Month: September 2023

Essity’s Tork brand has reduced and compensated carbon emissions for the entire life cycle1 for a range of existing soap, toilet paper and hand towel dispensers.

Originally published on Tork News Center

As of October 1st, the Tork® brand will offer carbon neutral certification on a range of its existing dispensers in the US. This range makes Tork the first professional hygiene brand in North America to achieve this goal. The carbon neutral status is achieved through a combination of carbon reduction and carbon offsetting across the entire life cycle – from raw materials to end-of-life. The 11 Tork carbon neutral dispensers in the US will be produced with purchased certified renewable electricity, and the remaining emissions will be offset using verified credits from climate projects.

The Tork brand is part of global hygiene and health company Essity, recognized as a company with leading sustainability ambitions and targets2. The Tork brand has been including a sustainable approach in its products and services since its origin in 1968.

“We are thrilled to offer the first range of carbon neutral dispensers in the market. Tork dispensers are not only effective in providing great hygiene, but also reduce the environmental impact on our planet. This new certification will help our customers to meet their sustainability ambitions” says Matthew Urmanski, Vice President Sales and Marketing NA at Essity.

Essity will reduce the carbon emissions for the 11 Tork dispensers by using purchased certified renewable electricity for the production. To reach carbon neutral, the company will offset the remaining carbon emissions through investments in verified credits from climate projects with ClimatePartner. The selected projects reduce carbon emissions by supplying clean drinking water in Cambodia, providing energy efficient cookstoves in India, and supporting forest protection in Indonesia.

All Tork dispensers are designed with sustainability in mind. From using durable materials to enabling consumption reduction of up to 50% for several systems. And from offering data sensors for improved cleaning routines to ‘Easy to Use’ certification3 and ADA compliance.

For more information, please visit the Tork website www.torkusa.com. For more information on Tork carbon neutral dispensers please visit www.torkusa.com/sustainabledispensers. 

1. Excluding use of refills. Valid for a range of dispensers sold after October 1st, 2023 in North America

2. Corporate Knights 2023, Global 100

3. From the Swedish Rheumatism Association

About Tork
The Tork brand offers professional hygiene products and services to customers worldwide ranging from restaurants and healthcare facilities to offices, schools, and industries. Our products include dispensers, paper towels, toilet tissues, soap, napkins, and wipers, but also software solutions for data-driven cleaning. Through expertise in hygiene, functional design, and sustainability, Tork has become a market leader that supports customers to think ahead so they’re always ready for business. Tork is a global brand of Essity and a committed partner to customers in over 110 countries. To keep up with the latest Tork news and innovations, please visit www.torkusa.com

About Essity 
Essity is a leading global hygiene and health company. We are dedicated to improving well-being through our products and services. Sales are conducted in approximately 150 countries under the leading global brands TENA and Tork, and other strong brands, such as Actimove, JOBST, Knix, Leukoplast, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Modibodi, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo, TOM Organic, Vinda and Zewa. Essity has about 48,000 employees. Net sales in 2022 amounted to approximately SEK 156bn (EUR 15bn). The company’s headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden, and Essity is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. Essity breaks barriers to well-being and contributes to a healthy, sustainable and circular society. More information at www.essity.com.

For more information, please contact:

Raquel M Carbonari 
Brand Activation Director NA 
raquel.carbonari@essity.com

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

On and off the court, Aflac is committed to advancing the mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Aflac Group’s annual “Leaders vs. Employees Basketball Game” is a slam dunk for the cause. 

Teaming up and giving back

Drew Wellness Center in Columbia, South Carolina, was buzzing on Saturday, Sept. 16, as leaders and employees stepped on the court to shoot some hoops and celebrate, honor and remember those touched by cancer. Alex English, NBA legend and former University of South Carolina basketball star, led the tipoff to start the game. It was a fight to the finish, but the employee team came out on top and earned bragging rights for the year — not only for winning the game, but also for being top fundraisers for LLS. 

“The basketball game is a fun way to support the important work and mission of LLS and Light the Night events,” said Bob Ruff, senior vice president, Aflac Group Voluntary Benefits. “Congratulations to the employee team for their victory and for being our top fundraisers.” 

“Supporting LLS is a thoughtful way to honor someone whose life has been impacted by cancer,” said Veronica Goodwin, client manager, Aflac Group, and a member of the winning employee team. “Donating and volunteering for events like our annual basketball game can truly make a difference, especially when we rally together to support LLS.” 

Championing the cause 

Since 2015, Aflac has donated nearly $130,0001 to advance LLS’s mission to cure blood cancers and support patients and families who are facing a blood cancer diagnosis. Aflac also supports LLS through volunteer service. 

“Leukemia has touched my family in a very personal way, which is why I am proud to represent Aflac and our employees on the LLS board of directors for the Georgia/South Carolina chapter,” said Aflac Incorporated Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Max Brodén. “Aflac’s culture of philanthropy opens the door to provide support, time and resources to LLS and other charitable organizations. Through the Aflac Childhood Cancer Campaign, more than $170 million has supported childhood cancer research and treatment.” 

Learn more about how you can get involved with Aflac’s philanthropic initiatives by visiting Doing Good, Giving Back. Columbia employees: Join Team Aflac at Light the Night on Nov. 2. 

1 Source: Aflac Corporate Social Responsibility  

Originally published by Walgreens Boots Alliance

Walgreens believes healthcare costs too much and does too little, making it difficult for people to be, and stay, healthy. In The Picture of Health, the leaders of U.S. Healthcare share their vision to reimagine healthcare by delivering community-based care that’s centered around the patient, so people everywhere can live more joyful lives through better health. In each episode, you’ll learn about Walgreens commitment to creating better, more efficient healthcare through improved accessibility, trust and convenience.

Meet John Driscoll

In Episode 1, get to know John Driscoll, Executive Vice President and President, U.S. Healthcare, leading WBA’s efforts to expand into the care continuum, including provider enablement and managed service organizations, primary care, population health, home health, post-acute care, specialty pharmacy and retail pharmacy.

Driscoll joined WBA in October 2022, when WBA entered into a definitive agreement to acquire full ownership of CareCentrix, where he served as Chief Executive Officer since 2013.

Learn more about WBA’s U.S. Healthcare segment.

Ep. 1, Part 1: Changing the healthcare landscape

Walgreens has set out to change healthcare. But why—and how? John Driscoll, Executive Vice President and President, U.S. Healthcare, speaks on how Walgreens can make healthcare better for patients by connecting our strategic investments and leveraging our footprint in local communities.

Ep. 1, Part 2: Laying out a growth strategy

John Driscoll wants to disrupt healthcare, fast. Learn how he plans to shake up the status quo with his maverick approach to executive leadership.

Ep. 1, Part 3: John Driscoll’s key priorities

The $4 trillion healthcare industry still leaves patients with woefully insufficient care. John Driscoll explains why U.S. Healthcare’s approach to risk management and digitization can help treat all patients more efficiently.

Ep. 1, Part 4: The experiences that shaped him

Hear the lessons John Driscoll learned as a captain in the U.S. Army, how family health conditions shaped his interest in healthcare and why compassion among team members makes Walgreens successful.

Watch Ep. 1, Part 4 here.

In an age where environmental responsibility is not just a preference but a necessity, industry leaders are constantly looking for new ways to transition from linear into more circular operations. This transition underscores the importance of not only ensuring efficient production, but also the conscientious disposal and reuse of waste materials.

DP World, a leading provider of end-to-end supply chain solutions, offers an example of how a global company is actively implementing strategies that reflect circular economic principles. Unlike the traditional linear model, where products are created, used, and then disposed of, the circular model focuses on creating systems where resources are reused, repurposed, and recycled continuously, minimizing waste and environmental impact.

This is particularly important in developing nations like the Dominican Republic, where DP World runs an extensive port facility on the Punta Caucedo peninsula.

In general, developing nations can face challenges in securing consistent and affordable access to raw materials, so implementing circular principles can help maximize the use of available resources. These nations are also, unfortunately, at higher risk from the adverse effects of environmental degradation, which can be mitigated by aggressive reuse and recycling.

DP World has significantly expanded its footprint in the Dominican Republic since initiating operations in 2003. The country’s prime geographical position makes it a key gateway for cargo redistribution throughout the U.S., Caribbean, and Central and South America. Today, DP World’s operations help make the Port of Caucedo a premier freight and logistics hub for global markets.

As a result, DP World is committed to reducing its carbon emissions and waste throughout the country. The company recently inked a deal with Cemex’s circular waste management business, Regenera, to enhance sustainable waste management in the Dominican Republic. Under the terms of the agreement, Regenera will transform waste tires from DP World’s operations into an environmentally friendly fossil fuel alternative that they will use to power their cement kilns.

Most people are unaware that tires have a high biomass content, making them an important resource in the production of alternative fuels. But when left in landfills, they release methane emissions, making them environmental hazards. Preventing the tires from hitting the landfill preempts the release of these harmful emissions, while turning them into alternative fuels helps reduce energy consumption and emissions – it’s a win-win.

As global industries continue to pivot towards sustainable models, pioneering partnerships like that of DP World and Regenera are lighting the way. Together, they’re not only redefining the future of waste management, they are providing a blueprint for a greener, more responsible global economy.

SCHENECTADY, NY, September 21, 2023 /3BL/ – KeyBank will open a new, full-service, state-of-the-art branch in Schenectady, NY. The new Altamont Avenue branch, located at 1703 Altamont Avenue, will open at 9:00 a.m. on Monday October 2, 2023, with a grand opening and ribbon cutting on Friday October 6, 2023 at Noon.

“This new branch is yet another way KeyBank is investing in the Capital Region. We look forward to meeting and working more closely with our new neighbors, clients and community partners,” said Fran O’Rourke, KeyBank Capital Region Market President. “We are excited about the opportunity this new branch provides for us to deepen the strong relationships we have in the Capital Region.”

In addition to high-touch banking services, this new state-of-the-art branch will offer full-service banking capabilities, feature digital video screens and a client hospitality area that can double as an area for financial seminars and group presentations with clients and the public, as well as a drive-up teller line, ATM and free parking. Longtime banker Kevin Eberz will serve as branch manager at the new location.

“KeyBank’s new Altamont Avenue branch is uniquely designed to give our clients a more personal banking experience, with even better access to a full suite of products and services,” said Eberz. “We are excited to bring this more consultative approach to Schenectady and demonstrate our commitment to helping our clients move forward on their financial journey.”

In addition to helping individuals and families achieve their financial goals, the new Altamont Avenue branch will also serve clients seeking to develop and grow businesses in the area.

As part of the opening of this new branch, KeyBank is consolidating its branches located at 3083 Carman Road in Rotterdam and 1708 Broadway in Schenectady into the new location on Altamont Avenue. Those locations will close at 3:00 p.m. on Friday September 29, 2023.

Since 2017, KeyBank has made more than $1.14 billion in investments in the Capital Region, supporting affordable housing and community development projects; small business and home lending to low-to-moderate income individuals and communities, and transformative philanthropy.

ABOUT KEYBANK
KeyBank’s roots trace back nearly 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $195 billion at June 30, 2023. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,300 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank Member FDIC.

CFMA #230908-2237430