CSR briefs
Carrier, agencies host CSR lecture series in Bangkok
Carrier recently collaborated with the Thai Green Building Institute and the Energy Ministry’s Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency Department to host Thailand’s first “Distinguished Sustainability Lecture Series”.
Carrier is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a business unit of US-based United Technologies.
“Carrier has been at the forefront of the green building movement and educational events such as this help accelerate green-building development and create dialogue about sustainable development principles in Thailand,” said Ardi Rammanee, managing director of Carrier (Thailand).
More than 50 building professionals attended the lecture series. Carrier offers customers a strong portfolio of sustainable building-system solutions, ranging from green-building consulting and design and energy efficient air-conditioning systems to cutting-edge building automation systems and energy management services for both new construction and existing buildings.
Chevrolet’s ‘One World Futbol’ caravan hits the North
Chevrolet and the One World Futbol Project recently held their final football caravan give-away in Thailand.
Chevrolet Trailblazer departed Chevrolet’s regional headquarters in Lat Phrao, loaded with hundreds of footballs for children in Phitsanoluk and Chiang Rai.
The “One World Futbol in Thailand” caravan was the last leg of Chevrolet’s pledge to give away 5,000 durable, self-inflating footballs to disadvantaged youths across the country.
“A football is a simple, but powerful gift,” said Vijo Varghese, senior manager for public relations at Chevrolet Sales Thailand. “It can have a therapeutic effect for children growing up in tough conditions, something we call ‘the power of play’. We’ve also seen how soccer can help bring communities together.”
Three previous One World Futbol caravans had already completed tours of Thailand’s southern, northeastern and eastern regions, with stops in Ranong, Phuket, Hat Yai, Khon Kaen, Nong Khai, Chon Buri and Chanthaburi provinces.
Some 4,700 One World Futbols had been donated to more than 800 schools and orphanages throughout the country.
KTC launches ‘Computers for the Hometown’ for rural schools
Krungthai Card has initiated the “Computers for the Hometown” programme.
Dusit Ratchatasetanant, executive vice president for human resources, said the company had launched the “Learn & Earn @ KTC” programme, which provides used desktop computers for schools, as part of the broader “Computers for the Hometown” scheme.
Desktop computers in good working order are donated to rural schools in all six regions of Thailand for use by teachers and students.
Recipient schools are nominated by KTC employees on the basis of their hometown of origin.
“We will continue this programme for all schools that need computers for study,” he said.
‘Casa Herbalife’ extends nutrition support to vulnerable kids
The Herbalife Family Foundation, a non-profit organisation committed to helping vulnerable children, has launched three new “Casa Herbalife” programmes in the Asia-Pacific, extending nutrition support to 4,800 children on a daily basis.
The launch of the programmes in Taiwan, South Korea and Vietnam reflects Herbalife’s ongoing commitment to improve nutrition and lives of vulnerable children in countries across Asia-Pacific.
There are currently 20 Casa Herbalife programmes, which provide financial resources and volunteer support to non-profit organisations in support of healthy nutrition for vulnerable children.
In Taiwan, the Casa Herbalife programme is the second project of its kind and will benefit the students of Fu Yuan Elementary School.
Herbalife’s third Casa Herbalife programme in South Korea has been established with HyeSimWon, which runs a children’s home to provide shelter, protection and support to the children in its care.
The initial financial grant will be used to enhance the facilities in the kitchen to create a better environment for providing good nutrition to the children.
In Vietnam, the new Casa Herbalife programme was established with the Dong Tam Social Protection Centre. This is the second such programme in the country and will support abandoned children living at the centre with improved daily nutrition, as well as kitchen renovation.
Packaging innovation from US group
Waste Management, Inc, North America's largest environmental solutions provider and leading residential recycler, and William McDonough, designer, author, and sustainability thought leader, jointly announced the launch of a sustainable innovation collaborative to help foster and guide future product and packaging design innovation among industry-leading companies.
The initiative – the Waste Management McDonough Sustainable Innovation Collaborative – will focus on directly serving producers, manufacturers, retailers and suppliers of packaged goods and products as they strive to advance their sustainability objectives and results. Product and packaging design for recyclability as well as careful consideration of eco?logical and human health will be among the collaborative’s goals.
“Over the 40 years since consumer recycling began in the United States, we've had the privilege of serving a wide spectrum of leading firms and communities in developing, setting and meeting ambitious recycling and sustainability goals,” said David P Steiner, president and chief executive officer of Waste Management. “Now we're prepared to help nurture and support further progress not only in sustainable packaging but also in addressing the full product life-cycle, with a practical eye toward waste elimination, reducing environmental impact and increasing value from waste.”
The Sustainable Innovation Collaborative broadens the range of consulting experience that both Waste Management and McDonough Innovation already offer to help firms make sustain?ability-minded decisions and measure results. Business leaders pursuing enhanced design innovation now have a collaborative enterprise to help them make additional strides in their sustainability efforts.
