Month: April 2024

Cummins

Dive into India’s path to reducing emissions and it’s journey to the energy transition.

Explore more videos from ‘The Future of Energy [simplified]’ – a video series that provides answers to your most frequently asked questions about the energy transition.

Our technical and business leaders share their insights in response to your questions in their own words, making the future of energy accessible and understandable for everyone.

About Cummins Inc.

Cummins Inc., a global power solutions leader, is comprised of five business segments – Components, Engine, Distribution, Power Systems and Accelera by Cummins – supported by our global manufacturing and extensive service and support network, skilled workforce and vast technological expertise. Cummins is committed to its Destination Zero strategy, which is grounded in the company’s commitment to sustainability and helping its customers successfully navigate the energy transition with its broad portfolio of products. The products range from advanced diesel, natural gas, electric and hybrid powertrains and powertrain-related components including filtration, aftertreatment, turbochargers, fuel systems, valvetrain technologies, controls systems, air handling systems, automated transmissions, axles, drivelines, brakes, suspension systems, electric power generation systems, batteries, electrified power systems, hydrogen production technologies and fuel cell products. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana (U.S.), since its founding in 1919, Cummins employs approximately 75,500 people committed to powering a more prosperous world through three global corporate responsibility priorities critical to healthy communities: education, environment and equality of opportunity. Cummins serves its customers online, through a network of company-owned and independent distributor locations, and through thousands of dealer locations worldwide and earned about $735 million on sales of $34.1 billion in 2023. See how Cummins is powering a world that’s always on by accessing news releases and more information at https://www.cummins.com/.

© 2024 Cummins Inc. All rights reserved.

Earth Day is a good time to reevaluate your cleaning practices and consider how they impact the environment. When it comes to facility maintenance, one area that often goes overlooked is sustainable restroom upkeep. However, with a few simple changes, facility managers can transform their restroom maintenance program into a greener, more environmentally friendly endeavor. Now is the time to consider how to minimize the environmental impact of facility restroom maintenance.

Best Practices for Sustainable Restroom Maintenance

Consider taking a wholistic approach to maintaining restrooms responsibly. From employee training to product selection to restroom fixtures, there are numerous ways you can reduce your restrooms’ impact on the environment. It is important to establish a culture of sustainability with your team and building guests to have the greatest impact. Provide the tools, products and training necessary to ensure the greatest success in implementing a sustainable restroom cleaning program.

Consider a variety of areas your facility can invest in to reduce its carbon footprint and provide visitors with a clean and green restroom, including:

Switch to Sustainable Certified Cleaning Products – Traditional cleaning products often contain harsh chemicals that can be harmful to both human health and the environment. Make the switch to sustainable alternatives that are biodegradable, non-toxic, and derived from renewable resources. Look for products certified by reputable eco-labels such as Green Seal® or ECOLOGO®.

When choosing paper products, choose paper certified by an accredited third party, like the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®), to ensure the manufacturer is doing its part to protect forests. FSC® is an international non-profit organization that offers environmentally appropriate and socially beneficial management of the world’s forests.
 Watch Out for Greenwashing – Greenwashing conveys misleading information about the environmental impact of a manufacturer’s products and operations. Companies that engage in greenwashing often provide details about the product’s lifecycle and ingredients that are vague and not verifiable. Choose third-party certified products to avoid using products with false or unverified claims that are harmful for the environment.
 Reduce Water Consumption – Water usage in restrooms can be a significant contributor to environmental impact. Install low-flow toilets, urinals, and faucets to minimize water consumption without sacrificing performance. Consider retrofitting existing fixtures with aerators and flow restrictors to further conserve water. Automated faucets can also help reduce water consumption, especially in high-traffic facilities.
 Go Touch-Free – Switching to touch-free appliances such as automatic toilets, faucets and soap and paper towel dispensers provides a sustainable alternative as many manufacturers supply soap and paper towels for touchless appliances in bulk. Switching to touch-free appliances eliminates the need for plastic soap pumps which reduces the amount of single-use plastic as well as the carbon footprint of frequent product shipment and delivery.
 Conduct Regular Inspections and Encourage Water-Saving Habits – Perform routine inspections of restroom fixtures and plumbing systems to identify and address leaks, drips, and other issues promptly. Fixing leaks not only conserves water but also prevents water damage and mold growth, improving indoor air quality and occupant comfort.

Educate restroom users about water-saving habits such as turning off faucets while lathering hands, reporting leaks promptly, and using water-efficient fixtures responsibly. Post signage and educational materials to reinforce these behaviors and promote a culture of sustainability.
 Foster a Culture of Sustainability – Engage restroom users and facility staff in sustainability initiatives by soliciting feedback, hosting educational workshops, and recognizing and rewarding environmentally friendly behaviors. By fostering a culture of sustainability, you can inspire positive change and make a meaningful impact on the environment.

By incorporating these sustainable practices into restroom maintenance routines, facility managers can reduce their environmental footprint while creating cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable restrooms. This Earth Day, commit to greener restroom maintenance practices and work together to preserve our planet for future generations.

Giorgia Giove is the Marketing Manager for Sofidel, a world leader in the manufacture of paper for hygienic and domestic use. For more information about Sofidel, visit www.sofidel.com.

About The Sofidel Group    

The Sofidel Group, a privately held company owned by the Stefani and Lazzareschi families, is a world leader in the manufacture of paper for hygienic and domestic use. Founded in 1966, the Group has subsidiaries in 12 countries – Italy, Spain, the UK, France, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Hungary, Greece, Romania, and the USA – with more than 6,400 employees. A member of the UN Global Compact and the international WWF Climate Savers program, the Sofidel Group considers sustainability a strategic imperative and is committed to promoting sustainable development.  For more information, visit www.sofidel.com.         

Media Contact:    

Brianna Fitzpatrick 
Mulberry Marketing Communications 

Owning a home marks a significant milestone in one’s life, yet it also introduces a myriad of financial responsibilities that demand careful foresight and planning. With homeownership, there are new and unforeseen expenses that need to be proactively planned for. As outside and unexpected factors come into play, the importance of having a well-thought-out financial plan becomes paramount.

A recent survey from KeyBank found the newest generation of homebuyers is living through a tough housing market, making home ownership feel unattainable to many. According to new research from KeyBank’s 2024 Financial Mobility Survey1, 29% of Americans do not own a home and do not plan on purchasing one in the next 12 months. Of those Americans, only 1 in 10 indicate that home ownership is very attainable.

While mortgage rates have begun to cool off slightly, the lack of available supply means home prices have remained high. Because of this, some younger Americans are choosing to make financial changes in order to achieve the dream putting money aside, creating budgets, and reducing spending to buy a home and to feel more confident in their financial approach.

As younger generations approach life milestones, societal pressures may be influencing them to prioritize homeownership. The average age of Americans in the market for a home is 36, and to help with the dream of owning a home, they are spending less and saving more (45%). Among recent and prospective homebuyers, the top step taken to save money for a home is to put away money in a dedicated savings account (43%). Of those who are in the market for a home, 48% reduced unnecessary spending.

Following the closure of a new home, homeowners may be faced with big ticket items to fix around their home immediately. In fact, 51% of new homeowners expect to use more of their savings next year as compared to those in the market for a home (45%) or who don’t own a house (35%). However, new homeowners are bringing financial confidence to the closing table. Almost three-fourths (71%) of new homeowners within the last 12 months believe they could come up with $2,000 within a month if needed and are very/somewhat confident in the ability to grow their finances (86%).

Whether you’re settling into your new home or saving for your dream house, maintaining a healthy balance between saving and spending is crucial. The homebuying process can seem intimidating, especially in a challenging economic environment, so it is important to consult with your financial professional or mortgage loan officer to determine the pathways to homeownership that make the most sense for your goals and your budget. By staying proactive and mindful of your financial habits, you can navigate homeownership with confidence and secure your financial future.

NMLS# 399797. KeyBank Member FDIC. NOTICE: This is not a commitment to lend or extend credit. Conditions and restrictions may apply. All home lending products, including mortgage, home equity loans and home equity lines of credit, are subject to credit and collateral approval. Not all home lending products are available in all states. Hazard insurance and, if applicable, flood insurance are required on collateral property. Actual rates, fees, and terms are based on those offered as of the date of application and are subject to change without notice.

CFMA #240416-2554178

1The KeyBank 2024 Financial Mobility Survey was conducted online by Schmidt Market Research. 1,000 Americans, ages 18-70, with sole or shared responsibility for household financial decisions, who own a checking or savings account, completed the survey in September 2023. The survey asked respondents about their financial attitudes, understanding, awareness and actions over the prior year.

April 22, 2024 /3BL/ – Bath & Body Works’ ongoing ESG efforts were recently recognized by PR News in the organization’s 2024 Impact Communications Awards. These awards honor communicators who use their platforms to better their community and the global community at large.

Most notably, Bath & Body Works celebrates an award received by associate Maureen McHugh for Corporate Citizen of the Year. This award honors a professional that has spearheaded corporate social responsibility efforts and is a consistent advocate for social good within their organization.

McHugh is Bath & Body Works’ Manager of Environmental Sustainability and developed a pilot program to divert unsold products from landfills to nonprofit organizations. During this impactful pilot which began in 2023, more than 400,000 units of product were donated. Based on the success of this initial pilot program, it’s now being scaled toward chain-wide adoption.

“Maureen’s actions to launch this program led to immediate environmental and social impact which will have tremendous future impact on thousands of communities,” says Jeff King, GVP, Head of ESG for Bath & Body Works. “This effort further supports our company’s larger ESG goals and fuels our progress to take care of the things that matter most.”

“It’s an honor to be recognized with the Corporate Citizen of the Year award,” says Maureen McHugh. “I’m motivated every day by my passion to leave the planet in a better state for future generations. I look forward to learning and growing as a sustainability professional and continuing to drive meaningful change along the way.”

For more information about Bath & Body Works’ ESG efforts, visit bbwinc.com.

ABOUT BATH & BODY WORKS

Home of America’s Favorite Fragrances®, Bath & Body Works is a global leader in personal care and home fragrance, including top-selling collections for fine fragrance mist, body lotion and body cream, 3-wick candles, home fragrance diffusers and liquid hand soap. Powered by agility and innovation, the company’s predominantly U.S.-based supply chain enables the company to deliver quality, on-trend luxuries at affordable prices. Bath & Body Works serves and delights customers however and wherever they want to shop, from welcoming, in-store experiences at more than 1,850 company-operated Bath & Body Works locations in the U.S. and Canada and more than 480 international franchised locations to an online storefront at BathandBodyWorks.com.

Saint-Gobain announced today that CertainTeed Innovation Malvern, its research and development center located on its North American headquarters campus in Malvern, Pennsylvania, has received a Core Living Building Ready designation by The International Living Future Institute (ILFI), only the second interior renovation project in the world to achieve this distinguished status.

The milestone comes as Saint-Gobain continues to successfully execute its Grow and Impact strategy, which includes ambitious environmental sustainability goals such as reducing the company’s consumption of energy and water, and achieving net-zero carbon manufacturing by 2050. The renovation project, which will create a more sustainable, comfortable and accessible workspace, is also pursuing LEED Platinum certification by the US Green Building Council.

Created by The International Living Future Institute in 2019 as the starting point of its Living Building Challenge, Core Certification recognizes projects on a journey toward fully regenerative building practices. To achieve a ready designation, Saint-Gobain worked throughout the CertainTeed Innovation Malvern renovation to achieve stringent performance-based standards in areas such as water and energy usage, landfill reduction, and the use of sustainable materials. These include:

The project is designed to use of 50% less water annually (55,000 gallon savings per year)Design for a 35% energy reduction over a base-caseThe production of 35,000 kWh of energy annually from a rooftop solar arrayThe use of 211 unique low-embodied carbon, full transparency materials, several of which were Saint-Gobain’s own productsThe 100% utilization of wood products from low-risk sources (52% of which were Forest Stewardship Council certified or intentionally harvested and reused onsite)The diversion of 85.62% of construction and demolition waste from landfillSourcing over 50% of materials from within 310 miles of the site

“As the leaders in light and sustainable construction, our teams across CertainTeed Research & Development work every day to lower the embodied carbon in our products and provide solutions that decarbonize the built environment,” said Todd DiNoia, Vice President of Innovation and R&D at Saint-Gobain North America. “With the renovation of our CertainTeed Innovation Malvern facility, we have strived to create an R&D environment that further reflects this commitment to sustainability, and we are honored to achieve a Core Living Building Ready designation from The International Living Future Institute.”

“The first time that we toured the existing MIC building and talked with Saint-Gobain about the intent for renovations, Living Building Challenge immediately jumped out to us as the right sustainability framework for the project,” said Drew Lavine, Partner and Director of Design for Re:Vision Architecture. “Pursuing the challenge through Core Certification would build on Saint-Gobain’s corporate sustainability goals, showcase sustainable products in their portfolio, uplift biophilic design, and center the project’s values on their staff’s health and wellbeing. As architect and sustainability consultant for the project, Re:Vision was continuously impressed with Saint-Gobain’s commitment to Living Building Challenge and collaboration to achieving this goal!”

“ILFI’s Core certification recognizes highly efficient buildings that are designed to create a positive impact,” said Lindsay Baker, CEO of the International Living Future Institute. “This is especially meaningful right now as we need to deliver climate-responsive, equitable, and health-promoting solutions through all buildings in our communities. ILFI is excited to celebrate this milestone with Saint-Gobain.”

Before final Core Living Building Certification can be granted, CertainTeed Innovation Malvern will enter a 12-month performance period beginning later this summer to prove achievement of ambitious design reductions in water and energy use.

This project follows several other recent actions taken by the company to solidify its commitment towards sustainability:

In March, Saint-Gobain announced that its CertainTeed Siding business had reduced manufacturing related emissions by 96% at three facilities in the United States.
 In February, Saint-Gobain announced that it had completed the installation of a heat recovery system at its gypsum facility in Vancouver, British Columbia, which will lead to a 15% reduction in Scope 1 carbon emissions.
 In September, Saint-Gobain announced that it signed a 15-year, 100 MW power purchase agreement with TotalEnergies for the purchase of solar power, expected to offset Saint-Gobain North America’s CO2 emissions from electricity by 90,000 metric tons per year.
 In August, Saint-Gobain announced a circular economy initiative in its Ceramics business, where scrap finished goods from its Bryan, Texas facility are sent to other Saint-Gobain Ceramics plants to be reused in production, instead of ending in landfills.
 In July, the company announced upgrades at its CertainTeed Insulation plant in Athens, Georgia, which is projected to save over 7,300 MWh of energy and 20 million gallons of water annually, while reducing landfill waste by over 5,000 MT.
 Also in July, Saint-Gobain announced the opening of a new CertainTeed Architectural facility in Conyers, Georgia, which will be co-located with finishing partner QPC, allowing the company to drastically reduce the distance products must travel to finalize production, reducing carbon emissions by over 50 million pounds per year.
 In June, Saint-Gobain announced that it had been awarded a 2023 SEAL Business Sustainability Award for its work to create the first “net zero-carbon” gypsum wallboard facility for scope 1 and 2 emissions in North America at its plant outside Montreal, Quebec.

With over 145 manufacturing locations in the United States and Canada, every current and future member of the company’s team plays a vital role in achieving its sustainability goals. A current list of job openings at all Saint-Gobain locations, including in Pennsylvania, can be found on the company’s career website.

About Saint-Gobain

Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction and the decarbonization of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. The Group’s commitment is guided by its purpose, “MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME”.

€47.9 billion in sales in 2023 
160,000 employees, locations in 76 countries 
Committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050

For more information about Saint-Gobain, visit www.saint-gobain.com and follow us on Twitter @saintgobain

Media Contacts

Peter Clark 
(+1) 603 513-8513 
 

April 22, 2024 /3BL/ – The World Environment Center (WEC) today announced the WEC 40th Gold Medal Award for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development is awarded to Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE:CARR), global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions. The WEC Gold Medal Award will be presented at an in-person ceremony in Washington, D.C. on November 13, 2024.

Since 1985, the WEC Gold Medal Award has been presented annually to a global company that has integrated sustainability into its business practices, created ground-breaking solutions to critical environmental and social challenges, and demonstrated global leadership to accelerate progress toward a sustainable future.

An independent Gold Medal Jury comprised of recognized sustainability experts selected Carrier in recognition of its ambitious environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals, including helping its customers avoid more than 1 gigaton of greenhouse gas emissions by the end of the decade. The Jury awarded Carrier for its commitment to sustainability reflected in the solutions offered in their products and services, investments made towards climate and energy innovations and continued commitment to their 2030 goals.

Gold Medal Jury Chair Linda Fisher, former Vice President & Chief Sustainability Officer of Dupont, said, “On behalf of the Jury, I extend my sincere congratulations to Carrier for its thoughtful approach to sustainability. Their commitments coupled with global initiatives and partnerships have a far-reaching and positive sustainability impact around the world.”

In acknowledging receipt of the prestigious global sustainability award, Hakan Yilmaz, Senior Vice President, Chief Technology & Sustainability Officer at Carrier said “We are honored to be the recipient of the 40th Gold Medal award, a recognition that shines a light on Carrier’s longtime commitment to innovating groundbreaking technologies and solutions that advance sustainability around the world. As a global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions, we are reimagining environments for today and tomorrow to create a positive impact on people and our planet.

“We congratulate Carrier and salute the company’s deep understanding of its important role in getting the world to net zero,” said WEC President and CEO Margaret O’Gorman, “It is fitting that the 40th Gold Medal Award recognizes innovation by a company that so closely aligns with WEC’s values of empowering sustainability leadership through intelligence, empowerment and action.”

The Jury is independent of WEC and its programs, and is composed of international leaders from academia, government, non-governmental organizations, and retired industry professionals. The winner is selected through a global competition among nominated companies invited to apply for the Award. Previous recipients of the WEC Gold Medal Award include Jacobs, AB InBev, Microsoft, the Ford Motor Company, Trane Technologies (formerly Ingersoll Rand), Ecolab, HP Inc., Jacobs, SC Johnson.

About the World Environment Center (WEC) 
The World Environment Center advances sustainable development through corporate business practices. Headquartered in Washington, D.C. with offices in Europe and Latin America, WEC advances corporate sustainability leadership through its global executive roundtable on key challenges and opportunities, builds capacity of small enterprises in emerging markets, and honors industry excellence through its annual Gold Medal Award. WEC is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization. For more information, please visit www.wec.org.