Tag: 3BL

Originally published on Bioenergy Insight

The International Biogas Congress & Expo returns to Brussels on 18-19 June, and will once again bring together world-class speakers and exhibitors. Brian Tracey, director of gas sales at Vanguard Renewables, is amongst them

Can you give us an introduction to Vanguard Renewables and the work that you do

Vanguard Renewables was founded in 2014 and is the largest developer, owner and operator of anaerobic digesters in the US. We work with manure-only and codigestion (manure, food and beverage waste) systems, which we continue to develop across the US.

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Leidos is an innovation company rapidly addressing the world’s most vexing challenges. With a deep legacy of engaging its employees and communities on important issues, Leidos has prioritized taking a leadership role addressing the various challenges surrounding mental health. Since 2018, Leidos has worked with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s (AFSP) National Capital Area Chapter (NCAC) in support of our mission to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. Over the years, their engagement with the AFSP has grown from its beginnings here in the D.C. Metro Area to an international level.

Throughout 2023, Leidos and the AFSP have sought out ways to engage and educate Leidos employees. AFSP-NCAC Executive Director Ellen Shannon has shared with Leidos executives about AFSP’s lifesaving mission and, during Mental Health Awareness Month in May, presented AFSP’s educational program “Safe Reporting on Suicide” for Leidos’ international communications team. The presentation took place at Leidos Global Headquarters in Reston, VA and was streamed to Leidos communication team employees worldwide.

When it came to be AFSP’s Walk Season, not only did Leidos return as the Presenting Sponsor for all four of the NCAC’s Out of the Darkness Community Walks (Prince William, Loudoun, Fairfax, and Washington, D.C.) for its 5th year in a row, but they expanded their support of the AFSP Out of the Darkness Community Walks to a national level, and worked with NCAC to develop afsp.org/Leidos. This website is a one-stop-shop where all Leidos employees can learn about the AFSP, find their local Out of the Darkness Walk, form or join a Walk team, and give a financial contribution to support Leidos’ fundraising efforts for the AFSP.

As part of their support and awareness-raising campaign for the Walks, in August, Leidos and the NCAC hosted a virtual Out of the Darkness kickoff presentation for to all Leidos employees. This event was led by Leidos Corporate Responsibility Specialist Janelle Hunter and covered everything from how funds raised support the AFSP’s mission to awareness-raising tips for teams and participants.

In September, Leidos’s News Rooms published the article Breaking the Silence to Prevent Suicide, exemplifying their leadership’s support for the AFSP’s mission and providing lifesaving information and resources as well as ways their employees can take action to fight suicide.

Throughout September and October, 11 Leidos Out of the Darkness Walk Teams across the United States recruited 225 participants and raised $174,766, and that doesn’t even include funds raised through their sponsorships of the San Diego and Northern Alabama Walks!

The NCAC is so grateful for Leidos and their outstanding support in the DMV and across the globe. We look forward to continuing our work together to save lives as their leadership and dedication to bringing suicide Out of the Darkness provides a shining beacon of hope to all!

New panels bring solar capacity to 3MW, enough to power an electric car to drive from London to SydneyGlobal Innovation Centre can run entirely on solar power, fuelling High Performance Computing (HPC) testing and a customer experience with sustainability in mind

BUDAPEST, Hungary, June 3, 2024 /3BL/ – Lenovo has unveiled new solar panels at its in-house manufacturing facility in Budapest, Hungary, powering High Performance Computing (HPC) innovation. Lenovo’s newest Global Innovation Centre, unveiled in October 2023 and operating on-site at the facility, now has the capacity for customers to test HPC workloads on 100% solar energy.

Lenovo’s manufacturing facility in Budapest was built from the ground up with sustainability in mind and the new solar panels bring the total solar energy capacity onsite up to 3 megawatts (MW), enough to power an electric car to drive 10,800 miles. The completed installation, now totalling 5,072 solar panels across two buildings, form part of an ambitious global plan to reduce Lenovo’s Scope 2 emissions by expanding the use of solar energy worldwide, with 17MW of solar electric currently operational, and Lenovo investigating additional opportunities for solar installations in Brazil, Mexico, and China.

“With the focus on sustainability efforts a prominent part of the executive suite’s decision-making process, we see customers making significant shifts in their purchasing behaviour towards being more sustainable. At Lenovo, from our supply chain to our services, we offer customers significant support when it comes to helping reach their sustainability goals. Our European customers are now able to test HPC proof of concepts in our innovation centre which can be run off 100% renewable energy. They can then have their systems manufactured in a more sustainable factory and shipped within region using more sustainable modes of transport and bulk packaging services, collectively helping to minimise freight miles and emissions.” said Stefan Brechling Larsen, Global Sustainability Services Engagement Leader at Lenovo.

“Our customers also have the ability to purchase carbon offset credits to help offset the estimated CO2 emissions associated with the average lifecycle of their technology purchases by purchasing credits to support verified Climate Action Project, and with Lenovo Premier Support Plus and our Asset and Value Recovery Services, they can extend device life as well as more responsibly manage outdated technology.”

Sustainability in Innovation and Services

Lenovo technology is designed to help support customers sustainability goals once installed on premise too. For example, Lenovo Neptune™ direct liquid cooling technology has the ability to deliver 95% heat removal efficiency and lower power consumption up to 40%. The onsite Global Innovation Centre in Budapest, specializing in HPC and Artificial Intelligence (AI), houses Lenovo’s first European testing and demonstration centre for this sustainable liquid cooling, enabling customers to experience these efficiencies before purchasing.

Also on site in Hungary is Lenovo’s Value Recovery Service European facility where Lenovo equipment is returned, refurbished, and recertified as a sustainability service to support a more circular economy that helps to reduce e-waste and enables the purchase of enterprise hardware at an affordable price.

Sustainable Manufacturing in Europe

The facility in Budapest has implemented many sustainability measures including boosting heating isolation, adding new lighting sensors, and reusing heat from air compressors. Heat from the production house is used to keep the manufacturing space warm, while in winter, cold outside air is used for cooling, which helps reduce energy costs.

The physical manufacturing of Lenovo solutions on site is done using the patented Low Temperature Solder (LTS) process that was developed by Lenovo in 2017. With LTS, soldering heat is applied at maximum temperatures of 180 degrees Celsius, a reduction of 70 degrees from the previous method resulting in reduced carbon emissions during manufacturing. Beyond the processes, Lenovo also helps mitigate its employees’ environmental impact too by offering factory workers a free shuttle bus within the local area to reduce the number of cars driving to and from the facility.

“From day one we have worked tirelessly to boost the sustainability across the site in Budapest. Adding increased solar generation capacity has been an ongoing project and it is an exciting moment to now have the ability to run our Global Innovation Centre on 100% solar energy.” said Szabolcs Zolyomi, GSC (Global Supply Chain) Factory Site Leader at Lenovo.

“The new solar panels move us towards our goal of 4MW solar capacity at the site, equal to the power generated by 12 fuel tankers of natural gas. Being located in Europe, with the ability to reduce freight miles and this additional solar energy capacity, we are supporting Lenovo’s sustainability goals in a very tangible way. The European factory will only grow in importance as a part of Lenovo’s worldwide supply chain.”

Since the facility became operational, the Budapest factory has shipped 1.5 million workstations and servers to over 2,500 customers in 70 markets across EMEA.

The new solar panels were officially switched on by Szabolcs Zolyomi and Stefan Brechling Larsen on 24 April 2024, in front of media.

Marathon Petroleum’s Galveston Bay refinery partnered with Bay Area Habitat for Humanity Houston to fulfill the dream of a single mother who wanted to purchase her own home.In addition to sponsoring the habitat build, employee volunteers from Marathon Petroleum took part in building the three-bedroom home in Texas City.This marked the 172nd home built through the non-profit and its community partners since the program launched in 1991.

Born and raised in Galveston County, Texas, April Laijas had always dreamed of owning her own home. On Tuesday, April 16, 2024, that dream came true for the single mother of two when she received the keys to her brand-new house in Texas City.

“As a single mom watching home prices always going up, I wasn’t sure if this day would ever be possible,” Laijas said. “I am beyond excited to start making memories with my girls that we will cherish for years to come.”

The path to her new reality was made possible through the Bay Area Habitat for Humanity in Houston (BAHFH), with support from local businesses like Marathon Petroleum’s Galveston Bay refinery, a sponsor of the project. Families interested in purchasing a home through BAHFH must meet certain criteria. Members of the household are required to give 300 hours of “sweat equity” toward building the home as well as other Habitat homes and attend specific financial budgeting and homeownership courses.

“From start to finish, this has been such a rewarding process to be involved in,” said Vice President of Refining Dave Leaver. “It’s an incredible feeling to know our people played a role in helping to make this family’s dream come true.”

About a dozen employee volunteers from Marathon Petroleum took part in construction of the three-bedroom home, which broke ground in late 2023. Refinery Maintenance Foreman Cory Bush took it a step farther by donating a washer and dryer to April and her family.

“So many people in our community came together to support this deserving mom and her two girls,” Bush said. “To see the smiles on their faces at the dedication event was such a powerful moment to witness and something I will never forget.”

This marked the 172nd home dedicated by BAHFH since the non-profit was founded in 1991.

“We are so grateful to all who came together to build this beautiful home,” said Megan Scheffer, Executive Director of Bay Area Habitat for Humanity Houston. “Every nail, every hand and every dollar helped turn April’s dream of homeownership into reality, and we could not have done this without you.”

Originally published by Charlie King on Sustainability Magazine

Sustainability leaders from Coca-Cola HBC, EY and IBM discuss how corporate governance plays into their ESG and wider sustainability strategy

Corporate governance arguably goes under the radar, but senior executives say that should not be the case.

So how is it defined?

Corporate governance is the internal system of practices, controls and procedures a company adopts to govern itself, make effective decisions, comply with the law and meet the needs of external stakeholders.

Jonah Smith, Vice President, Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) Strategy and Programs at IBM, agrees: “For IBM, corporate governance is about creating innovations, policies and practices that prioritise ESG progress simultaneously with ethics, trust, transparency and – above all – accountability.”

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In sports, an athlete’s ability to maintain mental focus is what leads to their performance. However, data has shown that there is a high rate of mental health stigma among student athletes.

To help break down these barriers, on May 21, 2024, AEG’s LA Galaxy and LA Galaxy Foundation hosted a panel session “A Global View on Mental Health,” that featured LA Galaxy defender Maya Yoshida and forward Miguel Berry and was moderated by LA Galaxy alumnus Cobi Jones in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month.

The session was presented by Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Dignity Health, and Purina and attended by over 140 youth from the LA Galaxy Academy and the boys’ and girls’ soccer teams from Carson High School.

It was designed to help raise awareness among high school soccer athletes about the importance of talking about mental health and how to prepare oneself mentally as an athlete and shared strategies about mental wellness and how to employ positive coping mechanisms.

The event was part of the LA Galaxy’s ongoing commitment to promoting mental health awareness and marked the third annual Mental Health Awareness Month event organized by the club.

“Our aim with ‘A Global View on Mental Health’ was to engage and educate a diverse audience of high school soccer athletes to better understanding about mental health issues and reinforce that it is ok for them to speak about how they are feeling,” said Mariah Rodriguez, Community Relations & LA Galaxy Foundation Specialist. “We are proud to have collaborated with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Dignity Health, and Purina on this event which underscored why it is so important to foster conversations around student mental health and promote their overall well-being.”

The mission of the Los Angeles Galaxy Foundation is to advance the game of soccer and use it as a vehicle for positive change throughout Southern California communities. The organization has three main pillars that serve as the core of their granting and programming efforts: improving access to youth sports and health + wellness resources, while serving as champions for inclusion in their communities. To learn more about the LA Galaxy Foundation please click here.

A hush filled the conference room, as 150 girls directed their excitement and focus to the task at hand: creating their own sugar scrub.

They had just learned about the biology of skin and the science of skin care, and now they concentrated on crafting their own product, applying everything they learned throughout the day.

The Grade-6-through-12 students were part of a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) day of learning held April 13 at Prairie State College in Chicago Heights, a city just a few miles south of Chicago and adjacent to the northwest Indiana border.

The yearly event is billed as “a celebration,” says Edie Dobrez, executive director of Homewood Science Center in Homewood, Illinois, which has hosted the day for girls since 2017. “What we’re celebrating is the students, and what is possible in their future.”

Attendees come from 24 middle and high schools, all based in a region of Illinois and Indiana known for being culturally and economically diverse. Participants learn what a career in STEAM could look like—from working in medicine to engineering to physical therapy to the trades, and everything in between.

Mentors from the community are selected to reflect the diversity of the student population to ensure the girls can see themselves represented in STEAM careers, Dobrez explains.

“Many of our girls come from disadvantaged backgrounds. They’ve never been exposed to these types of opportunities,” she continues. “There’s a lot of talk about getting more women in STEAM roles, about a more diverse workforce. But what is happening to make that happen? Girls STEAM Celebration is our answer, thanks to support from sponsors like Enbridge.”

Dobrez believes that to diversify STEAM professions, students need access to opportunities from an early age—which is why the celebration is open to middle school students. The event’s aim is ultimately to spark girls’ interest in STEAM professions and to build their confidence.

“We want them to see that they belong in STEAM careers,” Dobrez says.

Event sponsorships ensure the celebration is free for participants. Enbridge contributed a $10,000 Fueling Futures grant to the center this year—and we’ve supported this event since 2019 because we share the Homewood Science Center’s commitment to giving young women more opportunities to learn about STEAM fields.

We believe diverse workforces, like diverse communities, thrive. Success is fueled by different perspectives, experiences, and cultures coming together.

Homewood Science Center’s efforts are working; the celebration was at capacity this year. To make the event accessible for all, there are no academic requirements for the students; anyone who is interested is accepted to attend, as long as there is space.

“Like good engineers, we do a lot of evaluation and testing,” Dobrek says. “We survey students before and after the event to measure our impact and see what resonates with the girls.”

One student, Fatima, recently received a full scholarship to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “After participating at our event and meeting the women mentors, she felt more inspired. She buckled down in her studies . . . and what a success story!” Dobrez says.

The celebration’s successes are both small and large. Not every participant’s story will end like Fatima’s, but there is much to be proud of.

Says Dobrez: “Even if the students’ improvement in STEAM subjects is incremental, if the students are inspired to work harder, if they feel more confident in themselves, those are outcomes worthy of celebration.”

POSORJA, Ecuador and LIMA, Peru, June 3, 2024 /3BL/ – DP World, a global leader in supply chain solutions, is making significant investments in its port terminals in Peru and Ecuador to enhance capacity and operational efficiency, reinforcing its strategic vision for Latin America and providing additional trade opportunities for its customers.

The expansions come amidst an increasingly complex global supply chain landscape, as leaders are seeking ways to mitigate risks and enhance resilience. Situated on the West Coast of South America, Peru and Ecuador are pivotal to DP World’s global strategy, serving as key gateways to international trade.

Carlos Merino, CEO of DP World in Peru and Ecuador, said: “DP World remains committed to creating resilient and efficient logistics solutions. Peru and Ecuador’s strategic locations provide reliable connections from the west coast of South America to major global markets. This substantial investment in port infrastructure and state-of-the-art equipment underscores DP World’s dedication to enhancing capacity, operability, and economic contributions in this vital region.”

The company is set to celebrate two major milestones in the next few months: the inauguration of the completed Bicentennial Pier expansion project at its operations in the Port of Callao in Peru, and the initiation of a berth expansion project at the Port of Posorja in Ecuador.

In Peru, the Bicentennial Pier expansion at DP World Callao will significantly increase the terminal’s capacity by 80%, transforming it into a premier logistics hub on the west coast of South America. The $400 million project extends the pier to 1,050 meters, enabling it to accommodate up to three vessels simultaneously and increasing its annual capacity to 2.7 million TEUs (20-foot containers).

The expansion also includes state-of-the-art electric-powered equipment and the first electric charging station for trucks in Latin America, promoting sustainable logistics solutions.

DP World Callao handles 60% of the country’s containerized cargo, solidifying the port’s position as the economic heart of Peru. In addition, DP World operates the Port of Paita in northern Peru, enhancing the country’s connectivity to global markets.

In Ecuador, DP World is planning to expand its berth at the Port of Posorja to enhance capacity and operational efficiency. Earlier this year, the deepwater port received three key service routes from Maersk, strengthening its strategic role in connecting Latin America with global markets. The $140 million expansion will extend the port to 700 meters of berth space and integrate advanced port equipment to ensure that Posorja remains a competitive, secure, and sustainable public terminal.

DP World operates a Special Economic Zone located next to the port of Posorja, further bolstering the nation’s trade capabilities.

Merino added: “DP World’s investments in Latin America encompass private capital infusion, job creation, and social and environmental initiatives. These investments align with global market trends where clients demand efficient, safe, and sustainable ports and logistics solutions.”

The company’s investment extends to Chile as well, where DP World San Antonio is undergoing a pilot project to test the MoorMaster NxG, a mooring system that consists of automated vacuum pads that moor and release vessels within seconds. DP World San Antonio will be the first terminal in the Americas to utilize this system.

These strategic investments reflect DP World’s commitment to advancing Latin America’s role in global trade, enhancing regional connectivity, and fostering sustainable economic growth.

– END –

DP World Americas Media Contact:

Melina Vissat, Head of Communications 
M: (+1) 704-605-6159 
E: melina.vissat@dpworld.com

About DP World 

Trade is the lifeblood of the global economy, creating opportunities and improving the quality of life for people around the world. DP World exists to make the world’s trade flow better, changing what’s possible for the customers and communities we serve globally.

With a dedicated, diverse and professional team of more than 108,100 employees from 161 nationalities, spanning 74 countries on six continents, DP World is pushing trade further and faster towards a seamless supply chain that’s fit for the future.

We’re rapidly transforming and integrating our businesses — Ports and Terminals, Marine Services, Logistics and Technology – and uniting our global infrastructure with local expertise to create stronger, more efficient end-to-end supply chain solutions that can change the way the world trades.

What’s more, we’re reshaping the future by investing in innovation. From intelligent delivery systems to automated warehouse stacking, we’re at the cutting edge of disruptive technology, pushing the sector towards better ways to trade, minimising disruptions from the factory floor to the customer’s door.

WE MAKE TRADE FLOW 

TO CHANGE WHAT’S POSSIBLE FOR EVERYONE.

It’s a common misconception that leaders are solely responsible for fostering a workplace that is safe. The truth is, every employee has the power to contribute to an environment where others feel comfortable being themselves, sharing ideas and expressing concerns. This collective effort is the cornerstone of psychological safety.

This Mental Health Awareness month, Southern Company’s SOPOD Network guest host Bentina Terry and DEI Program Manager Hoss Brown discuss the intricate relationship between our mental health and the level of psychological safety in our work environment.

Join Bentina and Hoss as they work through real-world examples of how to build a culture of psychological safety and discuss how lacking psychological safety can severely disrupt collaboration and innovation. Southern Company CEO Chris Womack provides a special welcome to this episode.

CINCINNATI, June 3, 2024 /3BL/ – Cintas Corporation (Nasdaq: CTAS) has been recognized for its dedication to supporting the growth of young professionals by being named one of Forbes Best Employers for New Grads 2024. 

“Cintas’ success and strong culture come from investing in our employee-partners, especially those who are just starting their careers,” said Todd Schneider, President and CEO of Cintas. “We recognize the unique needs and challenges faced by this group of employee-partners as they embark on their professional journey. That’s why it’s important we provide them with the resources, training and tools to put them on a path towards professional and personal success.”

Forbes partnered with market research firm Statista and surveyed more than 100,000 young professionals in the U.S. working for companies with at least 1,000 employees. Participants were asked to rate their employer in areas such as reputation, salary and benefits, education and career advancement opportunities, working hours and atmosphere, quality of work, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), whether good performance is recognized and whether they would recommend their employer to friends and family.

One of the ways Cintas supports its young professionals is through its Management Trainee (MT) Program. The program equips trainees with the necessary tools and resources to thrive by providing them with immersive, hands-on training in all aspects of the company’s operations. Upon completion of the MT program, trainees are then positioned to maximize their strengths and career advancement potential. 

“As someone who joined Cintas’ Management Trainee program right out of college, I’ve had the privilege of experiencing incredible support and mentorship firsthand, which has been instrumental in shaping my journey at Cintas,” said Schneider.

To add to this achievement, Newsweek also recently named Cintas to their list of America’s Best Workplaces for Job Starters 2024. This list by Newsweek, in partnership with Plant-A Insights Group, provides insights from employees and their experiences on corporate culture, working conditions, and other aspects of their current employer and companies with which they are familiar.

This additional recognition further supports Cintas’ efforts in prioritizing the well-being and development of its young professionals. 

Click here to watch a video to learn more about the Management Trainee program. 

About Cintas Corporation
Cintas Corporation helps more than one million businesses of all types and sizes get Ready™ to open their doors with confidence every day by providing products and services that help keep their customers’ facilities and employees clean, safe, and looking their best. With offerings including uniforms, mats, mops, towels, restroom supplies, workplace water services, first aid and safety products, eye-wash stations, safety training, fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems and alarm service, Cintas helps customers get Ready for the Workday®. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas is a publicly held Fortune 500 company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of both the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and Nasdaq-100 Index.

Cintas Media Contact:
Michelle Goret, Cintas Vice President of Corporate Affairs | goretm@cintas.com, 513-972-4155