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Circular Economy

Lessons from a Very Difficult Year

Published on December 11, 2020

Written by John Friedman

About a 3 minute read

Life presents us with opportunities to learn lessons every day; whether we choose to take the lessons to heart is up to us. 2020 has provided exceptional opportunities for learning by forcing us to face exceptionally difficult circumstances. Read More...

Circular Economy

What’s Your Organization’s Carbon Budget?

Published on December 11, 2020

Written by Paul C. Hutton

About a 4 minute read

The reduction in total carbon emissions due to COVID-19 just about equals the annual reduction we need to put in place over the next decade. That’s quite a challenge — and it will require us to examine every aspect of our organizations’ operations. Read More...

Innovation & Technology

3 Ways Farmers Can Use Tech for Bigger Yields, Greater Sustainability

Published on December 11, 2020

Written by Illinois Soybean Association

About a 4 minute read

With technologies such as these coming to market all the time, farmers now have the option to grow more profitable, high-quality crops with more efficient input use — supporting their business, as well as the environment. Read More...

Supply Chain Marketing & Communications

Certifying Private-Label Brands Leads to 200% Increase in Farmer Premiums

Published on December 10, 2020

Written by Fairtrade America

About a 3 minute read

Countless studies have shown companies no longer need to choose profits over people; valuing people and sustainability is profitable. Consumers vote every day with their dollars and are rewarding the brands that embed sustainability into their ethos. Read More...

Organizational Governance Organizational Governance

Governance in the New Decade: The Rise and Rise of Boardroom ESG

Published on December 10, 2020

Written by Coro Strandberg

About a 3 minute read

ESG governance is now an established imperative for boards; and a new report sheds light on steps companies should pursue to ensure the long-term viability of their organizations. Read More...

Innovation & Technology Circular Economy Collaboration & Co-Creation

New Farm Powered Strategic Alliance Highlights Circular Solution to Food Waste, GHG Reduction

Published on December 9, 2020

Written by John Hanselman

About a 7 minute read

Unilever, Starbucks and Dairy Farmers of America have joined the historic alliance, which calls on the food industry to embrace the simple, circular relationship between food waste and its potential to reduce greenhouse gases. Read More...

Consumer Behavior Change

A Sustainable Future for Tourism Requires Kicking the Bucket (List)

Published on December 9, 2020

Written by JoAnna Haugen

About a 5 minute read

Bucket lists are powerful sales and marketing tools — and applying the concept to “must-see” destinations or activities is a natural fit. But that model is changing; and with the industry’s shift in focus from quantity to quality, it’s time to rethink the travel-focused bucket list. Read More...

Organizational Governance Organizational Governance

Colliding Work, Personal Values Underscores Need for Purpose-Led Brand Culture

Published on December 9, 2020

Written by Allyssa Kennedy

About a 7 minute read

Brands that empower their employees to act with them in their sustainability plan — and let their brand culture guide the creation of that plan — reap benefits. To foster a purpose-led brand culture, brands need to fuse these five elements ... Read More...

Innovation & Technology Organizational Governance

Kao: Striving for 'Yoki-Monozukuri' (‘Excellent Manufacturing’) Through the Pursuit of 'Kirei'

Published on December 8, 2020

Written by Sustainable Brands

About a 14 minute read

Kao’s new ESG strategy is centered on kirei (meaning “clean, beautiful and orderly”) — a Japanese word that is not yet well known worldwide but one that the company aims to make aspirational throughout the world. Read More...

Organizational Governance Circular Economy

Getting Creative to Create Organizational Change

Published on December 8, 2020

Written by Michael Heller

About a 2 minute read

In 2019, Rubicon anchored a portion of employee annual bonuses to the amount of waste reduced across all of its company’s clients. The results have been remarkable. Read More...

Organizational Governance Organizational Governance

25 Brand Leaders Share Lessons Learned from Remaining True to Purpose

Published on December 8, 2020

Written by Nithin Coca

About a 4 minute read

A new ebook compiles insights from dozens of interviews with business leaders from the Purpose 360 podcast. The ebook is designed to be easily shared with colleagues, to help advance discussions about purpose into actionable strategy and practice. Read More...

Materials & Packaging Circular Economy

‘Shipageddon’ Isn’t Just About Deliverability — It’s About Sustainability

Published on December 7, 2020

Written by Jeff Chalovich

About a 5 minute read

The impacts of shipageddon will extend far beyond the processing of the glut of holidays packages. Are companies prepared to fulfill the surge in orders? And are packaging companies ensuring both product safety and the planet’s longevity? Read More...

Circular Economy Materials & Packaging

New Guidelines, 2020 Brand Audit Aim to Finally Move the Needle on Corporate Plastic Stewardship

Published on December 7, 2020

Written by Nithin Coca

About a 5 minute read

Since scientists first raised the alarm about plastic pollution in the environment, brands have been slow to respond. Will the 2020 Brand Audit and new plastic-stewardship guidelines help accelerate an overdue shift away from single-use plastic? Read More...

Innovation & Technology

Bid Adieu to This Dumpster Fire of a Year! The 2020 SB Holiday Gift Guide

Published on December 7, 2020

About a 12 minute read

No offense, 2020 — but it is high time we put you to bed and look toward the future. After the year we’ve had, we all deserve a little pampering — and so do the makers of these thoughtful, ethically made products … Read More...

Marketing & Communications Organizational Governance

3 Lessons for Brands on How to (Credibly) Drive Social Change

Published on December 4, 2020

Written by Lucy von Sturmer

About a 5 minute read

The most creative marketers bring their passion to help brands drive positive change. But what does that actually look like? Here are three key takeaways for marketers looking to stay relevant in a changing world, and take a stand for good. Read More...

Collaboration & Co-Creation Innovation & Technology

Sustainability and Healthcare: Transformational Work During a Global Pandemic

Published on December 3, 2020

Written by Kellie Ballew

About a 8 minute read

Shaw is spotlighting organizations making a positive impact through initiatives that support the wellbeing of people and the planet. Here, we discuss a new sustainability initiative led by three of the most influential organizations working to transform health care: Health Care Without Harm, Practice Greenhealth and Greenhealth Exchange. Read More...

Organizational Governance Marketing & Communications

McDonalds’ McPlant Burger and the Evolution of the ‘Purpose Wash’ Debate

Published on December 3, 2020

Written by Becky Willan

About a 5 minute read

To be effective, sustainability and purpose work should create positive business change, not positive media stories. They are management tools, not PR initiatives. So, should brands stop communicating until they’ve got something concrete to say? Read More...

Circular Economy Innovation & Technology

Brewed Responsibly: How Smart Craft Brewers Are Cleaning Up Our Favorite Beverage

Published on December 3, 2020

Written by Ryan Harb

About a 5 minute read

The immediate future offers a financial challenge for most brewers and distributors; but everyone from craft brewers to large factories can increase sustainability and protect their bottom lines through process efficiencies, more nimble supply chains and smart recycling solutions. Read More...

Innovation & Technology

Busting Myths About Biodiesel’s Environmental Impact

Published on December 3, 2020

Written by Illinois Soybean Association

About a 3 minute read

Debate about whether biofuels are environmentally friendly goes on — especially around land use. At issue is whether the amount of land available for agricultural production can support the growing global population’s demand for both food and fuel. Read More...

Innovation & Technology Materials & Packaging

3 Advances in Sequestering Carbon in the Built Environment

Published on December 2, 2020

Written by Paul C. Hutton

About a 4 minute read

The ability to not only eliminate greenhouse gas emissions, but actually sequester carbon, would transform buildings from net negative to net positive entities. Here, we examine several approaches making this possible. Read More...