Tag: 3BL

Southern Company

GULFPORT, Miss., March 21, 2025 /3BL/ – Mississippi Power announced that Pedro Cherry has been named president of the company with Anthony Wilson continuing in his roles of chairman and CEO until summer.

Cherry has worked in the energy industry for 30 years and been a part of the Southern Company system for nearly 25 years. He previously served as president and CEO of both Atlanta Gas Light and Chattanooga Gas, two southern region natural gas utilities that serve approximately 1.8 million customers in two states.

“I am excited to join Mississippi Power during the company’s centennial year and during a period of unprecedented growth,” Cherry said. “Mississippi Power is known throughout the industry for its unparalleled commitment to safety and reliably providing its customers with excellent service, so I’m very honored to have this opportunity.”

Prior to his roles at Atlanta Gas Light and Chattanooga Gas, Cherry was the executive vice president of Customer Service and Operations (CSO) at Georgia Power. He led a team of 5,000-plus employees in the CSO organization and oversaw the company’s customer service efforts, power delivery, sales, pricing and planning, regional external affairs, renewable development and corporate services. Cherry was responsible for operating and maintaining Georgia Power’s electric system serving 2.6 million customers.

“Pedro is a tremendous leader with a broad base of knowledge and experience across Southern Company,” Wilson said. “He shares our values and the things that are important to us, so I know he will be a perfect fit for our company, our communities and our state through this leadership transition.”

In other roles at Georgia Power, Cherry served as senior vice president of the Metro Atlanta Region with responsibility for the company’s operations, sales, customer service, economic and community development, and external affairs for 1.2 million customers across metro Atlanta. He also served as vice president of community and economic development.

He is an active community leader, serving on numerous boards in the Atlanta area and as the 2024 chairman of the Georgia Chamber.

Cherry earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and an MBA in operations management and finance from Auburn University. He is a graduate of Leadership Atlanta, Leadership Georgia and the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Regional Leadership Institute. Cherry is also a member of Auburn University’s Alumni Engineering Advisory Council.

Now in its 100th year of service, Mississippi Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), produces safe, reliable and affordable energy for more than 192,000 customers in 23 southeast Mississippi counties. Mississippi Power is proud to be an industry leader in safety and reliability. The company was recognized in 2024 by the Southeastern Electric Exchange for the Top Safety Performance in its generation category. For outstanding storm response, the company has also been honored by the Edison Electric Institute multiple times with an Emergency Response Award. Visit our website at mississippipower.com, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

SOURCE Mississippi Power

For further information: Kaila Moran Griffith, Mississippi Power Spokeswoman, 24/7 Media Line: 228-861-5543

LONDON, March 21, 2025 /3BL/ – Leidos (NYSE:LDOS) has successfully transitioned its secure, centralised supply chain management program in use by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to the Amazon Web Services cloud, representing a significant milestone in modernising the MOD’s digital infrastructure.

Leidos’ Support Chain Integration Platform (SCIP) is designed to provide the MOD with secure transparency in its supply chain and gives users a comprehensive understanding of what material they have, where it is, and who requested it, with the goal of achieving increased efficiency and lower costs.

The transition from on-site infrastructure to a robust cloud solution aims to enhance the MOD’s operational flexibility, threat detection and sustainability credentials, whilst simultaneously supporting the MOD’s mission and digital transformation strategy. The shift will also help enable faster development cycles, allowing MOD teams to implement, test, and deploy new capabilities faster.

By transitioning to the cloud, SCIP aligns with the U.K. Government’s Cloud First policy and strategic direction and is expected to better serve the MOD’s mission and the U.K. Armed Forces.

“Leidos’ SCIP transition to the cloud marks a significant step forward in enhancing the agility and security of the MOD,” said Simon Hutchings, vice president for logistics and mission support at Leidos UK & Europe. “We look forward to leveraging the now accessible data in supporting the MOD and U.K. Defence in their digital transformation to support innovative, secure, and effective solutions that are designed to counter the global challenges and threats posed by contested logistics.”

Vice Admiral Andy Kyte, chief of Defence Logistics and Support at MOD said: “The successful transition of SCIP to the MOD Cloud is a key milestone in Defence’s digital modernisation journey. Working in close collaboration with our industry partners, this project has led the field in the migration of supply chain data and services to the MOD cloud. This evolution will enhance our capability and unlock significant opportunities to enhance cybersecurity, improve supply chain visibility, and increase the use of AI to meet the changing demands on our armed forces.”

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 48,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.leidos.com.

Author
U.K. Media Relations
Vicki Cordon
Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications
+44 7855 862 834 | Vicki.Cordon@uk.leidos.com

Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your career journey.

I joined GoDaddy over 13 years ago as a Quality Analyst, now known as a Quality Engineer/SDET (Software Development Engineer in test). With just 3 months of website testing experience and none in test automation, I was passionate about quality and usability. I was assigned to the Internal Tools team, which develops the applications used by GoDaddy Care to support customers. I feel fortunate to be part of this team and have worked with many remarkable people who continually push me to excel and have supported my growth into a Senior Engineering Manager.

What real-life problems does your team solve?

My team develops the main applications utilized by the GoDaddy Care organization to securely access data and help support our customers. Our applications provide real-time data and communication integrations to help our entrepreneurs succeed. As the landscape of software development and security has changed, our applications have adapted and adjusted over time. We have evolved from a desktop application to a seamless, cloud-based, set of web applications, all while consistently providing 100% uptime. One manager equated evolving to rebuilding the airplane while it is in flight. Yes, we have experienced our share of turbulence, learning so much along the way, and we’ve landed successfully every time thanks to the dedication and skills of the entire team.

What’s the most challenging, yet rewarding thing that you’ve worked on at GoDaddy?

One of the unique features of our applications is that the majority of our data is sourced from partner teams, which presents many challenges around reliability and data fidelity as the company changes. Automation testing is ideal here. With the right tools, support, and a team of Quality Engineers, I developed and implemented a robust functional and end-to-end test automation platform built into the CI/CD pipeline. This platform improved the overall quality of the team’s applications and assisted the Software Engineers to accelerate time to delivery while detecting changes with our partners early.

What advice would you give to aspiring Software Developers looking to advance in their careers?

I have two pieces of advice. First, be adaptable.

The tech industry evolves quickly, and company priorities change often. Being able to adjust swiftly makes you a valuable team member.

Second, step out of your comfort zone and embrace mistakes as learning opportunities. They can lead to unexpected and rewarding career paths.

I never set out to be a manager. As a matter of fact, I am an introvert of the highest degree. I faced imposter syndrome at first, and transitioning from an individual contributor to a manager was challenging. With numerous trials, errors, and support from my team, I’ve grown into a competent manager. Each day, I learn more about myself and my team, driving our collective success.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I love to visit new places, especially national parks, and I am an accomplished road-trip planner! My husband and I have explored 46 US states and some international locales stopping at over 100 national park sites at home and abroad. I find that being off the beaten path is the best place to find the unexpected. My other passion is landscape photography with an affinity for capturing nighttime and monsoons. One of my proudest photographic moments, was the night I captured a particularly explosive monsoon storm over the Phoenix valley. The photograph was featured in the AZ Republic and on the national CBS News! When I’m stuck inside, you’ll find me solving some sort of puzzle or building Legos. I am such a Lego fan I use them for most of my selfies, because their hair is always perfect!

What’s your motto or personal mantra?

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined.” – Henry David Thoreau and “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” – Norman Vincent Peale

Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (Teams, ERGs, Locations), careers, and so much more. You’re more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us.

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NEW ORLEANS, March 21, 2025 /3BL/ – Entergy is proud to announce the launch of its Power Your Future Scholarship program, designed to support current college undergraduates pursuing eligible technology majors who plan to further their education at designated select Historically Black Colleges or Universities or minority-serving institutions within Entergy’s service area. Selected recipients will receive a $5,000 award, with up to 20 scholarships available from Entergy shareholder funds.

Administered by Scholarship America®, the nation’s largest manager of scholarships and educational support programs, the Power Your Future Scholarship is part of Entergy’s broader initiative, The Power of Prosperity. This initiative is designed to provide students and their families with free access to financial resources that foster the success of HBCU students and promote generational wealth.

As part of this commitment, Entergy has pledged $20 million over 10 years to elevate and empower HBCUs and their students across its service area in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. These funds will support enhanced education, career readiness and workforce development programs at HBCUs.

“Entergy is thrilled to offer the Power Your Future Scholarship as a means to empower the next generation of technology leaders,” said Patty Riddlebarger, Entergy’s vice president of corporate social responsibility. “By supporting students in their pursuit of higher education at HBCUs and minority-serving institutions, we are investing in an innovative future for our communities.”

Interested students must submit their applications by the April 9th deadline. The application process includes submitting required materials as specified by Scholarship America.

For more information about the Power Your Future Scholarship, including application details and eligibility requirements, visit here.

About Entergy

Entergy is a Fortune 500 company that powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing in the reliability, resilience and growth of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. The company has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more at entergy.com and connect with @Entergy on social media.

Contact

Media inquiries: Cristina del Canto|504-576-4238|mdelcan@entergy.com

This article is authored by Scott Tew, Vice President, Sustainability and Managing Director, Center for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability, Trane Technologies.

I recently read in a World Economic Forum report that while 80% of publicly-listed companies have a climate goal, only 5% have a nature goal. Nature-based impacts include things like land, trees and water.

To learn more about how water fits into the broader conversation about environmental sustainability, I was delighted to interview Emilio Tenuta, Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer of Ecolab, for Season 4 of our Healthy Spaces podcast. Our discussion illuminated how water and climate are inextricably linked – and how we must be considering both issues, collaboratively, as we turn bold ambition into decisive action and positive impact.

Water stewardship and sustainable business strategy

The first key point Emilio underscored was the irrefutable link between climate change and water scarcity: From severe water shortages to heat waves to water pollution, the impacts of climate change are increasingly expressed through our water systems. Already, nearly 3 billion people live in water-stressed areas, and one in ten people lacks access to clean water and sanitation. According to the World Resources Institute, the global water deficit is expected to reach 56% by 2030.

Water issues directly affect businesses, too—particularly those whose operations depend on water. In fact, Emilio shared, roughly 75% of the energy that flows through manufacturing processes is linked to water systems. To pump, treat, heat and cool water requires energy, and inefficient water usage leads to wasted resources and increased emissions.

Many of our company’s sustainable solutions use water, such as water-sourced cooling systems, and we use water to manufacture these systems. We understand the importance of water to the natural ecosystems and communities in which we operate.

A robust climate strategy should include water stewardship. Companies must work to reduce their own water usage and help preserve local water ecosystems. That’s why we’ve included water reduction targets in our 2030 Sustainability Commitments, with the goal of achieving net-positive water use in water-stressed areas by 2030. But as with all climate challenges, mitigating global water scarcity requires innovative leadership and ongoing collaboration.

Leading the charge in water conservation strategies

In our conversation, Emilio highlighted the work EcoLab is doing with the Water Resilience Coalition, a group of industry leaders committed to addressing water stress and promoting sustainable water practices across the globe. The coalition aims to achieve net-positive water impact by 2030. Water, explained Emilio, is hyper-local: What happens in one region—whether water scarcity, pollution or contamination—can have far-reaching effects on communities, ecosystems and supply chains. The UN Global Compact, which facilitates the Water Resilience Coalition, made a recent call to action for increased public-private partnerships in 100 priority basins around the world, which could result in water security for 3 billion people. “That is a big, big, big deal,” he added, “and I think one that we need to really leverage the power of collaboration to solve.”

Letting consumers drive progress

One of the ways Ecolab is working to raise awareness around water issues is through the Ecolab Watermark Study, a global survey launched in 2023. This study gathered insights from thousands of consumers, revealing some surprising findings about consumer attitudes toward water, climate change, and corporate responsibility.

Perhaps most importantly, the survey found that consumers ranked access to clean, available water as a higher priority than even addressing climate change and pollution. Consumers also expect companies, especially large corporations, to take concrete actions to reduce their water usage and support water stewardship initiatives. And, as with all ambitious targets, consumers want to see genuine, measurable actions—not just promises.

Going further together

Taking bold action on climate and water may seem daunting, but my conversation with Emilio left me feeling optimistic. Why? First, because we have innovative technology that can reduce our impact today. As Emilio quipped, “you don’t have to go to the moon to solve the water and climate crises.” Secondly, because companies, stakeholders and consumers understand the private sector has a pivotal role to play in addressing climate and water challenges. And finally, because more and more of us are recognizing that we can’t do it alone. The more we work together—across industries, regions and sectors, whether through large coalitions or simple conversations—the faster we can build a more sustainable world.

To learn more about how your organization can contribute to sustainable business practices and drive meaningful change, listen to our full conversation with Emilio Tenuta in Season 4, Episode 8 of our Healthy Spaces Podcast. Join us in leading the charge for a sustainable future by integrating water stewardship and climate action into your business strategy. 

Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog

When high school teacher Mason Golding recently told his students that banker Chris Taylor was coming to teach them about financial literacy, the students were disappointed — because they would have to wait a few more days before Taylor would arrive.

“He really connects with the kids; they look forward to him coming here,” said Golding, head of the Social Studies department at Horizon Science Academy High School in Columbus, Ohio. “Students who normally are not engaged or are easily distracted are hanging on every word, asking questions and participating.”

The Horizon student body includes many who are in families with low incomes.

“I can’t stress how impactful Chris is, especially with my demographic of students,” Golding said. “Their families are working one, two, three jobs to make ends meet and these kids are watching their siblings also work to help pay bills.”

Taylor, who grew up in Toledo, said he learned the importance of financial literacy when he was in the third grade and his father died.

“My mom got a job within two weeks because she knew she had to take care of us,” he said. “She taught my brother and me to pay bills on time, not get behind on anything and make a budget.”

Taylor was hired by U.S. Bank as a business banker in 2019. The following year, he put together a proposal to create a role teaching financial literacy to children and families in need. It was approved by senior leadership and Taylor has been teaching financial education courses to children and adults in Columbus and other Ohio cities ever since.

“He’s been teaching my students for four years I am surprised every year that he does not have a background in education,” Golding said. “Chris has a way of speaking and presenting information that keeps students actively engaged, something even veteran teachers struggle with.”

Golding recently surveyed his students about Taylor’s lessons. Here are three of the students’ responses.

“What I enjoyed about Chris and his presentations was that he was always prepared to answer even the most difficult questions. He wasn’t there just to be there. He was there for us.””It was honestly awesome because he explained it in a way that was easy to understand. It was very helpful and is doing us justice because going into the world with this information will put us ahead of everyone else.””I really enjoyed how Chris helped us understand very complex topics by using analogies and personal experiences. I also really enjoyed how interactive his presentations were with the whole class.”

When Taylor initially created his financial education role, he worked under Dee O’Dell, head of Business Banking Sales, who quickly became one of Taylor’s biggest supporters.

“We gave him a license to go create something, knowing full well that if it didn’t work or didn’t have legs, he could come back to Business Banking,” O’Dell said. “He was a very effective banker, but he is also very passionate about doing something to help the community. He sets very high goals for himself and the students he helps.”

HAMILTON, Bermuda, March 21, 2025 /3BL/ – Family-owned Bacardi proudly celebrates the success of the 3rd Annual Bacardi Black-Owned Vendor Market in Bermuda, an initiative dedicated to support and empower Black entrepreneurs on the island. Held at the Bacardi global headquarters in Bermuda on February 28, this year’s event set a new benchmark, tripling last year’s sales and generating nearly $30,000 for local Black-owned businesses.

As part of the Company’s ongoing commitment to empowering individuals through economic opportunity and community engagement, this event serves as a vital platform for local Black-owned businesses to showcase their products, connect with customers, and drive meaningful growth. This year’s market featured 60+ vendors spanning food, retail, and artisanal sectors, highlighting the innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit within Bermuda’s Black-owned business community.

This year, Bacardi introduced a Masterclass offered to participating vendors in advance of the market with curated learning and networking designed to equip vendors with practical skills in branding, pitching, and scaling their businesses. The Masterclass featured industry experts who provided actionable strategies to help entrepreneurs take their businesses to the next level.

“We are incredibly proud of the impact the Bacardi Black-Owned Vendor Market continues to have on the Bermuda business community,” says Douglas Mello, Bacardi International Limited Managing Director. “This event goes beyond a single day of sales—it’s about creating long-term opportunities, fostering meaningful connections, and equipping Black-owned businesses with the resources they need to thrive. By expanding this initiative with the Bacardi Masterclass, we are ensuring that local entrepreneurs not only gain visibility but also the knowledge and tools to sustain and grow their businesses.”

Bacardi is committed to fostering career growth and business development through impactful initiatives that drive long-term success and economic empowerment. This includes the recently launched Bacardi Hospitality Accelerator Program in Bermuda, which provides world-class training and professional development for local hospitality professionals. Across 10 countries, Bacardi has launched Shake Your Future, a free bartender training program designed to equip underemployed and unemployed young adults with the skills needed for sustainable careers in hospitality.

To learn more about how Bacardi supports communities, visit www.bacardilimited.com .

As the world prepares to observe World Water Day on March 22, 2025, the focus sharpens on the indispensable role of freshwater and the escalating challenges it faces.

Initiated by the United Nations, World Water Day celebrates this vital resource while sounding an urgent call to action against the growing water crisis. The day serves as a reminder for the world to recommit to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water).

This year’s theme, “Glacier Preservation,” underscores the critical importance of glaciers, whose meltwater is essential for drinking water, agriculture, industry, clean energy production, and healthy ecosystems. With rapidly melting glaciers causing uncertainty in water flows, the urgency for action has never been greater.

Currently, 703 million people—approximately 1 in 11 globally—lack access to clean water. By 2025, half of the world’s population could be living in areas facing water scarcity, with projections indicating that up to 700 million people could be displaced by intense water shortages by 2030.

Our World, Our Future

DP World, a global leader in supply chain solutions, is taking decisive steps to address these challenges, integrating sustainability into port operations, community outreach, and global partnerships. Our sustainability strategy, “Our World, Our Future,” lays the groundwork for our approach, focusing on reducing our environmental footprint and advancing global water-related goals.

As a business that enables prosperity to flow around the globe, we have a key role to play in safeguarding ocean health, increasing access to clean water and hygiene, managing our water use and protecting aquatic biodiversity.

Recognizing this urgency, we have woven sustainable water management into the fabric of our operations and community engagements worldwide.

Sustainable Port Operations

DP World Americas is taking decisive steps to minimize water pollution, improve wastewater management, and safeguard marine biodiversity. By integrating sustainable practices into its port operations, the company is leading the industry in responsible water use and environmental protection.

One initiative is DP World’s issuance of a $100 million Blue Bond—the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa region. This investment will fund water-positive projects, including port infrastructure improvements, coastal resilience initiatives, and marine pollution reduction efforts.

In addition, the company has pledged to positively influence 100 water-stressed basins by 2030, aligning with the UN Global Compact CEO Water Mandate. This commitment reinforces our dedication to water conservation through strategic investments in waste reduction, water efficiency, and innovative sustainability solutions.

Community & Conservation Partnerships

DP World recognizes that protecting water resources requires collaboration. Across the Americas, we are spearheading conservation projects that restore waterways, preserve coastal ecosystems, and educate communities on water stewardship. Here are three projects worth highlighting as we celebrate World Water Day.

Mangroves as a Nature-Based Solution in Ecuador

In Ecuador, we are restoring mangrove forests in partnership with the CALISUR Foundation. These ecosystems act as natural carbon sinks, filter water pollutants, and provide essential habitats for marine life. In November, we completed a major mangrove restoration initiative that involved planting 250,000 mangrove seedlings across 105 hectares in El Morro and Isla Puná, capturing 50,719 tons of CO2 and directly benefiting more than 160 members of local fishing groups.

Marine Environmental Stewardship in Canada

DP World actively participates in the Marine Environmental Water Quality program and the Marine Environmental Water Quality Advisory Working Group at the Port of Prince Rupert. Through this program, water quality monitoring is conducted across Prince Rupert Harbor, measuring key parameters such as turbidity, nutrients, metals, bacteria, and hydrocarbons. This data helps assess the harbor’s overall water conditions and the impact of various activities on the marine environment.

Earlier this month, we reinforced our commitment to marine conservation by announcing a multi-year investment in research and preservation efforts within the Musquash Estuary Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Eastern Canada. Our support will contribute to managing invasive plant species, enhancing biodiversity, and implementing conservation strategies to protect this vital marine ecosystem.

Supporting River Health in the Dominican Republic

In the Dominican Republic, DP World has partnered with the Santo Domingo Water Fund (FASD) to fund the conservation of the Brujuelas River micro-basin. Since October 2022, DP World has invested over 6.3 million pesos in conservation efforts, including interventions on 20.42 hectares, planting 22,491 trees, and implementing sustainable agricultural practices to restore the ecosystem and ensure water availability. These nature-based solutions support biodiversity, manage climate change risk and maximize environmental, social and economic benefits.

Global Stewardship, Local Impact

At DP World, we believe in a “Source-to-Sea” approach to sustainability, integrating restoration efforts, investment in water sanitation infrastructure, and biodiversity protection.

On World Water Day 2025, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting water resources, advancing global water security, and building a more sustainable future. Through educational initiatives, community workshops, and strategic partnerships, we’re laying the groundwork for a water-secure world.

Learn more about DP World’s global sustainability initiatives.

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

When it comes to pediatric cancer and sickle cell disease, there are both visible and invisible challenges, which is why Aflac has dedicated more than three decades to helping children and families facing childhood cancer and blood disorders.

One special way of being there for children with these conditions is through My Special Aflac Duck®, designed to help provide comfort to pediatric patients with cancer or sickle cell disease. More than a cuddly companion, My Special Aflac Duck also helps children with cancer and blood disorders communicate with their parents, siblings, medical professionals and other incredible caregivers.

“Navigating a cancer or sickle cell diagnosis, treatment and throughout life can be challenging, especially for children who may have difficultly expressing how they truly feel. We introduced My Special Aflac Duck in 2018 to help these patients feel like they’re not alone and since then, we’ve delivered more than 35,000 ducks to help provide comfort to these patients and their families,” said Buffy Swinehart, senior manager, Aflac Corporate Social Responsibility. “And research shows that My Special Aflac Duck does exactly what we’d hoped: It helps alleviate anxiety associated with treatment, not only for children, but for their parents and caregivers as well.”

My Special Aflac Duck also comes with a suite of resources to help provide education, comfort and joy throughout the treatment process. Resources include information on all of the functions and features of My Special Aflac Duck and the app; facilitation cards for meditation, communication, medical play, etc.; printable activities designed for play, relationship-building, empowerment and mindfulness — helping to provide distraction in busy or challenging environments — interactive use case guides to explore how My Special Aflac Duck can be used in different settings; FAQs; and additional support.

This comforting companion is available free of charge to children ages 3 and up with cancer or a blood disorder like sickle cell disease. My Special Aflac Duck is just one facet of Aflac’s commitment to the cause — a commitment that also includes nearly $190 million — and counting — in contributions to the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Learn more about My Special Aflac Duck and Aflac’s commitment to supporting children with cancer and sickle cell disease at AflacChildhoodCancer.org.

Z2400411EXP 5/25

Originally published on TriplePundit.com

Using secondhand materials has the potential to significantly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of the fashion industry. The secondhand goods broker Bank & Vogue is demonstrating that’s possible by working with big brands to create products out of upcycled fabrics, like Coach’s new repurposed denim bag.

The fashion industry’s impact on the environment is not a secret. The industry is responsible for an estimated 2 to 8 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, and its annual carbon emissions are on track to increase to nearly 2.7 billion tons by the end of the decade, according to a United Nations Environment Program report. But using repurposed materials such as secondhand denim can significantly reduce emissions and other environmental impacts tied to fashion.

For example, a new partnership between the fashion holding company Tapestry and the secondhand goods broker Bank & Vogue looks to bring repurposed denim into the luxury category. The partners’ first foray, a new take on Coach’s iconic signature Soho Bag, reduced emissions by 80 percent and cut water consumption by 95 percent compared to conventional first-use denim, according to a life cycle assessment.

This project prolongs the life of jeans that are not fit for resale, said Steven Bethell, co-founder of Bank & Vogue. The goods broker purchases post-consumer denim from thrift stores and charities across North America, as well as directly from the public. But because of the way the repurposing process works, only 28 percent of all the denim collected can be sold as repurposed denim, according to the life cycle assessment. The other 72 percent are leftover cutting scraps known as “denim skeletons.” Those skeletons can still be reused once recycled into a textile that can replace virgin cotton. Doing so significantly reduces the environmental impact of the repurposing process by spreading the burdens of transportation and processing over more material.

“There are a lot of jeans that come through to Bank & Vogue that are not fit for resale, so it’s those jeans that we then sorted into a range of colors,” Bethell said. “By sorting the material by shade and tone at scale, and then making that available to the design team, you can see that the bag has three or four colorways. I think that one of the amazing things about sorting post-consumer clothes, there’s a real authenticity to the material.”

Bank & Vogue lowers the manufacturing carbon footprint of the Coach bags by shipping pre-cut pieces that are later assembled in Coach’s factory. “We are sending only exactly what the factory needs, which is really important because we already own the technology of how to recycle these skeletons, the stuff left over,” Bethell said. “I think this unlocks another solution towards a lower carbon footprint product.”

At the Tapestry factory, the manufacturing process was redesigned to accommodate repurposed materials. Tapestry has plenty of experience making sure newly ordered materials comply with the company’s quality standards, but making sure upcycled materials still meet those standards was a challenge that required a whole new system to assess the cut-to-assemble materials.

“We ended up creating a cross-functional checklist for using post-consumer materials, partnering with our compliance teams and folks across the business, to really use this as a pilot case study,” said Megan Dawson-Elli, product sustainability manager at Tapestry. “We look at materials based on style, performance, and impact to make sure they’re helping us work towards our goals to create beautiful products and to create products that meet our targets from a Tapestry ESG perspective.”

The first repurposed denim Coach bag made in partnership with Bank & Vogue launched in Spring 2024. Since then, the brand released two more drops that completely sold out.

Bank & Vogue works with hundreds of suppliers and customers to give products seen as waste a new life, encouraging them to avoid landfills by making reuse a profitable option. Beyond the partnership with Coach, the broker works with brands to source and reuse a variety of other materials, including flannel, velvet and Hawaiian shirts, Bethell said. Some of its other projects include brands like Converse and Wrangler.

“We are excited to have other collaborations in the works that demonstrate that upcycling can not only be a path to a lower carbon production methodology, but these partnerships demonstrate that it can be done at scale,” Bethell said.

The Coach partnership confirms that industrial-scale sustainable fashion is possible, even if design teams have to rethink their processes to get there. That’s something Dawson-Elli wants everyone to know, emphasizing that curiosity is a key piece in a partnership like this.

“It was big for me to see the value in post-consumer materials, and that this is possible,” Dawson-Elli said. “This is not a small collection, this is something that has real units behind it. And having that mentality of being curious and challenging our linear systems — it can be tough, It takes time, it takes creative power to unlock — [but] it starts to feel like there are even more possibilities to think through.”