The decade-long initiative honors Duncan Finigan’s legacy while continuing to support groundbreaking cancer research and patient care

BRAINTREE, Mass., May 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — OOFOS, the global leader in Active Recovery footwear, today proudly announces a monumental achievement in their Project Pink initiative, surpassing the extraordinary milestone of $5 million in all-time donations to breast cancer research and patient care globally. This achievement marks a pivotal moment in OOFOS’ ongoing commitment to awareness, patient care and breast cancer research.

A year-round initiative, Project Pink has become a cornerstone of OOFOS’ brand, representing not just a fundraising initiative, but a deep-rooted commitment to making a difference in the fight against breast cancer. Launched in 2015 as a tribute to one of OOFOS’ first employees, Duncan Finigan, who bravely fought stage IV breast cancer until her passing in 2019, Project Pink was born out of a desire to honor Duncan’s legacy and bring tangible support to the breast cancer community.

“Project Pink is more than just a charitable initiative for us – it’s at the heart of who we are as a company,” says Lou Panaccione, OOFOS Co-Founder and CEO. “It’s a testament to our values, our mission, and our ongoing commitment to not only raising awareness but also directly impacting the fight against breast cancer. For the past decade, Project Pink has not only raised millions but has become an integral part of our company culture, helping us connect with our community on a personal level. Duncan’s spirit continues to guide us every day, and we are proud to see how much Project Pink has grown.”

Throughout the years, Project Pink has become a truly global OOFOS initiative, supporting multiple cancer charities around the world, including the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) in the US, The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity in the UK, Princess Margaret Hospital in Canada and the National Breast Cancer Foundation Australia. Year-round, a percentage of all sales from the OOFOS website in each region goes directly to the charitable partner. This funding supports crucial research and patient care efforts, which plays a vital role in advancing the fight against breast cancer.

This May in the US, in addition to donating a percentage of all sales from OOFOS.com to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, OOFOS will debut a three-shoe Project Pink Collection with 10% of sales from each pair sold going directly to DFCI and the Jimmy Fund. The Project Pink Collection includes an OOmy Stride in men’s and women’s ($159.95) and an OOahh Fused slide in unisex sizing ($79.95). This collection will be sold on OOFOS.com and select retailers while inventory lasts.

Beyond financial contributions, OOFOS has embraced the opportunity to provide additional support for those affected by breast cancer. Collaborating closely with breast cancer patients and healthcare staff, OOFOS ensures that its contributions go beyond shoes, providing experiences and personal connections for patients and their families. Project Pink has also expanded into new initiatives, including sponsorships of events like the Pan-Mass Challenge, with a team of riders from OOFOS personally fundraising and participating every year, as well as supporting the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge Team and donating footwear to DFCI nurses, furthering OOFOS’ impact in the breast cancer community.

For OOFOS, Project Pink is not just about a donation—it’s about creating a community of support, raising awareness, and playing an active role in transforming the future of patient care and advancing breast cancer research. The 10th anniversary of Project Pink serves as both a celebration of the progress made and a reminder of the ongoing need for dedication and action in the fight against breast cancer.

“When we made our first donation in 2017, I promised Duncan we would reach $1M one day,” adds Panaccione. “Not only did we keep that promise to her, reaching that $1M milestone in 2020, but now just 5 years later, the brand is proud to hit the $5M milestone with a truly global initiative. And as I always say, we are just getting started.”

For further information, media inquiries, or sample requests, please contact:
Annie Draper: adraper@cruoftwo.com

About OOFOS

OOFOS is the global leader in recovery footwear, founded with the mission to help runners and fitness enthusiasts recover better from their workouts. Made with revolutionary OOfoam™ technology, OOFOS footwear is designed to absorb 37% more impact than traditional footwear, reducing stress on joints and keeping anyone, of any activity level, feeling their best. From professional athletes to casual walkers, OOFOS footwear will make your hard-working feet and body feel better – all you have to do is feel the OO. For more information, visit www.oofos.com.

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/oofos-commemorates-10-years-of-project-pink-and-5-million-in-donations-to-breast-cancer-research-302450148.html

SOURCE OOFOS

ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla., May 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Dunamis Premium Spirits, founded in 2021 by entrepreneur and helicopter pilot Victor Young, is redefining the craft spirits industry by blending a commitment to excellence with a passion for aviation. Located in Zephyrhills, Florida—renowned for its pure drinking water—Dunamis has rapidly gained national recognition for its award-winning spirits and innovative approach to distilling.

The name “Dunamis,” derived from ancient Greek, signifies the highest level of power and greatness—a philosophy that permeates every aspect of the company’s operations. Young’s dedication to quality is evident in the meticulous selection of premium grains and the utilization of Zephyrhills’ pristine water, a critical component in crafting exceptional spirits.

Dunamis’ portfolio boasts several acclaimed products, including the Double Gold Medal-winning Interstellar Bourbon, the Gold Medal-awarded Bianca Supreme Aged Rum, and Zulu Hotel Airman’s Gin. The recently launched Aero Squadron Vodka not only exemplifies the brand’s innovative spirit but also supports a noble cause, with proceeds benefiting Folds of Honor, an organization providing scholarships to families of fallen soldiers and first responders.

As one of fewer than 20 African American distillers in the United States, Young is committed to fostering diversity within the industry. His efforts extend beyond distilling; he actively supports aspiring aviators through mentorship and financial assistance, helping to cultivate the next generation of pilots.

“Being one of the few African American distillers in the country is both an honor and a responsibility,” said Young. “I want to show others that excellence knows no boundaries, and that greatness can come from anywhere. Dunamis isn’t just about spirits—it’s about creating a legacy that inspires others to pursue their own version of greatness.”

Embracing his aviation roots, Young is transforming Dunamis into the nation’s first fly-in distillery. Plans are underway to construct an on-site helipad, allowing guests from across Florida—including cities like Ocala, Orlando, Sarasota, Bradenton, and Tampa—to arrive by helicopter for exclusive aerial tours and immersive distillery experiences.

Dunamis Premium Spirits are currently distributed across Florida, Texas, Illinois, Georgia, Louisiana, and Iowa, with expansion into additional states in 2025.

For more information about Dunamis Premium Spirits, visit www.dunamispremiumspirits.com

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dunamis-premium-spirits-soars-to-new-heights-with-award-winning-craftsmanship-and-aviation-inspired-innovation-302449074.html

SOURCE Dunamis Premium Spirits

Cummins

The word “archive” is often associated with past, dead things. The preservation of endless stacks of paper files with unintelligible words and video footage wrapped around old projector wheels whose technology is long lost to history. Collections of slides in mislabeled bags and boxes — that seem to dissolve in our very hands — full of trinkets, tchotchkes, and the miscellaneous parts to those trinkets and tchotchkes. Obscure labels, unfamiliar names and irrelevant places that, to the untrained eye, mean little. And all these, we imagine, are being dusted off and sorted by their keeper, the archivist, who is buried below the mountains of past, dead things.

But not Lori.

Cummins Heritage Center’s lead archivist, Lori Ann Lindberg, paints an entirely different picture.

“We are not keepers of dead things,” she informs. “We keep living documents that were created by living human beings that carry information that’s filled with life.”
Lori Ann Lindberg

Archivists, Lori argues, have a way of looking into the future by using objects from the past — something important and timely for a company like Cummins, which continues to push the industry forward with first-of-its-kind technologies and products. Every day, Lori discovers new stories about Cummins’ 106-year history. Many of these reaffirm the values, innovations and aspirations the company continues to uphold and practice today.

One item that has stood out to Lori during her time as Cummins’ archivist is a letter written by J. Irwin Miller, a former president and chairman of Cummins for over 40 years.

Miller was a staunch supporter of civil rights. While serving as the 1963 President of the National Council of Churches, he and the Council co-sponsored Martin Luther King Jr.’s March on Washington. At the time, a potential investor wrote to Miller, expressing displeasure over Cummins’ hiring of people of color and other marginalized groups. In response, Miller firmly stated that he would not stop hiring these individuals — all types of people worked at Cummins, and that was the way it would remain. He emphasized that this diversity contributed to Cummins’ success. Miller concluded his letter by suggesting that the investor should consider placing their money elsewhere.

“That letter resonated with me, and I just got so emotional reading it because it’s at least 70 years old now. It shows that this is Cummins, this is the way Cummins is and the way it’s going to stay,” Lori says. “And it’s one of the things that I love about this company, and the fact that I can keep that evidence is just a point of pride to me.”

If you’ve ever had the privilege of visiting Lori and the Cummins Heritage Center, you know that Lori has a special way of taking you along with her into Cummins’ past. She knows nearly all there is to know about Cummins, though she would refute such a statement and argue that there’s much more she has left to uncover.

The Center is surrounded by — sturdy — boxes of Cummins magazines, training manuals, letters, photos and plaques, with nearly every wall covered in vintage Cummins advertisements, posters and banners. There are tables with old engine schematics and components renderings, and cabinets full of global gifts, pins and paperweights. Just when you think you’ve seen all there is to see, a row of engines, from Cummins’ first to nearly every decade after, leads you toward the restoration side of the Center. It’s here where Cummins’ litany of Indianapolis 500 race cars, a 1938 Cadillac, and a 1935 Auburn, receive their fine-tuning.

But the question remains: how does one become an archivist, much less for a global company?

Lori’s path to becoming an archivist began in music. Lori graduated from Indiana University’s School of Music, now Jacobs School of Music, studying opera theater. Growing up in Indiana, Lori sprang at the opportunity to explore the states and headed to Southern California. After several years in Los Angeles, Lori eventually found her home in San Francisco. It was here that she began working for a record store chain and soon developed a passion for organizing while sorting through crates of music records.

Lori characterizes her career as an archivist as a second birth. “I became a totally different person. And I found that passion,” she says. “I just, you know, I love it.”

That passion led to Lori receiving her Master of Library and Information Science, and for many years, Lori worked at various big corporations as their archivist while teaching scholars the art of archiving. Her work teaching led her to create the first master’s program in the country for Archives and Records Administration.

Eventually, Lori moved back to Indiana and, in 2020, applied for an archivist position at an undisclosed company. She had a feeling, though, that the company was Cummins, as it had just celebrated its centennial anniversary. Lori was right, and the rest was, well, history. Lori began as a contractor before officially joining Cummins full-time in 2023.

“You know everybody when you grow up in Indianapolis, you know — and you know Cummins,” Lori laughs. “My dad was a supervisor for Chrysler at the electrical plant. You didn’t grow up in the automotive industry and not know about Cummins.”

Lori says she can still remember how her dad’s face lit up when the Dodge Ram came out with the Cummins engine. “He was just biting at the bit to drive one of those Dodge Rams. It was the coolest thing. So, I always had a great impression of Cummins from very young.”

Lori may work in Cummins archives, but she doesn’t stay confined to the Heritage Center. She often attends meetings across Cummins’ Business Units, actively hunting for new information to add to the collection. These meetings give her a look into the future, allowing her to stay on the pulse of where Cummins is heading.

According to Lori, the Cummins Heritage Center staff does their best to be truthful in everything they do and collect. They want to portray Cummins’ true story most accurately.

“I hope that the Cummins Heritage Center really reflects the many positive aspects of the company, as well as the great influence of Cummins,” Lori expresses, “not only on its industry through its products but through its people and with its people and on its people.”

When future leaders and archivists are collecting Cummins artifacts, they won’t need a magnifying glass to see that Lori was one of the people whose passion for the company captured and created a legacy.

Explore more Cummins Stories.

Amid the decisions in Europe on corporate sustainability reporting, one requirement has not received much attention: companies submitting a European Sustainability Reporting Standards report (ESRS) to comply with the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) will need to “tag” each disclosure using a digital language known as XBRL.

If that sentence raised the blood pressure, read on: digital tagging should make life easier for climate and other ESG reporting, not more difficult. It can also ensure that each company’s disclosures have a bigger impact.

To support companies in adapting to the new requirement, G&A Institute and our partners at DFIN have just published a practical guide to digital tagging. The international standard XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) is a technical format that makes ESG disclosures digital and machine-readable, and therefore more easily comparable with disclosures from other companies. The data thus becomes more actionable for regulators, investors, and other stakeholders.

To get there, organizations must not only ensure compliance with complex sustainability reporting frameworks but also integrate digital reporting processes into their existing financial and regulatory reporting workflows. This requires acquiring expertise in both the subject matter of ESG reporting, as well as becoming comfortable with digital reporting standards and technology. And digital tagging may become a requirement in other jurisdictions beyond the EU, like California and Canada.

Our new resource paper walks through:

  • The growing scope and complexity of sustainability reporting and how XBRL helps
  • Why XBRL is essential for compliance and investor trust
  • Strategic benefits of structuring and tagging ESG data in XBRL even as regulations continue to evolve
  • A platform from DFIN – ActiveDisclosure – that streamlines compliance reporting

G&A CEO Co-Founder Louis Coppola explains: “This resource paper is a practical roadmap that merges sustainability strategy with cutting-edge digital compliance tools, so companies don’t just meet requirements and expectations — they get ahead of them.”

If you need help, we are here. G&A and DFIN have partnered to provide companies with a comprehensive solution, combining sustainability reporting expertise with a cutting-edge support system for applying XBRL.

With support from G&A and DFIN, companies can turn the challenges of meeting CSRD requirements into an opportunity to better manage ESG efforts and provide higher-quality ESG information to all stakeholders.For more information contact us at: info@ga-institute.com.

This is just the introduction of G&A’s Sustainability Highlights newsletter this week. Click here to view the full issue.

At Cisco, sustainability is not just a once-a-year commitment – it’s a part of how we help partners in their efforts to make more sustainable, cost-effective decisions every day. Cisco Refresh, one of Cisco’s longest-standing initiatives, is one example of an offering that provides both business and sustainability benefits to customers.

Today, Cisco Refresh continues to be an important part of Cisco’s efforts to evolve to a circular business model. Now in its third decade, Cisco Refresh sells certified, remanufactured Cisco products at lower prices than new ones, but with all the same warranty and service options as them. This extends the useful life cycle of our products and reduces the need for virgin materials – enabling customers to better execute on their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction and sustainability goals.

For example:

  • Customers who choose Cisco Refresh switches or IP phones can realize at least a 60% reduction in embodied carbon emissions compared to purchasing equivalent new products.

Transitioning to a Circular Business Model

Cisco strives to accelerate the transition from a traditional linear economy that extracts resources and eventually wastes them, to a circular one that finds new uses for products and their inputs to minimize waste and optimize resource use.

Cisco Refresh is central to this transformation, complementing our portfolio designed with circularity in mind, including flexible payment and subscription models, to maximize product life cycle value.

We focus our efforts in three core areas:

  • Circular Design: Embedding sustainability into how we design our products and packaging from the outset.
  • Circular Offerings: Enabling customers and partners to embrace circularity through programs like Cisco Refresh and Cisco Green Pay.
  • Recover and Redeploy: Recapturing used hardware to extend product life through reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling.

Driving Business Sustainability: The Cisco Circularity Promotion

We want to enable our customers and partners to benefit from Cisco Refresh. The Cisco Circularity Promotion offers Cisco partners and distributors competitive pricing on certified remanufactured products, including current and end-of-sale items, enhancing cost savings while promoting circular practices.

Since its January 2024 launch, the promotion has:

  • Expanded from 576 to over 1,300 remanufactured (-RF) products.
  • Simplified and standardized pricing and discounts:
    • 55% discount on Next-Gen Firewall & Network Security
    • 60% discount on Enterprise Switching & Wireless
    • 65% discount on Optics
    • 70% discount on Hyper Converged
    • 75% discount on Edge Routing and Servers
  • Expanded from the U.S., Canada, Europe and the Middle East, to the Asia Pacific region, providing worldwide coverage.
  • Acquired 474 new partners, indicating strong utilization.
  • Increased usage across all customer segments (SMB, Commercial, Public Sector, Service Provider, and Enterprise).

Streamlining Business Operations

We prioritize simplicity alongside sustainability. Enhanced visibility and access to Cisco Refresh inventory include:

  • CCW BOT Integration: Partners can now check lead times and stock availability for certified remanufactured equipment (noted with an “-RF” suffix) via the CCW BOT (ccwbot@webex.bot). This helps partners stay informed about any updates to lead times, as often “-RF” products ship faster than new Cisco products, a key insight for planning and managing orders effectively. Partners (1-Tier and 2-Tier) and Distributors can all access the CCW BOT.
  • Cisco Refresh Inventory Visibility API: This enhanced API provides real-time access to in-stock remanufactured products that are ready to be ordered now. Partners leveraging this capability can maximize their Cisco Refresh blend, which can positively impact their margins. Please view the API implementation guidelines here.

This Earth Day and every day, Cisco is proud to empower our partners and customers with the tools to help save money, reduce waste, conserve resources, and operate more sustainably.

If you’re interested in learning more firsthand, Cisco Refresh will be featured in the Purpose Pavilion at the upcoming Cisco Live in San Diego, CA (June 9-12, 2025), so come by and speak to representatives for our team!

To learn more about our circular economy transformation, visit our Purpose Reporting Hub.

For general questions about Cisco Refresh, please email our team at refreshquestions@cisco.com.

View original content here.

AMSTERDAM and HONG KONG and OAKLAND, Calif., May 8, 2025 /3BL/ – Cascale, the global nonprofit alliance empowering collaboration to drive equitable and restorative business practices in the consumer goods industry, and Worldly, the leading supply chain sustainability data insights platform, today released a new policy deep dive: Navigating Regulation and Building Resilience: Key Trends in Corporate Supply Chain Responsibility for APAC in 2025.

This report examines the growing trend of climate- and supply chain-related regulations across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region and their implications for global brands, manufacturers, and suppliers. Released ahead of the Cascale Forum: Ho Chi Minh City, taking place on May 14–15, the analysis provides key insights that can inform conversations on regulatory readiness, facility-level data, and regional leadership.

The urgency of these shifts is underscored by the region’s exposure to climate risk,” said Elisabeth von Reitzenstein, senior director of policy and public affairs at Cascale. “The APAC region is home to the majority of the world’s 100 most environmentally at-risk cities. Our industry has a responsibility—and an opportunity—to lead in shaping more resilient, transparent supply chains. This deep dive is designed to equip our members with the foresight to do exactly that.”

In addition to spotlighting major national and international regulatory developments, the deep dive outlines clear recommendations for companies, including how to invest in localized data systems, set science-based targets, and build stronger brand-manufacturer partnerships.

As part of its expanded focus on the APAC region, Cascale plans to launch a new APAC Policy Member Expert Team (MET) in 2025, which will advise on regulatory priorities and help shape the organization’s advocacy efforts across the region. Cascale also continues to work closely with local industry associations such as VITAS and BGMEA to support members in navigating compliance and aligning with policy momentum.

“We’re committed to amplifying local voices and building policy alignment from the ground up,” said Howard Kwong, senior manager of public affairs, APAC at Cascale. “This deep dive is part of a broader effort to equip our members in and sourcing from the APAC region with the insight, partnerships, and tools needed to lead in a shifting global landscape.”

Tools such as the Higg Index continue to play a critical role in enabling companies to meet emerging regulatory and buyer expectations, offering standardized, facility-level data on environmental and social performance.

To build resilient, future-ready businesses, companies must look beyond compliance and deeply understand the policy shifts unfolding across the Asia-Pacific region,” said JR Siegel, vice president, sustainability at Worldly. “As APAC governments move from voluntary guidance to mandatory regulation, the leading companies of tomorrow will be the ones that invest in transparency, climate adaptation, and clean energy today. This paper is a call to action for businesses to treat these policy changes as an opportunity to shape the future of responsible commerce.”

This publication builds on previous Cascale and Worldly policy deep dives, including reports on the EU’s CS3D and IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards. It reflects the organizations’ ongoing commitment to delivering expert insight, regional engagement, and practical support to help the consumer goods industry meet its sustainability and compliance goals.

Download the Full Report Today

Get expert analysis, regional insights, and strategic recommendations to help your company meet evolving expectations and build resilience in the world’s most dynamic manufacturing region.

ABOUT CASCALE

Cascale is the global nonprofit alliance empowering collaboration to drive equitable and restorative business practices in the consumer goods industry. Formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cascale owns and develops the Higg Index, which is exclusively available on Worldly, the most comprehensive sustainability data and insights platform. Cascale unites over 300 retailers, brands, manufacturers, governments, academics, and NGO/nonprofit affiliates around the globe through one singular vision: To catalyze impact at scale and give back more than we take to the planet and its people. LinkedIn | X | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

ABOUT WORLDLY

Worldly is the planet’s leading sustainability data insights platform, trusted by 40,000+ major brands, retailers, and manufacturers in fashion, outdoor, home goods, toys, and more. Worldly uniquely collects high-resolution primary data specific to companies’ value chains, operations, and products, providing insight into true impacts across carbon, water, chemistry, and labor. Featuring the most comprehensive source of ESG data for global manufacturers and the largest library of materials and product impacts, Worldly empowers businesses to scale responsibility into their global operations, faster and more accurately. Hosting, connecting with, and supporting the leading industry solutions and methodologies including ZDHC, Bluesign, and the Higg Index — developed and owned by the global nonprofit alliance Cascale — Worldly delivers the insights businesses need to reduce their impact, comply with emerging regulatory and financial disclosure requirements, and meet the expectations of a new generation of customers. worldly.io

Company expects the 105,000-square-foot facility to play a vital role in improving recycling rates throughout Greater St. Louis

ST. LOUIS, May 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE: RSG), a leader in the environmental services industry, today announced plans to construct a state-of-the-art recycling center in Bridgeton, Mo., to serve Greater St. Louis and the region. Republic Services expects the facility, anticipated to open in mid-2027, will have higher capacity and more advanced technology than current facilities in the area, helping to improve recycling rates.

The 105,000-square-foot recycling center is estimated to manage recyclables from approximately 3 million people throughout Greater St. Louis and surrounding communities. The high-capacity facility will process up to 45 tons, or nine truckloads, of single-stream recyclables per hour, including paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and jugs, aluminum and metal food and beverage cans, and glass bottles and jars.

“Our investment in this new recycling center reinforces Republic Services’ commitment to circularity, sustainability and the St. Louis community,” said Republic Services Area President Andrew Wempe. “It will meet growing demand for recycling throughout Greater St. Louis and help our customers achieve their sustainability goals.”

The facility will be designed with cutting-edge recycling technology, including a minimum of 10 optical sorters that use digital recognition to identify and separate paper or plastic in milliseconds, screening technology to sort recycling material by size and remove unrecyclable material from the stream, and artificial intelligence (AI) to help reduce contamination. AI system data also will enable real-time adjustments to maximize the volume of materials recycled.

Groundbreaking, contingent on the permitting process, is anticipated to occur in the first quarter of 2026. The project is expected to create up to 200 full-time construction jobs, and 60 full-time employees will work at the facility once completed.

Republic Services has a large presence in Greater St. Louis. The company employs nearly 1,000 people in the area and operates 12 facilities, including hauling locations, transfer stations, recycling centers and disposal sites.

The company also actively supports Greater St. Louis through community investment and volunteer initiatives. Over the last seven years, support from Republic Services and the Republic Services Charitable Foundation to area nonprofits has positively impacted more than 360,000 people in Greater St. Louis and more than 650,000 people throughout Missouri. 

As one of the nation’s largest recyclers, Republic Services processes 5 million tons of recyclable materials annually through 75 facilities across the country.

About Republic Services
Republic Services, Inc. is a leader in the environmental services industry. Through its subsidiaries, the Company provides customers with the most complete set of products and services, including recycling, solid waste, special waste, hazardous waste and field services. Republic’s industry-leading commitments to advance circularity and support decarbonization are helping deliver on its vision to partner with customers to create a more sustainable world. For more information, please visit RepublicServices.com.

INFORMATION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains certain forward-looking information about us that is intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “guidance,” “expect,” “will,” “may,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “can,” “could,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance and are based upon our current expectations, which we believe to be reasonable, but cannot assure you will prove to be correct. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements are our ability to realize the expected benefits of our recycling center, our expectations regarding the impact of the center, the volume of materials it can process, and the jobs and other benefits it will create. More information on factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated is included from time to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Media
Republic Services Media Relations
media@republicservices.com
480-757-9770

Republic Services logo (PRNewsfoto/Republic Services, Inc.)

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/republic-services-to-build-state-of-the-art-recycling-center-in-the-st-louis-area-302449354.html

SOURCE Republic Services, Inc.

In a powerful demonstration of how industrial growth and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand, DP World has been recognized at Brazil’s Federal Environmental Licensing Forum for its long-running Aquatic Fauna Monitoring Program. Hosted by Ibama — the country’s national environmental agency — the event spotlighted the company’s science-based conservation efforts at the Port of Santos, where DP World operates one of its most advanced terminals.

Since launching the program in 2013, DP World has prioritized biodiversity protection as a cornerstone of its operations in Brazil. The initiative is part of the company’s broader sustainability strategy, Our World, Our Future, and exemplifies how ports and marine ecosystems can coexist, when backed by rigorous research and a long-term commitment to environmental integrity.

With a total investment of nearly BRL 12 million in over 30 environmental projects since terminal construction began in 2006, the company has made science-backed conservation a core part of its operations.

One of the most notable aspects of the program is the monitoring of benthic communities—organisms that live on the sea floor, including those that have colonized the submerged pillars supporting the terminal’s quay. Over 11 years, 49 campaigns have been conducted, totaling 98 hours of underwater research. Scientists recorded 38 distinct marine species, providing invaluable data on the ecological succession and biodiversity of the port’s marine environment.

Fabio Siccherino, CEO of DP World in Brazil, said: “Balancing economic development with sustainability is part of our DNA. Since construction began, we’ve maintained rigorous environmental monitoring, ensuring that our operations go hand in hand with marine life preservation, reaffirming our commitment to ecosystem conservation and the responsible conduct of our business.”

The results are clear: new marine habitats have formed on port structures, seasonal changes have influenced biodiversity, and the presence of invasive species has been documented alongside native fauna. These insights contribute to a growing body of research on how industrial infrastructure can support rather than harm marine ecosystems when carefully managed.

The program’s success earned DP World one of only 13 presentation slots at the national forum, a gathering aimed at sharing effective mitigation and compensation efforts within federally licensed projects.

“Our program not only ensures the ecological integrity of the local marine environment but also makes an important contribution to global best practices for impact monitoring and mitigation in large port developments,” added Siccherino.

The program will be officially recognized with a certification from Ibama, confirming that DP World has met and exceeded requirements tied to its environmental licensing—offering a compelling model for how industry can align with nature.

###

Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth

These are truly dizzying times, but if there was a single takeaway from the Global Inclusive Growth Summit held last month in Washington, D.C., it was this: The world can’t afford to heed the standard advice for vertigo — sit down, lie still.  

In fact, uncertainty can be an opportunity for action, said Shamina Singh, the president and founder of the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, which organizes the annual summit. “That’s what is needed now more than ever,” she said. “New ways of thinking, new ways of doing, new partnerships that are purpose-built for the world as it is right now, but also how it will be tomorrow.” 

Among the challenges raised by the policymakers, philanthropists, futurists, NGO leaders and others in the packed auditorium: How do we drive economic growth so people everywhere can reach financial health? How do we foster digital transformation without leaving small businesses vulnerable to growing cyber threats? What kind of leadership is needed in times of change?  

“We have to anticipate now that those once-in-a-decade events are every year,” said Henry Timms, CEO of the global consultancy  Brunswick Group. “Leadership during uncertain times requires balancing immediate challenges with long-term vision.”  

Here are three key insights from the summit:  

01
It takes a village to build financial health.

You can’t measure someone’s financial health by the balance in their bank account or their annual salary, said Haley Sacks, the financial influencer known as Mrs. Dow Jones, in a conversation with Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, the U.N. secretary-general’s special advocate for financial health. “Having a gym membership doesn’t mean you’re going to have a six-pack,” Sacks said.  

Queen Máxima called on financial institutions to listen more carefully to their customers and their needs, and to develop and test tools that people will use to grow financially – and therefore grow as customers too. Employers can also play a greater role in supporting financial health, she said, with initiatives like automatic savings that can provide a buffer for emergencies, improving employees’ peace of mind and productivity. 

As digitization makes deeper inroads across sectors, organizations can work together to create more comprehensive financial services. “I think you do not see people emerge securely into the middle class until they have an entire toolbox, not one tool like insurance,” said Andy Kuper, CEO of LeapFrog Investments, during a panel on impact investing.  “So I’m hopeful that if we as a world — and that especially requires investors to be smart — back the right kinds of companies, that you will see many billions of people with this toolbox.”  

Despite the current economic turbulence, the middle class continues to grow globally, with already half of the global population in that income group, and projections indicating more than a billion people will join it in the coming decade, primarily in Asia, said Wolfgang Fengler, CEO of World Data Lab, in a session on the new global consumer with Michelle Meyer, chief economist of the Mastercard Economics Institute.  

“Don’t bet against digital,” Fengler said, “and don’t bet against the middle class.” 

02
Trust is the currency underpinning economic growth in the digital world.

“I am optimistic that cybersecurity is table stakes — it’s increasingly understood that it is the starting point to an inclusive world,” said Mastercard CEO Michael Miebach.  

Yet the gap between those with strong cyber defenses and those without is widening at a time when technology has enabled more sophisticated and convincing scams, attack vectors are expanding, and trust in digital spaces is breaking down. 

Rebuilding trust starts at the individual level: “We need to reclaim control of personal data, which is essential to one’s identity and personhood,” said Frank McCourt, executive chairman of McCourt Global and founder of Project Liberty. He called for “an intention economy over an attention economy, where individuals benefit economically from their data.”  

At the systemic level, cyber threats should be viewed as a business and leadership issue, rather than merely a technical one. “They are a central risk to global economies, to critical infrastructure and to public trust,” said Alissa “Dr. Jay” Abdullah, Mastercard’s deputy chief information security officer.  

Public-private cooperation is critical, Miebach said, from cyber training and capacity building to real-time information sharing. “There’s a fragmentation of the world that we’re currently witnessing, where people look more inside, and this [gets] in the way of sharing effectively,” he said. “The way to defending is by sharing, being close.”  

Criminal organizations don’t recognize borders, said Valdecy Urquiza, secretary general of INTERPOL. “The threats are coming from everywhere … We have got to foster collaboration — cross-border collaboration, cross-sector collaboration — we’ve got to make sure that everyone is included.”  

03
Invest in closing the digital divide, wherever it exists.

Whether it’s Alabama or Angola, Montana or Malawi, rural innovation requires addressing fundamental infrastructure needs such as broadband access while also developing skills-based education programs that connect people to higher-paying jobs. 

Connectivity is one area of critical concern worldwide – as Amy Doherty, chief information officer at the World Bank half-joked, “I love the new Maslow’s hierarchy of needs that has Wi-Fi at the bottom.”  

In the U.S., that requires more coordination between local, state and federal governments, and with the private sector. “If you don’t have access to high-speed internet, you simply can’t compete,” said Ross DeVol, CEO of think tank Heartland Forward. “It is the number one economic challenge for many of these rural locations.”  

Julie Gehrki, president of the Walmart Foundation, said employers should work closely with states to close the skills gap — making sure community college classes address the changing needs of the job market. “If you’re investing in a company in rural America that’s now going to need people with tech skills, how are you making sure they know the demand there, they know the training program that’s relevant, and that they can sign up to be a part of that transformation?” 

Another key focus area is Africa, which is on the cusp of becoming a bigger global economic player thanks to its modern technology adoption, a young digital-native population, and creative industries. With more investment in the electricity infrastructure of sub-Saharan Africa, AI could even help emerging economies leapfrog developed ones, Doherty said. Take agriculture — agribusiness could use AI to give tailored advice to farmers about their land and help them increase crop yields, which in turn helps their community thrive, she said.  

At the close of the day, Jon Huntsman, Mastercard’s president of Strategic Growth, spoke with James Mwangi, chief executive of African financial services company Equity Group Holdings, which is part of the MADE Alliance, launched by Mastercard and the African Development Bank to extend digital access to critical services to 100 million people and businesses in Africa.  

“A transformed Africa is a sustainable world,” Mwangi said. “Africa is not coming out on this stage as a beggar. It’s coming with this human resource to serve the world. It’s coming with its agricultural potential to secure.”  

Banner photo, Mastercard Economics Institute Chief Economist Michelle Meyer, left, discusses consumer spending habits and the resilience of the middle class with Wolfgang Fengler, right, CEO of the World Data Lab. 

Originally published by Mastercard.

Learn more about the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth by following us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

See content from the Summit: https://globalinclusivegrowthsummit.com/.

Client background

A large higher education system located in the Midwest comprised of multiple institutions, colleges and universities. Serving hundreds of thousands of students annually, the system plays a pivotal role in the state’s educational landscape.

The business challenge

The higher education system faced the critical challenge of enhancing organizational effectiveness, technology, student success and equity across its 31 institutions. The need for a cohesive shared services office arose from fragmented administrative processes, need for enhanced technology systems and disparities in student outcomes. Industry trends towards digital transformation and increased focus on equity in education further underscored the urgency for a unified approach. The system sought Baker Tilly’s expertise to develop a shared services office that would streamline operations, foster collaboration and strengthen the system’s overall performance and support for students.

Strategy and solution

To address the challenges faced by the higher education system, we supported the establishment of Enterprise Shared Services (ESS). This included developing governance structures, operating models, key tools and processes to support project ideation through to completion. Our solution utilized a standard set of templates and operations to ensure consistency while remaining flexible for various project sizes and complexities. After the development of ESS, we then supported managing a number of pilot initiatives to test the operations and effectiveness of ESS.

The benefits of the ESS were:

  • Improved efficiency: Standard processes and tools increased the efficiencies by the system for project ideation, ingestion, management and close
  • Enhanced collaboration: Increased cross-institutional, fostering a more unified system
  • Student success: Aimed to enhance student outcomes by having all shared service initiatives target student success (either directly or indirectly)

The system plans to continue partnering with Baker Tilly to further refine their ESS framework and explore additional opportunities for enhancing organizational effectiveness and student success.

Connect with a Baker Tilly specialist to learn more

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.