Tag: 3BL

In celebration of Women’s History Month and the Mattel Inc Barbie brand’s 65th Anniversary, Stacy’s announces special-edition “Barbie-fied” Bags, consumer giveaway and donation to support the next generation of women trailblazers

Partnership comes on the heels of the announcement of the 2024 Stacy’s Rise Project winners, which includes the largest grant amount in the program’s history

PLANO, Texas, March 25, 2024 /3BL/ – Stacy’s Pita Chips, a woman-founded brand with a longstanding legacy of supporting women entrepreneurs, has partnered with another iconic woman-founded brand, Barbie, to celebrate Women’s History Month through the stories of women from past, current and future generations. United by a shared vision of uplifting women and changing “herstory,” the partnership kicks off with a limited-time offer of “Barbie” inspired Stacy’s Pita Chips packaging – with bags available in both human and Barbie sizes.

“Barbie and Stacy’s Pita Chips share a common goal of inspiring women to achieve their dreams, so this partnership is a match made in ‘herstory,’” says Rhasheda Boyd, vice president of marketing, Frito-Lay North America. “Stacy’s is proud to continue its ongoing support of women founders through the Stacy’s Rise Project, and with Barbie, we’re thrilled to extend that spotlight on the upcoming generations of aspiring women trailblazers.” United by these legacies, the brands share a passion for supporting past, current and future generations of women.

Stacy’s and Barbie Limited-Edition Bags

To honor their brand stories and celebrate Barbie’s 65th anniversary, Stacy’s is getting the full Barbie treatment with limited-edition Stacy’s Pita Chip bags. The specialty bags feature a signature Barbie-pink metallic exterior and the classic Stacy’s Simply Naked® chips inside. And the fun doesn’t stop in the snack aisle – Barbie dolls are getting their own signature bag, too. The limited-edition Barbie-fied Stacy’s Pita Chip bags will also come in a miniature size, fit perfectly for any Barbie doll.

Before specialty full-size bags are available at retailers nationwide this fall, fans can enter for a chance to win a Stacy’s Career Barbie Kit inclusive of both the full-size bags and Barbie-size mini bags, along with an exclusive Career Barbie doll and other goodies. For the chance to win a Stacy’s Career Barbie Kit, fans can like and comment on the giveaway post on @stacys Instagram on or around March 12.

Guided by the belief that when one woman rises, we all rise, Stacy’s has pledged a $100,000 donation to the mentorship nonprofit Step Up. Step Up provides mentorship and programs for girls to define their ideal destination and get there – wherever that destination may be. The donation from Stacy’s will go towards sponsoring conferences in Los Angeles, Chicago, Nashville and New York to help provide 1,000 hours of mentorship to girls of middle and high school age.

“Step Up believes mentors play a crucial role in guiding girls to their success, so we are inspired and grateful to continue our partnership with two of our mentors, Barbie and Stacy, as part of our Women’s History Month collaboration with the Barbie Dream Gap Project and Stacy’s Pita Chips,” Step Up CEO Delores Druilhet Morton said. “With this investment in the next generation, Step Up will be able to offer valuable mentorship to help girls define and achieve their unique visions of success through our career exploration conferences.”

Introducing the Stacy’s Rise Project Class of 2024

Stacy’s is also continuing to change the course of “herstory” by announcing the 2024 Class of Stacy’s Rise Project winners. This year, Stacy’s has awarded 15 North American women founders each a $25,000 grant, mentorship from Frito-Lay and PepsiCo leadership and an incomparable built-in community of powerful women. The 2024 Stacy’s Rise Project class includes:

Alak Nanda (Atlanta, Ga.) founded PODI Life, a brand committed to bringing the best in South Indian food to culinarily curious American tables with seasonings (made of roasted lentils, nuts, herbs and spices) and easy, one-pot comfort meals (made of organic rice, lentils, climate-smart millets and spices).Delia Hughes (Westchester, N.Y.) and Lindsay Simon co-founded Tazzy, a candy brand on a mission to make candy with simple ingredients. A portion of sales from every item sold supports the fight to find a cure for Metastatic Breast Cancer.Diane Garber (Chicago, Ill.) founded WillPOWER Your Day, whole-food, plant-based snacks –including Unbelieva-Brittle® Seed Crunch, and Fruit-Sweetened Truffles – that appeal to and satisfy mainstream consumers while addressing nutritional priorities of vegan and specialty shoppers.Jamie Kim (New York, N.Y.) founded Jamie’s Farm, award-winning granolas baked with ghee for a luxurious flavor profile and perfectly delicate, crunchy texture.Jen Caines (Boulder, Colo.) founded Moksha Chocolate, an artisan bean-to-bar chocolate company that hand-crafts chocolate in small batches with direct-trade cacao.Kristen Fields (Austin, Texas) founded mmmpanadas, award-winning, better-for-you empanadas that are wholesome, delicious and really easy to heat and eat.Laura Melgarejo Silva (Bend, Ore.) co-founded Altitude Beverages, zero-proof cocktails packed with functional ingredients for an unwind without the booze.Martha Diaz (Sacramento, Calif.) founded Itacate Foods, dehydrated Latin meals for backcountry recreation that are all vegan or vegetarian, rehydrate quickly and bring authentic Latin flavors to the market.Ms. Fields (Baltimore, Md.) founded , which offers artisan-crafted cinnamon rolls that bring warmth and indulgence to vegan-friendly lifestyles, providing decadent, cinfully delicious treats that are ready in moments.Orleatha Smith (Los Angeles, Calif.) founded Sip Herbals, a pre-biotic tea that provides a gut health-supporting, caffeine-free, herbal coffee alternative made for label readers.Ajoa Mintah (Waterloo, ON), founder of Four All Ice Cream, is an engineer-turned-entrepreneur who blends her education, diverse experiences, and unwavering creativity to spread the joy of ice cream to everyone, no matter their dietary preferences or restrictions.K. Dee Howard (Cobourg, ON) founded Sootsoap Supply Co. to detoxify, deodorize and sanitize with the power of white charcoal, inspired by a lack of solutions for the devastating health effects of firefighter exposure.Evelyne Nyairo (Calgary, AB) founded Ellie Bianca – inspired by her daughter, Eliana – with the mission of giving every woman the opportunity to embrace and own her strength and beauty, inside and out.Kate Tremills (Chemainus, BC) founded Flourish Kitchen to bring easy-to-digest meals to women who desire big, joyful lives. The meals are designed to ease the stress of busy lives, while delivering all the flavour and nutrition of a home-made meal.Nadia Ladak (Toronto, ON) founded Marlow on her mission to revolutionize women’s health by pioneering the first-ever lubricated tampon for smoother and more comfortable insertion.

Since 2017, Stacy’s Pita Chips has connected thousands of women founders and provided more than $1 million in funding. The annual Stacy’s Rise Project has provided grants to 75 women, as well as resources, mentoring and a thriving network. Year over year, the application numbers have continued to increase, thanks to the brand’s longstanding partnership with Hello Alice, with over 29,000 Stacy’s Rise Project applications received in five years.

For more information about Stacy’s partnership with Barbie, the Stacy’s Rise Project and the newest class of Stacy’s Rise Project winners, visit stacyssnacks.com/barbie.

March 25, 2024 /3BL/ Delmarva Power purchased $190 million in goods and services from diversity-certified suppliers in 2023, accounting for 40 percent of the company’s total purchases for the year. This expenditure, a $50 million increase from 2022, is the most spent with diverse suppliers in the company’s more than 100-year history and reflects Delmarva Power’s ongoing efforts to support local and diverse communities.

“Supplier diversity is just one of the ways we support our customers and local communities with more than energy,” said Rodney Oddoye, senior vice president of Government, Regulatory and External Affairs at Pepco Holdings, which includes Delmarva Power. “Our continued increase in investments with these valuable partners reinforces our commitment to the local communities that we proudly serve and supports local business growth, helping our communities thrive.”

In line with Delmarva Power’s dedication to enhancing procurement efforts with local diversity-certified suppliers, the Empowerment Academy, formerly known as Target 25, offers prospective suppliers a chance to gain insights into Delmarva Power’s procurement procedures and those of its parent company, Exelon. This initiative contributes to the growth and development of each vendor’s relationship with the energy company. Since the establishment of the Empowerment Academy, Delmarva Power has graduated 10 diversity-certified suppliers and is eager to broaden this opportunity to additional local, diverse suppliers.

In 2022, Exelon, Delmarva Power’s parent company, launched the Community Impact Capital Fund (CICF) in partnership with RockCreek, one of the world’s largest diverse-owned global investment firms, which has invested more than $8.4 billion in diverse firms over the last two decades. The CICF, formerly known as the Racial Equity Capital Fund, expands capital access to businesses that have traditionally been challenged in accessing and securing funding so they can create more jobs, grow their companies and reinvest in their neighborhoods and communities.

Companies interested in working with Delmarva Power and other Exelon companies can register and provide pertinent information, including their diversity status, at exeloncorp.com/Suppliers.

To learn more about Delmarva Power, visit The Source, Delmarva Power’s online newsroom. Find additional information by visiting delmarva.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/DelmarvaPower and on X, formerly known as Twitter, at twitter.com/DelmarvaConnect. Delmarva Power’s mobile app is available at delmarva.com/MobileApp.

Delmarva Power is a unit of Exelon (Nasdaq: EXC), a Fortune 250 company and the nation’s largest utility company, serving more than 10 million customers. Delmarva Power provides safe and reliable energy service to approximately 561,500 electric customers in Delaware and Maryland and approximately 140,000 natural gas customers in northern Delaware.

March 25, 2024 /3BL/ Delmarva Power purchased $190 million in goods and services from diversity-certified suppliers in 2023, accounting for 40 percent of the company’s total purchases for the year. This expenditure, a $50 million increase from 2022, is the most spent with diverse suppliers in the company’s more than 100-year history and reflects Delmarva Power’s ongoing efforts to support local and diverse communities.

“Supplier diversity is just one of the ways we support our customers and local communities with more than energy,” said Rodney Oddoye, senior vice president of Government, Regulatory and External Affairs at Pepco Holdings, which includes Delmarva Power. “Our continued increase in investments with these valuable partners reinforces our commitment to the local communities that we proudly serve and supports local business growth, helping our communities thrive.”

In line with Delmarva Power’s dedication to enhancing procurement efforts with local diversity-certified suppliers, the Empowerment Academy, formerly known as Target 25, offers prospective suppliers a chance to gain insights into Delmarva Power’s procurement procedures and those of its parent company, Exelon. This initiative contributes to the growth and development of each vendor’s relationship with the energy company. Since the establishment of the Empowerment Academy, Delmarva Power has graduated 10 diversity-certified suppliers and is eager to broaden this opportunity to additional local, diverse suppliers.

In 2022, Exelon, Delmarva Power’s parent company, launched the Community Impact Capital Fund (CICF) in partnership with RockCreek, one of the world’s largest diverse-owned global investment firms, which has invested more than $8.4 billion in diverse firms over the last two decades. The CICF, formerly known as the Racial Equity Capital Fund, expands capital access to businesses that have traditionally been challenged in accessing and securing funding so they can create more jobs, grow their companies and reinvest in their neighborhoods and communities.

Companies interested in working with Delmarva Power and other Exelon companies can register and provide pertinent information, including their diversity status, at exeloncorp.com/Suppliers.

To learn more about Delmarva Power, visit The Source, Delmarva Power’s online newsroom. Find additional information by visiting delmarva.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/DelmarvaPower and on X, formerly known as Twitter, at twitter.com/DelmarvaConnect. Delmarva Power’s mobile app is available at delmarva.com/MobileApp.

Delmarva Power is a unit of Exelon (Nasdaq: EXC), a Fortune 250 company and the nation’s largest utility company, serving more than 10 million customers. Delmarva Power provides safe and reliable energy service to approximately 561,500 electric customers in Delaware and Maryland and approximately 140,000 natural gas customers in northern Delaware.

Originally published on 3M News Center.

First known paper-based product to offer padded protection, curbside recyclability and run on automated packaging machinesUp to three times faster than manual packing when paired with qualified automated packaging machinesThis innovative material uses proprietary padding technology and brings disruptive change to the shipping industry

ST. PAUL, Minn., March 25, 2024 /3BL/ – Harnessing the power of best-in-class materials science, 3M is proud to introduce a world’s first innovation to help redefine how the world packs, ships and sells goods across all industries. 3M is launching the first known padded, paper-based curbside recyclable mailer material that businesses can also use to automate their packaging process. This new material called 3M™ Padded Automatable Curbside Recyclable (PACR) Mailer Material is capable of producing packages up to three times faster than manual packing when paired with qualified automated packaging machines.

“3M Science continues to advance and create products that are sustainable and meet stringent performance requirements,” said John Banovetz, 3M’s chief technology officer. “3M is well positioned to tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges, and this includes creating more sustainable and better performing materials to help reduce the impact on our planet.”

This new mailer is made with a single layer of kraft paper that is lightweight, durable and resists moisture penetration. The proprietary padding technology helps to effectively protect against drops, bursts, vibration, and other potential risks incurred during shipping.

It is specially designed to be used with qualified automated packaging machines and is heat sealable with potential dwell times under one second to help facilitate fast and efficient operations. The material is not industry specific and is compatible with a range of printing technologies. It also comes in a wide array of sizes to meet the packaging requirements for all kinds of goods.  

For decades, 3M has been an established leader in helping businesses pack and ship reliably. In 2022, the company launched Scotch™ Cushion Lock™ Protective Wrap which is a sustainable alternative to plastic wrap.

Click here to learn more about 3M™ Padded Automatable Curbside Recyclable (PACR) Mailer Material.

About 3M 
3M (NYSE: MMM) believes science helps create a brighter world for everyone. By unlocking the power of people, ideas and science to reimagine what’s possible, our global team uniquely addresses the opportunities and challenges of our customers, communities, and planet. Learn how we’re working to improve lives and make what’s next at 3M.com/news.

3M Media Contact:

Mike Laninga
mlaninga2@mmm.com

Taco Bell blog

Another month, another celebration! March is dedicated as Women’s History Month in the U.S., United Kingdom, Australia and many other parts of the world. In 1982, Women’s History Week was officially launched in the United States, and eventually turned into a month-long event in 1987.

This year’s theme for Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day is Inspire Inclusion. So, to honor and celebrate the courageous women of the world (and at The Bell!), we will continue to tell their stories and amplify their voices. We hope that they not only educate, but also inspire inclusion and drive positive impact in your community to uplift those around you.

Nakari P. is a proud African American, woman, Live Más Scholar and assistant general manager (#034248) at Taco Bell Franchise Org. Tacala.

When it comes to celebrating women and giving thanks to her biggest inspiration, the first person that comes to Nakari’s mind is her mother.

“My mother is a smart, kind and courageous woman who has done so much for the people around her. What I admire the most is that even when taking care of an entire family, she still went back to school to further her career. She was a literature professor for years until she got her PhD. Now, she’s a therapist and teaches mental health and counseling.”

Although Nakari has been surrounded by empowering women such as her mother, she has faced stereotypes because of her ethnicity and gender.

”There were a lot of people who felt I couldn’t do my job because ‘women are too emotional’ or ‘not strong enough’. Adding my African American heritage to that, I’ve been seen as inadequate.”

However, these experiences have taught her to be stronger, face challenges head-on and continue creating an inclusive environment for those around her.

“Despite what people say, I hold my head high and make direct eye contact with those I meet, counteracting all the preconceived notions that society has created. I continue to share this with people who have had similar experiences.”

Nakari’s determination has gotten her to where she is today! Since moving to Alabama and finding Taco Bell, Nakari has held different positions which have enhanced her leadership skills. On top of that, becoming a Taco Bell Foundation Live Más Scholar and pursuing an education in physical therapy has empowered her even more.

“When I found out that I was being awarded the Live Más Scholarship, I was extremely excited! Being the only one from my family that resides in Alabama was financially difficult, but this award has taken that weight off my shoulders. Since joining the scholar community, I’ve grown so much, learning from those around me.”

If Nakari could share three things with young women navigating life just like her, it would be the following:

Believe that you can achieve your dreams no matter what anyone thinks or how hard the path might be. Have faith in what you’re doing!Be PROUD of yourself and what you’ve accomplished. You are your biggest cheerleader.Look to those around you for guidance. Sometimes, all you need is support from other women to motivate yourself and strive for the greatest. We’re all stronger together.

Subaru partners with Leave No Trace to send teams across the U.S. in a Subaru, providing hands-on training for how to reduce one’s impact when recreating outdoors.

Most nights of the year, Becca and Luke McGraw sleep in a tent perched on top of their Subaru Outback Wilderness, typically parked at a campsite in a beautiful natural setting. But sometimes, depending on where work takes them, they might sleep on top of their vehicle parked in the lot of a Cabela’s® outdoor supply store or take advantage of an Airbnb to do some laundry.

The married couple make up one of three Leave No Trace Traveling Teams, which road trip across the United States teaching outdoor enthusiasts the best ways to enjoy trails and trees while also preserving the resources for others to enjoy. Their reach stretches coast to coast and anywhere from urban parks to the nation’s vast wilderness areas.  

Former teachers, the McGraws love being outside and applied for the job on a whim during the pandemic. Now, they reach the growing and diverse numbers of hikers, campers, dog walkers and others who cultivated a love for the outdoors during the pandemic and continue to enjoy it.

They also delight in showing others how a person with a disability can both lead and enjoy the outdoors. Luke McGraw says he has about 30% vision, and Becca does all the driving.

Public lands are “getting much more engagement from people who have not traditionally spent time outdoors – especially people of color, people with disabilities, all sorts of people who have not traditionally spent time outside. We’re seeing a lot more engagement and a lot more  participation,” Luke says.

How It All Got Started

Based in Boulder, Colorado, Leave No Trace began unofficially in 1987 with a pamphlet to instruct those traveling in federally owned wilderness and backcountry about how to do so with minimum impacts on the land. The program grew in the early 1990s when the National Outdoor Leadership School was asked to develop training for nonmotorized recreation. In 1993, Leave No Trace formed as an independent organization, incorporating in 1994.

Five years later, Subaru became a Leave No Trace partner, working together with the organization to create the Traveling Trainer Program. Since then, Leave No Trace trainers have reached more than 220 million people in 49 states nationwide.

Leave No Trace Principles

Plan Ahead and PrepareTravel and Camp on Durable SurfacesDispose of Waste ProperlyLeave What You FindMinimize Campfire ImpactsRespect WildlifeBe Considerate of Other Visitors

© Leave No Trace: www.LNT.org 

Leave No Trace Training

In addition to the education offered by Traveling Teams, Leave No Trace offers free online education. The introductory LNT 101 Course provides 47 lessons, and their Backcountry Course consists of 39 lessons, including a 101 Course Recap. There are also in-person courses for instructor training and a Youth Program Accreditation. 

As for the McGraws, “They’ve completed the newest, latest and greatest Leave No Trace training,” says Faith Overall, community engagement manager for Leave No Trace. The couple is currently driving across the U.S. leading events from a Girl Scout program to a “communication workshop with land managers to teach them how to talk to visitors.” 

What Do Traveling Teams Do?

Traveling Trainer Teams road trip across the country in their Subaru vehicles providing hands-on educational training, workshops and outreach programs for children and adults.

The teams visit big festivals, Subaru WinterFest events and camp more than 250 nights of the year, Overall says. A local Colorado artist designed the wrap that encompasses and decorates the vehicles that each team occupies for about nine months.   

Their outreach is important, Overall says, as community leaders and land managers ask Leave No Trace to help them reach the influx of new visitors who got active outside for the first time during or after the pandemic. 

“The majority of folks don’t want to create impacts outdoors – they just don’t understand how their behaviors are causing impacts,” Overall says. “Even some folks who are seasoned. I run into people who have been outdoors their whole life, and I have to tell them to pick up their dog poop.”

Some visitors might be taking up a new activity, such as hikers who start rock climbing, and need to learn best practices for that hobby, e.g., how to scale a rock with minimal impact to the stone. Or maybe they know Leave No Trace practices for a rainy deciduous forest and then visit the Utah desert and need to learn the least invasive spots to urinate and pitch a tent, Overall says.

Leave No Trace works with the biggest federal land management agencies in the United States, including the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service.

In 2007, leaders partnered with the National Association of State Park Directors. Now, efforts stretch far beyond the backcountry to reach those walking on a neighborhood rail trail, to mountain biking in a county park, to running trails on BLM land.

The two-person Traveling Teams host multiday Spotlight events, focusing on community conservation and education in popular outdoor destinations, and lead multiday programs at designated Hot Spots, popular outdoor areas that have been overused but still can be restored.

A Former Advocate Reports Back

Gillian Rossi, parks and recreation director for the city of Manitou Springs, Colorado, says she served as a LNT Colorado state advocate for more than two years. The lessons she learned have helped her in her current job and her previous position with the city of Colorado Springs. 

“It’s really important to not come off like you’re shaming people or yelling at them, nothing negative,” Rossi says. “That’s the reason I like to go with the LNT model. It’s all about positivity and giving people the benefit of the doubt. No one is outside to maliciously harm our parks and outdoor spaces. They just don’t have the experience and knowledge of how to take care of them sometimes.”

In both communities she reached out to the local parks friends’ groups for help putting the practices in place. In turn, those groups began doing trail work and cleaning up dog feces and trash. She said she’s still learning new things from Leave No Trace.

“It’s what you don’t see that kind of speaks the loudest,” Rossi says. “You notice when things are out of place or if there’s a complaint or if a park has been destroyed by a large group. When the park looks great, sometimes it just blends into the background.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Genevieve Bookwalter is a freelance writer based in Chicago. A former reporter for the Chicago Tribune, her work also has appeared in The Washington Post, Wired  and National Geographic News, among other publications. Bookwalter is a graduate of the UC Santa Cruz Science Communication Master’s Program, and she earned her BS in biology and BA in creative writing at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. When she’s not writing, you can often find her hiking with her family or swimming in Lake Michigan.

Originally published on Aflac’s Newsroom

If you were to ask an Aflac employee their job title, you’d get a variety of answers. But if you ask an Aflac employee what they do for a living, there is one answer we all share: Together, we help create a world where people are better prepared for the unexpected and expected to help with expenses health insurance doesn’t cover.

It’s the word “together” that provides the most opportunity for us to achieve that vision. And like every company, a vision comes with goals. I don’t know a leader at a company who doesn’t list “growth” as a goal. But in our industry, growth comes with the opportunity to help people lead a more financially secure and healthier life. Earning the trust of new and keeping the trust of existing policyholders allows us to help more people. And that is what makes Aflac truly special.

Aflac was created based on our founders’ firsthand experience of seeing what a cancer diagnosis can do to a family. In an effort to show care to others who may be experiencing this difficult journey, we became pioneers in this space; our cancer plan was introduced in 1957 and was among the first plans we offered. Now, almost 70 years later, we continue to make a difference in the lives of families going through a cancer.

From the first moment a cancer policy is obtained, throughout the treatment journey and into survivorship, we aim to help provide a caring and supportive customer experience in addition to added financial support. For instance, when someone receives an initial cancer diagnosis and calls to file a claim, they are serviced by a team of experts who are trained in this delicate and important area.

Together, we follow through on the promise we made when a customer applies for a policy. And we continue to look for ways to innovate and evolve our insurance policies to provide the most valuable benefits to our insureds.

Of course, we provide that same level of care across all of our product offerings — including accident, cancer, critical illness, dental, vision, life and absence disability solutions and more — and we bring it to our employees and to the communities where we live and work. Our philosophy, Care on Purpose, is reflected in everything we do.

Here is something that is very important to understand: We want to pay claims. We often remind ourselves that we don’t sell a tangible product; we sell a promise, and fulfilling that promise is very important to us.

Whether it’s through our people, our products or a process, our commitment to helping people drives everything we do. We’re not just one of the largest supplemental insurance provider in the U.S. — we are a company that cares.

 

Coverage is underwritten by Aflac. In New York, coverage is underwritten by Aflac New York.

This is a brief product overview only. Coverage may not be available in all states, including but not limited to DE, ID, NJ, NM, NY or VA. Benefits/premium rates may vary based on state and plan levels. Optional riders may be available at an additional cost. Policies and riders may also contain a waiting period. Refer to the exact policy and rider forms for benefit details, definitions, limitations and exclusions. For complete details, including availability and costs, please contact your local Aflac agent.

Content within this article is provided for general informational purposes and is not provided as tax, legal, health, or financial advice for any person or for any specific situation. Employers, employees, and other individuals should contact their own advisers about their situations.

Accident:

In Delaware, Policies A36100DE—A36400DE, & A363OFDE. In Idaho, Policies A36100ID–A36400ID, & A363OFID.In Virginia, Policies A36100VA – A36400VA, & A363OFVA. Cancer/Specified-Disease: In Delaware, Policies B70100DE, B70200DE & B70300DE. In Idaho, Policies B70100ID, B70200ID, B70300ID, B7010EPID, B7020EPID. In Oklahoma, Policies B70100OK, B70200OK, B70300OK, B7010EPOK, B7020EPOK. In Virginia, policies A75100VA–A75300VA.Critical Illness: In Idaho, Policies A73100ID & A7310HID. In Oklahoma, Policies A73100OK & A7310HOK. In Virginia, Policy A73100VA. Dental: In Idaho, Policies A82100RID – A82400RID. In Oklahoma, Policies A82100ROK – A82400ROK. In Virginia, Policies A82100RVA – A82400RVA. Vision: In Delaware, Policy VSN100. In Idaho, Policy VSN100ID. In Oklahoma, Policy VSN100OKR. In Virginia, Policy VSN100VA. Life: In Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, & Virginia, Policies: ICC1368100, ICC1368200, ICC1368300, ICC1368400.STD: In Delaware, Policies A57600DE & A57600LB. In Idaho, Policy A57600IDR. In Oklahoma, Policies A57600OK & A57600LBOK. In Virginia, Policies A57600VA & A57600LBVA.

 

WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999

NY | 22 Corporate Woods Boulevard, Suite 2 | Albany, NY 12211

Z2400258R Exp. 3/25

Life-changing Innovations

Innovation is the heart of Essity, maker of the Tork brand. We continuously strive to create cutting-edge solutions, improving hygiene, health, and well-being, setting new standards for a better tomorrow. 

Watch a replay of Essity’s webcast on Innovation: Innovating for profitable and sustainable growth 

To learn more, download the Essity report, “Innovating for Profitable and Sustainable Growth” here.

ST PAUL, Minn., March 25, 2024 /3BL/ – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data submission period for manufactured or processed asbestos bearing material is drawing to a close. The data submission period runs from February 24, 2024, to May 24, 2024.

On March 18, 2024, the EPA announced the finalization of a rule to prohibit ongoing uses of chrysotile asbestos, the only known form of asbestos currently used in or imported to the United States. This represents the first rule finalized under the 2016 amendments to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), receiving near-unanimous support in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate.

Asbestos, a known carcinogen, has long posed severe health risks, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, and laryngeal cancer, contributing to over 40,000 deaths in the U.S. annually.

The ban targets chrysotile asbestos found in various products, including asbestos diaphragms, sheet gaskets, brake blocks, aftermarket automotive brakes/linings, and other gaskets. While asbestos use has been declining for decades and is banned in over 50 countries, its import for the chlor-alkali industry persisted, with imports into the US as recently as 2022. The majority of consumer goods that previously included chrysotile asbestos have been discontinued.

Under the new rule, EPA has set compliance deadlines to transition away from each use of chrysotile asbestos, ensuring both a reasonable transition period and robust workplace safety measures. Additionally, the rule addresses other asbestos-containing products, reinforcing EPA’s commitment to comprehensive chemical safety evaluations.

For more information on compliance deadlines and to read the EPA’s full press release, click here.

Questions? Antea Group is ready to help. Whether you need environmental remediation support for asbestos, industrial hygiene support, or help with disposal, our teams are ready to answer your questions.

About Antea Group

Antea®Group is an environment, health, safety, and sustainability consulting firm. By combining strategic thinking with technical expertise, we do more than effectively solve client challenges; we deliver sustainable results for a better future. We work in partnership with and advise many of the world’s most sustainable companies to address ESG-business challenges in a way that fits their pace and unique objectives. Our consultants equip organizations to better understand threats, capture opportunities and find their position of strength. Lastly, we maintain a global perspective on ESG issues through not only our work with multinational clients, but also through our sister organizations in Europe, Asia, and Latin America and as a founding member of the  Inogen Alliance.

By Bettina von Hagen, CEO and co-founder, EFM

EFM, the forestland investment company I co-founded, is celebrating its 20-year anniversary next year. And yet, the premise upon which we started EFM – that commercial forests could and should be valued and managed for the full range of goods and services they produce – timber, carbon, biodiversity, water provision, recreation, scenic values, tribal and indigenous values and rural livelihoods – is as enduring and critical today as it was twenty years ago. In many ways, it is more so, because the world has caught up with the critical truth that healthy, intact and functioning ecosystems – particularly forests – are fundamental to the earth’s life support system at the very moment that these ecosystems are unraveling due to climate change and human pressure.

Moreover, there is broad recognition that any hope we have on limiting global temperature rise to 2 degrees celsius is predicated on protecting and expanding the capacity of forests (and other natural systems) to store carbon and enhance resilience in the face of climatic change, such as increased fire incidence. As the world decarbonizes, expanding the capacity of forests, grasslands and oceans to sequester and store carbon is estimated to provide 37% of needed emission reductions in the next decade.

Today EFM has over $250M of assets and 150,000 acres of forestland under management and advises clients globally on investments in natural climate solutions. We have established three co-mingled forest investment funds and are launching our fourth fund, along with expanding our advisory work on natural climate solutions. Our approach is to purchase forests in ecologically significant landscapes, restore them to greater productivity and health, and lock in the improvements through conservation easements, carbon contracts, habitat banks, and selective sales to tribal and community entities. These strategies provide cash flow while the forest continues to grow.

Read Bettina’s insightful article here – https://greenmoney.com/climate-smart-forestry-from-niche-to-mainstream

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