Earlier this month, Publix Super Markets announced that, since mid-2007, the company has saved more than 1 billion paper and plastic bags.
How? Through a variety of initiatives that include employees, customers and the general public. Over the past few years, Publix has launched a multi-faceted program to specifically reduce the use of paper and plastic grocery bags used at checkout. For instance, the company: (more…)
What’s the carbon footprint of a gallon of milk?
New guidelines, published last week by the Carbon Trust, in partnership with major dairy processors and the trade associations Dairy UK and DairyCo, will help us learn the answer to that question –and many others from the dairy sector, too.
According to the Carbon Trust, Guidelines for the Carbon Footprinting of Dairy Products in the UK applies the methodology of PAS 2050 to ensure that the dairy sector has a common approach and can focus on reducing emissions rather than discussing the methodology.
“Dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt are found in the homes and shopping baskets of most UK consumers, so by working to reduce their carbon impact we can make a real difference,” says Euan Murray, Head of Footprinting at the Carbon Trust. “Building a consistent and accurate footprint is a key step towards managing and reducing carbon emissions and we are pleased to have helped Dairy UK and DairyCo develop sector specific guidance on carbon footprinting.”
Using these guidelines, the dairy sector can calculate a carbon footprint based on these key phases of the dairy product life cycle: (more…)
Water concerns are becoming more and more globally integrated and complex, and many corporations are now seeking out cooperative partnerships to help mitigate the increasing threat of water risks.
Here’s an example: Just last week, The Coca-Cola Company and The Nature Conservancy announced the release of a water footprint report, entitled Product Water Footprint Assessments: Practical Application in Corporate Water Stewardship. Released in conjunction with World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden, this report details three pilot studies that were conducted on Coca-Cola products and ingredients.
Water footprint assessments like this one provide valuable insights into water use throughout the supply chain, including both direct and indirect water use and the impacts of use on local watersheds and communities. Those insights can then open new opportunities for companies to enhance their water stewardship, while mitigating the risks associated with water scarcity.
For instance, in this particular study, Coca-Cola and the Conservancy found that the largest portion of the product water footprints assessed in the pilot studies comes from the field –not the factory.
“We see significant opportunity to engage more directly with our agricultural suppliers to advance sustainable water use for the cultivation of ingredients in our supply chain,” Denise Knight, Water and Sustainable Agriculture Director, The Coca-Cola Company, said in a press release. “Our initial efforts will focus on the sustainable sourcing of sugarcane, oranges and corn.”
Water footprints typically identify three types of water: (more…)
Pitney Bowes published its 2009 Corporate Responsibility Report last week. The company, which is now celebrating ninety years in business, attributes its longevity, in part, to its long-standing commitment to CSR.
“Pitney Bowes recently celebrated its 90th birthday, a milestone few companies achieve. We think one of the secrets to our longevity is our steadfast adherence to the highest standards of business conduct,” says Pitney Bowes Chairman, President and CEO Murray Martin. “It is these core values that power our innovations, our commitment to customers and the community, and our ability to attract and retain the talent we need to succeed.”
Among the key findings in the report: (more…)
Last week, UPS –a company that has already proven itself a leader in alternative-powered vehicles –announced that it has launched yet another project, this time in partnership with Electric Vehicles International (EVI).
The 90-day trial will allow UPS to test EVI’s walk-in electric vans (WI) in three separate locations: Sacramento, San Francisco and Reno.
EVI has fitted the vans with Lithium-Ion batteries. These batteries provide an operating range of 90 miles (144 km) and a top speed of 60 mph (96 km/h). They typically take three to ten hours to recharge. (more…)
