Tag: 3BL

At National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), we know that it’s up to all of us to do our part to ensure our national parks and public lands are protected for future generations. That’s why we celebrated National Public Lands Day (9/23) all week long with help from our partners and park advocates across the country by sharing tips on how to be responsible park stewards and visitors. On Instagram, park advocates from across the country showcased the ways they protect parks – both on and off trail – and why national park protection is an issue important to them. They also shared how NPCA’s partners at Conscious Step, Fireclay Tile, Pura Vida, Pine Ridge Vineyards, HOMAGE and Wondery Outdoors support NPCA’s mission to protect and preserve parks.

Tips from advocates included staying on established trails to protect wildlife, carrying reusable water bottles while exploring parks and writing advocacy letters to representatives about park issues among others!

To discover how you can do your part to protect parks as part of our National Public Lands Day campaign, visit NPCA’s Instagram or check out our TikTok. NPCA is proud to partner with companies dedicated to national park preservation – learn more about how we work with our partners here.

Gildan is taking its digital grievance process to new heights, by rolling out its grievance mechanism app to 100% of its factory workers in Honduras, bolstering the Company’s existing efforts to provide safe and convenient avenues for them to voice their valuable feedback.

Gildan has been monitoring and responding to employee grievances through suggestion boxes, a third-party operated hotline, and more for many years. In 2021, Gildan went digital, introducing its first grievance app in two of its Company-operated facilities, one in Nicaragua and another in Honduras. This pilot was a successful one, enhancing the communication channels between workers and management, with more employees providing suggestions, sharing ideas, and asking questions. Since then, Gildan has had plans to extend this service to its other facilities. Just last month, Gildan debuted the new app in nine of its facilities in Honduras, covering its entire factory workforce in the country.

“At Gildan, the well-being of our employees is a cornerstone of how we operate, and a large part of that is listening to them and responding to their needs. We are happy to extend the use of digital grievance mechanisms to all our factory employees in Honduras,” says German Reyes, Director of Social Compliance at Gildan. “I look forward to seeing how the introduction of this app positively impacts our employees and allows them to actively participate in shaping the kind of work environment they want.”

As part of the app’s activation, Gildan launched an internal campaign in Honduras, partnering with a local celebrity, to encourage employees to download the app and confidently use the grievance mechanisms available to them. Gildan also designed free Wi-Fi zones in all facilities, with comfortable furniture, to facilitate app usage among its employee-base.

Gildan plans on rolling out the app in the rest of its global operations in the future. 

Find out more about Gildan’s respect for people here.

NORWALK, Conn., September 28, 2023 /3BL/ – Shatterproof, the leading grassroots organization focused on reversing the course of the addiction crisis in America, will kick-off its walk series beginning Saturday, September 30 in the Chicago area, and it will conclude Saturday, November 11 in Dallas. The six markets hosting Shatterproof walks, in addition to Chicago, include Boston, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C. More than 46 million Americans ages 12 and older identify as having a substance use disorder (SUD) in the U.S. but, unfortunately, only 10% of that number receive treatment.

When it was founded, Shatterproof was named to emphasize people’s need for support so that addiction doesn’t shatter more lives. The annual Shatterproof Walk gives communities the opportunity to bring the disease of addiction into the light and share inspiring stories of hope and recovery. Participants will unite to engage in several activities geared toward ending the stigma associated with SUDs, including the community walk.

Additional walk day highlights:

The Shatterproof Community Resource Village will showcase SUD resources from local organizations.Participants can select a bracelet that speaks to them personally to represent why they are participating in the Shatterproof Walk — whether it be in memorial of a loved one, for themselves in recovery, or to show their support to those who have SUDs.An opening ceremony will profile local walkers touched by addiction and recognize top teams, fundraisers and leading event sponsors.

Funds raised from the walk series will support Shatterproof’s work in advocating for changes in federal and state policy as well as programming focused on saving lives and changing the conversation about addiction. More than 80 cents of every dollar from the event goes directly toward programs and services to transform the treatment system, end addiction stigma, and support and empower communities.

Gary Mendell, founder and CEO of Shatterproof who lost his son to the stigma of addiction said, “We’ve seen firsthand how addiction touches each of our lives — through our own experiences, our loved ones, and those in our community. It’s time to change the way we view and treat those struggling with a substance use disorder, which is a chronic and treatable disease. In addition to saving lives today, we are transforming the treatment system in the U.S., ending stigma that dehumanizes those with addiction, and supporting families and communities through advocacy, resources and action. We are dedicated to creating a Shatterproof community that is stronger than addiction.”

For more information or to register for the Shatterproof Walk event, visit: 
https://www.shatterproofwalk.org

To learn more about the Shatterproof Walk, view this video from 2022: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blHnuk1LkLI

Shatterproof extends sincere thanks to the sponsors of the Shatterproof Walk:

Champion Sponsors: Elevance Health Foundation, Hyatt, Indivior, Mariner Wealth Advisers, and PaciraSignature Sponsors: Allmed, Braeburn, CHUBB, Hilton, ICG Advisors, JP Morgan Chase & Co, and SoundCloudGold Sponsors: Alkermes, Captivate, HEI, Lockton, and G-P (Global Made Possible)Media Sponsors: HOT 99.5, NBC4 Washington, WCVB 5 ABC, WFAA-TV, and Lemonada Media

ABOUT SHATTERPROOF:

Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing the addiction crisis in the U.S. Shatterproof is focused on guiding communities, removing systemic barriers to recovery, mobilizing the country to advocate for change, and ending addiction stigma in the U.S. Find Shatterproof on Facebook, X and YouTube @ShatterproofHQ or follow us on Instagram at @weareshatterproof. To learn more, visit www.Shatterproof.org. If you are experiencing anxiety, depression or a substance use disorder, text SHATTERPROOF TO 741741 for help.

ABOUT THE SHATTERPROOF WALKS:

Since 2017, The Shatterproof Walks have been uniting thousands of friends, families, coworkers, and communities to raise vital funds and transform how addiction is treated in America. Walk is a day for communities to come together and celebrate those living in recovery, bring hope to the millions still suffering, and honor those who lost their lives to this disease. Regardless of age, gender or race – families, corporations and community alliances show up for their loved ones, customers and employees in the communities in which they live and serve.

CONTACT: 
Lauren Lawson-Zilai 
Shatterproof 
press@shatterproof.org

Our purpose is what unites us at Henkel North America: Pioneers at heart for the good of generations. Our pioneering spirit is reflective of the diverse backgrounds, experiences and talents of our employees and partners. They dare to make an impact for the world by collaborating to tackle challenges, find solutions and open up new perspectives.

Their contributions allow us to deliver products, services and innovations that enrich and improve everyday life. We invite you to “meet” our pioneers in our new series, “Pioneers for Good”.

As a Senior Scientist at Henkel, Gerhard supports the beauty care business and its market-leading brands. He takes his passion for chemistry and uses it to help deliver innovative solutions for customers and promote diverse representation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).

Gerhard was born in Venezuela and moved to the United States at the age of thirteen. He initially had plans to pursue a career path in the medical field, but after taking research labs in undergraduate school he became interested in a career in chemistry.

When it comes to the beauty industry and the products Gerhard and his team formulates, representation is important. “Having people working in the lab who represent the broader population can go far in developing products that meet the needs of all consumers,” he says.

Incorporating diverse perspectives is an absolute necessity in the R&D process and within our teams.

Gerhard Kummerow, Senior Scientist, Henkel Consumer Brands

In addition to his role as a scientist at Henkel, Gerhard is active in the community and involved in various professional development organizations and employee resource groups (ERGs) at Henkel.

One of Gerhard’s missions is to encourage interest in STEM and build a more diverse pipeline of future STEM talent. As co-founder and mentoring chair for Henkel’s ¡Unidos! ERG, Gerhard works with MentorSHPE, a program that aims to empower the Hispanic community to realize its full potential by partnering students with professionals in the STEM field. This year, 12 Henkel employees mentored and provided guidance for Hispanic students aspiring to be STEM professionals through the MentorSHPE program.

“Working with and mentoring emerging STEM talent has been such a fulfilling experience,” he says. “Not only do I get the opportunity to give back by sharing my expertise and advice, but it is exciting to learn from and foster the growth of this next generation of scientists who will be pioneering new products and solutions that can improve lives and even change the world.”

In addition to his work with Henkel’s ¡Unidos! ERG, Gerhard also serves as a leader for the PRIDE ERG. Through both ERGs, Gerhard has been able to connect with employees from all over the world and support emerging professionals.

Gerhard hopes to see employees continue to get involved with Henkel’s mentoring programs and believes the ERGS are an important way to connect with each other. “Our work feels more meaningful when we have a community that supports us,” said Gerhard. “It’s important that people feel included at work so they can be as successful as possible.”

By: Danny Leonard, Director of Sales, Sofidel America

Over the last few years, restaurants have been feeling the heat amid concerns about COVID-19, worker shortages and rising food prices. But the industry is poised for a comeback according to a recent National Restaurant Association survey – it found the restaurant workforce is projected to grow by 400,000 jobs. There’s also pent-up demand from consumers who want to return to dining at restaurants as often as they had pre-pandemic.

With this expected influx on the horizon, it’s important that your restaurant takes stock of proper cleaning and hygiene measures for key front-of-house (FOH) and back-of-house (BOH) areas.

Don’t Put Restrooms on the Back Burner

While there are many areas of a restaurant that guests encounter while dining, one of the most impactful is the restroom. These spaces are highly frequented and hold major weight when it comes to how diners view your business. In fact, a recent Harris Poll uncovered that almost three in four Americans (74%) say a dirty restroom leads them to have a negative perception of a business.

To keep your restroom inviting and hygienic, consider the following best practices:

Schedule regular restocks. The aforementioned Harris Poll found over two in three people say when restaurant restrooms are inadequately stocked with hand soap, toilet paper and paper towel dispensers, it negatively impacts their views of the business. Ensure your staff regularly restocks restrooms by developing a schedule or appointing a certain person to check on restroom supplies, particularly during busy times.Encourage proper hand hygiene. It’s an unfortunate fact that toilet and urinal flushes can spread pathogens through the air and onto surfaces and the hands of restroom users. This makes proper hand hygiene vital. On top of having hand hygiene supplies like soap, sanitizer and paper towels properly stocked, also educate guests and employees via signage on hand washing techniques, like washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.Opt for paper towels. To decrease the spread of germs, consider replacing jet air dryers with paper towels or adding towel dispensers near sinks. A study from Cambridge University found using paper towels to dry hands resulted in lower contamination rates when compared to jet air dryers. Plus, research finds that people overwhelmingly prefer using paper towels in public restrooms compared to air dryers.Quickly address toilet clogs. Toilet clogs at your restaurant are a major deterrent for customers. In fact, 86% of Americans agree that a clogged toilet causes them to have negative perceptions of a business. To limit the risk of guests refusing to return to your restaurant, consider stocking toilet paper that actively reduces the occurrence of toilet clogs. This toilet paper works by releasing good microorganisms once it comes in contact with toilet water, which eat away build-up in pipes. This type of toilet paper also enables staff to spend less time dealing with cleaning up messes and more time focusing on guests.

BOH Processes Gain Visibility in FOH Areas

Guests often don’t know what occurs in restaurant kitchens due to their closed-off designs. However, increasingly restaurants are bringing the BOH to the forefront. This can come in the form of build-your-own meal models like Subway or Chipotle and open-concept kitchens in full-service restaurants. These designs have altered how restaurant staff prioritize cleanliness and hygiene.

Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has required restaurants to leverage their trusted cleaning protocols in other areas to reduce the spread of pathogens. Kitchen staff have always been accustomed to cleaning regularly to ensure food safety. Now, guests have higher standards and expect thorough cleaning and sanitizing practices to take place where they dine. Furthermore, 6 in 10 people shared concerns if restaurant employees have a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) – make sure kitchen staff is prepared with proper PPE.

Whether a kitchen is out of view of customers or in plain sight, it’s important to give diners reassurance that your restaurant is following infection prevention and food safety best practices where food is prepared and where it is enjoyed. Consider developing a cleaning checklist to ensure all key areas and surfaces that guests may or may not see are properly addressed on a regular basis.

BOH employees must also follow proper hand hygiene to reduce the risk of pathogen transmission. Keep soap, sanitizer and absorbent paper towels stocked in kitchen areas at all times.

Cleanliness and Hygiene: The New Bread and Butter

At the moment, your restaurant may not be experiencing foot traffic like it had pre-pandemic, but that doesn’t mean that it’s easier to maintain cleanliness. Many foodservice operations are struggling to hire enough workers and guests are scrutinizing cleanliness and hygiene more closely. Be sure to consider the impact that both FOH and BOH areas have on your reputation and bottom line to keep your restaurant safe and inviting. Cleanliness and hygiene are a vital duo that support public health and customer satisfaction when executed correctly.

Danny Leonard is Director of Sales at Sofidel, a world leader in the manufacture of paper for hygienic and domestic use, including its Papernet brand of sustainable hygiene solutions. For more information, visit www.papernet.com/americas.

About The Sofidel Group

The Sofidel Group, a privately held company owned by the Stefani and Lazzareschi families, is a world leader in the manufacture of paper for hygienic and domestic use. Founded in 1966, the Group has subsidiaries in 12 countries – Italy, Spain, the UK, France, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Hungary, Greece, Romania, and the USA – with more than 6,400 employees. A member of the UN Global Compact and the international WWF Climate Savers program, the Sofidel Group considers sustainability a strategic imperative and is committed to promoting sustainable development.  For more information, visit www.sofidel.com.

Media Contact:   

Brianna Fitzpatrick 

Mulberry Marketing Communications

bfitzpatrick@mulberrymc.com 

The wounds of history can be healed if we apply social innovation, resilience and strong community connection.

This was the theme that underscored our final WELL Summit 2023 MainStage session. “Lessons from Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Process: Centering and Celebrating Indigenous Wisdom” began with powerful stories from each panelist as well as land acknowledgements that recognized those that came before us, the contributions they made and their relationship with the land we occupy today.

These opening remarks were followed by an intimate conversation among Davina Rooney, CEO of the Green Building Council of Australia; Victoria Grant, chair of the Counseling Foundation of Canada; and Diane Roussin, project director of The Winnipeg Boldness Project. Grant is of the Loon Clan, Teme-Augama Anishnabai, and a member of the Temagami First Nation. Roussin is an Anishinaabe community leader and a proud member of the Skownan First Nation in Agowidiiwinan Treaty 2 Territory.

The engagement with each other and the audience exemplified a teaching Grant shared from her grandfather: when you walk in a room and engage with people, you take a little of each of the people there with you.

“We are the sum of our experiences and the people who have walked with us through life,” Grant explained, adding, “We live in a world that has been made much smaller as a result of transportation, technology and communication. We all have much more diversity within our communities and in our countries. We need to understand that diversity is natural. It’s not something that needs to be overcome.”

Truth and reconciliation

The panelists’ presentations and conversation shined a light on the systemic racism that has profoundly impacted the lives of Indigenous peoples and the importance of truth and reconciliation.

As Rooney observed in facilitating the discussion, it’s important to pause and acknowledge – to sit in the truth for a bit first — because “If you’re not uncomfortable, you’re not listening.”

Another key to reconciliation is education. “The history of Canada and the history before there was a Canada is not being taught in our classrooms. So the idea that there were Indigenous people living on the land with sophisticated systems (political, economic, health and more) is not taught in our schools,” Roussin shared.

This omission contributes to the racism faced by Indigenous peoples and fails to leverage wisdom that can be essential in tackling environmental and social challenges around the world.

Centering and celebrating indigenous wisdom

Acknowledging that successful efforts require systemic changes and a cross-sector approach, Roussin reflected on the value of her culture’s clan system teachings about collaboration. Clans are made up of a lot of different people, but everyone has a role. Every voice is needed at the table, and you have to understand your role and responsibility to make a difference.

These indigenous principles and those of strong community connection and people’s relationship with animals, water, trees and other people stand to have a positive impact on the world.

“We call these relations and our culture strives to live in a good, balanced, reciprocal relationship with them,” Roussin indicated. “We literally talk about Earth as our mother. And so I hope if you have a motherly figure in your life, you’re not thinking about extracting every ounce of value you can out of that mother and that you don’t care how she’s doing.”

For more information about the WELL Summit, please visit https://www.wellcertified.com/well-summit.

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Winners demonstrated excellence in sustainability, safety and community service

CHARLOTTE, N.C., September 27, 2023 /3BL/ – Duke Energy has chosen eight organizations to receive its 2023 Power Partner Award.

The annual program founded in 1992 honors businesses and other organizations that have demonstrated excellence in sustainability, safety, service, and problem solving.

“We value our large commercial, industrial and government customers and encourage them to strive for organizational excellence,” said Chris Edge, Duke Energy vice president of large business customers. “All the winners awarded this year have innovated in ways that benefit their employees, stakeholders and greater community.”

The 2023 Power Partner award-winning organizations are:

Alamance-Burlington School System 
Burlington, N.C.

Category: Sustainability Excellence

The Alamance-Burlington School System (ABSS) is a school district covering Alamance County and the city of Burlington, N.C., with an enrollment of approximately 23,000 students. The school system is committed to participation in Duke Energy’s Energy Efficiency (EE) Design Assistance programs for new facilities and has enrolled facilities in extensive retrofitting projects resulting in valuable energy savings.

Milliken & Company 
Spartanburg, S.C.

Category: Sustainability Excellence

Milliken & Company, an industrial manufacturer of textiles, floor coverings and chemicals, works closely with Duke Energy to develop economically viable solutions to meet their desired 2025 sustainability goals. Milliken’s Magnolia/Allen plant in Blacksburg, S.C., opted into Duke Energy’s EE programs, using its custom performance incentives to eliminate coal as an on-site fuel source and to significantly reduce air pollutant emissions. Also, as part of Duke Energy’s net metering program, Milliken installed two solar arrays at their Roger Milliken Center (RMC) Global Headquarters.

Evonik 
Tippecanoe, Ind.

Category: Safety Partnership

Evonik, a German based chemical company, partnered with Duke Energy to strengthen the safety culture at its Tippecanoe Laboratory site. Through this partnership, Evonik and the Duke Energy Lafayette Distribution Operations Team performed “Safety Days,” a series of live-line demonstrations designed to communicate everyday best safety practices to Evonik employees. Evonik also worked with Duke Energy to install warning signage underneath on-site high voltage lines and sought consultation on safe vegetation clearing practices.

Catawba College 
Salisbury, N.C.

Category: Sustainability Excellence

Catawba College, a longtime customer of Duke Energy, was recently recognized for becoming the first campus in North Carolina and the Southeast to achieve carbon neutrality. Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions (DESS) assisted Catawba College with the development of a sustainability plan that got them to this goal. In addition, the college used DESS resources to upgrade their campus electric system and implement a campus-wide metering system to track their energy usage. Working together with Duke Energy, the college was able to achieve their 2030 goal of carbon neutrality seven years ahead of schedule.

Duke University 
Durham, N.C.

Category: Sustainability Excellence

Duke University has established the Duke Climate Commitment, a university-wide initiative to address climate change. To advance this initiative, the university is a participant in Duke Energy’s Green Source Advantage (GSA) Program, which enabled the construction of three solar arrays totaling 100.9 MW of renewable generation. In addition, the university has installed net-metered solar arrays, totaling approximately 876 kW of clean energy.

Purdue Research Foundation 
West Lafayette, Ind.

Category: Service Excellence

Purdue Research Foundation (PRF) has two major development sites within Duke Energy Indiana’s service territory, Purdue Research Park and Discovery Park District. Both sites are creating jobs and bringing capital investment to the West Lafayette, IN community. Three projects have broken ground at these sites in 2023: the Rolls-Royce High Altitude Test Facility, Rolls-Royce Hybrid Electric Test Facility, and Ascension St. Vincent Hospital campus. Duke Energy Indiana and PRF have partnered closely to develop a long-term planning strategy to accommodate future growth at these facilities.

FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotech USA 
Holly Springs, N.C.

Category: Solution Innovation

In March 2021, FujiFilm Diosynth announced that Holly Springs, N.C. had been selected for their new cell production site. By 2025, FujiFilm will invest $2 billion into the site and surrounding community, creating 725 skilled jobs that pay an average of $100,000. Duke Energy will serve the 16 MW campus, which will be the largest culture bio-pharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) in North America. The facility will enable FujiFilm to produce transformative medicine to meet market demand. FujiFilm has also partnered with Duke Energy to provide backup generation to the site through a 15-year Premier Power agreement. Further, the design and construction of the campus will align with Fujifilm’s Sustainable Value Plan.

Toray Resin Company 
Shelbyville, Ind.

Category: Sustainability Excellence

Toray Resin Company, an international plastics manufacturer, partnered with Duke Energy to construct a solar energy facility capable of producing up to 900 kilowatts of power at its campus in Shelbyville, Ind. Toray Resin Company signed up to be the first participant in Duke Energy Indiana’s solar services pilot program, which aims to make it easier for businesses, schools and nonprofits to incorporate clean, renewable energy sources into their energy mix. Under the program, Duke Energy owns, operates and maintains the Blue River Solar Facility on Toray Resin’s campus for a monthly service fee. The program provides Toray Resin with the advantages of clean energy while minimizing upfront costs and maintenance obligations. Construction on the 8-acre, ground-mounted solar project began in October 2021, and it was brought into service in 2023.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,600 people.

Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by 2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune’s 2023 “World’s Most Admired Companies” list and Forbes’ “World’s Best Employers” list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy’s illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

24-Hour media line: 800.559.3853

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“Today I want to talk about something that is the driving force of all of our progress – and that’s the courage of our movement. Everyone here today is a leader,” said Jason Hartke, IWBI’s EVP of External Affairs, to WELL Summit attendees as he helped kick off day two of the event. Leadership means having to go against the grain, fight the status quo, pioneer innovation and chart a different path, Hartke noted. “And to me, that’s the essence of leadership and courage.”

Leadership and courage were at the forefront, as Hartke announced a collective call to action from 12 public health leaders and premier organizations in the healthy buildings space, calling on policymakers across the nation to prioritize buildings as instruments of public health.

The announcement provided an ideal set up for IWBI President and CEO Rachel Hodgdon’s lively discussion with four former U.S. Surgeons General: Dr. Joycelyn Elders, Dr. Antonia Coello Novello, Dr. Richard Carmona and Dr. Kenneth P. Moritsugu. As the Nation’s Doctor, the Surgeon General’s mission is to provide Americans with the best scientific information available on how to improve their health and reduce their risk of illness and injury.

With this mission in mind, the session, “A Prescription for Well-being: Places that Put People First” shed light on key topics including:

Speaking truth to powerHow to address the diminishing trust in government institutionsThe importance of health literacy, cultural competency and empathyBuildings as a prescription for health

Speaking Truth to Power
Each panelist spoke to their roles in often delivering inconvenient truths and the importance of speaking truth to power. As Dr. Carmona noted, “Good leaders surround themselves with equally good leaders. They are not afraid to listen to the truth, and they stay focused on the needs of the people.”

Diminishing trust in government institutions
But is that today’s reality? According to the most recent Edelman Trust Barometer, collective faith in U.S. government and public health institutions is at an all-time low. Trust in government is at 44%, the lowest it’s ever been, making it the least trusted institution for the third year in a row.

Hodgdon asked panelists, “What do we need to do to build back that trust?” The Surgeons General pointed to a few key steps that can apply well beyond the political landscape, including the role of leadership, education, health literacy, cultural competency and empathy.

What they said:

“We need elected officials who recognize the importance of public health and support the best science. What we’ve seen the last few years is a community that’s been plagued with half-truths and mistruths for political gain, and the public then loses confidence in science.” – Dr. Carmona“Health literacy is so important today because it’s about us being able to translate what we know into usable information for the public. It’s not only about health literacy, but also cultural competence. Unless you know the culture, you’re just talking translation. For that reason, culture is the crucial thing to be able to get to me so that I feel that you really care. We are losing empathy.” – Dr. Novello

Buildings as a Prescription for Health
Research shows that we spend almost 90% of our time indoors, so the impact that buildings are having on our health is significant. How will the places and spaces where we live our lives be used to cure what ails us? It was a far-reaching conversation covering an important range of topics from the challenges facing rural communities, schools and prisons to equity and climate change.

A few takeaways:

“If buildings are a prescription for public health, schools are a particular kind of patient… It’s not just students that are impacted, but also the teachers and staff.” – Hodgdon“We all want children in our communities to grow up healthy, educated and motivated – and to have hope for the future. But we fail them because when we talk about increasing the taxes to make things better, to innovate schools, we don’t do that.” – Dr. Elders“Our prisons aren’t focused on providing a healthy atmosphere, even though the occupants have a constitutional right to a safe environment. We need to build and improve prisons to provide safe and humane care.” – Dr. MoritsuguOn the decision by some architecture and design firms to not participate in prison design, “Everyone has a choice to participate or not participate. But, it’s a loss to the community because we will have lost the benefit of their knowledge, their science and their experience in building and constructing new institutions.” – Dr. Moritsugu“We know that over the next couple of years hundreds of billions of dollars are going to be spent fortifying our buildings to withstand the impact of climate change, but the question is will all of those improvements be made with an eye toward protecting people inside of those spaces as well?” – Hodgdon

The consensus: We need to start education early to ensure that the next generation is prepared to continue to drive progress and so that we can provide a better future for all.

Read more about the call to action, organized by IWBI, on behalf of renowned public health leaders, urging a significant change in how buildings and indoor environments are perceived—from mere structures to critical levers for public health.

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BRANTFORD, Ontario, September 28, 2023 /3BL/ – SCS Global Services (SCS) has published the EPD for the Ceranovus® product line, which is a line of specialty waxes that includes both polyethylene and polypropylene polymer additives. These additives enhance processing and performance for a wide range of products, including injection molded products and asphalt products such as roofing and roadways. The EPD outlines the environmental impacts of the products, and more importantly, allows customers to realize GHG reduction opportunities when they select Ceranovus.

Made from 100% recycled inputs, customers can compare the impacts of the GREENMANTRA product with alternative, non-recycled products offered on the market today. Carbon reduction is increasingly a mandate in both the public and private sectors, and achieving those carbon reduction goals is driving procurement decisions. This is particularly true for industries such as the asphalt paving industry.

“We committed to the process of publishing the Ceranovus EPD to not only help our customers better meet industry transparency requirements, but also pursued this because we believe it will help our customers gain a competitive edge in positioning their products,” notes Domenic Di Mondo, President of GREENMANTRA Technologies. “Recycled inputs inherently offer environmental impact reductions, and I think the industry will see that come through in the EPD.”

The EPD outlines product impacts in the areas of raw material inputs, energy and water consumption, waste generation and emissions. Published by SCS Global Services, the data in the EPD is third-party verified.

“GREENMANTRA’s EPD is an important step towards efforts in their supply chain and the green building industry,” said Keith Killpack, SCS’ Technical Director of Environmental Certification Services. “EPDs are the most robust multi-attribute transparent report that communicates what a product is made of and how it impacts the environment, and SCS commends GREENMANTRA for this high level of transparency.”

The full EPD can be viewed on the SCS Global Certified Green Products Guide, Ceranovus® PE and PP Polymer Additives or upon request from GREENMANTRA Technologies.

About GreenMantra Technologies

GREENMANTRA Technologies is a leader in molecular recycling that transforms hard to recycle plastics into value-creating specialty waxes and polymers. GREENMANTRA’s products are used as performance enhancers and processing aids in roofing, asphalt roads, extruded plastic pipes, and other construction infrastructure applications with useful lifespans of 20-50+ years. In each application, GREENMANTRA improves product performance, provides a more efficient manufacturing process, and allows manufacturers to greatly increase the recycled content of their end products without sacrificing performance. GREENMANTRA annually diverts thousands of tons of waste plastic from our oceans and landfills into new applications. For more information, visit https://greenmantra.com/.

About SCS Global Services

SCS Global Services is a global leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development. Its programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in climate mitigation, green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, consumer products, and more. Headquartered in Emeryville, California, SCS has representatives and affiliate offices throughout the Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and Africa. Its broad network of auditors are experts in their fields, and the company is a trusted partner to companies, agencies, and advocacy organizations due to its dedication to quality and professionalism. SCS is a chartered Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. For more information, visit www.scsglobalservices.com/.

CONTACT: 
Ben Scott 
Director of Research & Innovation 
GREENMANTRA Technologies 
+1 226-979-3142 
ben.scott@greenmantra.com

Nikki Senseman 
Director of Client Marketing 
SCS Global Services 
+1 510-295-0667 
nsenseman@scsglobalservices.com

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LINCOLN, Neb. September 28, 2023 /3BL/ – The world’s most influential urban forestry leaders are set to descend on Washington D.C. in mid-October for the World Forum on Urban Forests. It’s the first time the international gathering has been held in the United States.

“The World Forum on Urban Forests is a global call to action for tree champions working to amplify the impact of forests in their cities. With unparalleled access to experts and resources, industry leaders will be able to generate forward-thinking ideas vital to growing urban forests right now,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “The Arbor Day Foundation is proud to collaborate with the United Nations and several other organizations to host the Forum. We’re hopeful attendees will return home feeling empowered to put their newfound knowledge to work.”

The conference held Oct. 16-20, will feature workshops and seminars intended to foster discussion on the development of healthy, inclusive and resilient cities. Programming focuses on a range of topics including addressing urban heat, equitable distribution of tree canopy, climate change adaptation and establishing biodiversity in urban forests. Participants will also be able to participate in offsite field tours at locations like the U.S. Capitol grounds and the Smithsonian Gardens.

All conference events will be held at the Renaissance Hotel in Downtown D.C. unless otherwise noted. A full schedule of events and information about keynote speakers can be found online.

The Forum is co-organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Arbor Day Foundation, Polytechnic University of Milan, Italian Society of Silviculture and Forest Ecology, International Society of Arboriculture, the District of Columbia Department of Transportation Urban Forestry Division, Smithsonian Gardens and USDA Forest Service.

The World Forum on Urban Forests comes soon after the one-year anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act’s historic $1.6 billion investment in urban forestry. The U.S. legislation is in step with similar initiatives from Mexico, Canada and Europe, all aimed at rapidly growing urban forests to help address climate change.

About the Arbor Day Foundation

Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation is the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees. Together with our partners, we have helped plant more than 500 million trees in neighborhoods, communities, cities and forests throughout the world. Our vision is to lead toward a world where trees are used to solve issues critical to survival. Through our members, partners and programs, the Arbor Day Foundation inspires people across the globe to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. More information is available at arborday.org.

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