 | | |  | | | ASBC fly-ins urge Congressional help for families, farmers and more July 20-22, ASBC staff and business members again came together for virtual fly-in meetings with federal lawmakers in D.C. As with our earlier fly-ins and other outreach, we made the business case for policies that would facilitate a just, sustainable, stakeholder economy. With our fly-ins, we create unique opportunities for open communication between policymakers and responsible business leaders who offer a smart, sustainable view of “what business wants.” During our July fly-in, ASBC explained why U.S. businesses strongly support national paid family and medical leave, the National Infrastructure Bank bill, and the Relief for America’s Small Farmers Act. We also discussed the inclusion of climate conservation core and suggested that the Clean Energy Standard be included in every package. These topics and more were open for discussion. We encourage all ASBC members to join us during future fly-ins, voice their views to our lawmakers, and become leaders in advancing just, sustainable policies for our economy. To see the important topics that are being discussed in our working groups that may come into play in our fly-ins read our overviews here. | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | |  | ASBC backs For the People Act Throughout July, ASBC has been actively supporting the For the People Act, legislation to expand voting rights, ban partisan gerrymandering, establish new ethics rules for federal officeholders, and change campaign finance laws to reduce the corrupting influence of money on lawmaking. Disastrous Supreme Court rulings based on views that voting rights do not need further safeguarding and “dark” money is protected speech put our democratic processes at great risk. Passed in 2019 by the House but blocked from debate in the Senate by a Republican filibuster, the Act was reintroduced in 2021 as H.R.1 and S.1. On March 3, 2021, the bill passed the House (220–210) but has been blocked in the Senate by a Republican filibuster since June 22. (See story above.) “Citizens will not always get their preferred outcome, but their needs — especially as stated through their votes — must always receive a fair hearing and a fair vote. That’s what ‘representative government’ means,” said ASBC Board Chair MaryAnne Howland. “Ending the filibuster, taking a vote and passing this bill is vital.” Click to tweet: Help save our democratic republic: Along with @ASBCouncil tell your senators to demand their chance to vote yes on For the People now! https://www.asbcouncil.org/support-s1-people-act-2021 | | | | | |  | ASBC helps business members boost their media impact Media platforms offer dynamic opportunities for sustainable businesses to expand and enhance their visibility, but there’s an art and craft to making the most of these platforms. To give our members a head start, ASBC’s Chief Communications Officer Michael Neuwirth conducted professional media training for members on July 22 in a convenient webinar format. The webinar included both a practical educational session and a question-and-answer session to help members grow their presence on media platforms. For other media training tips, see pages 4-7 of ASBC’s Step Up, Speak Out, Impact Policy and look for future media trainings from ASBC. If you’ve got a question about working with media, ask Michael at mneuwirth@asbcouncil.org. | | | | | | | | Working Group Updates ASBC policy priorities and topics addressed during the July 20-22 fly-in meetings were developed with strong, strategic input from our working groups. The groups also held informative meetings to further their specific objectives. A few highlights: | | Regenerative Agriculture and Farm Justice: In July, this working group continued to push out ASBC’s action alert urging Congress to make robust investments in regenerative agriculture. It also arranged meetings with key members of Congress to urge their support for this agenda. In addition, our Climate, Carbon, Agriculture subgroup is engaging with Congress and the USDA on ways to improve the implementation of the Growing Climate Solutions Act. Several working group members also engaged with Senator Booker's office to endorse reintroduction of the Farm System Reform Act. | | | | Circular Economy/Infrastructure: This working group heard from Sarah Nichols, Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), who discussed Maine’s brand-new EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) bill and its stipulations. Maine’s new law, LD 1541, signed on July 13, 2021, makes it the first state to enact an EPR bill for paper and packaging waste. The bill requires producers to finance stewardship organizations and thus bear more responsibility for the packaging they put into the market. Nichols also discussed the relationship between the new EPR law and current bottle bills. During the meeting, the working group also continued the ongoing process of refining and prioritizing its formal principles, the blueprint for targeted actions to advance essential values. | | | | Always Open: Problem-Solving Resources You can count on ASBC sending you timely action tips on legislative issues affecting your business, and we also offer busy leaders a wealth of in-depth guidance you can access any time on our website. Want the details on how famous companies of all sizes provide a high-road workplace – and how it boosts their business? Need to make a big media impression (or lots of them) with your firm’s sustainability news? Want to persuade your market why safer, greener products matter? Need to make your responsible business case for better laws to your elected officials at local, state and national levels? ASBC’s online library of resources can help with these and more. Check out the Research & Data and Policy & Action sections on the ASBC website and contact us with your questions or suggestions. | | -
On July 1, Jeffrey Hollender, ASBC’s CEO and co-founder, was a guest speaker on the podcast Small Business Matters. The podcast explored business sustainability, current business realities, and the intriguing question: Is “the new normal” really new? Listen to the podcast here. -
On July 1, ASBC was cited by Michael Peck, former delegate for Mondragon, in the podcast Everything Co-Op. Peck discussed how ASBC is changing the business mindset about sustainability and advancing public policies that encourage sustainability. Listen to the podcast here. -
On July 13, The Hill published an article by Saul Elbein, “Business group backs filibuster exception for voting rights.” It explains why ASBC was the first business organization to call for the Senate to amend its filibuster rules and allow floor debate (and ideally, passage) of essential federal voting rights legislation. The article includes insightful quotes from Michael Neuwirth, ASBC’s chief communications officer, and Thomas Oppel, ASBC’s executive vice president. Read the full article here. -
On July 14, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Ways & Means Committee published a news release, “Building an Economy for Families Act Garners Widespread Praise.” It quotes ASBC in support of this act and how it would benefit businesses and the economy as a whole. Read the release here. -
On July 16, ASBC issued a media release in support of USDA’s announcement to restore and expand protection of the Tongass National Forest. ASBC sees this USDA move as a great step forward that will foster important economic growth. Read our media release and USDA’s announced plan here. | | | | Pasudeco (Business – Community) Pasudeco aims to be the most helpful investor in the Philippines for companies looking to improve the health of the Earth and its people. Founded in 1918, its wide network of business interests can open almost any door for companies looking to improve human and planetary health. Kids Collage Preschool/Connections Early Childhood Consulting (Business - Community) Kids Collage Preschool provides an intimate, play-based preschool experience that draws inspiration from Reggio Emilia and is focused on building social/ emotional skills. Children engage in open-ended projects in an inspiring, primarily outdoor-play setting. Sustain.Life (Business Community) Sustain.Life offers resources to help responsible business leaders do their part for both the planet and the bottom line. Sustain.Life’s easy-to-use SaaS platform fuses plug-and-play, out-of-the-box software with proven sustainability solutions designed to save companies money, drive employee engagement, and protect the planet. Capital Good Fund (Association) Capital Good Fund is a nonprofit, certified Community Development Financial Institution that helps people fix their finances. Its mission is to create pathways out of poverty and advance a green economy through inclusive financial services. It offers small loans and personalized Financial + Health Coaching to families in Rhode Island, Florida, Massachusetts, Illinois, Delaware, Texas, and Colorado. | | Member & Staff News -
Grove Collaborative A July 6 article in Fast Company, Plastic is killing our planet. Will the consumer packaged goods industry step up? by Grove’s cofounder/CEO Stuart Landesberg explains why, despite what the public has been told, recycling is not the solution to our existing 20 trillion tons of plastic pollution (plus an additional trillion new tons each year). Despite the public’s efforts, only 9% of plastics are recycled, 12% are incinerated and more than 77% goes to landfills. Grove is a vendor of sustainable cleaning, personal care, and other consumer packaged goods, many from other ASBC-member firms, is committed to being 100% plastic-free by 2025. -
Ben & Jerry’s On July 19, Ben & Jerry’s announced that it will no longer sell its popular product in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) when its current license agreement expires at the end of 2022. It will stay in Israel under a new arrangement. Ben & Jerry’s Will End Sales of Our Ice Cream in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. -
Greyston Greyston has been named a “Best for the World” ™ company by B Lab, a global nonprofit organization that assesses and scores the 4,000 certified B Corporations worldwide. Some of the qualities that earned Greyston this coveted designation are its inclusive recruiting and hiring (without asking about incarceration history during the application process), paying a living wage, supporting an underserved community, a management team that is over 50% woman-identified, and providing local investment programs or sponsorships. Brownies with Purpose! Greyston Bakery Deemed "Best for the World" by B Lab -
Nature’s Fynd This Chicago-based start-up, growing protein-packed food from microbes with a fraction of the environmental footprint of meat or dairy, has raised $350M in a Series C round that takes its total financing to over $500M. The company plans to launch its products through select retailers later this year. Nature’s Fynd cooks up $350M Series C for alternative protein. -
ASBC Welcomes Policy Associate Devika Rao ASBC is pleased to introduce Devika Rao, our new policy associate. Devika holds a degree in Environment and Sustainability from Cornell University. She is passionate about an array of environmental issues, particularly climate change and energy. At ASBC, Devika will use her knowledge to engage with environmental issues through the lens of public policy. | | ASBC Members, Let Us Help You Share Your News! Your ASBC membership is a valuable networking opportunity to share your news with other mission-driven companies and supporters nationwide. Please send us your product and service introductions, personnel and facility changes, awards, charitable events and other news in your press releases, blogs, captioned photos and videos. We’ll include them in ASBC’s monthly Policy Update newsletter and social media outlets. AND....Show your customers, prospects and vendors your values right upfront: display the “Proud Member of ASBC” logo on your website and marketing materials. ASBC appreciates your support for our work and we’re proud to support you all the way! | | Upcoming Events RESTORE, REGENERATE, RE-IMAGINE! ASBC-SVC Live Conference
Paradise Point, San Diego, CA | December 8-11, 2021
Join ASBC-SVC members, legislators, influencers and other inspiring leaders at the in-person conference this December 8-11 in San Diego, CA at Paradise Point. REGISTER NOW for the conference and receive 10% off with code WEAREBACK here (scroll to end for installment payment option). Not yet an ASBC-SVC member? Join here (annual or monthly) to access this initial registration period and discount. (See the event story in this Policy Update.)
Please note: Our discounted room block is already >90% sold. | | | | | | | | | | American Sustainable Business Council
712 H Street, NE, PMB 42, | Washington, District of Columbia 20002
202-660-1455 | replies@asbcouncil.org | | | | | | | | | |
