Month: April 2025

Earth Day is a reminder of the responsibility we all share – as individuals, as companies, and as an industry – to drive progress toward a more sustainable energy future.

This Earth Day, I am proud to reflect on the incredible work our teams across Baker Hughes are doing to support a more sustainable energy future.

This year’s theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” speaks to both our responsibility and our opportunity – to innovate, to lead with accountability, and to drive meaningful change in how energy is produced and consumed.

From pioneering low-carbon technologies to supporting communities through volunteerism and environmental initiatives, our people are taking action that matters.

As a company, we are working to reduce our own footprint, operate more efficiently, and innovate with purpose. One way our employees do this is through our Carbon Out program, which focuses on smart energy choices to help embed sustainability and cut emissions across our operations.

Some of the highlights of the program include:

• In Saudi Arabia, we replaced diesel generators with a grid connection – cutting out 365,000 gallons of fuel use.
• In Italy, we launched a shuttle bus service to reduce commuting emissions (and give people a safe ride home).
• In the Netherlands, we used mobile recompression to avoid flaring gas – cutting vented emissions by 94%.
• In Louisiana, one site joined a renewable energy program and reduced total emissions by 89%.
• In Suzhou, China, our team added solar panels that now power over a third of one of our sites.

Through programs like Carbon Out, we are embedding sustainability in our operations and accelerating progress toward a lower-emissions future.

We know that delivering progress at scale takes more than intention – it takes accountability. Stay tuned for the release of our Corporate Sustainability Report later this month which will detail the actions we take to support people, planet, and our principles.

Learn more here.

In celebration of Earth Month, AEG’s LA Galaxy Foundation joined forces with Freeway Insurance and Garden School Foundation to replant and expand the gardens at Annalee Avenue Elementary School in Carson, CA, as part of the MLS (Major League Soccer) WORKS Greener Goals Week of Service, which ran from April 14 – 22, 2025.

On April 22, 2025, LA Galaxy’s players JT Marcinkowski and Tucker Lepley, along with the club’s mascot Cozmo, employee volunteers from its front office, employees from AEG, and LA Galaxy fans, came together to plant and refurbish the school’s garden. Together, they constructed new ADA-compliant garden beds, removed weeds, mulched, laid down fresh soil, and planted a variety of fruits, vegetables, and flowers—transforming the outdoor space into a more accessible and educational garden for students. The produce harvested from Annalee Elementary School’s raised beds will be used in healthy cooking classes put on by Garden School Foundation. Additionally, several times a year, community members are invited to come out to also reap the bounty of a harvest.

“The LA Galaxy is dedicated to fostering a sense of community and environmental responsibility,” said Felicia Hano, Community Relations Coordinator, LA Galaxy Foundation. “By working alongside our partners and volunteers to enhance the gardens at Annalee Elementary, we’re giving students a lasting space to learn about sustainability and the importance of protecting our planet.”

The garden build project was developed by the Garden School Foundation, an organization committed to providing in-depth garden-based education to youth at Title I schools across Los Angeles. To learn more about Garden School Foundation, please click here.

MLS WORKS Greener Goals highlights efforts across the soccer league to reduce the league’s environmental impact and raise awareness around climate action. Now in its eighth year, the Greener Goals Week of Service brings together MLS clubs and League office staff to volunteer with local charitable organizations in celebration of Earth Day on April 22. To learn more about MLS WORKS Greener Goals, please click here.

CLEVELAND, April 25, 2025 /3BL/ – KeyBank Community Development Lending and Investment (CDLI) provided $ 23.3 million in construction loans and invested $10.7 million in low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) financing, and KeyBank’s Commercial Mortgage Group also arranged $16.2 in Freddie Mac TEL permanent financing for the construction of two affordable multifamily housing projects in Los Angeles. The sponsor and developer, HVN Development also provided loans in the amount of $2.4 million for these two projects. California Housing Finance Agency (CHFA) will also issue $14.4 million of Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds, as well as $7 million in recycled bonds to fund the permanent loans.

The first apartment (North Mathews) located at 121 North Mathews Street, is a single four-story, 40-unit building that will comprise of six one-bedroom apartments and 33 two-bedroom apartments as well as one two-bedroom, revenue generating manager unit. All 39 LIHTC units will be rent- restricted and restricted to tenants earning at or below 80% of area median income (AMI). Rent restrictions are as follows: four units at 30% AMI, four units at 50% AMI, 23 units at 60% AMI and eight units at 80% AMI.

The second apartment (Brynhurst) located at 6018 Brynhurst Avenue, is a single four-story, 50-unit building that will comprise of seven one-bedroom units and 42 two-bedroom units as well as one two-bedroom revenue generating manager unit. All 49 LIHTC units are restricted to tenants earning at or below 80% AMI. Rent restrictions are as follows: five units at 30% AMI, five units at 50% AMI, 29 units at 60% AMI, and 10 unites at 80% AMI.

North Matthews and Brynhurst are located in highly walkable areas and near the LA Metro system which provides bus and subway service throughout Los Angeles. The property manager, Aperto Property Management, will oversee the management of both apartments.

LifeSTEPS will offer on-site supportive services including financial literacy, computer training, home-buyer education, as well as health and wellness programs. All services are free for tenants and paid for by the sponsor/developer, HVN development.

HVN Development has partnered with Integrity Housing, an experienced developer committed to identifying innovative solutions to ease California’s housing crisis by increasing the affordable housing supply. Integrity Housing has completed nearly 40 affordable housing projects in California.

Kortney Brown and Matthew Haas of KeyBank CDLI and Hector Zuniga from Key’s Commercial Mortgage Group structured the financing.

About KeyBank Community Development Lending and Investment

KeyBank Community Development Lending and Investment (CDLI) finances projects that stabilize and revitalize communities across all 50 states. As one of the top affordable housing capital providers in the country, KeyBank’s platform brings together construction, acquisition, bridge-to-re-syndication, and preservation loans, as well as lines of credit, Agency and HUD permanent mortgage executions, and equity investments for low-income housing projects, especially Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) financing. KeyBank has earned 11 consecutive “Outstanding” ratings on the Community Reinvestment Act exam, from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, making it the first U.S. national bank among the 25 largest to do so since the Act’s passage in 1977.

About KeyCorp 

In 2025, KeyCorp celebrates its bicentennial, marking 200 years of service to clients and communities from Maine to Alaska. To learn more, visit KeyBank Heritage Center. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $189 billion at March 31, 2025.

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 1,200 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.

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Originally published by Elephantech

TOKYO, April 25, 2025 /3BL/ – Elephantech Inc. (Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan; CEO: Shinya Shimizu) announced a groundbreaking collaboration with Logitech International to revolutionize peripherals manufacturing and the printed circuit board (PCB) industry. By integrating Elephantech’s SustainaCircuits, an innovative low-carbon PCB technology, Logitech becomes the first global company to incorporate this cutting-edge solution into mass production for its computer mice.

At the core of this collaboration lies SustainaCircuits, an additive PBC printing process. Using 3D inkjet printing technology and copper plating, Elephantech’s proprietary PCB manufacturing process eliminates the traditional etching process, significantly reducing waste and lowering carbon emissions.

The collaboration aligns seamlessly with Logitech’s（Design for Sustainability) approach, underscoring a mutual commitment to reducing product carbon footprint. By adopting SustainaCircuits, Logitech builds on its sustainable design leadership, focusing on ways to design smarter, and with less energy and waste.

“I am thrilled to announce this significant milestone in our journey towards a sustainable future for electronics, achieved in collaboration with Logitech. While humanity possesses the ideas and technologies theoretically capable of shaping a sustainable future, the greatest challenge has always been commercialization. This process demands both risk-takers willing to bring technologies to the market and early adopters ready to embrace them. From the moment we began working with Logitech, their capability has consistently impressed us. Without their commitment, the remarkable achievement we announce today would not have been possible. I hope that this collaboration model will serve as a catalyst, inspiring the tech industry to accelerate its progress towards a more sustainable future,” said Shinya Shimizu, Chief Executive Officer of Elephantech Inc.

“Elephantech embodies Logitech’s ethos of driving meaningful changes in the consumer electronics industry by working to reduce our environmental footprint,” said Prakash Arunkundrum, President, Logitech for Business. “SustainaCircuits has the potential to redefine industry standards and inspire further progress. Enterprising companies like Elephantech bring dynamism to traditional industries. We were thrilled to see this collaboration, initiated through Logitech’s Future Positive Challenge, come to life. Their groundbreaking technology is already making an impact in our MX Vertical mouse, demonstrating that sustainable technologies are not merely about invention – but about scaling real world solutions at a global level.”

The collaboration began in 2023, when Elephantech emerged as a winner in Logitech’s Future Positive Challenge. Logitech’s team offered valuable guidance, expertise, and brand support following an initial pitch of the innovative low-carbon PCB solution. Collaborative work sessions played a vital role in refining SustainaCircuits, ensuring the seamless integration of the innovative PCB technology into its first product.

Looking ahead, Elephantech will continue to expand its sustainable PCB solutions portfolio and enhance production capacity to meet growing global demand. The company remains committed to supporting electronics manufacturers worldwide in their decarbonization initiatives through innovative, environmentally conscious technologies.

About Elephantech

Elephantech Inc. is pioneering sustainable printed circuit board manufacturing through its proprietary metal inkjet technology. The company’s innovative approach reduces CO₂ emissions by 75% and water consumption by 95% compared to conventional methods. Elephantech’s commitment to sustainability has earned multiple recognitions, including the CEATEC AWARD from the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry in October 2023. For more information, visit https://elephantech.com/en/

CINCINNATI, April 25, 2025 /3BL/ – Fifth Third (Nasdaq: FITB) has been recognized as one of the Most Trustworthy Companies in America 2025. This award is presented by Newsweek and Statista Inc. 

“Fifth Third is dedicated to being the One Bank people most value and trust, and this recognition is a reflection of that commitment and the strong relationships our teams have built with our customers,” said Jamie Leonard, chief operating officer at Fifth Third. “We are honored to be recognized as one of the Most Trustworthy Companies in America and look forward to continuing to earn our customers’ trust every day by keeping them at the center of everything that we do.”

The Most Trustworthy Companies in America 2025 list was built on an innovative methodology consisting of two evaluation components:

1. Survey Results: 25,000 U.S. residents evaluated companies on the 3 pillars of trust; customer trust, employee trust and investor trust.
2. Social Listening Analysis: Mentions about the companies from various internet segments were gathered and rated according to their sentiment, virality and reach.

The 700 companies with the highest score have been awarded as one of the Most Trustworthy Companies in America 2025.

About Fifth Third

Fifth Third is a bank that’s as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, we’ve been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. Our list of firsts is extensive, and it’s one that continues to expand as we explore the intersection of techdriven innovation, dedicated people and focused community impact. Fifth Third is one of the few U.S.-based banks to have been named among Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies^® for several years. With a commitment to taking care of our customers, employees, communities and shareholders, our goal is not only to be the nation’s highest performing regional bank, but to be the bank people most value and trust.

Fifth Third Bank, National Association is a federally chartered institution. Fifth Third Bancorp is the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank and its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ^® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.” Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Deposit and credit products provided by Fifth Third Bank, National Association. Member FDIC.

Originally published on adweek.com

By Robert Klara

While AI hasn’t booted human bartenders out of their jobs en masse, for the past several years, Bacardi—whose portfolio includes Grey Goose vodka and tequila brand Patrón—has been investing its money to help ensure that it doesn’t.

Bacardi is expanding a global training initiative called Shake Your Future. The program (free of charge for those selected), bestows its graduates with an international bartender certification and has pledged to mint 10,000 mixologists by 2030. In February, it added Glasgow to a long list of European cities where it already operates.

“The techniques of being a great bartender [include] the broader skills around hospitality itself,” said Alex Tomlin, SVP and head of marketing for Bacardi North America, “which is essentially about customer interaction.”

Just as artificial intelligence has crept into professions like finance, retail, and content creation, it’s been heading for the corner pub, too. In 2019, for example, U.K. startup DataSparq debuted its AI Bar, which uses facial-recognition technology to serve patrons in the order they walked in the door. Last year, Diageo introduced a digital platform called What’s Your Cocktail?, which uses the company’s FlavorPrint AI technology to generate personalized libations. In the back room, meanwhile, AI management app Backbar can crunch customer data to predict demand, control inventory, and order booze.

Like many in the business, Tomlin has watched the growth of AI. He appreciates its power to help cut waste, boost margins, and even concoct some novel drink recipes.

“But none of that changes the importance of why people go to bars,” he told ADWEEK, “which is all about human interaction.”

In 2022, the liquor giant created Future Proof, a specialized curriculum for students at Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism. The training goes beyond how to pour drinks and into mixology’s finer points including cocktail history and spirits distillation.

Read more

Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff, director of communications at Cascale, recently presented insights at the Arizona State University Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (ASU FIDM) Fashion Symposium 2025. Directed by Dennita Sewell, ASU FIDM reaches nearly 900 students across two campuses, incubating leaders with a full range of synchronous programming. The university also boasts opportunities at the Wearable Technology Lab in Phoenix, AZ, and the Fashion Futures Research Lab and ASU FIDM Museum in Los Angeles, CA.

At the Fashion Symposium 2025 event, which took place at the university’s cutting edge Fusion on First housing and workplace complex in Phoenix, industry leaders inspired a full house of students, including newly recognized recipients of the 2025 Fashion Scholarship Fund. Sarnoff shared her journey at Cascale and then detailed how the organization’s Higg Index tools can be used to Combat Climate Change and Support Decent Work for All.

In addition to Sarnoff, speakers included Jill Hub, senior design manager of women’s apparel at The Walt Disney Company, and Marrisa Wilson, creative director and founder of MARRISA WILSON New York, who took the stage to talk about their paths from art school to career. Beth Forsberg, VP and chief sustainability officer at Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona, explained what Goodwill is doing to close the loop on waste, and Sharleen Ernster, CEO and founder of We Are HAH, detailed her journey from Victoria’s Secret to founding the We Are HAH eco luxury swim and intimates line.

In conversation with Christina Frank, curator of the ASU FIDM Museum in Los Angeles, Jess Cuevas, art director for WILLY CHAVARRIA, shared how he ended up working with clients like Madonna. Later, Sewell was joined onstage by the legendary artist Ruben Toledo, who also collaborated with his late wife, the fashion designer Isabel Toledo. After her presentation, Sarnoff joined Ernster onstage to discuss sustainability in fashion with Danielle Testa, assistant professor and fashion business management track lead at Arizona State University.

The conversations were especially relevant to students when contextualized as part of a wider narrative. In conclusion, Cuevas said: “Fashion is what time looks like, it is the fingerprint of time. Love is the compass to determine what you do in life… Who would have thought that two Cuban refugees would go on to dress the First Lady of the United States? That’s proof the American Dream exists.”

Originally published by American Recycler News, Inc.

According to a recent report by the Aluminum Association and the Can Manufacturers Institute, the recycling rate for aluminum beverage cans has hit the lowest point in decades, declining from an average of 52 percent in 1990 to a 43 percent recycling rate in 2023.

According to Mark Rea II, general manager of supply and trading with Georgia-Pacific Recycling, there are several factors that have led to the current 30 year low for aluminum recycling rates.

First, is the unintended consequence of single stream recycling. Single stream recycling has helped boost recycling rates in general by enabling different types of recycled goods to be collected in one receptacle. But, unfortunately, single stream recycling leads to the contamination of some of those recycled items, like aluminum, and there’s a lack of technology to address that contamination.

As Rea explained, the result is that some aluminum collected through single stream recycling can’t actually be recycled.

Continue reading here.

New Jersey’s rise in the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy rankings to #8 this year from #14 in 2022 highlights the success of utility-driven energy efficiency programs. 

We’re #PSEGProudto contribute to this rise in rankings with our suite of energy efficiency programs, which have helped more than 415K customers save nearly $640M in annual bill savings. 

Learn more about these programs and the work we’re doing in our latest LinkedIn article.

View original content here.