Unilever Renews IT And Telecommunications Outsourcing Deal With BT

Unilever extended its communications and technology outsourcing contract with BT, the third time the deal has been extended since BT first won the first contract in November 2002. Unilever’s commitment to using BT’s lineup of managed services worldwide forms part of its efforts to expand its business, while reducing its environmental and social impact. Besides the delivery of an integrated network that includes voice, data, video, and mobility services for the company’s 173,000 employees in around 100 countries, BT will also provide collaborative services, such as audio-conferencing and videoconferencing.

"Unilever Extends Partnership With BT To Help It Grow Sustainably", PR Newswire, August 08, 2013

Kitchen Composting Machines Help Australian Restaurants Deal With Food Waste Problem

Some restaurants in Melbourne, Australia, are experimenting with a novel approach to the foodservice food waste problem that they believe will save $5 million in waste collection a year. With the financial support of the Victoria government and a nonprofit foundation, the restaurants will be installing organic matter composting machines in restaurant kitchens. The machines made by Closed Loop decompose and homogenize food scraps in an aerobic environment using controlled temperatures, agitation and airflow. Volume and weight of organic waste is reduced by up to 90 per cent within 24 hours. The compost will be collected and delivered to city gardens; vegetables from those gardens will be sold back to the restaurateurs.

"Melbourne restaurants to take part in food waste recycling program", Australian Food News, August 05, 2013

Tom's Of Maine Looks At Bio-Plastics From Potatoes For Sustainable Packaging

Tom’s of Maine is working with researchers at the University of Maine and the Sustainable BioPlastics Council of Maine to develop polylactic acid packaging using potatoes not fit for human consumption. Tom’s Goodness Report, which was launched in March 2013, details the company’s sustainability goals, such as reducing waste sent to landfills by half by 2015, cutting water consumption by almost half, and decreasing the use of virgin materials from 60 percent to 40 percent by 2020. Packaging is also highlighted as an area the company can improve upon to raise the overall sustainability level of its business operations. While many other companies have added PLA plant-based plastics into their packaging, most efforts tend to involve plastics made from corn.

"Tom’s Of Maine Taps Potatoes For Packaging", Environmental Leader, August 02, 2013

Mega Airless Sees Sustainable Packaging As Standard For Cosmetics Packaging

Sustainable packaging should be the norm in the cosmetics industry, according to Eric Desmaris, business development director of Germany-based packaging company Mega Airless. Desmaris also said “green packaging should not be special or optional packaging.” Mega Airless claims an increasing number of multinational and regional brand owners that believe in sustainability goals are adopting its neutral and 100 percent recyclable packaging solutions. Its airless packs offer enhanced protection for cosmetics formulations, while improving cosmetics companies’ ability to achieve their sustainability targets, the company said.

"“Green packaging should be the norm, not an option”", Cosmetics Design , August 02, 2013

China’s Pollution Problem Invades Rural Areas, Threatens Food Production

Farmers in China’s grain basket, the rainy central province of Hunan, continue to battle with industrial waste water that is contaminating the water needed to grow crops. Rural China's descent toward becoming a toxic wasteland is a result of two trends: expansion of polluting industries into rural regions far from population areas, and heavy use of chemical fertilizers. Researchers report that between eight percent and 20 percent of the country’s arable land – between 25 and 60 million acres – could be tainted by heavy metals. According to The Wall Street Journal, a five percent loss in arable land would be a disaster, severely reducing the 296 million acres currently needed to sustain the population.

"China's Bad Earth", The Wall Street Journal, July 27, 2013

Seventh Generation Announces Sustainability Achievements For 2012

Seventh Generation said it has developed a 100 percent bio-based laundry detergent surfactant, according to its recently released 2012 Corporate Consciousness Report. A review of the company's sustainability achievements, the report also revealed Seventh Generation has created a plant-based skincare system for the mass market and that 74 products have been certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the agency's BioPreferred Program. Seventh Generation also reported the launch of a diaper that is made with 10 percent less wood, energy, and water, as well as a bar soap made from sustainably sourced palm oil. For 2012, the company also claimed it has achieved a 16 percent reduction in use of virgin plastic and a 13 percent decrease in greenhouse gas emissions. These sustainability milestones were reached despite a 9 percent increase in sales, the company added.

"Seventh Generation Unveils 2012 Corporate Consciousness Report", Seventh Generation, August 01, 2013

Unilever Foundation Representatives Visit Save The Children Projects In China

Unilever Foundation ambassadors and Unilever employees Dana Buchanan and Carlos Castillo Cano came to China to visit Save the Children’s projects in the country. China is one of the five countries where Unilever is supporting the nonprofit group’s Every One global campaign to prevent preventable deaths of children and their mothers. Among the projects visited by Buchanan, who is a senior manager from Australia, and Cano, a customer development executive from Spain, are a community health center and a kindergarten in Shanghai.

"Unilever Foundation Ambassadors visit China with Save the Children", Unilever, July 31, 2013