumers believe. While some electronics are safely dismantled and have their components scrapped or re-used, the recycling process consists of a complex, multi-step supply chain that ends in the developing world, where e-waste is often exported for treatment and oversight is minimal.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
Travel platform Booking.com is making moves to drive the tourism industry towards a more sustainable model with the launch of a new accelerator program, Booking.com Booster. Designed to identify, mentor and fund enterprising startups from around the world that are seeking to have a positive impact on the global tourism industry, the three-week program taking place in June 2017 in Amsterdam will culminate in a chance to pitch for grants of up to $538,000 from Booking.com.