PEWAUKEE, WIS.—A chance meeting of two women at a local networking event launched both a friendship and a partnership to create much-needed awareness about human trafficking, in Wisconsin and nationwide. Ann Riphenburg’s business, reCollect2 Company, is co-sponsoring a new podcast of the Redeem & Restore Center, a Pewaukee-based organization dedicated to shining a light on the dark issue of human trafficking. The podcast, Life Empowered, features stories of redemption, encouragement and inspiration. Chaplain Krista Hull of the Redeem & Restore Center interviews people who have emerged from adversity, significant life trials and even human trafficking. The podcast follows a premise that...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced 10 inspiring individuals, companies, organizations and projects have been named 2020 Leadership Award recipients. The honorees are at the forefront of green building and working to advance healthy, resilient, and equitable buildings and communities. USGBC honored this year’s recipients last month during the closing event at the Greenbuild Virtual conference. Among the Outstanding Companies, Organizations & Projects were the Chumash Casino Resort and TCF Center. Chumash Casino Resort is the sixth largest Native American gaming operation in California. Managing its waste is a critical function for the resort, Tribal Ownership and the community....

TRENTON, N.J.—Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has proven crucial in stemming the tide of COVID-19 but this surge in production has led to littered PPE covering streets and literally flooding marine habitats. To address this separate unintended public health crisis as well as the threat PPE poses to the environment as plastic pollution, TerraCycle Regulated Waste’s line of EasyPak Containers, an easy-to-use recycling solution for single-use gloves and masks, is poised to help business owners make an impact in time for the holiday rush. Designed as a recycling system for businesses in need of a turn-key solution for hazardous waste disposal, the PPE EasyPak...

HORSHAM, PENN.—Sofidel, a leading global provider of paper for hygienic and domestic use, introduced the latest innovative addition to its Papernet brand of HyTech dispensers. HyTech Ocean dispensers feature a mix of 30 percent plastics recovered from the ocean and 70 percent recycled industrial and post-consumer materials. Sofidel is also supporting a nonprofit environmental advocacy group to aid efforts such as cleaning plastics from our ocean. “Repurposing ocean plastic not only reduces the amount of plastic currently in the water, but also helps us create durable products that won’t end up back in these marine ecosystems in the future,” said...

GILBERT, ARIZ.—Footprint, a sustainable technology firm specializing in materials science engineering, announced the launch of its new, plant-based clamshell food container available for order now. As takeout orders and disposable food container use rises during the pandemic, this plastic and PFAS-free alternative meets the expectations of food providers and customers without sacrificing quality or convenience. Continuing its mission to create a healthier planet and healthier people, Footprint’s new, molded fiber, plant-based clamshell container will not only reduce unnecessary waste from entering the environment, but also reduce exposure to toxic chemicals found in plastic. The materials scientists who designed Footprint’s clamshell...

BARCELONA—ORBOS and Green Nature Marketing are working with Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC, to feature SORBOS edible straws as a limited-time offer, beginning November 11, 2020. Tropical Smoothie Cafe is the first restaurant franchise system to offer SORBOS straws in the United States. “We’re excited to feature these straws with our special cranberry smoothies available all holiday season,” said Alice Crowder, VP of Menu Strategy and Innovation at Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC. “Our brand is all about sharing flavor and fun, and these straws contribute both to our smoothie experience.” SORBOS is the first company to produce an edible, flavored and 100 percent...

WINCHESTER, VA.—Some say it’s not easy being “green,” but Trex Company, the world’s largest manufacturer of wood-alternative decking and railing, is committed to changing that mindset. To mark America Recycles Day (November 15), the industry leader is reminding Americans that they can bring their recyclable plastic films to participating stores across the country to be repurposed into Trex composite decking through the award-winning NexTrex recycling initiative. “America Recycles Day presents an ideal opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of recycling and how simple it can be,” said Leslie Adkins, Vice President of Marketing for Trex Co. “Through our partnerships...

BOCA RATON, FLA.—Standard Hydrogen Company, Inc. announced it signed a joint venture agreement with EnfraWaste to create a new corporation called Standard Hydrogen Canada, Inc. As part of the agreement, Standard Hydrogen Canada will initially produce more than 140 metric tons of zero-emission hydrogen daily from non-recyclable plastics. Toronto-based EnfraWaste and Standard Hydrogen Co. will each own 50 percent of the new entity, a corporation licensed to build and deploy hydrogen plants throughout Canada. “This landmark agreement keeps massive amounts of non-recyclable plastics out of Canada’s landfills and sets the stage for a hydrogen economy in the country since the...

Names: Kate Mikesell Titles: VP, Global Corporate Responsibility, Hilton and President, Hilton Effect Foundation Company: Hilton Years with Hilton: 11 Primary Responsibility: “My primary responsibility is helping Hilton as it continues to redefine responsible travel. I spend most of my time talking about resources and how we are measuring. Are we on pace? Are we falling behind? It is a lot of conversation with team members and community leaders.” Organization’s most significant accomplishment in global corporate responsibility: “Being able to say this is the direction we want to go and letting our team take over. The Hilton Effect Foundation and the impact it is...

MIAMI—ABCO Cleaning Products, a leader in sustainable cleaning tools, is celebrating America Recycles Day on November 15 by introducing its innovative line of Natura brooms and brushes. Constructed from 100 percent post-consumer plastic waste, the brooms are available in a variety of sizes and colors, and the brushes feature crimped bristles for enhanced cleaning power. ABCO anticipates recycling 2.1 million plastic bottles in 2020 through production of these products. “America Recycles Day is a terrific opportunity to spotlight how using reclaimed material protects our planet,” said Carlos Albir, President, ABCO. “Not only does using recycled plastic reduce waste in landfills,...