Month: May 2023

HOUSTON, May 9, 2023 /3BL Media/ – LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB) and Veolia Belgium have signed an agreement to restructure the ownership of Quality Circular Polymers (QCP) BV recycling facilities, with locations in Belgium and the Netherlands. Veolia will sell its 50% share to LyondellBasell which will become 100% owner of QCP.

With full ownership of QCP, LyondellBasell is progressing its strategy to build a profitable circular and low carbon solutions business, to meet customer demand for more sustainable products and solutions. LyondellBasell is well-positioned to continue working with its customers to supply the products and solutions needed, to meet their own goals.

“The demand for circular solutions continues to grow, and LyondellBasell is committed to creating solutions for everyday sustainable living,” said Yvonne van der Laan, executive vice president, Circular & Low Carbon Solutions of LyondellBasell. “Full ownership of QCP supports our goal to produce and market at least 2 million metric tons of recycled and renewable-based polymers. We thank Veolia for their collaboration over the past five years and look forward to continuing to work with them as a feedstock supplier.”

The QCP mechanical recycling facilities produce special blends, using household plastic waste. QCP’s recycled materials are used to make items such as bottles, buckets, caps and closures as well as strollers and suitcases. LyondellBasell will continue to offer QCP polymers under its CirculenRecover brand, with QCP as its growth platform to enable circular solutions.

“Veolia’s strategy is to grow its presence across the entire value chain in Europe and worldwide. The divestment of our participation in the QCP is in line with this strategy as it will allow us to internalize additional volumes in our plastics recycling plants in Europe. We will continue cooperation with LyondellBasell, notably by remaining a QCP feedstock supplier for several years,” said Eric Troudoux, senior vice president Solid Waste Recycling & Recovery.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements in this release relating to matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially based on factors including, but not limited to, our ability to meet our sustainability goals, including the ability to increase production of recycled and renewable-based polymers to meet our targets and forecasts and our ability to procure feedstock to meet these goals. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the “Risk Factors” section of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, which can be found at www.LyondellBasell.com on the Investor Relations page and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. There is no assurance that any of the actions, events or results of the forward-looking statements will occur, or if any of them do, what impact they will have on our results of operations or financial condition. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made and are based on the estimates and opinions of management of LyondellBasell at the time the statements are made. LyondellBasell does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions change, except as required by law.

Veolia and plastics recycling

Global leader in plastics recycling, Veolia operates about 200 sorting centers, 40 recycling and compounding plants and delivers almost 500 thousand tons of circular polymers to thousands of customers over the globe.

Veolia is active across the entire plastics value chain, from ecodesign to the production of ready to use highly performing circular resins. With its dedicated global offer, PlastiLoop, Veolia is committed to implement efficient and low CO2 recycling processes, engage within long term sustainable business models, promote collective responsible cooperation schemes and invest in development and innovation to the service of demanding and safe products, to the benefit of our planet.

About LyondellBasell

We are LyondellBasell – a leader in the global chemical industry creating solutions for everyday sustainable living. Through advanced technology and focused investments, we are enabling a circular and low carbon economy. Across all we do, we aim to unlock value for our customers, investors and society. As one of the world’s largest producers of polymers and a leader in polyolefin technologies, we develop, manufacture and market high-quality and innovative products for applications ranging from sustainable transportation and food safety to clean water and quality healthcare. For more information, please visit www.lyondellbasell.com or follow @LyondellBasell on LinkedIn.

WASHINGTON, May 16, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Buildings are beacons for change in their communities, according to the main message from Living Future 2023 held on May 3-5. Convened by the International Living Future Institute, the annual event gathered the regenerative building movement to chart a path forward for the real estate sector. Despite significant progress, buildings remain responsible for nearly 40 percent of carbon emissions.

“Buildings have the power to change minds and culture, but creating change one building at a time is too slow, leaving too many people behind.” noted Lindsay Baker, CEO of the International Living Future Institute in her opening address. “We must act like a movement, using Living Buildings as inspirations to make change around them.”

With a theme of “Advocacy and Belonging,” the event focused on the need for a movement to change policies shaping building design, construction and operation.

Baker highlighted the organizations working with the Institute, including Amazon, ARUP, Gensler, Google, Harvard University, Humanscale, JLL, J.P. Morgan Chase, Kohler, Microsoft, MillerKnoll, Mohawk, Perkins&Will, and Skanska. These companies understand the threats facing humanity and have made commitments in line with the Paris Climate Agreement to address them in short periods of time. It is those commitments that bring these organizations, and many others, to the Institute’s doorsteps for help achieving the goals.

“Businesses that care about climate change need to make sure their voices are heard by policy makers,” Baker emphasized.

Erin Meezan, Chief Sustainability Officer of JLL – a global real estate services company with offices in 80 countries – reflected on a quote she read that, “all the stories that we know were written for a climate that no longer exists.” Discussing the technical language typically used about climate change, Meezan added, “We need to tell stories of climate resilience in a way that pulls people in, so we can find the passionate people, bring them together, identify actions and let them go change the world.”

Continuing the theme of movement building, Peggy Shepard – Co-Founder and Executive Director of WE ACT for Environmental Justice and Co-Chair of the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council – emphasized that, “We can build healthy communities by organizing and engaging the most effective community residents in environmental decision making.”

Nina Albert, Commissioner, Public Buildings Service at the General Services Administration also delivered a keynote address.

Even as Living Future 2023 focused on movement building and policy change, there was also time to celebrate “Living Future Heroes” who show courage, outstanding achievement, and act as “exceptional troublemakers.” Elizabeth Olivia Torres Rodríguez (posthumous), Matthew VanSweden, Lisa Goodwin Robbins, Miguel Quiñones, Kathleen Hetrick, John Mlade, Zeinab Alameddine, and Jason McLennan were all honored in the 17th annual awards ceremony.

The Steven R. Kellert Biophilic Design Awards were presented to the Marion Fire Station in Marion, Iowa and De Verwondering, a primary school in Almere, Netherlands. Biophilia means connections to nature, with the awards celebrating projects that promote human health and wellness.

Certifications were announced for 15 new buildings, including the first Living Building in Europe and the first certified affordable housing project under the Living Building Challenge standard. From Alabama to Spain, these projects are each helping to create a new era for the building industry.

As Baker noted in her remarks, “to act like a movement, we have to listen to each other, advocate for policy changes, train others, and show up for our communities. With seven years to achieve the Paris Climate Agreement goal of 45 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2030, we can’t stay just innovators, we must be advocates and innovators as well.”

To continue creating a regenerative buildings movement, the Institute is hosting an Affordable Housing Summit on June 20-21.

About the International Living Future Institute

The International Living Future Institute’s mission is to cultivate a society that is socially just, culturally rich, and ecologically restorative. To do this, the organization envisions a Living Future and shows that it works better in practice and policy. The Institute is premised on the belief that providing a compelling vision for the future is needed to reconcile humanity’s relationship with the natural world. The Institute’s programs have shaped more than 55 million square-feet of real estate development across the United States and around the world. Learn more at http://www.living-future.org.

CONTACT:

Brad Kahn 
brad@groundworkstrategies.com; +1-206-419-1607

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Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog

For mortgage loan originator Joanna Garcia, facilitating U.S. Bank American Dream loans is bringing the dream of homeownership to immigrants just like her.

She moved to the U.S. from Cuba in 2009 at the age of 22. She settled in Louisville and quickly found work at a local bank.

“When I moved to Louisville, there was not much of a Hispanic community and I didn’t really have anyone to turn to” she said, reflecting on finding community through her love of percussion and joining a salsa band. “Now, people come to me.”

A few years after arriving in the U.S. and working her way up from a teller position, she joined U.S. Bank in the home mortgage division. She now leans on her own experience of navigating a new country, new language and new systems to help the local Hispanic community learn about homeownership, how to qualify and the importance of creating a banking relationship.

The sweet spot for many of her clients is the American Dream home mortgage – a special program designed to provide greater access to homeownership by providing assistance in the areas of down payment assistance and credit requirements.

“There are so many good things about the American Dream product, but it really is the down payment assistance that helps so many buyers overcome that obstacle,” said Garcia. “When you come from a different country, you are starting a new life and many times starting over financially.”

To date, she has helped more than 650 individuals and families achieve the dream of sustainable homeownership, earning recognition as a top 25 Latino Mortgage Originator in the United States by National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals

Her manager, Brian Dillon, mortgage retail area manager for U.S. Bank, says that part of Garcia’s success has been in learning early on about the power of building a network in her community.

“She is a fierce advocate for her clients and has realized that her clients aren’t just her customers, it’s so many other people in the community,” Dillon said. “She’s always willing to help, is always positive, always has a smile on her face and is always willing to make introductions in the community.”

“When you come from a different country, you are starting a new life and many times starting over financially.” 
– Joanna Garcia

Along the way, she has also helped her clients navigate the American way – including online banking. In her homeland of Cuba, Joanna says technology isn’t as prevalent as it is in the U.S., with only about half the population banking electronically.

“That’s why I really hold their hand and help my clients pull all the pieces together. We are with them every step of the way,” she said about serving not only clients from Cuba, but many Spanish speaking customers from other backgrounds. “There’s nothing better than speaking your own language and being comfortable in your culture.”

Over the last year as interest rates have increased and housing prices have remained high, Garcia has focused on educating potential homebuyers about steps to take in their financial lives to become qualified for an American Dream mortgage.

“There is more of a need to educate buyers right now on how to qualify in the near future for a mortgage, such as the importance of working stable hours and building good credit.”

For more information on the American Dream mortgage, visit the home loans section of the U.S. Bank website. For expert tips and advice, visit the homebuying section of Financial IQ.

Texas A&M AgriLife, one of the organizations in the IBM Sustainability Accelerator‘s first cohort focused on sustainable agriculture, is working to help farmers receive insights for water usage, which can further crop yield increases while decreasing economic and environmental costs. In this video, you’ll hear from Gurjinder Baath, Assistant Professor at Texas A&M AgriLife Research, in a discussion with IBM Vice President and Chief Impact Officer Justina Nixon-Saintil about the vision and progress of Texas A&M AgriLife’s project with the Sustainability Accelerator to provide “when to water” decision support to farmers.

Originally published on GoDaddy Life

According to a recent report published by BuiltIn, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives play a crucial role in the decision-making process for employees in the tech industry. The report highlights that nearly 78% of tech employees care about DEIB initiatives while evaluating job offers. For Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), this number jumps to 88%.

GoDaddy’s focus on DEIB efforts is crucial in creating a more welcoming and supportive work environment. We value attracting and retaining talent from diverse backgrounds, as we know it leads to increased innovation, happier and healthier employees, and better quality products and services for our customers.

While discussing this research internally, we asked our own employees why they feel DEIB matters to them in their day-to-day work.

Why is a company’s DEIB priorities personally important for you?

Alex Her — A company’s DEIB priorities are pretty important to me because it lets me know that I’m going to be included in the journey, rather than just checking boxes.

Alycia Leno — I’ve been in other tech companies where my gender and identity haven’t been treated equitably, and it wasn’t a good experience. When a company like GoDaddy invests in DEIB, the outcomes are evident. I place a lot of personal importance on DEIB — aside from being female, I’m part of the LGBTQIA+ community, I work remotely in Canada, and my spouse and child are Indigenous.

Auguste Goldman — For me, if you serve a diverse customer base, this is a must-have, not a nice-to-have. With diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in mind, we go from a single perspective to a holistic lens — one where customer needs are connected to how we build our business. Representation is just the start of DEIB. Building belonging, respect, appreciation and psychological safety to enable one’s best work, leading through inclusivity, meeting folks where they are, and building practices that seek equity for all, knowing we do not start at equal positions — this is the work that drives the strongest outcomes for our culture and our customers.

Ebony Janelle — Personally, I’ve been the one and only person like myself in a room and that leads to a negative experience, imposter syndrome, and low morale. Having a diverse and equitable work environment fosters a wider array of thoughts and ideas. It leads a company to be more successful as they are embracing who and what the world population looks like in their workforce — it’s also more attractive to the up-and-coming job seekers. It’s a win/win.

Stuart Selden — According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median number of years that workers in the United States have been with their current employer in 2022 was 4.1 years. 2023 will mark the 20th year I’ve called GoDaddy my workplace home. I’ve witnessed the long-term focus to create a workplace culture where I have a sense of belonging. Just as we strive to be a company that’s inclusive of all customers, modeling this behavior in the workplace further reinforces our mission.

How does DEIB influence the way your team works and succeeds?

Alex Her — I think DEIB has a huge influence on the way my team works and how we can all succeed. I work on the Employer Brand team and while employer branding can still be done with capturing and creating employee stories, having DEIB integrated makes it that much more authentic and powerful. Without it, you feel like something is missing.

Alycia Leno — I can count on colleagues to openly discuss representation and inclusivity. We celebrate opportunities to make the world a kinder and more loving place through our mission and purpose.

Auguste Goldman — Our products are made for those that dream. And dreamers represent all of us. For me, DEIB is required to build solutions for all and to become the iconic brand for our entrepreneurs, local heroes and dreamers.

Ebony Janelle — My team is all about diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging! We manage the Empower by GoDaddy program, which was built to live out GoDaddy’s mission of making entrepreneurship more inclusive across the globe! We work with our employee resource groups (ERGs) to promote volunteer events and community engagements. Additionally, we report out how GoDaddy provides an inclusive environment to employees with our Pay Parity Annual Report, our signing of various inclusive pledges like the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion and how we received 100% on the Human Right’s Campaign Corporate Equality Index for four years in a row.

Stuart Selden — I’ve had the privilege of working on internal software for most of my career at GoDaddy. My customers are my coworkers. By delivering incremental improvements for the daily tools they use and the systems our business needs to run, my team focuses on serving those internal customers equally. All stakeholders have a seat at the table during sprint planning, and all voices are heard in order to prioritize the next iteration of improvements.

What are some of your favorite things about working at GoDaddy, especially anything that helps you feel supported or included?

Alex Her — What I love most about GoDaddy is that we have ERGs and actually support them, and we can truly bring our whole selves to work. That’s huge to me and one of the reasons that brought me here and keeps me here.

Alycia Leno — The best thing about working for GoDaddy is the people — everyone is so kind, respectful and willing to help. Seeing activity in ERGs and a very diverse group of leaders across the company also makes me believe everyone who works hard has a chance to shine.

Auguste Goldman — What gets me out of bed every day is the ability to help entrepreneurs succeed, no matter their background, and to do so with a group of folks that challenge me to think differently. When we care enough for each other to have the courage to put forward different ideas, and we seek to bring everybody into the conversation, we not only innovate faster, but we also have a ton of fun along the way.

Ebony Janelle — GoDaddy embraces a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment. We have a wonderful ERG program that embraces the various cultures and experiences of our employees and allows us to be heard and seen. I’ve been involved with every ERG at some level, and it has helped me connect with others from the various diasporas. Through time spent within the ERGs, I have been able to not only learn, but also grow personally and professionally. GoDaddy’s mission is to make entrepreneurship more inclusive for all. With the Empower by GoDaddy program, launched in 2017, we have put even more muscle behind our mission. We’ve helped more than 7,500 diverse entrepreneurs gain access to the knowledge and resources they needed to level-up their business ventures. Finally, I am no longer the one and only person like myself in a room. At every level of my career here at GoDaddy, I’ve seen people that look like me not only work their way up the corporate ladder but also thrive and excel.

Stuart Selden — Working at GoDaddy is a fun and fast-paced adventure. There are broad opportunities to grow your career, which have a tangible impact that you can point to and reflect on years later. One of our biggest areas of support is our generous and robust benefits package. As a father, our benefits for parents made a big impact in those early days to be present, supportive and witness the growth of my son. We are always quick to support our employees with new benefits as well. This includes covering reasonable travel-related costs for abortion-related and other healthcare needs. Being adaptive to the present needs of our workforce is one of our greatest abilities. Seeing GoDaddy serve our diverse workforce equally in this area reduces the stress of those challenges. Those stress reductions at home in turn increases my ability to be more successful at work.

Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (Teams, ERG’s, Locations), careers, and so much more. You’re more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us.

Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/GoDaddyLifeInstagram — https://www.instagram.com/godaddylife/LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/godaddylifeTwitter — https://twitter.com/GoDaddyLifeTikTok — https://www.tiktok.com/@godaddylife?Career Page — https://careers.godaddy.com/

CarMax, Inc. (NYSE: KMX), the nation’s largest retailer of used cars, announced the release of its 2023 Responsibility Report. The report features expanded disclosures regarding CarMax’s environmental, social and governance priorities, including details on the company’s relevant climate-related risks and opportunities in a manner aligned with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). In addition, the report provides updates on several key initiatives, including progress on meeting 2025 greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals, enhancements to the company’s diversity and inclusion program, and the company’s expanded impact on local communities.

“We are excited to share our 2023 Responsibility Report, which outlines the meaningful progress we have made over the last year in our social impact and sustainability efforts,” said Bill Nash, CEO of CarMax. “There are many notable developments outlined in this report, and we are particularly proud of our associate culture that thrives with inclusivity increasingly at its center, our enhanced disclosure and transparency on climate-related issues, and the tangible impact we are making in our local communities. Thanks to these efforts, we are confident that we are well-positioned to contribute to a better society for everyone and drive the long-term sustainable value of CarMax for all our stakeholders.”

A few key initiatives that are outlined further in the report include:

CarMax initiated an intensive process to identify and align on the company’s climate-related risks and opportunities, allowing for enhanced disclosure and improved management of the business and long-term planning, as well as ensuring CarMax remains well-positioned to comply with potential climate-related reporting mandates.CarMax finalized its greenhouse gas reduction roadmap, which clearly outlines the company’s path to achieving its 2025 climate goal to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 50% as compared to the 2018 baseline. The reduction roadmap also serves as a guide for CarMax as it identifies and pursues projects that will reduce its carbon footprint.CarMax made meaningful progress in 2022 by reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 10% as measured by its 2025 goal.CarMax remains focused on the intention to become the leading retailer of used electric vehicles (EVs) in the industry and this year focused on continually improving its ability to recondition a broader range of hybrid and EV models, to assess used batteries, and to profitably acquire, price, and sell used EVs. Additionally, through subsidiary Edmunds and on CarMax.com, CarMax has meaningfully enhanced its focus on educational content aimed at informing and supporting first-time EV and hybrid vehicle owners.CarMax increased its ethnic and racial diversity in leadership positions from 29% in FY22 to 30.7% in FY23. Over the same period, the company increased female representation in leadership positions from 23.4% to 24.2%.CarMax formalized its supplier diversity plan with a multi-year roadmap to ensure that vendors have equal opportunities to do business with the company.CarMax has embedded several ESG metrics into its Annual Incentive Bonus Plan, including greenhouse gas reduction and diversity and inclusion training goals.In FY23, the company made an even greater impact on its communities, with 100% of company locations participating in local volunteering events and $10 million invested through The CarMax Foundation and the company’s corporate philanthropy efforts.

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About CarMax
CarMax, the nation’s largest retailer of used autos, revolutionized the automotive retail industry by driving integrity, honesty and transparency in every interaction. The company offers a truly personalized experience with the option for customers to do as much, or as little, online and in-store as they want. During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2023, CarMax sold approximately 810,000 used vehicles and 590,000 wholesale vehicles at its auctions. In addition, CarMax Auto Finance originated nearly $9 billion in receivables during fiscal 2023, adding to its nearly $17 billion portfolio. CarMax has over 240 stores, more than 30,000 associates, and is proud to have been recognized for 19 consecutive years as one of the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For®. CarMax is committed to making a positive impact on people, communities and the environment. Learn more in the 2023 Responsibility Report. For more information, visit www.carmax.com.

Media Contact: 
CarMax Public Relations
(855) 887-2915

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PORTLAND, Ore., May 16, 2023 /3BL Media/ – The Global Electronics Council (GEC) today released updated Criteria for its EPEAT ecolabel that will help organizations identify electronics with lower climate impacts. These Climate Criteria establish requirements that reduce greenhouse gas emissions of common office technology, including contributing to the complex issue of supply chain decarbonization and Scope 3 emission reductions.

The EPEAT Climate Criteria will be integrated across EPEAT product categories, providing new and more stringent requirements in line with the sustainability goals of leading organizations.

“We must acknowledge that the lifecycle of technology products is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions,” explained Bob Mitchell, CEO of GEC. “In order to sit squarely in the solution space of the climate crisis, technology companies, purchasers and other stakeholders must be able to make fact-based decisions on building and purchasing low-carbon products. This is where the EPEAT Climate Criteria come in.”

The Climate Criteria consist of updated requirements for GHG public disclosure, science-based GHG targets, use of renewable energy, and energy use reduction within the supply chain and during a product’s use. They will make it easier to find electronics with lower climate impacts throughout the entire product lifecycle, from material mining through manufacture, use, and disposal.

“We welcome the increased focus on reducing greenhouse gases in the electronics supply chain by the EPEAT ecolabel, which is used across the California Department of General Services (DGS) for office electronics,” explained Ana M. Lasso, DGS Director. “EPEAT’s focus on decarbonizing the supply chain and promoting the use of renewable energy aligns with recent internal initiatives and contributes to our sustainability goals.”

EPEAT-registered products will be required to meet these Climate Criteria by the end of 2025. However, manufacturers can begin working towards these criteria immediately and will have the opportunity to demonstrate early adoption through the EPEAT Registry before the end of this year. Please visit globalelectronicscouncil.org/climate-criteria/ or contact epeat@gec.org to learn more about the Climate Criteria and how they fit among the full set of Updated EPEAT Criteria.

Global Electronics Council 
The Global Electronics Council (GEC) is a mission-driven nonprofit that leverages the power of purchasers to create a world where only sustainable technology is bought and sold. GEC’s work is focused on high-impact sustainability issues, such as climate change and product circularity. It manages the EPEAT ecolabel and produces other resources to support sustainable technology procurement, including training, purchasing guides, sample procurement language, and more. Visit gec.org to learn more.

EPEAT 
Managed by GEC, EPEAT is the world’s premier electronics ecolabel. It serves as a free resource for procurement professionals to identify and select products with reduced impacts across key sustainability issues. Since its launch in 2006, procurement professionals have reported purchases of 2.4 billion EPEAT products, generating cost savings of USD 24.6 billion and a reduction of 286 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. Visit epeat.net to learn more.