Tag: 3BL

Mastercard

After many conversations with governmental, non-profit, and business leaders last week during London Climate Action Week, one thing is clear: there is an incredible opportunity for all organizations to leverage their resources to support the demand-side shift to a sustainable economy.

Here are some key takeaways from Mastercard’s LCAW2024 engagements:

Cities can be an incredible incubator for innovation and sustainable behavior change. As Wayne Hubbard FCIWM, CEO of ReLondon noted, cities are the engine room of the circular economy, they are hope for humankind. Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan and the mayors comprising C40 Cities serve as a strong example of how transforming cities to more sustainable systems can create economic and job opportunities and increase connectivity and inclusion.

People want to make more sustainable choices, but they need to be offered products and services that are intuitive, accessible, useful and joyful. From buy-back and trade-in programs, to better for the planet products, to sharing-economy marketplaces, these types of choices are being introduced by leaders and organizations like IKEA, Sea Forest, turn.eco, MY WARDROBE HQ, Library of Things, Brompton Bicycle, and Vivobarefoot.

When people realize that others around them care about the same issue, like climate change, they are more inclined to make a change. And when people are provided fun, integrated ways to get involved around the things they are most passionate about, like sports or music, they are even more inclined to take action. Whether it is gamifying everyday climate action through Pledgeball and UEFA, or donating to restore a tree with the Priceless Planet Coalition and Conservation International, it’s clear that collective engagement can make a significant impact. 

Let’s continue to work together, share our successes, and inspire, inform, and enable one another to shift towards a more sustainable economy.

About Mastercard

Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.

Originally published by Mastercard

Follow along Mastercard’s journey to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere.

WAKULLA SPRINGS, Fla., July 10, 2024 /3BL/ – The Florida State Parks Foundation yesterday joined Duke Energy Florida and its foundation, along with the Friends of Wakulla Springs State Park, to unveil a new, state-of-the-art accessible playground at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park near Tallahassee.

The new playground, located a short distance from the park’s beachfront along the Wakulla River, includes several accessible play elements and a wide path to accommodate mobility devices.

The playground’s centerpiece is a large glider styled in the fashion of the park’s iconic river tour boats.

“Seeing a replica of the Wakulla Springs boat and all of the other fun playground experiences here brings a huge smile to my face,” said Kathleen Brennan, president of the Florida State Parks Foundation board of directors. “Thanks to Duke Energy Florida and the amazing Friends of Wakulla Springs, this beautiful new playground will welcome smiling faces for many, many years to come.”

Playground materials and installation costs totaled $72,204. Duke Energy Florida donated $44,000 toward the project, while the Friends of Wakulla Springs State Park contributed $15,000 and the Foundation funded the remaining balance.

The playground is open during regular operating hours and access is included with park admission.

“The Foundation is constantly seeking opportunities to expand accessibility in our state parks, and we are proud to have played a part in creating a playground for all children who visit Wakulla Springs,” said Julia Gill Woodward, CEO of the Florida State Parks Foundation.

This is the latest in a series of collaborations between the Foundation and Duke Energy Florida to benefit Florida state parks.

In recent years, Duke Energy Florida and its foundation have donated more than $300,000 to state parks amenities and projects, including all-terrain beach and trail wheelchairs, a new strike team trailer for the Florida Park Service’s emergency response teams, and more than 100 water bottle refilling stations at parks across the state.

“Vibrant communities do not happen by accident. They are the result of hard work, intentional investments and collaboration with key organizations to solve challenges and nurture the places where we live, work and play,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “We are proud to support the Florida State Parks Foundation and all they do to protect Florida’s most-treasured parks and expand access to outdoor recreation opportunities for all.”

The Foundation also unveiled the “Great Blue Heron” hybrid-electric tour boat at Wakulla Springs State Park late last year. The boat includes an extended dock ramp and wide spaces to accommodate people who use mobility devices.

“We are committed to providing inclusive recreational experiences for all of our visitors, and we are so pleased to offer these new accessible features at Wakulla Springs,” Florida State Parks Director Chuck Hatcher said. “This new playground will create fun park memories for our youngest guests, and we hope that it will help inspire a lifelong love of Florida’s natural resources.”

Florida State Parks Foundation

The Florida State Parks Foundation, founded in 1993 as Friends of Florida State Parks and renamed in 2018, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation whose mission is to support and help sustain the Florida Park Service, its 175 award-winning parks and trails, local Friends groups and more than 20,000 park volunteers.

It does this through programs that preserve and protect state parks, educate visitors about the value of state parks, encourage community engagement and active use of state parks, and advocacy. These projects were completed through the Florida State Parks Foundation Services LLC, which is a limited liability company affiliate of the Foundation.

The volunteer board of directors represents private and public sectors as well as local and statewide interests.

Duke Energy Florida

Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 12,300 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 2 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.

Duke Energy Foundation

The Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.

Media contact: Audrey Stasko 
Media line: 800.559.3853 
Twitter: @DE_AudreyS

Florida State Parks Foundation media contact: Tim Linafelt 
850.566.6118 
tim@floridastateparksfoundation.org

View original content here.

WAKULLA SPRINGS, Fla., July 10, 2024 /3BL/ – The Florida State Parks Foundation yesterday joined Duke Energy Florida and its foundation, along with the Friends of Wakulla Springs State Park, to unveil a new, state-of-the-art accessible playground at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park near Tallahassee.

The new playground, located a short distance from the park’s beachfront along the Wakulla River, includes several accessible play elements and a wide path to accommodate mobility devices.

The playground’s centerpiece is a large glider styled in the fashion of the park’s iconic river tour boats.

“Seeing a replica of the Wakulla Springs boat and all of the other fun playground experiences here brings a huge smile to my face,” said Kathleen Brennan, president of the Florida State Parks Foundation board of directors. “Thanks to Duke Energy Florida and the amazing Friends of Wakulla Springs, this beautiful new playground will welcome smiling faces for many, many years to come.”

Playground materials and installation costs totaled $72,204. Duke Energy Florida donated $44,000 toward the project, while the Friends of Wakulla Springs State Park contributed $15,000 and the Foundation funded the remaining balance.

The playground is open during regular operating hours and access is included with park admission.

“The Foundation is constantly seeking opportunities to expand accessibility in our state parks, and we are proud to have played a part in creating a playground for all children who visit Wakulla Springs,” said Julia Gill Woodward, CEO of the Florida State Parks Foundation.

This is the latest in a series of collaborations between the Foundation and Duke Energy Florida to benefit Florida state parks.

In recent years, Duke Energy Florida and its foundation have donated more than $300,000 to state parks amenities and projects, including all-terrain beach and trail wheelchairs, a new strike team trailer for the Florida Park Service’s emergency response teams, and more than 100 water bottle refilling stations at parks across the state.

“Vibrant communities do not happen by accident. They are the result of hard work, intentional investments and collaboration with key organizations to solve challenges and nurture the places where we live, work and play,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “We are proud to support the Florida State Parks Foundation and all they do to protect Florida’s most-treasured parks and expand access to outdoor recreation opportunities for all.”

The Foundation also unveiled the “Great Blue Heron” hybrid-electric tour boat at Wakulla Springs State Park late last year. The boat includes an extended dock ramp and wide spaces to accommodate people who use mobility devices.

“We are committed to providing inclusive recreational experiences for all of our visitors, and we are so pleased to offer these new accessible features at Wakulla Springs,” Florida State Parks Director Chuck Hatcher said. “This new playground will create fun park memories for our youngest guests, and we hope that it will help inspire a lifelong love of Florida’s natural resources.”

Florida State Parks Foundation

The Florida State Parks Foundation, founded in 1993 as Friends of Florida State Parks and renamed in 2018, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation whose mission is to support and help sustain the Florida Park Service, its 175 award-winning parks and trails, local Friends groups and more than 20,000 park volunteers.

It does this through programs that preserve and protect state parks, educate visitors about the value of state parks, encourage community engagement and active use of state parks, and advocacy. These projects were completed through the Florida State Parks Foundation Services LLC, which is a limited liability company affiliate of the Foundation.

The volunteer board of directors represents private and public sectors as well as local and statewide interests.

Duke Energy Florida

Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 12,300 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 2 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.

Duke Energy Foundation

The Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.

Media contact: Audrey Stasko 
Media line: 800.559.3853 
Twitter: @DE_AudreyS

Florida State Parks Foundation media contact: Tim Linafelt 
850.566.6118 
tim@floridastateparksfoundation.org

View original content here.

Originally published in the SEE Impact Report 2022

CRYOVAC® Brand Recycle-Ready Barrier Display Films 

Food packaging designed for recycling 

To optimize varying recycling compatibilities throughout Europe, SEE developed CRYOVAC® brand recycle-ready barrier display films. Designed for recycling, these ultra-thin overwrap shrink films maintain product integrity and shelf life and offer a 90% plastic weight reduction compared to thick thermoforming materials. The ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH)-containing films (BDF20M and BDF21) demonstrate compatibility with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) streams.  These films have been internally tested for recyclability following various international protocols published by the Association of Plastics Recyclers, Plastic Recyclers Europe (RecyClass), or Institut cyclos-HTP GmbH.  The degree of recyclability of the final package depends on the scope and availability of appropriate local recycling facilities.

CRYOVAC® Brand Darfresh® Systems Low-Carbon Solution 

Less plastic, more functionality 

CRYOVAC® brand Darfresh® vacuum skin packaging systems offer advanced packaging technologies that are more cost-effective and sustainable when compared to traditional modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) systems, while also increasing consumer appeal in the retail environment. The DARFRESH® packaging process uses a specially formulated top and a multilayer semirigid thermoformable bottom film to create a vacuum skin consumer pack that fits around the product like a second skin. The finished pack reduces material consumption from downgauged top and bottom films using 25% less plastic versus standard skin packaging, along with reduced secondary packaging and plastic scrap waste up to 40% compared with standard thermoforming skin systems.

CRYOVAC® Brand OptiDure Gen 2 Barrier Bag 

Less material lowers environmental impact 

CRYOVAC® brand OptiDure vacuum shrink bag and shrinkable rollstock is the f irst available recycle-ready Flowvac capable material in the market designed to run on fully automated packaging systems. The lightweight solution is 20% thinner when compared to standard vacuum thermoforming packs and lowers the environmental impact by reducing excess packaging around the product. The second-generation bags deliver improved oxygen barrier versus CRYOVAC® brand OptiDure 4005 to fill the gap for fresh meat applications with a 30% increase in shelf life. The bags have also been internally tested for recyclability following various international protocols published by the Association of Plastics Recyclers, Plastic Recyclers Europe (RecyClass), and Institut cyclos-HTP GmbH. 

Liquibox® VINIflow® Short Back-End Dispensing Tap 

Less plastic, more functionality 

The Liquibox®* VINIflow® short back-end dispensing tap has all the functionality of its predecessor—the VINIflow self-closing, top-pull tap for bag-in-box and stand-up pouch—but is designed with a shorter back end that uses 26% less plastic. The shorter back-end design is not only more sustainable, but also minimizes the risk of oxygen exposure to keep liquid products safe and extend shelf life, which is especially beneficial for preserving wine quality. The fitment can be produced in a natural color to eliminate carbon black, which may contaminate the recycling stream. *SEE acquired Liquibox in February 2023.

Liquibox® Recycle-Ready Urn-liner 

Recycle-ready solution reduces environmental impact 

For quick-service restaurants seeking recyclable solutions, Liquibox® developed a recycle-ready version of its patented urn-liner. Urn-liners offer improved efficiencies, as well as a reduction in bacteria growth. Urn-liners fit inside of beverage urns and utilize a tube that feeds through the urn spigot, keeping the liquid product from coming in contact with the urn or spigot when dispensing the product. The Liquibox® recycle-ready urn-liner is comprised of an all-polyethylene bag and adapter with a removable thermoplastic elastomer tube. The tube is easily separated from the urn-liner so the mono-material bag can be recycled. The urn-liners also reduce the environmental impact of beverage dispensing by eliminating the water and energy that would be needed during the urn cleaning process.

SEALED AIR® Brand TempGuard Gusset Insulated Bag 

Recyclable, fiber-based solution for temperature assurance 

Since its inception, SEE’s original SEALED AIR® brand TempGuard insulated box liners, an all-paper construction made from fibers certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, have been a popular curbside recyclable insulation choice for meal kit providers and other customers seeking up to 48-hour protection of perishable and other temperature-sensitive items during transit. SEE’s latest version of TempGuard, a gusseted bag with an expanded honeycomb paper insulation core, was developed to increase filling volume and provide a higher product-to-package ratio with a shorter pack-out time. Compared to a similarsized metallized bag, the TempGuard gusseted bag is curbside recyclable and helps avoid more than 154 metric tons of nonrecyclable plastic waste going to landfills in Australia and New Zealand. The solution earned silver place in the renewable materials category at the 2023 Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design Awards. It is currently available in Australia and New Zealand and will be sold globally in the near future.

SEALED AIR® Brand Bags Made From Ocean-Bound Plastics 

Converting plastic waste into packaging without compromising performance 

To contribute to a cleaner ocean environment, SEE has united with our suppliers to reuse ocean-bound plastics collected by our partners. The lowdensity polyethylene (LDPE) bag comes from abandoned plastic waste located within 50 kilometers from shore in communities and areas where waste management is nonexistent or very inefficient. To maintain packaging integrity and quality, the resins made from ocean-bound plastics are strictly selected, tested, and qualified so that the final ocean-bound plastic LDPE bag maintains the comparable performance and appearance as virgin LDPE. The ocean-bound plastic bag is comparable in strength and resilience to normal LDPE bags and complies with Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) and Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). ocean-bound plastic bags can be used for a variety of applications, including electronic devices and accessories, retail fashion, cosmetics and personal care, books and audio, and third-party logistics.

Korrvu® Digital Manufacturing Processes 

Digital operation reduces material use 

Using digital technology, SEE has been able to switch from the traditional die- cutting process to laser cutting for the corrugate sheets that are a primary component of SEALED AIR® brand Korrvu® retention and suspension packaging. Laser cutting removes the need for tooling and traditional wood or steel dies, which results in less material consumption. In addition, the laser process preserves the strength of the corrugate, allowing for the same performance from thinner materials, which further reduces overall material use.

Recycle-Ready Mail Lite® Cushioned Paper Mailers 

Recycled-content material offers source reduction 

The new generation of BUBBLE WRAP® brand Recycle-Ready Mail Lite® mailers are made with 100% recycled paper. The mailers can be recycled by easily separating the paper outer layer from the inner bubble cushioning and recycling each in their appropriate waste stream. By using recycled paper for the outer layer, we are helping to protect natural resources. The inner bubble contains a minimum of 60% recycled content, making the total recycled content a minimum of 85% by weight. The pick-pack packaging format replaces a standard corrugated carton box with four cardboard trays overwrapped with CRYOVAC® brand high-performance shrink film at just 14 microns and an easy-open tear tape. These features enable more cartons per pallet, reduce the number of trucks on the road and associated CO2 emissions, and save on shipping costs. The Mail Lite® cushioned mailers pick-pack format won in the Resource Efficiency Award category at the UK Sustainable Packaging News Awards.

Read the full SEE Impact Report 2022

Originally published in the SEE Impact Report 2022

CRYOVAC® Brand Recycle-Ready Barrier Display Films 

Food packaging designed for recycling 

To optimize varying recycling compatibilities throughout Europe, SEE developed CRYOVAC® brand recycle-ready barrier display films. Designed for recycling, these ultra-thin overwrap shrink films maintain product integrity and shelf life and offer a 90% plastic weight reduction compared to thick thermoforming materials. The ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH)-containing films (BDF20M and BDF21) demonstrate compatibility with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) streams.  These films have been internally tested for recyclability following various international protocols published by the Association of Plastics Recyclers, Plastic Recyclers Europe (RecyClass), or Institut cyclos-HTP GmbH.  The degree of recyclability of the final package depends on the scope and availability of appropriate local recycling facilities.

CRYOVAC® Brand Darfresh® Systems Low-Carbon Solution 

Less plastic, more functionality 

CRYOVAC® brand Darfresh® vacuum skin packaging systems offer advanced packaging technologies that are more cost-effective and sustainable when compared to traditional modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) systems, while also increasing consumer appeal in the retail environment. The DARFRESH® packaging process uses a specially formulated top and a multilayer semirigid thermoformable bottom film to create a vacuum skin consumer pack that fits around the product like a second skin. The finished pack reduces material consumption from downgauged top and bottom films using 25% less plastic versus standard skin packaging, along with reduced secondary packaging and plastic scrap waste up to 40% compared with standard thermoforming skin systems.

CRYOVAC® Brand OptiDure Gen 2 Barrier Bag 

Less material lowers environmental impact 

CRYOVAC® brand OptiDure vacuum shrink bag and shrinkable rollstock is the f irst available recycle-ready Flowvac capable material in the market designed to run on fully automated packaging systems. The lightweight solution is 20% thinner when compared to standard vacuum thermoforming packs and lowers the environmental impact by reducing excess packaging around the product. The second-generation bags deliver improved oxygen barrier versus CRYOVAC® brand OptiDure 4005 to fill the gap for fresh meat applications with a 30% increase in shelf life. The bags have also been internally tested for recyclability following various international protocols published by the Association of Plastics Recyclers, Plastic Recyclers Europe (RecyClass), and Institut cyclos-HTP GmbH. 

Liquibox® VINIflow® Short Back-End Dispensing Tap 

Less plastic, more functionality 

The Liquibox®* VINIflow® short back-end dispensing tap has all the functionality of its predecessor—the VINIflow self-closing, top-pull tap for bag-in-box and stand-up pouch—but is designed with a shorter back end that uses 26% less plastic. The shorter back-end design is not only more sustainable, but also minimizes the risk of oxygen exposure to keep liquid products safe and extend shelf life, which is especially beneficial for preserving wine quality. The fitment can be produced in a natural color to eliminate carbon black, which may contaminate the recycling stream. *SEE acquired Liquibox in February 2023.

Liquibox® Recycle-Ready Urn-liner 

Recycle-ready solution reduces environmental impact 

For quick-service restaurants seeking recyclable solutions, Liquibox® developed a recycle-ready version of its patented urn-liner. Urn-liners offer improved efficiencies, as well as a reduction in bacteria growth. Urn-liners fit inside of beverage urns and utilize a tube that feeds through the urn spigot, keeping the liquid product from coming in contact with the urn or spigot when dispensing the product. The Liquibox® recycle-ready urn-liner is comprised of an all-polyethylene bag and adapter with a removable thermoplastic elastomer tube. The tube is easily separated from the urn-liner so the mono-material bag can be recycled. The urn-liners also reduce the environmental impact of beverage dispensing by eliminating the water and energy that would be needed during the urn cleaning process.

SEALED AIR® Brand TempGuard Gusset Insulated Bag 

Recyclable, fiber-based solution for temperature assurance 

Since its inception, SEE’s original SEALED AIR® brand TempGuard insulated box liners, an all-paper construction made from fibers certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, have been a popular curbside recyclable insulation choice for meal kit providers and other customers seeking up to 48-hour protection of perishable and other temperature-sensitive items during transit. SEE’s latest version of TempGuard, a gusseted bag with an expanded honeycomb paper insulation core, was developed to increase filling volume and provide a higher product-to-package ratio with a shorter pack-out time. Compared to a similarsized metallized bag, the TempGuard gusseted bag is curbside recyclable and helps avoid more than 154 metric tons of nonrecyclable plastic waste going to landfills in Australia and New Zealand. The solution earned silver place in the renewable materials category at the 2023 Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design Awards. It is currently available in Australia and New Zealand and will be sold globally in the near future.

SEALED AIR® Brand Bags Made From Ocean-Bound Plastics 

Converting plastic waste into packaging without compromising performance 

To contribute to a cleaner ocean environment, SEE has united with our suppliers to reuse ocean-bound plastics collected by our partners. The lowdensity polyethylene (LDPE) bag comes from abandoned plastic waste located within 50 kilometers from shore in communities and areas where waste management is nonexistent or very inefficient. To maintain packaging integrity and quality, the resins made from ocean-bound plastics are strictly selected, tested, and qualified so that the final ocean-bound plastic LDPE bag maintains the comparable performance and appearance as virgin LDPE. The ocean-bound plastic bag is comparable in strength and resilience to normal LDPE bags and complies with Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) and Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). ocean-bound plastic bags can be used for a variety of applications, including electronic devices and accessories, retail fashion, cosmetics and personal care, books and audio, and third-party logistics.

Korrvu® Digital Manufacturing Processes 

Digital operation reduces material use 

Using digital technology, SEE has been able to switch from the traditional die- cutting process to laser cutting for the corrugate sheets that are a primary component of SEALED AIR® brand Korrvu® retention and suspension packaging. Laser cutting removes the need for tooling and traditional wood or steel dies, which results in less material consumption. In addition, the laser process preserves the strength of the corrugate, allowing for the same performance from thinner materials, which further reduces overall material use.

Recycle-Ready Mail Lite® Cushioned Paper Mailers 

Recycled-content material offers source reduction 

The new generation of BUBBLE WRAP® brand Recycle-Ready Mail Lite® mailers are made with 100% recycled paper. The mailers can be recycled by easily separating the paper outer layer from the inner bubble cushioning and recycling each in their appropriate waste stream. By using recycled paper for the outer layer, we are helping to protect natural resources. The inner bubble contains a minimum of 60% recycled content, making the total recycled content a minimum of 85% by weight. The pick-pack packaging format replaces a standard corrugated carton box with four cardboard trays overwrapped with CRYOVAC® brand high-performance shrink film at just 14 microns and an easy-open tear tape. These features enable more cartons per pallet, reduce the number of trucks on the road and associated CO2 emissions, and save on shipping costs. The Mail Lite® cushioned mailers pick-pack format won in the Resource Efficiency Award category at the UK Sustainable Packaging News Awards.

Read the full SEE Impact Report 2022

Complimentary Webinar

Storage & Distribution Audits – How to Get Started and Best Practices

July 18, 2024| 12:00 PM ET / 9:00 AM PT

REGISTER

This is part 2 of the 3-part summer webinar series, Auditing Mastery.

In today’s ever expanding supply chain, the expectations for food facilities that provide product storage and distribution services are becoming more heavily relied on and with it comes increasing regulations and expectations. Whether your facilities are on the pathway to food safety certification or already undergoing an audit, it is a continuous journey that requires a team approach. In this webinar, SCS Global Services will review the audit standards that offer S&D audits and what criteria is required from training, HACCP plan development, modern GDP practices, and how to apply industry best practices for developing and implementing management systems.

REGISTER HERE FOR THE WEBINAR

By registering, you will get access to the webinar recording.

For inquiries, contact:

Shyama Devarajan 
Senior Marketing Manager, SCS Global Services 
sdevarajan@scsglobalservices.com

Complimentary Webinar

Storage & Distribution Audits – How to Get Started and Best Practices

July 18, 2024| 12:00 PM ET / 9:00 AM PT

REGISTER

This is part 2 of the 3-part summer webinar series, Auditing Mastery.

In today’s ever expanding supply chain, the expectations for food facilities that provide product storage and distribution services are becoming more heavily relied on and with it comes increasing regulations and expectations. Whether your facilities are on the pathway to food safety certification or already undergoing an audit, it is a continuous journey that requires a team approach. In this webinar, SCS Global Services will review the audit standards that offer S&D audits and what criteria is required from training, HACCP plan development, modern GDP practices, and how to apply industry best practices for developing and implementing management systems.

REGISTER HERE FOR THE WEBINAR

By registering, you will get access to the webinar recording.

For inquiries, contact:

Shyama Devarajan 
Senior Marketing Manager, SCS Global Services 
sdevarajan@scsglobalservices.com

BOSTON, July 10, 2024 /3BL/ – Vanguard Renewables®, a leading provider of organic materials management solutions and renewable gas production via Farm Powered® anaerobic digestion, is pleased to announce the appointment of Kent Bartley as the President of its Organics Solutions Division. With over 30 years of experience in the environmental and industrial services industry, Mr. Bartley brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role.

Mr. Bartley joined Vanguard Renewables in June with the primary objective of spearheading the expansion of the company’s Organic Solutions Division. In his capacity as President, he will oversee a team of national experts in organics material management solutions, logistics, and hauling. Together, they will provide diversion services for food and beverage manufacturers, retailers, and institutions across the contiguous United States.

“We are thrilled to have Kent join our executive leadership team as the President of our Organics Solutions Division,” said Neil H. Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Vanguard Renewables. “His extensive experience and proven leadership in the waste materials industry make him the ideal candidate to drive the growth and success of our organic solutions vertical.”

Prior to joining Vanguard Renewables, Mr. Bartley served as the President of North Ridge Consulting and worked as an operating advisor for several private equity firms, focusing on the industrial and business services sectors. Throughout his career, he has held various leadership positions, including Chief Executive Officer of Patriot Environmental Services, Senior Vice President of Sales and Operations at Clean Harbors, Chief Operating Officer at Envirosystems, and President of Maviro.

“Vanguard Renewables’ mission of harnessing the power of waste and recycling it into renewable energy is an amazing opportunity to provide much needed sustainable solutions to food and beverage manufacturers, retailers, and institutions,” stated Kent Bartley, President of Organics Solutions at Vanguard Renewables. “Our vast portfolio of clients are looking to do their part to decarbonize our planet and I am thrilled to lead a dynamic team that is helping those companies achieve their ambitious sustainability goals.”

With a strong track record in mergers and acquisitions, transactions and turnarounds, and new business branding, Mr. Bartley has consistently added value to the companies he has worked with. He has also been instrumental in introducing innovative services that have enhanced each company’s portfolio. Mr. Bartley holds an M.B.A. from Northeastern University and a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Maine.

Vanguard Renewables is a national leader in organics-to-renewable gas projects and along with its partners has 17 Farm Powered sites in operation, as well as 13 sites currently under construction across the United States. The Company also operates an organics recycling area in Massachusetts where packaged food and beverage waste is depackaged, sorted, and the organic materials are separated from the packaging for processing.

###

Photo of Mr. Bartley can be found here: https://www.vanguardrenewables.com/media-kit

About Vanguard Renewables

Vanguard Renewables®, based in Weston, Massachusetts, is a national leader in developing food and dairy waste-to-renewable energy projects. The Company owns and operates on-farm anaerobic digester facilities in the northeast and currently operates manure-only digesters in the south and west for Dominion Energy. Vanguard Renewables is expanding nationwide and plans to complete more than 100 anaerobic digestion facilities by 2028. Vanguard Renewables is committed to advancing decarbonization by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from farms and food waste, generating renewable energy, and supporting regenerative agriculture on partner farms via Farm Powered® anaerobic digestion. Vanguard Renewables is a portfolio company of BlackRock’s Diversified Infrastructure Fund business. To learn more visit: www.vanguardrenewables.com.

We’re helping solve our customers’ big challenges by innovating and delivering solutions that are better for their business—and for the environment.

Project At-a-Glance:

The opportunity: Support the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, with sustainable climate solutions, providing optimal indoor environmental quality for athletes and helping the Games meet their sustainability goals.

The solution: Comprehensive energy services and technology, including high-efficiency centrifugal chillers and air-cooled screw heat pump units for the Olympics Sports Center Stadium, the Natatorium, the Comprehensive Training Facility and  the New Century Hangzhou Grand Hotel.

When the 19th Asian Games closed in Hangzhou, China, in October 2023, the ceremony marked an achievement eight years in the making: Not only had the successful Hangzhou Games been the largest in scale, events and coverage across the 110-year tradition, but they had also been the most sustainable.

Guided by the goal of hosting a “green, smart, economical, and ethical” event, the organizers aimed from the outset to incorporate sustainable, low-carbon strategies into practice throughout the design, construction, operation and future use of each Games venue. To help meet their goals of delivering the first carbon-neutral Asian Games while building a zero-carbon Hangzhou benchmark for the games, organizers partnered with Trane®.

Trane provided sustainable and efficient climate solutions for the three Asian Games stadiums, including the Olympic Sports Center Stadium, the Natatorium and the Comprehensive Training Facility, as well as one of the athlete hotels – New Century Hangzhou Grand Hotel. Trane’s customized solutions for the Asian Games venues, including high-efficiency centrifugal chillers, high-efficiency air-cooled screw heat pump units and ongoing professional services, helped create healthy, sustainable indoor environments where the Asian Games athletes could excel.

Centrifugal chiller units promote high-efficiency performance

The first key benchmark for air quality was the air-conditioning coefficient of performance (COP) of centrifugal chiller units. To meet the green building two-star requirement, the COP would need to be greater than or equal to 6.254. Following field surveys and internal deliberations, the Trane team decided to deliver nine high-efficient centrifugal chillers, including four 1,200RT dual-condition high-pressure centrifugal chillers (CVHG1100); one 600RT inverter centrifugal chiller (CVHF570); and four 700RT centrifugal chillers (CVHG780). With a COP of 6.27, the combination of highly-efficient chillers met the green building two-star standard, enabling efficient operation while achieving energy-saving targets.

Not only did the nine chillers meet the short-term, high technical requirements of the stadium design for cooling and ice production, but they will also enable sustainable operations in the years to come. For the high demands of the gymnasium and natatorium, the Trane team opted for a dual-condition ice storage energy-efficient air conditioning system. Thanks to its reliable cooling performance, the system provided a safe and comfortable experience for the athletes and spectators at the stadiums and will continue to promote a sustainable, healthy indoor environment for future use beyond the games.

Heat pump units for year-round climate solutions

Trane also furnished four RTXC200XE high-efficiency air-cooled screw heat pump units that meet the green building standard for the New Century Hangzhou Grant Hotel. The heat pump units will meet year-round demand for heat and cold air-conditioning through the units’ dual-compression design, providing global athletes and future guests with a healthy and comfortable resting and living environment.

And in addition to offering customized service solutions, Trane also incorporated whole life-cycle professional services for the Asian Games venues. Value-added services such as extended warranty and remote monitoring reserve technical manpower and allow for remote data support well into the future.

“We are very proud that all three major Asian Games complexes selected Trane to be part of this history-making Asian Games in Hangzhou,” said Enoch Xu, vice president of the China Territory for Trane Technologies Asia Pacific, “Trane has been an important partner on other national projects in China, such as the World Expo, the G20 Summit, and the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. We are honored that our core technologies and high energy-efficient solutions helped create a healthy air environment for this international sports event.”

Discover more about our sustainable innovation in our 2023 ESG Report.

New Holland, a brand of CNH attended this year’s edition of AgroBrasília, the main technology and business fair in the federal capital.

Products and solutions aimed at all profiles of farmers, regardless of the size of the operation, were on display. Among the attractions of the brand’s booth was the new application for agricultural management, FieldOps™, which helps farmers make better decisions based on fleet information and the analysis of agronomic data and can be used in all types and sizes of properties.

Other highlights were the new line of PL4000 planters, aimed at small and medium-sized producers, and the Guardian SP310F sprayer, the only one in the country with a front spray bar. New Holland also presented its spraying drone at AgroBrasília, which will be commercially available from the second half of the year.

“As a full-liner brand and close to farmers, New Holland always seeks to deliver the ideal solution for the customer’s needs, regardless of the profile. We constantly invest in new technologies so that the producer can extract the highest productivity in the shortest possible time and reduce their costs, in addition to practicing a more sustainable agriculture,” said Eduardo Kerbauy, New Holland’s vice president for Latin America.