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Originally published by Can Manufacturers Institute on April 21, 2023. 

WASHINGTON /3BL Media/ – Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) and all its aluminum beverage can manufacturer and can sheet producer members endorsed Mission Possible Partnership’s (MPP) transition strategy for a net-zero, 1.5°C-aligned aluminum industry. These endorsements reflect the aluminum beverage can industry’s aim to reduce the carbon footprint of the relatively small amount of primary aluminum in beverage cans, thereby contributing toward the needed progress in the fight against climate change.

Since the 1990s, the carbon footprint of aluminum beverage cans made in North America has dropped by nearly half. Endorsing and acting on the MPP strategy will result in even further reductions in the carbon footprint of the aluminum beverage can since the primary aluminum incorporated into aluminum beverage cans would have a reduced carbon profile.

Transitioning the aluminum industry to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 while complying with a target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C from preindustrial levels will require a variety of actions including deploying new technologies, decarbonizing power supply and increasing material and product efficiency. The MPP aluminum transition strategy provides an actionable, achievable plan. Through their endorsements, CMI aluminum beverage can sector members are agreeing on the importance of limiting global warming to 1.5°C and recognizing that actions to support the transition to achieve a 1.5°C-aligned scenario should be pursued expeditiously.

One of the other ways to reduce the carbon footprint of aluminum beverage cans is increasing the recycled content used in new cans. Today, aluminum beverage cans manufactured in the United States average 73 percent recycled content, the highest average of any beverage container. That number will increase, decreasing the need for primary aluminum, if the industry is successful in reaching stated aluminum beverage can recycling rate targets. These targets, as set by CMI and its members, entail going from a 45 percent recycling rate in 2020, which makes it the most recycled beverage container in the United States, to a 70 percent rate in 2030, 80 percent rate in 2040 and 90 percent rate in 2050. CMI’s Aluminum Beverage Can Recycling Primer and Roadmap details how these targets can be achieved. Recycling more aluminum beverage cans means a greater environmental and economic impact, as well as more cans exemplifying the circular economy as they go from recycling bin back to store shelf as a new can in as little as 60 days.

“Our strategy has two parallel paths to further reduce the carbon footprint of the aluminum beverage can— lower the carbon footprint of any primary aluminum incorporated into beverage cans and increase the recovery of used beverage cans so the recycled content in new cans increases,” said Scott Breen, CMI’s vice president of sustainability. “Our members have shown leadership in both of these areas by endorsing Mission Possible Partnership’s strategy to foster a net-zero, 1.5°C-aligned aluminum industry and by committing to ambitious U.S. aluminum beverage can recycling rate targets.”

These endorsements follow a gathering of more than 100 leaders across the aluminum beverage can value chain for the Global Aluminium Can Sustainability Summit in September 2022. CMI and the International Aluminium Institute co-organized the event with funding from Ardagh Metal Packaging and Crown Holdings. One of the two focus areas of this Summit was aluminum decarbonization. A representative from MPP unveiled the aluminum sector transition strategy for the first time as part of the Summit.

Enacting the sector transition strategy will take time and large investments. MPP believes cumulative investment of approximately $1 trillion across the primary production value chain will be needed to deliver a net-zero sector, or a 1.5°C pathway. CMI, its aluminum beverage can manufacturer members (Ardagh Metal Packaging, CANPACK, Crown Holdings and Envases), its aluminum beverage can sheet producer members (Constellium, Kaiser Aluminum, Novelis and Tri-Arrows Aluminum), as well as its partner and fellow endorser The Aluminum Association, will be working with a variety of stakeholders inside and outside of the industry to catalyze the necessary actions and investments to pursue this transition strategy.

About Can Manufacturers Institute
The Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) is the national trade association of the metal can manufacturing industry and its suppliers in the United States. The can industry accounts for the annual domestic production of approximately 130.7 billion food, beverage and general line cans; employs more than 28,000 people with plants in 33 states, Puerto Rico and American Samoa; and generates about $15.7 billion in direct economic activity. CMI members are committed to providing safe, nutritious and refreshing canned food and beverages to consumers in the most sustainable packaging.

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Alsip, Ill., May 16, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Griffith Foods is proud to announce it has been selected as a 2023 US Best Managed Company. Sponsored by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal, the program recognizes outstanding U.S. private companies and the achievements of their management teams.

The 2023 designees are U.S. private companies that have demonstrated excellence in strategic planning and execution, a commitment to their people and fostering a dynamic culture, as well as strong financials.

“We are incredibly proud and grateful for this recognition, which is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all our team-members,” said Griffith Foods CEO, T.C. Chatterjee. “At Griffith Foods, we aspire to be a product development partner that helps create and scale positive impact in the world through our focus on delivering nutritious, affordable food for a healthy planet.”

Griffith Foods’ successful application highlighted the company’s triple bottom line approach, which guides the company to think about People, Planet and Performance at all times.

People: Taking care of employees and the communities in which it does business.Planet: Taking environmental action to responsibly take care of the Earth.Performance: Operating ethically and strategically to create positive impacts for its business and all of those with whom the company interacts.

Designees propelled their businesses forward and remained true to their purpose and values by investing in their people, creating advantage through digital transformation, taking measurable action on sustainability, and demonstrating their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Applicants are evaluated and selected by a panel of external judges focused on assessing hallmarks of excellence in four key areas: strategy, ability to execute, corporate culture and governance/financial performance. They join a global ecosystem of honorees from more than 46 countries recognized by the Best Managed Companies program.

About the Best Managed Companies Program

The Best Managed Companies program is a mark of excellence for private companies. U.S. designees have revenues of at least $250 million. Hundreds of private companies around the world have competed for this designation in their respective countries through a rigorous and independent process that evaluates four key criteria in their management skills and practices — strategy, execution, culture and governance/financials. U.S. program sponsors are Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal. For more information, visit www.usbestmanagedcompanies.com.

About Griffith Foods

Griffith Foods is a family-owned global developer and manufacturer of customized food ingredient solutions guided by their Purpose of “We Blend Care and Creativity to Nourish the World”. The company’s product capabilities range from seasonings and breading, to marinades and sauces blended to exacting specification that are culturally authentic, taste great and are wholesome. Founded in 1919 and headquartered in Alsip, Illinois USA, Griffith Foods has grown and expanded globally to include a presence in over 30 countries. For more information, visit www.griffithfoods.com.

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Further exploration is needed, including cost and economic studies, regulatory conditions, site evaluations and additional technology assessments

(Editor’s note: The Purdue University and Duke Energy Small Modular Reactor and Advanced Reactor Feasibility Study Interim Report and fact sheet are available at https://purdue.ws/smrstudyreport.)

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., June 7, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Purdue University and Duke Energy released an interim report today that describes small modular reactors as one of the most promising emerging technologies and a potential, carbon-free option that should be further explored to help meet the future, long-term power needs of Purdue University.

This finding came following the first year of a small modular reactor and advanced reactor feasibility study into whether advanced nuclear technologies could power the university’s West Lafayette campus and supply excess energy to Indiana’s electric grid in the 2030s and beyond.

Electricity from nuclear power plants is a carbon-free source of energy that operates continuously 24 hours a day. Small modular reactors will typically produce up to 300 megawatts of clean energy, with some designs having higher generating capacities. They also have enhanced safety features and are simpler than traditional nuclear plants, making them easier, faster and more affordable to build.

“Our early findings show that advanced nuclear technology presents a potential path to zero emissions for our university, and we intend to continue our teamwork with Duke Energy in the next phase of the study,” said Purdue University President Mung Chiang. “The persistent collaboration among Duke Energy, Purdue University and world-renowned energy and policy experts demonstrates the critical importance of this exploration into advanced nuclear energy and what it could mean not only for our campus, but also the community, state and nation.”

In the interim report, no technology has been selected and no decision to build a new nuclear plant has been made at Purdue University or on Duke Energy’s Indiana system. The interim report confirmed:

Small modular reactors are a promising, carbon-free energy option for Purdue University that should be further explored. 
 Because small modular reactors can operate continuously and their energy output can adjust to meet power demand, they complement other resources, such as renewable energy. This is important for reliable energy as wind and solar power becomes a larger percentage of the generation mix. 
 Small modular reactor designs have enhanced safety features and are simpler than traditional nuclear plants, making them easier, faster and more affordable to build. 
 First-of-a-kind small modular reactors are expected to be in service in the U.S. later this decade, and the federal government is helping to fund several projects. 
 Small modular reactors offer many economic benefits, such as: 
 Generating millions in taxes for local communities 
 Creating thousands of temporary construction jobs and hundreds of permanent high-wage jobs 
 Attracting private companies to locate and expand in Indiana 
 Federal and state law supports advanced nuclear development, but the federal licensing process is complex and lengthy. Streamlined planning, design, construction and financing are needed.

“To reach a clean, carbon-free future, we need to explore a broad range of technologies, including advanced nuclear,” said Duke Energy Indiana President Stan Pinegar. “We need to study this and other options further, and this report starts a conversation about how we might transition to carbon-free power that can operate on demand in concert with renewable energy, such as solar and wind.”

The interim report also explored challenges – such as public acceptance, regulatory conditions, cost competitiveness, technology development, used fuel management and skilled workforce availability – and recommended these next steps:

Advocate for federal and state policy and funding needs.

Federal policy recommendations:

Federally backed funding insurance options 
 More nuclear engineering and science workforce development programs 
 A public-private advanced reactor development program 
 A fuel availability program 
 Maintaining federal tax credits

State policy recommendations:

Additional support for initial planning and development activities for first movers considering advanced nuclear technology 
 State tax credits for small modular reactors and advanced reactors 
 Build on the successful stakeholder engagement to date to continue regional and national dialogue on nuclear energy. Purdue University and Duke Energy hosted a six-part lecture series, “Understanding Tomorrow’s Nuclear Energy,” from August 2022-February 2023. It reached an audience of 4,900 in-person and virtually. As technology and policy advance, additional stakeholder engagement will help ensure a broader understanding of the benefits and challenges of new nuclear development.Conduct cost and economic studies, site evaluations and additional technology assessments. As first-of-a-kind projects progress through approvals and construction, Purdue University and Duke Energy will continue monitoring developments. Quantifying the costs and economic benefits of advanced nuclear, performing additional technology assessments and evaluating potential sites for development will help inform the path forward.

The process to site, permit, receive regulatory approval, build and bring online a new nuclear plant currently takes about 10 years to complete. If Purdue University and Duke Energy at any point in the future decide to pursue small modular reactors near campus or elsewhere in Indiana, public and stakeholder input will be an important part of the process first.

“The more we learn about small modular reactors, the more potential we see for this technology to help our university achieve a sustainable energy future and eliminate our dependence on fossil fuels,” said Michael B. Cline, senior vice president, Purdue University Administrative Operations.

The Purdue University and Duke Energy feasibility study was announced in April 2022. The interim report released today culminates hundreds of hours of research and evaluation from nearly three dozen leaders and industry experts, including world-renowned experts who serve on the team’s executive and technical advisory committees.

Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to today’s toughest challenges. Ranked in each of the last five years as one of the 10 Most Innovative universities in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at https://stories.purdue.edu.

Duke Energy Indiana

Duke Energy Indiana, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, provides about 6,300 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 890,000 customers in a 23,000-square-mile service area, making it Indiana’s largest electric supplier.

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.

Purdue University Contact: Tim Doty 
Telephone: 765.494.2080 
Email: doty2@purdue.edu

Duke Energy Contact: Angeline Protogere 
Email: Angeline.Protogere@duke-energy.com 
24-hour media line: 800.559.3853

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Originally published in Webster Bank’s 2022 Corporate Responsibility Report

In 2022, Webster’s merger with Sterling National Bank increased our capabilities and scale, allowing us to build on both companies’ long-standing records of citizenship, sustainability and responsibility. As part of these efforts, the new Office of Corporate Responsibility (OCR) was established.

Reflecting our shared values of integrity, collaboration, accountability, agility, respect and excellence, OCR manages all community-facing activities across the company, including Supplier Diversity; Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) and Fair and Responsible Banking; Community Investment, Engagement and Philanthropy; Government Relations and Public Affairs; and ESG efforts.

Led by Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer Marissa Weidner, OCR partners with Human Resources to drive our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging efforts. OCR also provides oversight of Community Engagement and Philanthropy programs related to Webster’s Business Resource Groups.

The OCR oversees Webster’s $6.5 billion, three-year Community Investment Strategy, providing opportunities for individuals in our communities to excel. In developing the strategy, Webster worked with more than 100 community groups across the footprint, listening to their needs and concerns.

The Community Investment Strategy has four key focus areas: (see chart above)

Affordable housingCommunity developmentSmall business lendingCommunity support

Community Liaison Officer Program

Webster’s new Community Liaison Officer (CLO) Program was launched in 2022 as part of our Community Investment Strategy. Working in partnership with the Office of Corporate Responsibility, the CLOs provide support and financial education to LMI and minority borrowers. They also work to increase lending opportunities to meet local credit needs, especially for first-time homebuyers. The CLOs cover territory surrounding their base locations in the Northeast, and partner with existing banking centers in their respective territories to provide additional support.

Community Liaison Office video

Webster Finance Labs

The Webster Finance Labs are a signature OCR initiative, designed to help nonprofit partners in LMI communities create opportunities for students to gain the skills needed for economic empowerment and financial success. 

Three Webster Finance Labs were launched in 2022: Yonkers Partners in Education (Yonkers, New York), Eagle Academy Foundation (Bronx, New York) and Wakeman Boys and Girls Club (Bridgeport, Connecticut). The Labs provide support for technology and curriculum, and also offer volunteer opportunities for Webster colleagues. Each Finance Lab is funded with a $100,000 grant from the Webster Bank Charitable Foundation. 

Additional Finance Labs are planned for launch in 2023.

YPIE video

Eagle Academy video

To learn more about Webster Bank’s commitment to corporate responsibility, visit our CR webpage.

For full details about Webster Bank’s 2022 Corporate Responsibility Report, visit here.

Sustainability reporting continues to develop at a fast pace and create challenges for businesses trying to design coherent and consistent reporting that meets jurisdictional requirements and investors’ expectations.

To help companies prepare for regulatory changes and seize business opportunities, UN Global Compact Network UK is hosting a series of webinars in partnership with ERM running 4 – 6 July. The series will take a deep dive into the specifics of new ESG/Sustainability disclosure regulations and standards, the European Green Deal finance package, and strategies and practical recommendations to get ready for non-financial disclosures.

Register for Sustainability Reporting Week and find more information here.

Understanding the European Green Deal Finance Package – Tues. 4th July, 11:00 – 12:00 BST
This webinar will support understanding the EU’s ambitious and comprehensive package of measures that seek to improve capital flows towards sustainable activities and transition to a climate-neutral Europe. We will explore how Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (CSDD), the EU Taxonomy, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and EU Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) affect your business and how to prepare for them.
 Navigating the new reporting frameworks & standards – Wed. 5th July, 11:00 – 12:00 BST
This session will review the scopes, distinctions, and commonalities between the most relevant reporting requirements: TCFD, CSRD, ISSB, ESRS, and SEC. We will also explore the tools and technology available to help your business comply with their requirements.
 Setting up a plan to integrate new frameworks and standards into your business – Thurs. 6th July, 14:00 – 15:00 BST
We will bring you case studies of corporations that have restructured their reporting approach and embraced the new regulations.. This workshop will help you to prepare to integrate the new reporting regulations and standards into your business

Don’t miss out! Learn about the other key issue areas covered by the series here.

Media Contact:
Brenda Staines (she/her)
Head of Governance Programme
UN Global Compact Network UK
Follow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | Website

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PURCHASE, N.Y., June 6, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Mastercard today detailed the actions the company took in 2022 to advance its environmental, social and governance goals as part of its doing well by doing good approach. The strategy and efforts — expressed through the pillars of People, Prosperity and Planet — are directly connected to its long-term success as a company.

THE MILESTONE ACHIEVEMENTS

Empowering people to reach their full potential

Milestones achieved in 2022 include:

Continued to close the global median pay gap between female and male employeesInvested $420 million in Black communities in the U.S. over three yearsEngaged 3.6 million girls globally since the launch of our decade-long Girls4Tech STEM program

Fostering prosperity around the world

Milestones achieved in 2022 include…

Surpassed our 2025 goal of providing 25 million women entrepreneurs with solutions that can help them grow their businessConnected more than 780 million people to the digital economy since 2015, and 35 million small businesses to the digital economy over the past three yearsProvided $240 million in support over the past three years for small businesses and their employees impacted by the pandemic

Preserving the planet for future generations

Milestones achieved in 2022 include…

Reduced Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 44%, and Scope 3 emissions by 40% in 2022, compared to our 2016 base yearGrew the Priceless Planet Coalition to more than 130 corporate partners globally and in 2022 added 15 new reforestation sites around the world

At Mastercard, our focus is on powering economies and empowering people, building a sustainable economy where everyone prospers. To do our part to create that world, we move with intention and with pace. It’s about setting — and then being accountable to — standards and principles. It’s recognizing the responsibility to ensure technology helps, not hurts — that new innovations are trusted. And it’s connecting the ‘why’ of our purpose to the ‘what’ of our fundamental business strategy to ensure that we deliver long-term growth for our shareholders, build trust with stakeholders, and contribute to a more equitable and prosperous world.

Mastercard’s 2022 ESG Report is available online.

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Empowering Entrepreneurs: Interview with Vive Organic

Wyatt Taubman is the Co-Founder of Vive Organic, the first donor to Whole Planet Foundation via the Whole Foods Market Donor Advised Fund in December 2022. Through its network of microfinance partners, Whole Planet Foundation provides microcredit loans to impoverished entrepreneurs in 82 countries, including the United States. The average first loan size of $183 helps to create income-generating opportunities for these individuals and their families. With a contribution of $150,000, Vive Organic’s contribution will enable an additional 4,000 aspiring entrepreneurs to receive support from Whole Planet Foundation. Here’s why empowering entrepreneurs through business is important to Wyatt Taubman and the Vive Organic team.

Q: What is Vive Organic?

Vive Organic is a line of fresh pressed wellness shots that deliver powerful superfoods like ginger and turmeric in a fresh, convenient, and highly concentrated way to support daily immunity. We were founded on the belief that plant-based superfoods provide tremendous health benefits and we want to make these accessible to people all over the country.

Q: What was the inspiration to launch Vive Organic?

A: Growing up on Kauai, Hawaii, I used to grow ginger and turmeric in my backyard. Later in life, I met several leading holistic medicine doctors while struggling with some health issues. These doctors changed my life and they also believed in the power of plant-based superfoods. Vive Organic was born out of a desire to provide these superfoods to people in a fresh, convenient, and fun way.

Q: What are Vive Organic’s core values and how do they come to life?

A: Partnership has been core to Vive Organic from day one. My co-founders, JR Simich, Kyle Withycombe and I have always believed we could do more together. We teamed up to bring fresh-pressed immunity to the world. JR brought his background in sales, hustling to get Vive into the hands of customers (even hand-delivering shots from the back of his pickup truck!). Kyle brought his passion for responsible farming and expertise in scaling organic food startups. Together we built a team and a set of powerful partnerships to grow Vive Organic from a humble Southern California startup to a national wellness company.

Q: What’s the greatest business lesson you’ve learned from supporting non-profits like Whole Planet Foundation?

A: Working with Whole Planet Foundation has reinforced the power of partnership that was vital to the founding of Vive Organic. We believe a business can and should make a net positive impact on the planet and its people so that we can leave our planet in a better condition for future generations. Our partnership with non-profits like Whole Planet Foundation demonstrates the power of collaboration to work towards this goal.

Q: To what do you attribute your success to date and what are your dreams for the next 3-5 years?

A: There were many things that I can attribute to our success, but I’ll focus on three key factors: creating a great product, having a solid plan, and building a phenomenal team and culture. Building on the theme of powerful partnerships, last fall Vive Organic joined forces with Suja Life, the trailblazer in organic cold-pressed juice and shots, presenting a unique opportunity for the brand. My dream for the next 3-5 years is that we continue to build momentum in the market and Suja Life becomes a leading functional wellness company. We are excited to take the wellness space to new heights!

Q: Why did you join the Whole Foods Market Donor Advised Fund?

A: From the beginning days of Vive Organic, we have been passionate about building a vibrant, thriving society and planet. We’ve always loved Whole Foods Market (well before starting Vive!) so during the early days of Vive Organic one of our first goals was to get into Whole Foods Market. The ability to partner with Whole Foods Market in this larger way via the Donor Advised Fund and provide support to Whole Planet Foundation was an exciting opportunity for us, and closely aligned with our company culture and mission.

Q: What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs like yourself who also want to make an impact? 

A: My best piece of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs would be to identify a problem in the world that you care a lot about and want to make a difference in or solve. Find an opportunity to create a business that in some way solves that problem or improves it. Doing so will be incredibly motivating for you and your team, will help you stay energized and passionate during any challenging times that may lie ahead, and will continue to fuel your entrepreneurial spirit. Secondly, I would encourage aspiring entrepreneurs to find amazing people and organizations to partner with along the way. For me, that meant starting Vive Organic with a group of friends, building a vibrant team and culture, joining the Suja Life portfolio of brands, and partnering with amazing organizations like Whole Planet Foundation. Starting with a big problem in the world and then uniting with others who share the same mission has been the most powerful way for us to make an impact on the world.

On June 5, Covia’s Environmental Team hosted our annual virtual World Environment Day (WED) celebration, in alignment with the United Nations’ theme, #BeatPlasticPollution. This is our 4th year of marking WED with a virtual event that aims to inspire Team Members to get involved and support environmental stewardship.

“World Environment Day is an important event at Covia,” said Doug Losee, VP, Environmental. “It’s an opportunity to do something a little out of the ordinary to bring attention to our environmental goals and efforts. We’re always looking for ways to engage our people so they understand our 2030 goals and how they can contribute to the important work we’re doing.”

Over the years, we have highlighted many of Covia’s key collaborations and invited well-known advocates to address our team. We’ve had speakers such as Steve Adair, Ducks Unlimited’s Chief Scientist, and Wildlife Habitat Council’s President, Margaret O’Gorman. This year’s virtual event was filmed at the Houston Audubon Raptor Center and included a hands-on interview with Education Director, Mary Anne Morris as well as members of Covia’s environmental leadership. Doug Losee, Covia’s VP, Environmental, and Natalie Eglinton, Covia’s Director, ESG, discussed ways Covia is working to beat plastic pollution.

According to Mary Ann Morris “Plastic pollution impacts bird populations through ingestion and entanglement. Therefore, anything we can do to prevent plastic pollution is important such as discouraging the use of single-use plastics. This will go a long way to keep our bayous and watersheds healthy.”

After the event, the Environmental Team invites Team Members and their extended families to participate in a scavenger hunt that reinforces the WED topic. Last year, in conjunction with the UN’s theme, “Only One Earth,” the scavenger hunt encouraged Team Members to safely explore their neighborhoods to complete tasks such as litter clean up. This year, the scavenger hunt tasks Covia Team Members with exploring the natural environment for different birds and their habitat and finding ways to reduce single-use plastic.

Through the efforts of our Covia Team Members and their extended family members, we are improving air quality, wildlife habitat, increasing pollinators, and advancing other important environmental initiatives for the communities we live and work in. For more information about Covia’s environmental stewardship, visit: https://www.coviacorp.com/esg/environmental-stewardship/.

On Saturday, June 3, 2023, Texas Capital Bank and several of its area nonprofit partners hosted a fair for the West Dallas community. Located at the Texas Capital Banking Center in Trinity Groves, this event included complimentary food from local vendors, family fun and financial education during this West Dallas community celebration.

Texas Capital Bank is committed to implementing initiatives that support a better tomorrow for both its employees and the communities it serves. The firm has supported the West Dallas community in various ways throughout the past decade. Texas Capital Bank helped fund the project that initially launched the Trinity Groves site and was the first bank in the area to open in 2018 with full-service banking resources, free financial literacy courses and community development programs.

Members of the West Dallas community attended the fair to learn more about Texas Capital Bank’s services, engage with onsite community partners and participate in educational activities. Attendees had the opportunity to play games, earn prizes and enjoy music from a live DJ. In addition to the celebration activities, remarks were given by Texas Capital Bank’s Head of Community Development & Corporate Responsibility Effie Dennison and Chief Administrative Officer John Cummings.

Texas Capital Bank works to invest in communities so all residents have access to a great quality of life, an education that will prepare them to succeed, and the support they need to thrive. The West Dallas community fair provided a community building opportunity for neighbors to engage with nonprofits in the area who provide vital services to its residents.

About Texas Capital Bank

Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ®: TCBI), the holding company of Texas Capital Bank, is a full-service financial services firm that delivers customized solutions to businesses, entrepreneurs, and individual customers. Founded in 1998, the institution is headquartered in Dallas with offices in Austin, Houston, San Antonio, and Fort Worth, and has built a network of clients across the country. With the ability to service clients through their entire lifecycles, Texas Capital Bank has established commercial banking, consumer banking, investment banking and wealth management capabilities. Member FDIC

For the second year in a row, Qurate Retail Group has been selected as a 2023 Top Supporter of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Awarded by Career Communications Group, this honor recognizes our commitment to supporting HBCU engineering programs and contributing to the institutional missions of these schools, while strengthening the education-to-employment pipeline for students in STEM.

Over the past year, we have engaged with students and faculty at HBCUs near our QVC and HSN offices in West Chester, Pa., and St. Petersburg, Fla., through career fairs, on-site visits, and professional development opportunities. In addition, we are a proud member of the Advancing Minorities Interest in Engineering (AMIE) coalition, allowing us the opportunity to work with leading HBCU engineering schools on tech-specific program launches, STEM-related research, scholarships, and more.

You can view the full list of top supporters here: https://intouch.ccgmag.com/page/hbcu-top-supporters-list-2023