Read the full story at Food Business News.
SuperGrain+ flour developed by ReGrained has become the first ingredient to receive the certification created by the Upcycled Food Association. The flour is derived from the byproduct of beer brewing and is rich in protein, dietary fiber and prebiotics, according to the company.
Read the full story in GreenBiz.
The below list includes nearly 30 certifications that will help you understand the landscape of professional certifications in sustainability. The focus of this list is on professional certifications for practitioners only or, put another way, certifications that demonstrate that you as a person have a specific skill or knowledge set.
Read the full story at Food Navigator.
Carbon labeling for food and beverage may be coming faster than originally predicted, and soon may hold more sway with consumers than other popular certifications as the ongoing pandemic accelerates consumer interest in sustainable diets, predict industry stakeholders gathered by FoodBytes! during a recent roundtable discussion about transparency in the supply chain.
Diez-Busto E, Sanchez-Ruiz L, Fernandez-Laviada A. (2021). “The B Corp Movement: A Systematic Literature Review.” Sustainability. 13(5):2508. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13052508 [open access]
Abstract: This work develops a systematic literature review on the B Corp movement. Fifty articles were identified in the Web of Science and Scopus databases until 2020. Results show that it is an incipient field with great potential. There are two topics repeatedly addressed in the analyzed publications: the motivations of companies to be certified and the economic and social effects that occur after certification. Sustainability is currently the reference journal in the field, since it has published a total of five articles. Finally, several lines of future work are proposed, such as the contribution of B Corp companies to the SDGs; the development of case studies on the certification process itself; and the development of methods for measuring social impact.
Jun 18, 2020 noon CDT
Register here.
This webinar, sponsored by the Big Ten and Friends (BTAF) Sustainability Group, explores various office sustainability certification programs across three large universities. The webinar will begin with presentations from Penn State, Ohio State, and the University of Florida, explaining the successes and challenges of helping offices and labs on their campuses operate in a more sustainable manner, followed by a question and answer period. This will provide other higher ed institutions with valuable tips and models for those looking to launch or evolve their own programs that make sustainability the norm in workspaces.
Read the full story from NPR.
While organic or biodynamic certifications are big buzzwords in winemaking today, B Corp calls for full transparency in the way a company conducts business — and not just in the vineyard. B Corp companies strive to be stewards of social change. As conversations around mindful winemaking continue to evolve, more wineries are aspiring to receive this certification.
B Corp was launched in 2006 by three friends who left their careers in private equity and business to help mission-driven businesses thrive. Within its first year, 19 businesses opted to get certified. Today, companies such as Toms shoes, Eileen Fisher, and Stumptown Coffee Roasters carry the seal. Its principles are built on what’s often referred to as the three P’s of sustainability: people, planet and profit. Certified B Corp companies are reevaluated every three years to ensure they maintain the standards of the program, which look at impact on communities, workers, customers and the environment. Every aspect of a business is analyzed, from supply chain to facilities to ingredients.
Read the full story at Waste360.
Food trucks crank out hundreds to a thousand or so meals a day, generating mega volumes of wasted food, utensils, cups and containers. And it’s up to their customers to dispose of their trash in the nearest bin—there is no waitstaff to pick up after them.
North Carolina-based nonprofit Don’t Waste Durham developed a green truck certification program to help vendors reduce their carbon footprint. Businesses are supported in achieving 18 requirements, including using reusable service ware or compostable materials and serving on recyclable supplies when reusable and compostable are not options. And they are to source local food, among requirements.
Wed, Dec 2, 2015 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM CST
Register at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1245166502584243201
Webinar Topics
Webinar Panelists
Joe McCarthy, Lab Services Manager, Dell Tech Laboratories
Joe oversees Dell Tech’s laboratory operations, Ecologo and Green Seal initiatives, product-testing activities as well as spearheading client projects with Environment Canada regarding New Substance Notifications, Trade Secret Applications, Domestic Substance regulations and Natural Health Products. Joe is a trained ISO 17025 Internal Auditor, sits on the Consumer Specialty Products Association (CSPA) Cleaning Products Executive Board and is a member of many committees including the International Harmonization Committee, Test & Standard Methods Committee Cleaning Products Scientific Committee.
John Paulun, Communications Manager, PortionPac
John joined PortionPac Chemical Corporation in 2011 and is responsible for third-party product certifications, regulatory compliance issues and the implementation of customer education strategies. Involved in maintaining the fidelity of detergent formulations, he helps to ensure a high standard of quality and performance for PortionPac® detergents throughout the manufacturing process. In addition, John has successfully shepherded numerous PortionPac® products through the rigorous Green Seal certification process. He is also certified by the ManageMen OS(1) Executive Management Program for janitorial operations.
Read the full story in The Guardian.
In 1968, Barney Fetzer decided to start what he believed was a revolution in the fertile lands of California’s Mendocino County. He was going to challenge the status quo and seek out winemaking practices that were better for the planet.
Although Fetzer is no longer alive – he died in 1981 – his vision spurred the creation of one of the most sustainable large wine companies in California.
While still maintaining the founder’s namesake, Fetzer Vineyards manages 388.5 hectares [960 acres] of organic grape-growing farmland, supports its operations on 100% renewable energy, and can brag being the first certified zero waste winery.
And on Tuesday, the company announced its latest sustainability coup. Fetzer is now a certified B Corporation, meaning the winemaker went through an assessment process created by the nonprofit B Lab that determined the company met marked standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.
Read the full story at Treehugger.
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) – a CEO-led organization of innovative companies based around sustainability and business – sees forest loss and degradation as a global priority requiring immediate and concerted action: “It is critical we find ways to ensure that more of the world’s forests and plantations are sustainably managed and that forest products are used and reused wisely.”
And with that in mind, the group recently issued a statement, which, among other things, recognizes and supports a group of independent forest certification and associated chain-of-custody systems, including the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. In addition, the WBCSD, with the World Resources Institute (WRI), released guidance to help procurement managers make informed choices. In it, they list 10 key questions to consider when buying wood or paper-based products.
