Originally published on 3M News Center

Sirish Subash, the winner of the 2024 3M Young Scientist Challenge, was recently celebrated at the Georgia State Capitol. Sirish, his family and his 3M mentor, Aditya Banerji, sat in the House Gallery while he was honored with a proclamation from House Minority Whip Sam Park.

The proclamation recognized his Challenge victory, and his innovative device called PestiSCAND, which can detect pesticide residue on produce. Following the ceremony, Sirish was presented with a framed copy of the proclamation and spoke with Rep. Park about his education and future plans.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by my state,” said Sirish. “It was a really cool experience. We got to go through the Capitol, and there was a recognition by my representative and my district senator.”

On the Senate side, Sirish was invited to the chamber floor by Senator Sheikh Rahman. Rahman delivered a statement about Sirish’s accomplishments, his recognition as “America’s Top Young Scientist” and his bright future. After the announcement, multiple senators introduced themselves to Sirish and asked about his work.

“It is incredible to see Sirish recognized in different forums and the level of interest his work on PestiSCAND has generated globally,” said Aditya Banerji, Sirish’s 3M mentor and senior research engineer in its corporate research process laboratory. “He is an exceptionally bright mind who is already looking ahead to how to solve the next societal issue while forging ahead with his studies.”

Those who met Sirish at the Capitol were eager to learn what Sirish is planning next. “I’ll be doing more work on PestiSCAND in the next few years, but for now I’m thinking on new projects, like a detector for microplastics in water—that’s what I’m currently working on,” said Sirish.

While 3M and its partners at Discovery Education will continue to celebrate Sirish’s achievement, they recently announced that the 2025 3M Young Scientist Challenge is now open to entries. As the nation’s premier middle school science competition, the annual Challenge invites students in grades 5-8 to compete for an exclusive mentorship with a 3M scientist, a $25,000 grand prize, and the chance to earn the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.” The Challenge is kicking off its 18th season and entries will be accepted until May 1 at YoungScientistLab.com .

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Recently, Mosaic CCDA welcomed Whirlpool Corp. mentors and students from Benton Harbor High School’s Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) program powered by Youth Solutions, Inc. for a morning of hands-on experience in project management, retail merchandising, sales and customer service. During the career exploration experience, students learned about community resources and even helped with the Whirlpool Corp. Feel Good Fridge initiative to fight food insecurity!

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading home appliance company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. As the last-remaining major U.S.-based manufacturer of kitchen and laundry appliances, the company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including WhirlpoolKitchenAidJennAir, MaytagAmana, BrastempConsul, and InSinkErator. In 2024, the company reported approximately $17 billion in annual sales – close to 90% of which were in the Americas – 44,000 employees, and 40 manufacturing and technology research centers.  Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com.

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LINCOLN, Neb., February 17, 2025 /3BL/ – The Arbor Day Foundation is investing in technology to help trees grow faster. This investment aims to draw millions of tons CO2 out of the atmosphere over the next decade, while restoring microbial biodiversity to thousands of acres of forests.

The global tree planting nonprofit’s Impact Fund, created to drive innovation in nature-based solutions, is supporting Funga PBC. The startup utilizes DNA sequencing and advanced data analysis to identify growth-promoting, native fungal communities that used to be present and have been degraded over time by land management practices and other factors. Funga then inoculates seedlings with these fungal communities at the nursery, so that these fungi will be established on the tree’s roots at the time of planting. Early results have shown that Funga’s inoculants can increase survival rates and boost tree growth by an average of 30%. This process not only restores and protects belowground biodiversity, but it also enables forests to pull more carbon out of the atmosphere.

“As a global leader in forestry, we feel a responsibility to find the next innovation in nature that can be a game changer to help solve some of the Earth’s biggest problems. That’s why our team is energized to help power Funga’s innovative work,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Funga’s method has the potential to create planet-shaping impact and deepen the layered benefits of tree planting.”

Funga was founded in 2021 by Dr. Colin Averill and is headquartered in Austin, Texas. The organization has already helped to restore fungal biodiversity across more than 6,500 acres of managed forests.

“I used to plant Arbor Day Foundation seedlings in grade school. Many people’s first tree planting experience is tied to Arbor Day Foundation’s work. This investment is personally meaningful, and signals a broader realization within the reforestation community that belowground fungi are an essential component of not just planting trees, but revitalizing entire forested ecosystems,” said Dr. Colin Averill, Founder and CEO of Funga.

The Arbor Day Impact Fund makes strategic investments in leaders and startups whose solutions have the potential to accelerate the pace, scale and quality of work in alignment with the Arbor Day Foundation’s mission. Funga is the Impact Fund’s second portfolio company.

Parties interested in receiving funding from the Arbor Day Impact Fund can learn more and submit opportunities to arborday.org/impact-fund or email impact@arborday.org.

About the Arbor Day Foundation 

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They foster a growing community of more than 1 million leaders, innovators, planters, and supporters united by their bold belief that a more hopeful future can be shaped through the power of trees. For more than 50 years, they’ve answered critical need with action, planting more than half a billion trees alongside their partners. And this is only the beginning.

The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.

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DENVER /3BL/ – DaVita, a leading provider of kidney care services, today announced the success of its third annual Move It With Purpose (MIWP) event with more than 8,300 participants, including DaVita teammates, friends, family and key members of the kidney care community. The month-long initiative encourages physical activity — whether it’s walking, running, swimming, bicycling or other activities — to benefit Bridge of Life, a nonprofit founded by DaVita to support the prevention and treatment of chronic disease globally.

This year, participants set new records with nearly 150 events across the country and 550,000 miles of activity logged. Collectively, participants raised more than $750,000 for Bridge of Life.

“The engagement we’ve seen with MIWP is incredible, especially in watching it grow since it first started in 2022,” said Lori Vaclavik, executive director of Bridge of Life. “We couldn’t be prouder of the event’s success, and the funds raised will have a direct impact on how we’re able to fight against chronic illness around the world as we provide life-saving care to those in need.”

Since 2007, DaVita has hosted annual fundraising events for Bridge of Life, raising more than $15 million for the organization. The funds generated through these events support Bridge of Life’s mission to enhance chronic disease prevention and treatment for underserved communities worldwide. Bridge of Life provides essential screenings, delivers vital medications, and offers chronic disease education in countries including Bangladesh, Belize, Guatemala, South Africa, Vietnam, and more.

Throughout its 18-year history, Bridge of Life has benefited from the dedicated efforts of over 3,000 volunteers and the generous support of its donors. This collaboration has enabled the nonprofit to expand its reach to 34 countries, positively transforming the lives of nearly 150,000 individuals globally.

2024 Move It With Purpose sponsors include Cencora, CSL Vifor, WellDyne, Akebia Therapeutics, Wells Fargo, Henry Schein, Inc., Sidley Austin LLP, Morgan Lewis, CBRE, Cushman & Wakefield, Staples, Universal Facilities Group, WilmerHale, Fresenius Medical Care, Akerman LLP, Crowell & Moring LLP, Mintz, Promotional Images Inc., Softserve, Bain & Company, and Mar Cor Purification.

About Bridge of Life

Bridge of Life (BOL), an independent 501(c)(3) public charity founded by DaVita Inc., is an international nonprofit organization working to strengthen health care globally through sustainable programs that prevent and treat chronic disease. Our vision is a world where all human beings have access to quality health care. We strive to empower local staff, community health workers and patients through training and education to make sustainable changes to health care. To learn more, visit bridgeoflifeinternational.org.

About DaVita

DaVita (NYSE: DVA) is a health care provider focused on transforming care delivery to improve quality of life for patients globally. As a comprehensive kidney care provider, DaVita has been a leader in clinical quality and innovation for more than 20 years. DaVita cares for patients at every stage and setting along their kidney health journey—from slowing the progression of kidney disease to helping to support transplantation, from acute hospital care to dialysis at home. As of September 30, 2024, DaVita served approximately 265,400 patients at 3,113 outpatient dialysis centers, of which 2,660 centers were located in the United States and 453 centers were located in 13 other countries worldwide. DaVita has reduced hospitalizations, improved mortality, and worked collaboratively to propel the kidney care industry to adopt an equitable and high-quality standard of care for all patients, everywhere. To learn more, visit DaVita.com/About.

Media Contact: 
DaVita Newsroom 
newsroom@davita.com

This episode of ESG Talk is a special crossover with the accounting and finance podcast, Off The Books! The momentum behind sustainability is changing around the world. How are companies adjusting their environmental, social, and governance programs as the political landscape shifts? 

Steve and Catherine ask Brandon Buhler, Chief Accounting Officer for Playa Hotels and Resorts, and Esther Toth, Senior Industry Principal at Workiva, about the future of sustainability

Read some original research on this topic here.

Listen Now

Looking for more? Subscribe to the ESG Talk podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube

ESG Talk is brought to you by Workiva, the world’s only unified platform for financial reporting, ESG, audit, and risk. Learn more at workiva.com.

Key Points

Anne Partmann, Refining Environmental Supervisor at the Martinez Renewables facility, combines her passion for nature with her role in environmental compliance.Her career journey began with a childhood fascination of nature, leading to a degree in Geological and Earth Sciences and finding her profession in environmental compliance.Partmann finds inspiration and fulfillment in sustainability, community involvement and the opportunity to be part of pioneering efforts in renewable diesel production.

Anne Partmann’s journey into the world of environmental science is a testament to her passion for nature and her dedication to understanding the natural world. As the Refining Environmental Supervisor at the Martinez Renewables facility in Martinez, California, she’s committed to bridging the gap between science and business.

Partmann’s fascination with science began as a child in Northern California.

“I have always been interested in nature and science,” said Partmann. “My family took us camping a lot in Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park. I loved being out in nature.”

This early exposure to the wonders of the natural world laid the foundation for her future career. Her passion transitioned into an academic pursuit during her college years at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

“I really enjoyed the earth science and geology classes and all the classes that were focused on understanding the natural world around us,” said Partmann.

“Coupling her love for the environment and people, her integrity and her technical critical thinking skills have made Anne stand out as an exemplary person inside the fence line and out in the community.”

This academic curiosity led her to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. After graduation, she began her career in environmental consulting and focused on soil and groundwater remediation. Her primary clients were refineries, which eventually led her to join Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) in 2018. As part of the environmental department at the Martinez Renewables facility, Partmann plays a crucial role in maintaining the facility’s environmental compliance with all environmental rules, regulations and permits covering air, water and waste.

“Anne is a pivotal person responsible for the success of the Martinez Renewables facility,” said MPC’s Manager of Refining Environmental West Coast Amber Larsen. “Coupling her love for the environment and people, her integrity and her technical critical thinking skills have made Anne stand out as an exemplary person inside the fence line and out in the community.”

Partmann acts as a facilitator between MPC and regulatory bodies, working to ensure the facility operates within the bounds of its environmental permits.

Her colleagues commend her for her commitment to environmental stewardship, transparent communication and ability to build trust with those who have an interest in the facility’s operations.

“Drawing on her environmental expertise, Anne helps the team address difficult questions and gain a deeper understanding of the facility’s operations,” says Mike Magee, Manager of the Maintenance Department at Martinez Renewables. “Anne truly exemplifies all of Marathon’s core values in everything she does, leading by example and inspiring her team.”

Looking ahead, Partmann is excited about the future of the renewable energy sector.

“It’s an exciting time for MPC and our industry,” said Partmann.

The facility’s shift to producing renewable fuels presents new problems to solve, offering opportunities for growth and innovation. Partmann is particularly inspired by the industry’s focus on sustainability and the chance to be part of pioneering efforts in renewable diesel production. Partmann believes that growth comes from stepping out of one’s comfort zone and embracing challenges.

“It’s difficult to grow if you aren’t challenged. Getting out of your comfort zone is important,” said Partmann.

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Partmann is actively involved in her community. She serves on the board of the Lindsay Wildlife Experience, a museum and hospital that provides free veterinary care to native California wildlife. She is also a member of MPC’s Women’s employee network group, supporting initiatives that benefit both the community and the organization. Partmann hopes her work will contribute to the world as significantly as her experiences in nature have shaped her career.

With the AEG’s Coachella Valley Invitational underway, LA Galaxy players Edwin Cerrillo and Mauricio Cuevas took a break from pre-season matches on February 10, 2025, to meet with migrant students at Palm View Elementary School in Coachella, CA, as part of the school’s Migrant Education program. Hosted by the LA Galaxy Foundation, the event provided students with a unique day of mentorship and soccer skill-building.

During the event, Cerrillo and Cuevas participated in a heartfelt conversation with LA Galaxy broadcaster, Joe Tutino, where they shared their personal journeys from youth soccer to the professional stage, and discussed how they overcame the challenges they faced and stayed committed to their dreams.

“Today’s event was about fostering confidence and inspiring the next generation,” said Gabriel Osollo, Director, Community Relations and LA Galaxy Foundation. “By engaging with their role models in such a personal way, the students gained a sense of empowerment and encouragement to chase their dreams, while also improving their soccer skills.”

Following the panel, Martha Saucedo, Chief External Affairs Officer of AEG, presented the Coachella Valley Unified School District’s Migrant Program with a check donation in the amount of $5,000. After the presentation, Cerrillo and Cuevas led students through skill-building drills, sharing professional tips and providing hands-on coaching with the students.

The Coachella Valley Unified School District’s Migrant Program is dedicated to ensuring students from migrant families achieve academic excellence and graduate with a high school diploma. To learn more about the program, please click here.

The LA Galaxy Foundation, the 501(c)(3) organization associated with the LA Galaxy, is dedicated to assisting the community in which the team lives, works, and plays. LA Galaxy players, coaches, alumni and staff spend countless hours giving back to the community at local schools, hospitals, fields, and events. The LAGF continually strives to aid organizations that meet its mission of supporting and creating education, health, and soccer-related activities and programs for youth in the greater Los Angeles area. To learn more about the LA Galaxy Foundation, click here.

Product of the Year™ (POY) USA is the world’s largest consumer-voted award for product innovation. The purpose of the award is to guide consumers to the best products in their market and reward manufacturers for quality and innovation. Each year, POY accepts entries for consumer products that demonstrate advancement within their industries. The POY USA seal is backed by a survey of 40,000 people by Kantar, a global leader in product innovation research.

Congratulations to the Dial®, Persil®, and Schwarzkopf® brands for winning 2025 Product of the Year USA Awards!

Dial® Healthy Hydration Body Wash – Winner in the Body Wash Category

The new Dial® Healthy Hydration Body Wash offers a unique combination of deep cleansing and effective hydration. This innovative formula leaves skin feeling clean and soft after just one shower. Healthy Hydration Body Wash contains ingredients such as Shea Butter Extract, Coconut Milk, and Hyaluronic Acid. With 50% more moisturizing ingredients (compared to Dial® Spring Water Body Wash), Dial® Healthy Hydration supports the brand’s commitment to helping consumers feel confident and connected, all while “Dialing Up” their clean with every wash. Additionally, Dial® is proud to be Dermatologist Tested, PH Balanced, Paraben-Free and approved as cruelty free under the Leaping Bunny program. With a fresh lineup of launches for both men and women, Dial® brand is ready to resonate deeply with consumers and redefine the way they connect.

“It is an honor to have Dial® Healthy Hydration endorsed by Product of the Year as a 2025 winner for the Body Wash category,” said Allison Feldman, Vice President of Marketing at Henkel. “At Dial®, we’re committed to delivering products that not only give an undeniable clean but are also empowering. We learned from consumer insights that our audience is looking for body wash that provides both a thorough clean and effective hydration. We’re very proud of this new Healthy Hydration range that will make high-quality personal care products accessible to everyone. We are excited to utilize the widely recognized and credible Product of the Year seal within upcoming marketing and sales efforts to guide shoppers towards a choice that 40,000 real consumers have found reliable and innovative.”

Persil® Activewear Clean – Winner in the Laundry Category

Specifically designed for athletic wear while also working on all fabrics, Persil® Activewear Clean fights body

oil and sweat and eliminates odors, all while helping maintain fabric shape and stretch. The product is a first-of-its-kind variant for the brand, and was launched along with reimagined branding and additional variants in 2024.

“At Persil, we recognize that our consumers place high value in their clothes and, with the growth of athletic wear and synthetic clothing in recent years, we saw an opportunity to fill a gap in the laundry aisle and offer a solution for clothing that many people wear, day to day,” said Matt Kutnick, Marketing Director of Persil. “Persil Activewear Clean helps maintain the delicate shape and stretch of performance wear while helping keep whites and colors vibrant so consumers can look and feel their best, wash after wash. For us, it’s about providing a quality clean that also cares for the clothes our consumers love.”

Schwarzkopf® Keratin Root Permanent Color and Keratin Root Temporary Color & Thickening Spray – Winner in the Beauty Category

The Schwarzkopf® Keratin Root Permanent Color is a permanent color treatment that refreshes the root of the hair by providing 100% gray coverage in just 10 minutes, leaving hair looking strong and healthy. The Schwarzkopf® Keratin Root Permanent Color kit contains the brand’s exclusive bond enforcing system and a salon inspired 3-sided brush for precise application.

Schwarzkopf® Keratin Root Temporary Color & Thickening Spray with Keratin and Vitamin E is a temporary root color spray that instantly delivers up to 100% gray coverage and is scalp friendly. The formula is non-irritating and ammonia-free, and the non-sticky hold formula is delivered evenly and finely. This formulation helps ensure precise color application without mixing or mess that dries quickly and will wash out with your next shampoo.

“It is an honor to have Schwarzkopf® Keratin Root Permanent Color and Keratin Root Temporary Color & Thickening Spray endorsed by 2025 Product of the Year winners,” said Christopher McClement, Senior Vice President, Marketing at Henkel Consumer Brands USA. “Evolution has been constant as the Schwarzkopf® brand has grown over the last century and our new range of Keratin Root products are a result of continuous research and development in an effort to elevate the hair care products and formulas we provide to our consumers. We are proud that this distinction – and the widely-recognized Product of The Year red seal used in connection with our products – will now be a symbol to consumers of Schwarzkopf Keratin Root’s credible, reliable, and innovative hair color products, which they are sure to love.” 

CINCINNATI, February 14, 2025 /3BL/ – For the second consecutive year, Fifth Third has been named among the World’s Most Admired Companies™ by Fortune Magazine.

“It is a privilege to once again be named to Fortune’s list of Most Admired Companies,” said Tim Spence, chairman, CEO, and president of Fifth Third. “This recognition highlights how we deliver strong, consistent results for shareholders; reinvest in our communities; and create a culture where employees thrive.”

The magazine’s annual ranking of corporate reputation spotlights the best-regarded companies across more than 50 industries domestically and globally.

From a list of the 1,500 largest U.S. and global companies by revenue, the rankings are based upon a poll of more than 3,700 executives, directors and analysts administered by global management consulting firm Korn Ferry. Poll respondents rate companies in their own industries based upon nine criteria of corporate performance and reputation such as investment value, quality of management, social responsibility, and ability to attract talent.

Fifth Third is consistently recognized as a leader among banks. In 2024, Fifth Third was named “U.S. Best Super-Regional Bank” by Euromoney, and recognized as No 1. For Retail Banking Customer Satisfaction in Florida by JD Power. Fifth Third was also included on the following lists: Forbes’ “Best Customer Service,” Global Private Banker “Best Private Bank for High Net Worth Clients,” and Energage “Top Workplaces USA,” just to name a few.

About Fifth Third
Fifth Third is a bank that’s as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, we’ve been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. Our list of firsts is extensive, and it’s one that continues to expand as we explore the intersection of tech-driven innovation, dedicated people and focused community impact. Fifth Third is one of the few U.S.-based banks to have been named among Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies® for several years. With a commitment to taking care of our customers, employees, communities and shareholders, our goal is not only to be the nation’s highest performing regional bank, but to be the bank people most value and trust.

Fifth Third Bank, National Association is a federally chartered institution. Fifth Third Bancorp is the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank and its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.” Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Deposit and credit products provided by Fifth Third Bank, National Association. Member FDIC.

From Fortune, ©2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license. Fortune is a registered trademark and Fortune World’s Most Admired Companies™ is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited and are used under license. Fortune and Fortune Media IP Limited are not affiliated with, and do not endorse the products or services of Fifth Third Bank.

Originally published in Radius Recycling’s 2024 Sustainability Report

Recycling plays a crucial role in the sustainability efforts of any business.

Our 3PR™ Third Party Recycling services cater to the growing demand from companies, organizations, and other entities to enhance their recycling rates and materials recovery. The 3PR™ portfolio advances manufacturing and retail productivity, minimizes waste sent to landfills, and mitigates industrial carbon emissions for our partners.

Our comprehensive services examine the supply chains of retail, manufacturing, and industrial customers to identify and leverage materials recovery and recycling strategies for a growing array of material types. We deliver value to our customers through the income generated from recycling efforts, while also reducing the environmental impact of their activities. Through our diversified supply channels, we provide tailored recycling and logistical solutions that enable businesses to efficiently handle both post-industrial and post-consumer materials.

Helping The Home Depot® Advance Circularity

Since 2014, Radius has partnered with The Home Depot to support their goals around circularity and commitment to recycling and reuse. Our 3PR™ teams manage recycling programs across The Home Depot’s network for ferrous and nonferrous metals, cardboard, expanded polystyrene (EPS), and plastic film, helping to keep valuable materials out of landfills.

Railcar Parts Management with TTX Company (TTX)

With a fleet of more than 175,000 railcars throughout the U.S., Mexico and Canada, TTX is a critical part of North America’s transportation infrastructure. As a leader in railcar retirement services, Radius has supported TTX through management of its end-of-life railcar assets since 2008, and more recently by servicing 20 of the company’s railcar maintenance locations.

Through our comprehensive 3PR™ services, Radius not only recycles valuable metals from TTX end-of-life assets, but we extract usable rail parts and return them to the company for reconditioning and reuse. In the last five years alone, Radius has processed approximately 85,000 gross tons (GT) of railcar materials for TTX, ensuring valuable resources are responsibly recycled and remain at the center of the circular economy.

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