Tag: 3BL

BOSTON, Mass., September 18, 2024 /3BL/ – Sappi North America, Inc., a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper, packaging products and pulp, today released its 2023 Sustainability Report, highlighting its EcoVadis Platinum sustainability rating for the fourth year in a row an award-winning water-savings project and the second-lowest number of combined lost-time injuries (LTIs) for Sappi employees and contractors working at its facilities.

In 2023, Sappi’s business and sustainable practices continued to be shaped by the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), aiding in defining its business strategy, with priorities across categories such as clean water and sanitation, renewable and clean energy, economic growth, responsible consumption and production, climate action, and more.

“We’ve continued to work towards our sustainability goals at Sappi North America (SNA), and we always prioritize employee safety, even in times of economic uncertainty and global market challenges. Our teams had unparalleled safety records, earned numerous awards for the Cloquet Mill Effluent TSS Reduction project, saving over 2 million gallons of water, and more,” said Mike Haws, President and CEO at SNA. “The commitment from our teams has ensured we continue to move towards our long-term goals and spread positive social and environmental impact within our communities, and globally.”

Highlights from the report include:

Remarkable safety performance: In 2023, Sappi recorded its second-best combined lost time injury frequency rate (LTIFR) at 018. By the end of 2023, the Somerset Mill achieved nearly 5 million hours without an LTI, and the Cloquet Mill had reached 1 million safe work hours without an LTI for the eighth time in 15 years.Elevating women in senior management roles: Sappi increased its percentage of women in senior management roles to 22%, even despite unprecedented labor shortages. This year, Bakul Wadgaonkar stepped into her role as Director of Sustainability, helping the company to pursue its long-term sustainability milestones, leaning into the conservation efforts that have been ingrained in Sappi for decades.Promoting employee engagement: Sappi significantly increased participation across all regions in its fiscal 2023 employee engagement survey. Based on the comprehensive feedback, Sappi has already begun implementing dozens of initiatives to improve the SNA experience for employees. Additionally, Sappi’s Employee Ideas that Matter (EITM) program increased in participation by over 118% and has awarded over $189,000 to date for local nonprofits and grant funds.Participating in local forestry initiatives: The Maine SFI Implementation Committee (SIC), of which SNA is an active member and supporter, won the 2023 SIC Achievement Award for implementing SFI standards and programs locally, making a difference on the ground to advance sustainable forestry and promote the benefits of SFI-certified forests and forest products.Successful diversification and return on business: Sappi’s long-term return on net operating assets (RONOA) trajectory demonstrates that we have successfully diversified and transformed our business by making strategically sound investments and then delivering returns on those investments. Combined with strong cost management and operational performance, Sappi maintained a high level of profitability.

“We are committed to sustainability as a cornerstone of our operations, and the 2023 Sustainability Report reminds us of that pillar of our work,” said Wadgaonkar. “A challenging year in our market did not curtail Sappi’s dedication to improving, learning and driving change. Our long-term goals remain strong, and I’m eager to see SNA teams continue to reach incredible milestones into 2024 and beyond.”

To read more of Sappi North America’s 2023 Sustainability Report and request a copy, please visit: https://www.sappi.com/sustainability-and-impact.

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About Sappi North America, Inc.

Sappi North America, Inc., headquartered in Boston, is a market leader in converting wood fiber into superior products that customers demand worldwide. Our four diversified businesses – high-quality Graphic Papers, Dissolving Pulp, Packaging, and Specialty Papers deliver premium products and services with consistent quality and reliability. Our high-quality Coated Printing Papers are used for premium magazines, catalogs, books, direct mail and high-end print advertising. We are a leading manufacturer of Dissolving Pulp, which is used in a wide range of products, including textile fibers and household goods. We deliver sustainable Packaging and Specialty Papers for luxury packaging and folding carton applications with our single-ply packaging brands and for the food and label industries with our specialty papers. We are one of the world’s leading suppliers of Casting and Release Papers with lines for the automotive, fashion and engineered films industries.

Sappi North America is a subsidiary of Sappi Limited (JSE), a global company headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, with more than 12,000 employees and manufacturing operations on three continents in seven countries and customers in over 150 countries. www.sappi.com

Contact

Haley Sinacole

Account Executive

Matter Communications

1 978 518 4508

sappi@matternow.com

If you are finding it hard to keep track of all the U.S. holidays inundating your calendars or timelines, you are not alone. But this one is worth taking the time to appreciate and reflect on. Women’s Equality Day recognizes a milestone that has profoundly shaped many aspects of our lives in the U.S. and around the world.

Taking the Time to Reflect

On August 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote, was finally ratified in the U.S. Constitution after decades of tireless advocacy by women’s suffragists. It is telling that by 1980, and onward, women’s voter turnout in U.S. presidential elections surpassed that of men. Women were eager for change and innovation, and this amendment was a catalyst for just that.

104 Years Have Passed…

And we have so much to show for it. The ripple effects of women’s voting power are evident in countless culturally relevant and societal changes. Without women being a part of the U.S. electorate, we might not have seen laws and bills passed that allow women to buy homes, open bank accounts independently, continue working after having children, or take on significant roles in politics. This impact extends beyond women, benefiting our society.

In 2024, women continue to drive change and innovate on a global scale

You have interacted with several applications, technology, brands, and legislation that are female founded, sponsored, and led. Do any of these leaders and their lifelong work ring a bell?

Jane Fraser, CEO of Citi, a global financial institution, and investment bank.Naomi Osaka, founder of Kinlo (and Japanese pro tennis player!), a skincare brand formulated especially for melanated skin.Adi Tatarko, co-founder and former CEO of Houzz, a home design company.Julia Hartz, CEO and co-founder of Eventbrite, an easy-to-use ticketing system for events.Leah Busque, founder of TaskRabbit, makes any household task a quick ask.Payal Kadakia, founder of ClassPass, a global platform for booking fitness classes.Kamala Harris, current U.S. Vice President and newly confirmed Democratic candidate for U.S. President, the highest elected office of any female politician in U.S. history.

This list begs the question: ‘What can’t she do?’ Please know this list is short for brevity purposes only, and not because there is any shortage of incredibly accomplished women to shout out!

Increasing Diversity in Innovation with WIN++

In 2019, the US Patent and Trademark Office reported that women are named inventors on only 13% of patents. In 2020, Cisco launched WIN++, a guided mentorship program matching small teams of diverse employees with an experienced mentor, with the goal of submitting an invention disclosure by the end of the program for consideration by one of Cisco’s patent committees.

Since its launch, the number of unique Cisco women inventors listed on original U.S. patent filings has increased more than 30%, and the percentage of approved submissions with at least one female inventor has jumped 67%.

Recognizing Women’s Equality Day and the opportunity ahead

The progress and pioneers we celebrate today are a testament to the resilience, innovation, and determination of countless women who have paved the way. As we look to the future, let us be inspired by their legacy to continue advocating for change, breaking down barriers, and creating opportunities for all.

Want to get involved? Check out this Cisco newsroom article to learn more about our WIN++ program, and head on over to https://www.cisco.com/go/win to meet some of the incredible women fighting for our future.

View original content here.

Previously published by TriplePundit

By Riya Anne Polcastro

National parks are an integral part of our country’s landscape. They preserve valuable habitats and provide sanctuary for endangered and threatened species. They also offer endless recreational and educational opportunities for hundreds of millions of visitors each year. On the flip side, the abundance of people in the parks means a lot of waste bound for landfills, with visitors creating almost 70 million pounds of trash in 2022. But the Zero Landfill Initiative, a nearly 10-year collaboration between Subaru of America, the National Park Service, the National Parks Conservation Association, the National Park Foundation and other park stakeholders, proves that doesn’t need to be the case.

“Our customers absolutely love the national parks,” Denise Coogan, environmental partnership manager for Subaru of America, told TriplePundit. “They put their faith in our product, and it’s such an honor when somebody does that, so we thank them by helping to conserve these places they love and the places they like to take their Subaru.”

Lessons from zero-landfill auto plants inform success at national parks

The Zero Landfill Initiative, also known as Don’t Feed the Landfills, aims first to reduce the amount of waste entering parks — followed by reusing, recycling and composting what is brought in. The initiative is built on the lessons learned by Subaru’s own zero-landfill program, which is implemented in all of the automaker’s manufacturing plants globally. Instead of utilizing a top-down approach where executives who aren’t as unfamiliar with the day-to-day processes dictate sustainability measures, Subaru went straight to employees for ideas on eliminating waste.

For example, employee input played an integral role in the sustainability transition at Subaru of Indiana Automotive, a 5.5 million square foot auto assembly plant where thousands of cars are produced each year. “We got all of the 4,700 associates who worked there at the time together to say, ‘This is where we want to go, and how can we get there?’” Coogan said. The plant achieved zero-landfill status 20 years ago, making it the first auto manufacturing facility in the U.S. to do so.

Coogan credited the thousands of ideas supplied by production employees for the achievement, calling them the stars of the program. The plant once generated 459 pounds of waste for each vehicle that left the line. By the time the last load was sent to a landfill on May 4, 2004, plant employees reduced the total to 210 pounds — all of which is recycled and reused or, in the case of restroom waste that can’t be recycled, is converted into energy.

“It was an amazing thing to witness, to see everyone taking so much pride in their ideas,” she said. “I had worked in production for many years when I was much younger. And I know how humbling it can be to go in on Jan. 1, knowing what you’re going to be doing on Dec. 31, and nothing’s going to change. We were able to go to our associates at [Subaru of Indiana Automotive] and say, ‘What are your ideas? Can you give us what you think would work the best?’ and then come together and work together to bring their ideas to life. That’s what we did at the national parks, too.”

A movement to change environmental behavior in U.S. national parks

The Don’t Feed the Landfills Initiative began nearly a decade ago with three pilot parks: Denali, Grand Teton and Yosemite. Using lessons learned at the pilot parks, Subaru and the National Parks Conservation Association set out to develop a roadmap for more national parks to implement successful sustainable practices. The initiative has since expanded to Big Bend, Zion and a handful of other national parks across the United States, Coogan said.

“The successes and long-term impact of the waste reduction initiative can be attributed to the collaborative community-based approach,” said Karen Hevel-Mingo, director of sustainability for the National Parks Conservation Association. “With Subaru’s shared expertise, and through the challenging work that began at Denali, Yosemite and Grand Teton, we learned quickly that the communities surrounding our parks were as important as the parks themselves. Our many partners were so important in not only helping us reduce waste, but in educating millions of park visitors about how they can help and do their part.”

In spearheading the initiative, Subaru sought to take the same all-inclusive approach it used in its plants and expanded it to national parks and their gateway communities. “These parks are behemoths in these areas. But usually, the population around the parks is not very big — meaning everyone relies on that park, so everyone has a piece of the puzzle,” Coogan explained. “Getting everyone in the same room and saying, ‘Here’s where we want to go, what do you need?,’ it opens up a kind of synergistic communication and team building. What gets recycled, how it gets recycled, where it gets put, how it gets picked up — all of that stuff is just details that can be worked out relatively easily. But getting everyone to buy in and creating a movement where you change environmental behavior? That’s a little harder.”

A lot of that work boils down to educating visitors with messaging in the park and online that encourages them to reduce what they use and bring into the parks. Tourists are encouraged to bring refillable water bottles, which can be filled at stations in the parks, along with reusable coffee mugs. They’re directed to downloadable brochures instead of paper ones and asked to bring their own totes for any souvenirs they might purchase. And with 40 percent of park waste comprised of food, visitors can be mindful of food waste and utilizing reusable containers that will be packed out.

“We’re really trying to get that message out to people. Don’t just reduce waste, think about what you’re doing. Think about the impact on the national park. You might just be one family, but when there are 337 million people that go to the national parks every year and everyone uses a plastic water bottle or everyone brings plastic bags and throws them in the trash, it adds up,” Coogan said. “But once you remind them, 99.999 percent of the people really want to do the right thing.”

Sharing the Love is business as usual for Subaru

Subaru’s support of the National Park Service and its role in spearheading the Zero Landfill/Don’t Feed the Landfills Initiative is another example of how it Shares the Love by giving back. Not only is the automaker the largest corporate donor to the National Park Foundation, thanks in part to its annual Subaru Share the Love Event charity campaign, but it’s also helping the parks reach their sustainability goals through innovation grants. These grants allow individual parks to improve infrastructure by purchasing equipment like balers and forklifts that make recycling more feasible, as well as hiring staff to handle marketing, education, and community outreach.

Between the Share the Love Event and Subaru Loves the Earth month that we do every April, we’re getting the word out to our retailers too so that they can be more than a car dealer,” Coogan said. “We really do want to be more than a car company. And this is just one way we show it.”

A scalable approach

Twenty-two million pounds of visitor waste from national parks have been diverted away from landfills through source reduction, composting, and recycling since the initiative’s inception in 2015, Coogan said. Overall, participating parks are seeing a steady decrease in the amount of waste generated per visitor — a clear sign they’re meeting their objectives, she said.

“The lesson that transcends both the national parks and Subaru plants has been involving everyone in the project and that sense of community,” Coogan added. “I honestly believe that people want to be part of something bigger than themselves. And if you allow them the honor and you give them the tools they need to do it, they will rise to the occasion.”

It’s an approach that could be applied to sustainability in just about any industry. And it saves money too — both by using fewer materials and generating less waste in need of disposal. Subaru has saved $1.5 million at its Indiana automotive plant alone, Coogan said. And she’s confident that by giving associates and community stakeholders the voice they need to make real change, this method of waste reduction can be scaled anywhere, to any size.

“The work we’ve accomplished together will live on in our parks, and all who visit them will have cleaner, healthier experiences because of it,” added NPCA’s Karen Hevel-Mingo.

by Marian Macindoe, Robert Klaber and Lori Keith, Parnassus Investments 

Weather events and the impacts from natural disasters pose risks to individuals, businesses and financial markets. Strong company management teams anticipate such events as potential business risks and have established robust plans to address them and mitigate their impacts. There will be both leaders and laggards in how companies withstand, respond to and adapt to a changing and more volatile climate. We are working with our portfolio companies to evaluate their plans for climate resilience, to share best practices in navigating climate risks and to collaborate with them to improve in these areas through our engagements as well as through proxy voting.

As the increase in extreme weather incidents is unlikely to abate, we, at Parnassus Investments, are building portfolios of leading companies that are more likely to be resilient in a changing climate through quality management, foresight and long-term strategic planning. We believe these leaders are not only working toward a low-carbon world but are best positioned to address extreme weather events in the meantime. 

Risk Assessment in an Era of Climate Change – When our firm evaluates potential investments for climate risks, we consider each company relative to its industry. Certain industries inherently have more risk than others. For example, companies with a lot of real estate and/or manufacturing facilities will have more risk than companies offering business services that don’t produce physical goods. The “footprint” in terms of where the offices and manufacturing plants are located is an important consideration as well as how that affects the entire supply chain.

In assessing a company’s climate resilience, we look at how well they can handle the risk of a climate event and can shift operations to other locations, considering both the impact to operations and their employees. Worker safety is paramount for the companies we consider for our portfolios. Evaluating impacts on the supply chain is also critical, as is understanding the potential effects on all contributors to the company’s operations.

Read the full article, including a look at Physical Risks and Transition Risks as companies move towards a low carbon economy – all here – https://greenmoney.com/investing-in-an-era-of-extreme-weather

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September 18, 2024 /3BL/ – The International Living Future Institute (Living Future) is honored to have been selected to support the Inflation Reduction Act’s efforts to decarbonize the built environment. As announced by the U.S. EPA in July, Living Future was one of the 38 grant recipients selected to receive part of the federal government’s $160 million investment to “report and reduce climate pollution from the manufacturing of construction materials and products.” With the support of this grant, Living Future will deepen its industry collaborations to assess the environmental performance of building materials and streamline the specification of more climate-friendly options.

The built environment is a major contributor to planetary warming. It’s estimated that buildings and construction account for 37% of all energy-related carbon dioxide emissions and, according to the EPA, “construction materials used in buildings and other built infrastructure account for more than 15% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions.” Living Future recognizes that the built environment community can also play a key role in securing a safe and healthy future, integrating resilience and emissions-drawdown strategies into all design, construction, and operating decisions.

Through its building programs, Living Future promotes a multi-pronged approach that addresses both embodied and operational carbon reduction. Once seen as a nearly insurmountable challenge, these programs are now utilized by the largest architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) firms, multiple Fortune 500 companies, major global universities, and innovative developers. These clients are building corporate offices, laboratories, multi-family residences, retail spaces, warehouses, and some of the most innovative projects around the world aligned with Living Future standards.

To scale the decarbonization of buildings, one area that needs greater attention is the ability of owners and project teams to easily specify climate-friendly products and materials. Thankfully, Living Future has a roadmap to address this need.

Since 2012, Living Future’s Declare program has helped disclose ingredients and translate complex material health data into accessible and actionable information. More than 370 manufacturers, ranging from small craft producers to Fortune 500 corporations, currently participate in Living Future’s building materials programs. They publicly disclose ingredient information down to 100 parts per million and screen against our Red List, ensuring a commitment to human and ecological health. The free Declare database boasts nearly 1,500 labels representing 16,000+ products, and is visited by approximately 100,000 people annually. This platform facilitates easy specification of products that contribute to healthy indoor environments and align with various rating systems, including the Living Building Challenge, LEED, WELL, and Enterprise Green Communities.

Slated to receive $4.7 million over five years from the EPA grant, Living Future intends to leverage the model of Declare to accelerate market transformation of climate-friendly products. A new label focused on emissions will include translation and evaluation of environmental product declarations (EPDs) — third-party verified reports of a product’s environmental impacts across its life cycle, such as global warming potential, primary energy use, and ozone depletion potential. Living Future views this as a crucial step to drive the widespread adoption of EPDs and to motivate manufacturers to continue investing in optimized environmental performance.

“We are designing this label program to help accelerate EPD adoption in our industry,” says Lindsay Baker, CEO of Living Future. “We know that distilling data and making it digestible to design teams and owners will empower them and move the market.”

Living Future plans to work with partners and stakeholders to develop industry-aligned technical requirements and structure for the program, as well as grow awareness and action in the community. One such partner is mindful MATERIALS (mM), a non-profit that aligns the building industry around a common language, clear market signal, and connected data to drive demand for material transparency and optimization. Living Future’s new label will align with mM’s Common Materials Framework, which organizes more than 650 relevant sustainability factors into five sustainability topics. CEO of mM, Annie Bevan says, “We are thrilled to partner with Living Future to accelerate towards a world where extensive, verified EPD and other sustainability data is digitized and flowing — and supporting project-level decisions and scaling the holistic impact reduction of the built environment.”

A manufacturing partner, Armstrong World Industries, makes ceiling and wall systems. Anita Snader, the company’s Senior Sustainability Manager, says, “Our company is committed to offering feedback to guide the development and be an early adopter to pilot the new label. We believe Living Future has proven to be highly successful at meaningful market transformation.”

Selections are contingent upon completion of legal and administrative requirements and grantees are tentatively expected to begin receiving their funding in Q4 2024.

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ABOUT the International Living Future Institute

The mission of the International Living Future Institute (Living Future) is to cultivate a society that is socially just, culturally rich, and ecologically restorative. To do this, the organization envisions a living future and shows that it works better in practice and policy. Living Future is premised on the belief that providing a compelling vision for the future is needed to reconcile humanity’s relationship with the natural world. Living Future’s programs have shaped more than 55 million square feet of real estate development across the United States and around the world. Learn more at http://www.living-future.org.

Media Contact: 
Kira Gould | kiragould@kiragould.com

– UNDP and IBM developed two new interactive models for UNDP’s Data Futures Exchange’s GeoHub: the AI model Electricity Access Forecasting and the statistical geospatial model Clean Energy Equity Index.

-The organizations collaborated through the IBM Sustainability Accelerator program using technologies such as IBM watsonx, IBM Cloud and IBM Environmental Intelligence.

-The new models will be made available for free to the general public through UNDP’s GeoHub dashboards, helping users access data and insights to interpret complex clean energy challenges and opportunities.

ARMONK, N.Y., September 18, 2024 /3BL/ – IBM (NYSE: IBM) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today launched new interactive models on energy within UNDP’s global GeoHub platform. These innovative solutions use technologies such as the IBM watsonx AI and data platform to enable users — from policymakers at the national and community level to the general public — to analyze complex energy issues through advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology and access a wide range of resources, helping support data-driven decision-making toward a just energy transition.

“Bringing together UNDP’s knowledge and global leadership in sustainable development and IBM’s breakthrough innovations in AI and hybrid cloud, we are proud to unveil solutions that demonstrate the power of technology to make a lasting, positive impact on our environment and in our communities,” said Justina Nixon-Saintil, IBM Vice President and Chief Impact Officer. “By making innovative models freely accessible to the public, we aim to empower leaders, organizations and community members alike with the insights to make impactful energy decisions around the world.”

As part of UNDP’s Data Futures Exchange (DFx), GeoHub is a centralized ecosystem of geospatial data and services. It provides a platform to easily upload, visualize and analyze datasets, combining time-oriented and geographic data with satellite imagery. GeoHub supports a granular, localized, and evidence-based approach to development challenges and integrated policy making— from determining subnational distribution of electricity access, to assessing levels of vulnerability to the effects of climate change for communities over time.

“UNDP’s innovative collaboration with IBM helps countries leverage development data and technology innovation to improve lives and protect the planet. The solutions we’ve co-created provide a credible evidence base to help countries make meaningful and practical progress towards a just energy transition. Net-zero investment and people-centered development strategies are fundamental to accelerate the SDGs,” said Laurel Patterson, Head of the UNDP SDG Integration Team, UNDP Bureau for Policy and Programme Support.

UNDP and IBM worked together over two years through the IBM Sustainability Accelerator program. This project started with a collaborative engagement through the IBM Garage, and resulted in the enhancement of UNDP’s GeoHub with two innovative models: the AI model Electricity Access Forecasting and the statistical geospatial model Clean Energy Equity Index.

The Electricity Access Forecasting AI model uses the IBM watsonx AI and data platform, IBM Cloud, and an open-source machine learning library to provide future forecasts at scale of electricity access through 2030 by evaluating a set of factors including population, infrastructure, urbanization, elevation, and satellite data in addition to land use data provided by IBM Environmental Intelligence. By modeling these factors to make a future forecast, the Electricity Access Forecasting model provides a distinct advantage compared to more commonly available, current-day estimates of electricity access. The model will contain data from 102 countries across the Global South, including in Africa, Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East.The Clean Energy Equity Index, developed by IBM and UNDP together with Stony Brook University, is a first-of-its-kind statistical geospatial model combining geospatial analytics with environmental, economic and social factors – such as education, greenhouse gas emissions, and relative wealth — to generate a Clean Energy Equity score of 0-1. This score reflects both opportunities for clean energy development as well as urgency, through the lens of equity and a just transition. In this dashboard, GeoHub users can also individually view and customize each environmental, economic, or social factor analyzed in the model, to evaluate which factors have the greatest impact on equitable access to clean energy, empowering better decision making. The model will provide data from 53 African countries.

Historically, advanced models like these have not always been freely accessible and applicable to all users. Together, IBM and UNDP set out to co-create solutions that would strengthen free public access to complex clean energy information and advanced technology, while simultaneously providing essential energy resources for policymakers, governments, journalists and decision makers.

About the IBM Sustainability Accelerator 
Launched in 2022, the IBM Sustainability Accelerator is a social impact program that addresses environmental threats impacting vulnerable communities around the world. Each year, the program selects about five projects to scale technology and AI solutions within a new sustainability topic area. To date, the IBM Sustainability Accelerator has supported 15 global projects across three active cohorts, focused on sustainable agriculture, clean energy and water management. For more information: https://www.ibm.com/impact/initiatives/ibm-sustainability-accelerator/

About United Nations Development Programme 
UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the UN’s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Media Contact: 
Carmen San Segundo 
IBM Global Communications Director, ESG and CSR 
carmenssg@ibm.com

SOURCE IBM

By Jeff Krull

Originally published by Corporate Compliance Insights

CrowdStrike’s July outage caused widespread chaos around the world with flights grounded, broadcasts interrupted and 911 lines disrupted. That a regular software update from a leading provider could cause such issues highlights the growing complexity of interconnected and third-party risks.

Before memory of the outage event fades (and until the next one occurs), all businesses should take the time to carefully evaluate their business continuity and recovery plans, particularly with mission-critical third-party vendors.

Continue reading here

Learn more in Baker Tilly’s ransomware prevention guide

In this episode, we dive into the importance and meaning of environmental and social justice across different regions. We hear from Social and Environmental Justice experts Erica Olesson, Sustainability Leader, Tonkin + Taylor in New Zealand, Scott Recker, Environmental Remediation Practice Leader at Antea Group USA, and Valentina Vieri, a Sustainability Specialist for HPC Italy. The group discusses strategies for achieving sustainable development, emphasizing the need for community engagement, regulatory compliance, and addressing vulnerable groups.

Listen now: 

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perspectives-on-social-and-environmental-justice/id1741016993?i=1000669798412

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0KYbgObWHBC9nuMepTcNEt

AUGUSTA, Ga., September 18, 2024 /3BL/ – The team at Georgia-Pacific’s Augusta Corrugated facility is raising the bar when it comes to safety.

They’ve been honored with the Fibre Box Association’s ‘Innovation in Safety’ Achievement Award for a new tool they developed.

For years, employees faced significant risks when checking the gap between the glue roll and the corrugated roll on the single facer. The single facer is a large machine that uses heated corrugating rolls to form flutes that adhere to a liner paper, producing single face webbing for corrugated board.

Though it might sound like a small task, the risks involved were anything but minor.

Employees had to feed material just 4 thousandths of an inch thick into the running machine. To get an accurate read, they had to reach all the way to the nip point to push the material in while still holding on to it. This exposed them to extreme heat, pinch points, and possible crushing injuries.

Despite the dangers, the process had become routine.

“We were complacent. People were saying this is how we’ve been doing it for years. But that didn’t make it the right way,” said Daryl Harris, corrugator supervisor.

Recognizing the need for a quick and safe fix, the Augusta team got right to work. Leaders collaborated closely with the maintenance team and operators who use the equipment daily and are familiar with the risks. Together, they developed a solution in just two months!

It’s called a gap check stand, and it’s a game changer.

The new tool keeps employees completely away from the machine, eliminating risks like heat, pinch points, and crushing injuries. It’s also bolted to the floor to prevent it from being pulled into the single facer.

The impact has been huge.

Employees appreciate its simplicity and practicality. But the best part? It’s all about keeping them safe, and that’s what matters most.

“The way the Augusta team came together and quickly tackled the issue is truly remarkable,” said Paul Guy, operations manager. “When leadership engages with team members and provides a solution that is both safe and practical, it not only enhances safety but also empowers everyone to take ownership of their roles. This collaboration and commitment are what truly drives our success and is something I’m very proud of.”

Click here to read why the Martinsville Corrugated plant was also honored with the FBA Safety Award.

View original content here.

Griffith Foods Brazil is sprouting positive change. Partnering with ETEC, a public technical school in Jundiaí City, we’re empowering the next generation of agricultural technicians with the knowledge of regenerative agriculture.

Griffith Foods volunteers – students, teachers, and staff – joined forces to plant an agroforestry system, transforming the school grounds into a real-life regenerative agriculture laboratory as a dedicated learning space for 120 students in the program. According to the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education organization, agroforestry is an alternative farming system that integrates shrubs with crops or livestock and is a type of regenerative agriculture system. The students learned in the new agroforestry regenerative agriculture laboratory and through theoretical education.

This initiative is a game-changer; from 2024 onward, every graduating agricultural technician student will have the chance to learn in this one-of-a-kind lab, gaining practical skills in regenerative agriculture practices.

Together, we’re sowing the seeds for a more sustainable future!

Our Sustainability Journey 
At Griffith Foods, we are committed to driving positive impact through a regenerative mindset. Sustainability is connected to everything we do as a business, and by 2030, we are dedicated to significantly improving the future with a singular sustainable business strategy that we call our 2030 Aspirations. To learn more about Griffith Foods and its current sustainability efforts, visit them online and download the 2023 Sustainability Report.

About Griffith Foods 
At Griffith Foods, our purpose defines who we are, what we do, and why we exist, highlighting what makes us distinct and authentic in the marketplace. We help our partners meet the evolving needs and desires of consumers in ways that respect and sustain the planet. Our care and creativity mean we’ll find the right mix of global reach and local impact to serve the earth and nourish all of us who call it home.

View original content here.