Month: April 2023

Each year on April 22, the world celebrates Earth Day and the birth of the modern environmental movement, reminding us of the crucial role we play in protecting and preserving our planet. For some, that means volunteering to plant trees or gardens in their community. For others, it means pledging to recycle more or consume less. For Bread Financial, it’s an opportunity to reinforce and highlight our responsible business practices, aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change, driving energy efficiency and conserving resources.

At Bread Financial, we’re focused on integrating environmental criteria into all aspects of our business operations – dedicating time and resources to advance sustainability initiatives as part of our climate action roadmap. This principled approach helped earn us a place on Newsweek’s list of America’s Most Responsible Companies for 2023. As we look to the future and continue to work diligently to be responsible environmental stewards, we’re well positioned to meet our goals and continue our efforts to safeguard the planet.

Creating a more sustainable workspace

We’re committed to improving energy and resource conservation while reducing our environmental footprint through facility improvements and investments in renewable energy sources. Last year, we completed a comprehensive energy audit across our facilities and set a goal to purchase 100% renewable energy at all our sites, where available, by the end of 2023. Currently, our facilities in Draper, Utah, and our headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, use 100% renewable energy. One of our Columbus buildings achieved ENERGY STAR certification, meaning it’s more energy efficient than 83% of similar buildings nationwide and generates about 35% fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Moving forward, we’ll continue to pursue ENERGY STAR certification at our other facilities, beautify the outdoor spaces surrounding our buildings and install more motion-based office lighting to conserve energy.

Introducing carbon neutral cards

We’re also committed to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and overall carbon footprint. In addition to our ongoing paperless campaign, we’ve launched carbon neutral credit cards. Since August 2022, 100% of Bread Cashback™ American Express® Cards have been carbon neutral — meaning they were produced with net zero carbon emissions — and made from renewable organic sources, such as corn starch or sugar cane. Leaning on the card’s success, we plan to introduce carbon neutral cards to more customers throughout our portfolio.

Going paperless 

While we’ve always encouraged our customers to adopt paperless billing, this month we’re upping our game. For each cardholder who opts into paperless communications by April 30, Bread Financial is donating $2 to The Nature Conservancy’s Plant a Billion Trees campaign. This initiative is an extension of our continued efforts to educate customers on the environmental benefits of reducing paper usage and waste.

Recycling for the greater good

Our Environmental Subcommittee of the Sustainability & Community Engagement Committee hosted Bread Financial’s first Electronic Recycling Week for associates last year at all U.S. offices. Associates dropped off their used electronics at designated locations, diverting 578 pounds of e-waste from landfills. Our company has a whole is also committed to electronic recycling. Last year, we recycled more than 43,000 pounds of e-waste overall. To help reduce the millions of tons of trash sent to landfills every year, our Bread Financial sites in the U.S. continue to partner with Waste Management to promote responsible waste disposal and recycling programs. Throughout or facilities, associates are encouraged to sort their waste through easy-to-follow instructions at user-friendly recycling stations.

Investing in conservation 

Bread Financial’s ongoing work with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) promotes a greener, cleaner planet. We’ve committed more than $800,000 since 2021 to support TNC’s efforts to sustainably manage, restore and protect our forests. As part of a broader partnership with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Bread Financial recently planted nearly 60,000 trees on behalf of every fan who attended one of three “City Edition” game nights during the regular 2022-23 basketball season. Our partnership has also provided nature-friendly economic development opportunities in low- and moderate-income communities in the Appalachian Region and supported TNC India’s efforts to provide access to clean energy through wind and solar projects.

Getting associates involved 

Whether you’re working at home or in a Bread Financial office, you’re encouraged to adopt environmentally friendly behaviors to help protect and preserve our planet. Here are just a few examples to consider:

If you live in the U.S., calculate your personal carbon footprint and learn how you can reduce it on TNC’s website.Use a programmable thermostat to save on energy costs at home. Your electricity provider may even offer discounts for using such a thermostat.Switch off the lights whenever you leave a room and turn off your computer when you’re not using it to reduce energy consumption.Go paperless and reduce the amount of waste you’re contributing to landfills.Reuse before you recycle whenever possible.Avoid bagging your recyclables to ensure they aren’t accidentally diverted to landfills.Volunteer for an Earth Day event in your community.

And don’t forget to join Bread Financial’s Protecting Our Planet channel on Teams for sustainability updates, tips and ideas on how to make every day Earth Day.

PHILADELPHIA, April 21, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Comcast has announced that it is expanding its partnership with The Arc of the United States to foster digital and advocacy skills in people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families.

The expansion comes in the form of Comcast providing two new grants to The Arc totaling $710,000. The funding will allow The Arc to establish more Tech Coaching Centers at chapters across the country and offer The Arc@School special education advocacy curriculum to Spanish-speaking families. These programs have already helped over 3,500 people with IDD develop more independence, equity, and opportunities for their future.

$710K In new grants to The Arc to expand Tech Coaching Centers

“Far too many people with IDD are left behind in our society,” said Ruben Rodriguez, COO and Acting CEO of The Arc of the United States. “A quality educational experience and understanding of technology is fundamental in creating equal opportunities of all kinds. These systems continue to deepen extraordinary disparities among people with IDD, especially underrepresented communities and low-income families. Our continued partnership with Comcast is making opportunity a reality for all people with IDD. It’s chiseling away at our society’s rampant inequities and helping everyone – no matter your disability – build bright futures.”

A first grant of $560,000, will support The Arc’s Tech Coaching Centers at 10 locations across the country. It will also expand the training model to include caregivers and family members of people with IDD to ensure they can support in the implementation of technology across all environments, including assistive technology.

With technology being an increasingly vital part of navigating and participating in today’s plugged-in world, including transportation, employment, recreation and social interaction, people with IDD face unique barriers to understanding and adopting digital tools, which are exacerbated by a higher rate of poverty and lower overall income. Since 2014, Comcast has supported The Arc’s Tech Coaching Center, reaching nearly 2,500 people with IDD through 19 chapters and giving them access to devices, services, and training that advance measured outcomes in employment, health, independent living, education, and interpersonal connections.

“We know that digital skills training can open new doors to opportunity and help people living with disabilities gain independence,” said Dalila Wilson-Scott, EVP and Chief Diversity Officer of Comcast Corporation.

We are proud to continue our long-standing partnership with The Arc to reach even more people with IDD – including their caregivers and families — and to create pathways that can help enrich their lives.

DALILA WILSON-SCOTT

EVP and Chief Diversity Officer of Comcast Corporation

A second grant of $150,000 will go towards advancing efforts to help marginalized communities better advocate for their education. This investment will allow The Arc to fully translate the curriculum into Spanish to better meet this population’s needs and increase access to the content.

Academic achievement and graduation rates for students with disabilities lag far behind their peers, trends marked by inordinate discrimination, suspensions, and isolation within school settings across the country. In 2016, The Arc created The Arc@School, an evidence-based, self-paced online training program designed to help families, educators, and advocates navigate the special education system. Since 2021, Comcast has partnered with The Arc to connect underserved communities to these educational advocacy resources. To date, more than 500 families of color and low-income households have been given free access to The Arc@School, in addition to a facilitation guide, Spanish language overview of the special education process, and cultural competency resources and sections.

These grants were distributed through Project UP, Comcast’s $1 billion commitment to reach tens of millions of people in order to advance digital equity and help create a future of unlimited possibilities.