Tag: 3BL

In celebration of International Earth Day, 20 employees from AEG Germany’s Barclays Arena in Hamburg came together to transform and beautify the landscape around the arena into a greener, more vibrant space for the whole community.

Equipped with shovels, gloves, and watering cans, the group spent the day planting a total of 412 new plants and sowing flower seeds across the green areas surrounding the arena and its parking lots. The effort was aimed at enhancing biodiversity and beautifying the environment for both visitors and local wildlife.

“Today is about more than just planting flowers. It’s a reminder that small acts, like adding greenery, contribute to the bigger picture of environmental care and help us build a more sustainable future,” said Steve Schwenkglenks, Managing Director, Barclays Arena.

The project is part of the arena’s broader environmental strategy, which includes waste reduction, energy efficiency, and community-driven green projects. Earlier this year, AEG Europe’s Uber Arena, Uber Eats Music Hall and Uber Platz in Berlin and the Barclays Arena became the first sports and entertainment venues in Germany to receive Greener Arena (AGF) certification. To achieve AGF certification, our team provided a detailed analysis of areas of sustainability such as transport, energy and power, waste, water usage, local environment, CO2 and food and beverage activities and included an onsite visit by qualified AGF assessors.

To learn more about AEG Europe’s commitment to sustainability, please click here.

Southern Company

ATLANTA, April 24, 2025 /3BL/ – Southern Company Gas today announced that Venessa Harrison, former president of AT&T’s Southeast Coastal States, has been elected to the company’s board of directors, effective April 24.

As president of AT&T’s South Coastal States, Harrison led transformational wireless and wireline deployment efforts for the company’s critical infrastructure across Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, including the strategic direction of AT&T’s network investment, public policy, economic development and community engagement activities throughout the region.

Additionally, she helped shape public policy in areas of telecom and tax reform, and has represented the telecommunications industry before multiple state legislatures and public service commissions regarding infrastructure matters.  She oversaw nearly $2 billion in network spend annually – spend that has supported the expansion of AT&T Georgia’s fiber network to more than 6.4 million strand miles and wireless network to nearly 100 percent of the state’s geographic footprint.

Harrison also spearheaded the groundbreaking development of the North Carolina Next Generation Network (NCNGN) within AT&T. This innovative collaboration among diverse community leaders and governments resulted in the NCNGN partnership serving as a template for other states to accelerate broadband success.

“Venessa’s proven leadership and expertise in expanding critical infrastructure, shaping smart public policy and developing innovative customer solutions makes her a great fit for our board of directors as we navigate the essential role natural gas is expected to play in serving increased energy demand across our service territories,” said Southern Company Gas Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer James Y. (Jim) Kerr II. “Moreover, Venessa’s demonstrated commitment to making a positive impact in the communities where she lives and serves makes her a perfect fit for Southern Company Gas.”

Harrison currently serves on the executive boards of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, and on the boards of the Atlanta Committee for Progress, the Georgia Historical Society and the Georgia Research Alliance, an internationally acclaimed model for unifying business, research universities and state government to drive a vibrant economy. She has also served as trustee chair of North Carolina A&T, the largest historically Black university in the country and the number one producer of degrees awarded to African Americans in North Carolina.

Harrison earned a business administration degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Phoenix.

About Southern Company Gas
Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), America’s premier energy company. Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.4 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in Georgia, Illinois, Tennessee and Virginia, and more than 600,000 retail customers through its companies that market natural gas. Other nonutility businesses include investments in interstate pipelines, asset management for natural gas wholesale customers and ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities. For more information, visit southerncompanygas.com.

SOURCE Southern Company Gas

For further information: Jeff Wilson, 404-245-4944, jeawilso@southernco.com

Previously published by Forbes

As we observe Earth Day 2025, the world stands at a critical juncture. This year’s theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” is not just a slogan—it is a direct challenge to every leader, especially those at the helm of global supply chains, to harness the transformative potential of renewable energy and sustainable practices.

For supply chain executives, the message is clear: the path to a more sustainable planet runs directly through your operations, decisions, and influence.

Continue reading here

April 24, 2025 /3BL/ – For the second time, Lenovo has been recognized as a Champion in the Canalys 2025 Sustainable Ecosystems Leadership Matrix . Lenovo is one of just four technology vendors to receive the top distinction, with fourteen vendors being evaluated in total by Canalys. Methodology for the recognition includes feedback from channel partners, assessment of Canalys analysts and industry-wide leadership in sustainability.

Canalys cited Lenovo’s dedicated resources for the channel provided through the community-focused Lenovo 360 Circle framework as a key distinction for Champion recognition.

In 2024, the Lenovo 360 Circle achieved key milestones in sustainability and leadership, Lenovo, in partnership with The Climate Choice, launched the channel’s first GHG emissions community benchmarking initiative, enabling partners to assess their position, compare within the community, and refine their emissions reduction strategies, reinforcing Lenovo’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and responsible leadership in the channel ecosystem.

“As the executive sponsor of the Lenovo 360 Circle, I am incredibly proud of Lenovo’s continued recognition as a Champion in the Canalys Sustainable Ecosystems Leadership Matrix,” shared Pascal Bourguet, Vice President, Global Channel Chief, and Chief Operating Officer of International Markets at Lenovo. “This achievement underscores the company’s commitment to driving meaningful progress in sustainability. Sustainability is not just a business imperative—it’s a shared responsibility, and I am honored to contribute to shaping a future where innovation and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.”

In addition to recognition from Canalys, Lenovo was recently awarded with Platinum Medal recognition by EcoVadis while also receiving a AAA rating on MSCI’s sustainability ratings index. Read more about Lenovo’s Environmental, Social, and Governance performance in the FY2023/24 ESG Report.

About Lenovo 
Lenovo is a US$57 billion revenue global technology powerhouse, ranked #248 in the Fortune Global 500, and serving millions of customers every day in 180 markets. Focused on a bold vision to deliver Smarter Technology for All, Lenovo has built on its success as the world’s largest PC company with a full-stack portfolio of AI-enabled, AI-ready, and AI-optimized devices (PCs, workstations, smartphones, tablets), infrastructure (server, storage, edge, high performance computing and software defined infrastructure), software, solutions, and services. Lenovo’s continued investment in world-changing innovation is building a more equitable, trustworthy, and smarter future for everyone, everywhere. Lenovo is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange under Lenovo Group Limited (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY). To find out more visit https://www.lenovo.com, and read about the latest news via our  StoryHub.

Albertsons Companies is committed to a healthy future, and the connections we have to thousands of communities we serve and the planet we share.

To celebrate Earth Month, Albertsons Cos.’ Recipe for Change Alliance brought together 50 volunteers to clean up the Boise River Walk near Albertsons Cos.’ headquarters building, one of the company’s many teams making a difference across the country.

See original post on LinkedIn and read more about Albertsons Companies and our Recipe for Change on our website.

Henkel’s two business units, Adhesive Technologies and Consumer Brands, are united by the pioneering spirit to reimagine and improve everyday life – today and for generations to come. Building on a strong legacy of more than 145 years, our brands and products play an important role in the lives of millions of people and help to transform entire industries. In this series, Beyond the Brand, you will learn about how Henkel’s top brands are contributing to organizational goals and innovating constantly to serve and succeed on behalf of customers, consumers, and partners.

This edition’s featured brand is Dial® soap. Read on for more about the history, purpose, innovations, sustainability, and pioneering spirit of the team that goes far beyond the Dial® brand.

The History of Dial®

The Dial® brand is an American icon known for its powerful deep cleansing that is gentle on skin. Dial® became a US household name in the 1940’s with the introduction of Dial® antibacterial bar soap. As one of the founding American personal cleansing brands, Dial® introduced the first ever antibacterial liquid hand soap in 1988, and was also the first ever soap in space.

The Purpose of Dial®

As a trusted brand for over 75 years, Dial’s purpose is to deliver clean skin for consumers and their families across the entire North American region.

Innovations from Dial®

Dial® is driven by strong organizational values of sustainability and innovation. This has led to award-winning products, including Dial® Healthy Hydration Body Wash. This innovative product deeply hydrates the top layers of the skin with no greasy feeling, leaving skin feeling soft and nourished. In addition to being dermatologist tested, and free from chemicals like parabens and silicones, this product was formulated with ingredients such as vitamin E, shea butter extract, coconut milk, and hyaluronic acid.

This innovation also honors the Dial® brand’s commitment to sustainability, with body wash packaging that features 100% recycled plastic in ergonomically improved bottles.* Dial® also continues to anchor the brand in its purpose by introducing new innovation in its antibacterial hand soap portfolio with seasonal, limited-edition scents throughout the year.

Sustainability from Dial®

Dial’s partnership with Solidaridad, which celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2024, is just one way that the brand has worked to establish programs that deliver sustainable value for Henkel’s customers, partners, consumers, and the communities that we serve. The partnership aims to help smallholder farmers in Columbia earn a living wage while connecting them to the supply chain that supports the brand’s products in North America and establishing a traceable and transparent sourcing process for palm and palm kernel oil.

This partnership reaffirms Henkel’s belief that it’s crucial to support current and future generations with the tools to excel and create thriving communities. Younger generations are driven, seeing a difference in their ability to not only have a successful and sustainable farm-based business, but to be innovative entrepreneurs and ensure that their children will have the opportunity to continue cultivating their land for years to come, passing their passion and legacy on for the good of future generations.

The brand is also proud to use 100% post-consumer recycled material in its bottle packaging* as well as to have achieved two GreenCircle certifications**. This includes a Certified Environmental Facts certification for carbon footprint reduction and a Zero Waste to Landfill certification at its West Hazleton, PA manufacturing facility, where Dial® liquid soaps are made. This recognition underscores Henkel’s ongoing commitment to apply the newest standards for transparency in sustainability.

Beyond the Dial® Brand

Beyond its product portfolio, Dial has a strong connection with the communities it serves. As part of Henkel’s multi-year partnership with the United States Soccer Federation, the Dial Clean Sheet Program supports public school teachers and students nationwide through education nonprofit DonorsChoose.

As part of this program, Dial donated an initial $50,000 to DonorsChoose, and for every clean sheet in a U.S. Senior National Team soccer match, Dial® will donate an additional $5,000 for a total contribution of up to $100,000 in the first year.

DID YOU KNOW?

Preventing the opposing team from scoring any goals is what delivers a ‘clean sheet’ match for the winning team. This is a mark of defensive excellence and is a significant achievement for the goalkeeper and the entire team defense.

This initiative contributes to Dial’s longtime goal and brand mission to give educators the tools they need to teach the next generation and foster healthier communities by providing resources that support clean skin and proper hygiene practices. Dial® hopes to engage soccer fans as they cheer on our winning U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams while giving back to the teachers who do so much for students around the country.
 

^{*Excludes cap and pump.
**For all Dial body wash, liquid hand soap (except Himalayan Salt 7.5oz), and foaming hand wash (except Coconut Water Mango 7.5oz)}

Over the past year, FedEx teams in Colorado have built a meaningful relationship with Food Bank of the Rockies. From volunteering at the Denver Distribution Center to donating funds, they’ve gone all-in to help feed families. 

“FedEx is a people-first company — we focus on our customers and our communities more than anything else,” shared Kristina Withers, human resources partner for FedEx. “Volunteering with the Food Bank drives home the principles we value most, like committing to do good, and shows our communities we are here to help.”

Food Bank of the Rockies is the largest food bank by geographic area, covering all of Wyoming and 32 counties in Colorado with its fleet of delivery trucks and dedicated drivers. In fact, three FedEx managers recently provided logistics expertise to support the Food Bank of the Rockies. They advised on yard and warehouse management, route optimization, wayfinding for deliveries, and an internal package tracking system.

The FedEx Community Engagement Fund has been crucial in supporting these efforts. With a $20,000 grant to the Food Bank, FedEx helped underwrite the cost of distributing over 60,000 nourishing meals to families in need. With Food Bank of the Rockies distributing enough food for 185,000 meals daily, every donation makes a big impact.

Recently, the FedEx Freight Team tackled a different kind of logistical challenge when they volunteered at the Food Bank. While their usual work involves global logistics, here they got to see the direct impact of their efforts as they packed boxes of food destined for local families. Logistics truly play a pivotal role in feeding our neighbors.

In fact, the FedEx Freight Team holds the record at Food Bank of the Rockies: In one volunteer session, they packaged 24,980 pounds of bulk rice into 3,821 bags for families to use. That’s like helping deliver 23,376 meals to individuals and families facing food insecurity!

Click here to learn about FedEx Cares, our global community engagement program.

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

Rocket attacks, tear gas, mortar fire, interminable “humps” rucking 50 pounds of gear … Life as a U.S. Marine is not always pleasant. And yet, those years made me more patient, more self-assured, more aware of the needs of others and, oddly, more competent as a business executive working my way up the ladder of a $58 billion Fortune 500 corporation.

As the Marine Corps celebrates its 250th anniversary, I’m appreciating how many crucial business and personal lessons my military service taught me, including don’t shun the grunt work, keep your head up, don’t typecast other people and always sweat the small stuff. Integrity, dependability, courage, decisiveness and, above all, exercising sound judgment are not just words to a Marine — they are the core principles that guide the way we strategize, whether on the battlefield or the boardroom.

Marines are taught to believe that seeking help shows maturity, not weakness, and to understand that what is my responsibility is mine, so we try not to make unforced errors and own them when we do. But there are more enemies than just those on the battlefield, and some can attack without warning.

April is National Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month, yet data found in a recent study of more than 2,000 American consumers on this very subject is alarming. The numbers, while accurate, challenge my confidence that Americans are sweating the small stuff, or the big stuff, for that matter.

For example, 51% of people who have experienced cancer report that they discovered their diagnosis at a regularly scheduled screening or routine medical examination.¹

That is a good thing. Because according to the American Cancer Society, with whom my company collaborates to raise awareness for early detection, regular screenings increase the chances of sleuthing certain cancers early, before it has a chance to spread,² raising the likelihood of a positive outcome for your physical, mental and financial health.

So, that means most Americans are prioritizing their health, right? Well, not so fast, because 90% still admit to putting off important health checkups, including 93% of millennials who admit to delaying screenings beyond the recommended timeframes,³ even as frequent news stories suggest they should be more vigilant.

From a Marine’s perspective, that’s like sleeping through a unit inspection. It’s FUBAR (fouled up beyond all recognition). Either Americans are not getting the message, or other factors, such as logistics, fear and access, are leading them to make counterintuitive decisions that could negatively impact their lifestyles. And since half of Americans cannot afford $1,000 to pay for a health emergency,⁴ health care costs are a significant factor.

Cancer treatment continues to improve, but the fact remains that incidences of some cancers continue to rise. That’s why, as chair of the newly formed Georgia chapter of the American Cancer Society’s CEOs’ Against Cancer Society program, I intend to encourage business leaders from around the country to march in step against this national problem. We will need teamwork to make it work. So, to start, if you read this article, please share it with a friend. Because 73% of Americans feel thankful or relieved after being urged by a loved one to go to a doctor and get checked.⁵

We are proud Marines living the heritage of the Corps, standing watch, protecting people we’ve never met. As we celebrate 250 years of duty, commitment, integrity and selfless honor, I have come to find that the battlefield is not the only place to defend Americans. We can and must mount a defense for less visible problems that are often preventable in the first place. So, I ask my fellow Marines, and everyone for that matter … Can I get an “ooh-rah” for a more aware and healthier America?

Virgil Miller, president of Aflac Incorporated and Aflac U.S., and Chair of the Georgia branch of CEOs Against Cancer, is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm and a featured speaker at the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation Gala celebrating the 250^th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps April 26 in Washington, D.C.

¹ 2025 Wellness Matters Survey

² American Cancer Society – https://www.cancer.org/cancer/screening.html

³ 2025 Wellness Matters Survey

⁴ 2024-2025 Aflac Workforces Report

⁵ 2025 Wellness Matters Survey

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation for insurance. Information is not intended to provide tax, legal, health or financial advice for any person or for any specific situation.

The information provided by the American Cancer Society (ACS) is for general education only and is not based on personal health information of any individual member. All ACS programs and services described here are independent programs and services of ACS. Aflac does not share any personal health information or personally identifiable information of Aflac members with ACS, and ACS does not endorse or support any particular health plan, company, product or service.

Aflac | Aflac New York | WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999

Z2500207 
EXP. 4/26

Eastman

Urban life is an ever-changing environment. From the morning commute and work to yoga class and dinner, clothing needs to adapt to the environment wherever the day takes someone. So seamless clothing transitions have become essential to navigate the fast-paced lifestyle of living in a city.

Versatility in every moment

To meet this consumer demand, Eastman introduced “Naia™ on the move” at the 2025 Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Spring Edition expo this March. The fresh take on active, urban fashion redefines adaptability, comfort and versatility while remaining committed to sustainability. It extends the outstanding properties of Eastman Naia™ Renew staple fiber to the light sports sector, offering urban consumers unparalleled comfort and convenience as they move throughout the many environments of their day.

“‘Naia™ on the move’ is not just an innovation in application but a lifestyle concept designed to deliver all-day comfort and ease,” said Chad Doub, global segment leader of staple fibers for Eastman’s textiles division. “Naia™ Renew offers a high-performance fiber that can maintain the body’s microclimate, adjusting to the various temperatures and humidities we all face throughout a typical day in the city.”

At the Intertextile booth, “Naia™ on the move” showcased how versatile fashion meets sustainability. Naia™ Renew staple fiber stands out with its exceptional moisture management, breathability, and a soft and lightweight feel. Its adaptive performance ensures comfort across varying temperatures and humidity levels, making it an ideal choice for commuting, working and light sports activities. It’s also highly durable. Naia™ Renew maintains its softness with reduced pilling and offers excellent shape retention, even after repeated wear and washing.

Booth visitors discovered the latest Naia™ applications in activewear, denim, woven fabrics and home textile fillings — the brand’s most extensive showcase yet. Eastman also highlighted Naia™ Renew staple fiber’s new application in denim, achieving a balance between comfort and sustainability in the material. The versatility of Naia™ was also shown by its use in woven woolen fabrics, ranging from structured shirts to tweed coats. The fiber’s integration into home textile fillings further adds the potential of sustainability into everyday living.

“Our booth’s visitors were impressed by the numerous applications of Naia™ Renew,” Doub said. “We’ve taken Naia™ to the next level. It truly can go ‘on the move’ with you. There’s a Naia™ application for every occasion, and designers around the world see the need for a fiber like this to fit into modern consumers’ busy lifestyles.”

Creating endless possibilities

Naia™ was initially adopted in the Chinese market in 2020. The staple fiber has not only filled a market gap but has also become a key force in helping brands achieve their sustainability goals around the globe. Over the past five years, Naia™ applications have expanded from loungewear to casual T-shirts, knitwear and beyond.

Naia™ Renew is a sustainable circular fiber composed of 60% sustainably sourced wood pulp and 40% GRS-certified recycled* waste materials. Using Eastman’s molecular recycling technology, this process breaks down hard-to-recycle waste material into basic molecules to make new cellulose acetate fibers without compromising quality. This innovation offers a scalable solution to two of the world’s most pressing environmental issues: waste pollution and raw material overconsumption.

*Naia™ Renew recycled content is achieved by allocation of recycled waste material using GRS-certified mass balance process. 

At Covia, innovation is driven by passionate experts who see beyond the ordinary. John Chee exemplifies this spirit, bringing a unique blend of technical ability and commercial insight to the world of mineral-based polymer solutions.

A Multifaceted Journey in Polymer Science

With a career spanning more than three decades, John’s professional path is a testament to depth and versatility. His academic background is as comprehensive as his professional experience – a blend of chemical engineering, polymer science, petroleum science, and mechanical engineering that prepared him for the complex world of material innovations.

John’s professional career began in 1993, when he joined Lotte Chemical as a chemical process engineer working on polyolefin products. While he started in a more technical role, he was also able to excel in research and development, sales, and marketing at Lotte, Dow Chemical, and Imerys. That comprehensive skillset and extensive experience helped set the stage for his current role at Covia.

Merging Technical and Commercial Expertise to Create New Possibilities

John joined Covia in October 2023 as a technical sales and application technology manager for polymers and quickly focused on developing products that can help Covia branch out into new markets and offer more value to existing customers.

“What I’m doing is pulling out new value propositions for our products,” John said. “We’re working on applications that no one’s done before, whether it’s an existing product or a completely new development.”

To bring new ideas to the market, John needs to be able to work with both polymer scientists and customers to identify new products and modify existing ones to offer new value propositions. His aptitude for application and product technology allows him to partner with scientists to modify products and improve their physical and mechanical properties. John also understands market trends, navigates pricing, and works directly with customers to understand their needs and identify new development opportunities.

“Some companies have used certain products for 20-30 years,” John explained. “We can use all of our previous experiences and information to generate fresh ideas that can create a synergistic experience for Covia and our customers.”

Mineral Additive Innovation in Action

One area of opportunity that John is particularly excited about is nepheline syenite, a mineral with extraordinary potential used in Covia’s MINBLOC® HC and HIFILL® N additives. With only one mine in North America, this sustainable material offers unique properties that set it apart from other fillers. Its chemical composition of alumino silicate, potassium, and sodium provides remarkable characteristics for polymer applications.

According to John, nepheline syenite was originally used for its ability to incorporate antiblocking functionality in polymers. Ongoing research and development led to a new value proposition for this silica-deficient mineral – transparency. Nepheline syenite has a very similar refractive index to PVC, nylon, and PET, allowing it to be blended with these polymers and yield products that require a high level of transparency and clarity and other key properties.

“We can compound nepheline syenite to create clear molded products with other physical properties, such as added durability, dimension stability, gas-barrier reinforcement, and other characteristics,” John said.

Looking Forward to the Future of Mineral Additives

As Covia continues to expand its innovative mineral solutions, John Chee has the perfect blend of technical mastery and market insight. His ability to work with scientists and customers to transform complex scientific concepts into practical, marketable solutions plays a key role in growing the company’s mineral-additive solutions.

That future looks even brighter with the addition of the Covia Innovation Center in Concord, North Carolina. The state-of-the-art building will include new equipment and laboratory space where John and scientists can collaborate on cutting-edge applications.

“I’ll be spending a lot of time at the new Innovation Center to work with team members and to generate new data sets for our products,” John explained. “Customers are excited about the samples and ideas we can share, so we’ll be able to try different equipment used throughout various industries and combine all our findings to estimate the performances.”

While John is deeply committed to his work, he also values personal time. An avid golfer who travels frequently for business, he cherishes moments with his family and remains dedicated to continuous education. There’s always more to learn, and John strives to understand more about his work and how he can help drive innovation and provide customers with the solutions they need for greater success.

Learn more about how Covia is expanding sustainable product offerings.