Global South cities lead shift to refill systems from sachet economy

Philippines – WEBWIRE

Amid the scourge of plastic pollution in the region, initiatives from cities in the Global South are leading the transition towards reuse and refill systems, showing that these are viable alternatives to the sachet economy.

This is evident in a Greenpeace Philippines report[1] on its project, Kuha sa Tingi (combining the Filipino expression makuha sa tingin or to be taken at a glance, and tingi or the Filipino culture of buying in small quantities), which mainstreams reuse and refill systems in cities in order to reduce single-use plastic (SUP) pollution. The project introduced small-portion refill systems for personal and home care products at highly competitive prices in neighborhood stores, and allowed consumers to refill their reusable containers with the exact quantities they need. According to the report, the initiative avoided over 50,000 sachets, enabled consumers to save an average of 201% when opting for refills over sachets, and increased retailer profit by around 15% during the pilot period of 6 to 8 weeks.

The scourge of sachet pollution by manufacturers is one of the main drivers of plastic pollution in the country.[2] However, sachet production remains largely unregulated, highlighting the urgent need for alternative solutions as well as comprehensive policies to address this problem.

The results of the project underscore the economic viability of refill systems, which are beneficial for both consumers and local businesses. Similar initiatives have been seen in neighboring Indonesia, where the nonprofit YPBB[3] also encouraged consumers to practice reuse and refill by purchasing products from bulk stores, while small businesses such as coffee shops are also shifting to refill.[4]

However, although these initiatives are successful, the lack of policy support for refill and reuse systems, and the reduction of SUP production remain key barriers. Especially in countries dependent on sachets, the report points to the need to legislate and enforce upstream and midstream interventions such as bans on single-use plastic products, a phasedown in production, redesigned distribution systems, and waste-free reuse models to effectively address the plastic crisis.

Greenpeace believes that the development of a strong Global Plastics Treaty presents a massive opportunity to establish standards and regulations that will accelerate the development and transition to reuse and refill systems. Provisions on reuse and circularity can establish a global framework that harmonizes different approaches as well as targets across different sectors. This would fast-track the adoption of sustainable solutions and create support for research and development around these models.

Marian Ledesma, Greenpeace campaigner said: To solve the plastic crisis, governments need to drive large-scale investment in reuse and refill systems, like Kuha sa Tingi, as well as institute strong policies for reducing and eventually eliminating SUPs. Corporations must also be compelled to change the way they do business and stop reliance on SUPs. This will secure environmental justice, contribute to better health outcomes, advance climate action, and protect the well-being of every person. A strong Global Plastics Treaty will enable all these through a just transition away from single-use plastics.

Narciso Marcelo, a store owner from the Philippines, said: Aside from selling products as refills, through this project, I learned that plastic waste has become a large problem in society. Every time we buy sachets, we merely throw them anywhere. If we purchase refills, we will be able to avoid plastic waste altogether.

For more information, check out the full report at act.gp/reuserefill.

Notes:

[1] Greenpeace Philippines, Kuha sa Tingi: Bringing back sustainability into Filipino tingi culture, 2024: act.gp/reuserefill

[2] GAIA, Plastics Exposed: How Waste Assessments and Brand Audits Are Helping Philippine Cities Fight Plastic Pollution, 2019: https://www.no-burn.org/wp-content/uploads/Plastics-Exposed-2nd-Edition-Online-Version.pdf.

[3] Yayasan Pengembangan Biosains dan Bioteknologi (YPBB) is a nonprofit environmental organization based in Bandung, Indonesia.

[4] Bulk Stores and Reuse Initiatives; Reuse in Business Sector: https://reusesolutions.org/stories/

[5] Photos from Kuha sa Tingi stores. Please check the document for captions and photo credit.

Image Caption:

Marian Ledesma, Greenpeace Philippines Zero Waste Campaigner picks up pieces of plastic trash from the company Dove around Freedom Island at Las Pias City, Philippines. This wetland part of Manila Bay, called the Las PiasParaaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA), is a 175-hectare protected area. It is always filled with plastic trash that comes from the ocean. The amount of plastic trash here does not stop even with the continuous shore clean-up by various groups. Photo by Jilson Tiu/Greenpeace

Global Apparel Manufacturer Receives $25 Million in New Markets Tax Credits for Facility Expansion

Komar's  Distribution Facility in Ellabell, GA

Komar’s Distribution Facility in Ellabell, GA

LOS ANGELESMarch 18, 2024PRLog — National New Markets Fund (“NNMF”), an affiliate of Los Angeles, CA-based SDS Capital Group, and the TD Community Development Corporation (“TDCDC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of TD Bank, N.A., together have invested $25 million in New Market Tax Credit (“NMTC”)allocation into Charles Komar & Sons, Inc. (“Komar”) distribution center expansion in Ellabell, GA. The cumulative local employment impact of Komar’s new plant is substantial, creating an estimated 300 full-time jobs.

Komar is a 50% women-owned apparel manufacturer and distributor that works with more than 100 owned, licensed, and private label brands to produce 110 million garments annually. NNMF’s $15 million allocation, coupled with TDCDC’s $10 million allocation, will fund the equipment at Komar’s new 765,000 SF e-commerce and distribution center in Ellabell, GA.

The investments utilize capital from the NMTC program administered by the U.S. Treasury Department. Investment groups, such as NNMF and TDCDC, compete annually to receive NMTC awards. These selected allocatees sell the tax credits to institutional investors, using the proceeds to invest in projects benefiting low-income communities – such as Komar’s new plant.

“The New Markets Tax Credit program was critical to our ability to fund this new manufacturing and distribution site,” said Komar Chief Financial Officer, Harry Gaffney. “Thanks to these NMTC allocatees, we are bringing hundreds of quality, full-time jobs into our Savannah community.”

“The economic benefit from Komar’s creation of this new plant is immense,” said Deborah La Franchi, CEO, National New Markets Fund. “Not only is this a women-owned company—a rarity in the industry – but 300 new, quality jobs will be created with most positions not requiring any advanced degree.”

Komar received the NNMF allocation as part of a complex $25 million NMTC financing package. TD Bank is the investor purchasing the NMTCs from each of the participating NMTC allocatees: NNMF and TDCDC.

“We are proud to support Komar’s strategic expansion into Bryan County,” said Michael Cooper, President of TDCDC. “At TD, we’re committed to fostering economic development via projects that create quality and accessible jobs, and Komar, a third-generation family-owned business, is well-positioned to deliver on this shared commitment.”

About National New Markets Fund

National New Markets Fund, LLC

, founded in 2005, has invested $752 million (51 investments) of its New Markets Tax Credit allocation into projects located in the Great Lakes region and the

Deep South. Each investment has provided critical community services or quality jobs to high-distress communities – such as hospitals, charter schools, and food banks, as well as job-creating manufacturing expansions. In 2013, NNMF narrowed its focus to invest only in manufacturing and food-processing companies (26 companies total). This more focused strategy centers on creating quality jobs for the local residents of these distressed communities – both rural and urban. SDS Capital Group, (http://www.sds.capital/) the parent of NNMF, is a pioneer and national leader in impact investing. SDS’s founder, Deborah La Franchi, launched SDS in 2001 with a vision of creating a platform of impact funds that would attract and engage the private-sector in the battle against poverty. Today, SDS’s platform includes five distinct impact fund strategies ($1.3 billion current asset under management; additional $1.1 billion exited), with its direct investments having helped support the creation of over 25,000 jobs and over 6,500 low-income or permanent supportive housing units throughout the US.

Contact
Bruce Beck
DB&R Marketing Communications, Inc
***@dbrpr.com

Global Superstar Meghan Trainor Announces New Album & First Tour In 7 Years

Timeless Out June 14; New Single Been like This with T-pain Out Now

Timeless Tour Kicks Off This Fall with Stops at Madison Square Garden and the Kia Forum

WEBWIRE

REGISTER FOR PRESALE ACCESS TO THE TIMELESS TOUR NOW

Shes back, baby! GRAMMY Award-winning hitmaker Meghan Trainor has announced her sixth full-length album, Timeless, out June 14 via Epic Records. Along with the album, Meghan has announced her highly-anticipated North American tour (full routing below) and released an incredible new single, Been Like This with T-Pain.

LISTEN TO BEEN LIKE THIS HERE | PREORDER/PRE-SAVE TIMELESS HERE

On the new album, Meghan explains, I cannot believe it has been 10 years since this all started, I have never been more grateful for this life that my incredible Megatronz have gifted me with. This new album and tour are all for them and my beautiful family.

Arriving just in time for the 10-year anniversary of her diamond-certified hit All About That Bass, Timeless is a celebration of Meghans growth as an artist over the last decade. Meghan approaches themes of self-love and empowerment with more confidence than ever before, brought to life through her smart lyricism and signature production.

To kick off this exciting new era, Meghan teamed up with her all-time favorite artist, T-Pain, to create Been Like This, an upbeat anthem complete with an irresistibly playful sound and knockout vocal performances. On working with Meghan, T-Pain shared, I worked with Meghans husband and manager for MONTHS trying to surprise her for her birthday. Shes been a fan of mine for a long time and the feeling is definitely mutual. I think we came together in a way thats a perfect mesh of styles that will get everybody ready for us to work together again real soon. T-Pain and M-Train, the collab you never knew you wanted but needed.

This fall, Meghan is making her long-awaited return to stages for the Timeless Tour. Produced by Live Nation and kicking off September 3 at Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, OH, the 24-show tour includes stops at Madison Square Garden in New York, the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, and Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO. Fellow pop powerhouse Natasha Bedingfield will be joining Meghan as direct support for her NYC, Denver, and Los Angeles dates, and Lil Boo Thing crooner, Paul Russell will be direct support for the entirety of the tour. Best friend Chris Olsen and older brother Ryan Trainor will also be joining the tour as special guests, bringing their signature charisma and humor to the stage. Fans will have the opportunity to hear tracks from Timeless along with plenty of classics from her chart-topping catalog.

TICKETS: Fans can register for presale access now through Thursday, March 21 at 10pm local time at Meghan-Trainor.com. Additional presales will run throughout the week (details below) ahead of the general onsale beginning Friday, March 22 at 10 AM local time at LiveNation.com.

  • CITI PRESALE: Citi is the official card of the Timeless Tour. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Tuesday, March 19 at 10 AM local local time until Thursday, March 21 at 10 PM local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit citientertainment.com.
  • VIP: The tour will also offer a variety of different VIP packages and experiences for fans to take their concert experience to the next level. Packages vary but include premium seats, pre-show soundcheck with artist Q&A, invitation to Workin On It live podcast taping, VIP merch, early venue entry and more. VIP package contents vary based on offer selected. For more information, visit com.

TOUR DATES:

*WITH NATASHA BEDINGFIELD | ^WITH PAUL RUSSELL | #WITH CHRIS OLSEN | +WITH RYAN TRAINOR | ~NOT ELIGIBLE FOR CITI PRESALE

Wed Sep 04 | Cincinnati, OH | Riverbend Music Center^#

Fri Sep 06 | Pittsburgh, PA | Petersen Events Center#

Sat Sep 07 | Philadelphia, PA | TD Pavilion at The Mann^#

Tue Sep 10 | Franklin, TN | FirstBank Amphitheater^+

Thu Sep 12 | Raleigh, NC | Red Hat Amphitheater^#

Fri Sep 13 | Alpharetta, GA | Ameris Bank Amphitheatre^#

Sun Sep 15 | Charlotte, NC | PNC Music Pavilion^#

Tue Sep 17 | Bristow, VA | Jiffy Lube Live^#

Fri Sep 20 | Mansfield, MA | Xfinity Center^#

Sat Sep 21 | Uncasville, CT | Mohegan Sun Arena^#

Wed Sep 25 | New York, NY | Madison Square Garden*^#~

Fri Sep 27 | Cuyahoga Falls, OH | Blossom Music Center^+

Sat Sep 28 | Toronto, ON | Budweiser Stage^+~

Mon Sep 30 | Sterling Heights, MI | Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre^+

Wed Oct 02 | Maryland Heights, MO | Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre^+

Fri Oct 04 | Noblesville, IN | Ruoff Music Center^+

Sat Oct 05 | Rosemont, IL | Allstate Arena^#

Tue Oct 08 | Morrison, CO | Red Rocks Amphitheatre*^#

Thu Oct 10 | Rogers, AR | Walmart AMP^#

Sat Oct 12 | Irving, TX | The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory^#

Sun Oct 13 | The Woodlands, TX | The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman^#

Wed Oct 16 | Phoenix, AZ | Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre^#

Fri Oct 18 | Mountain View, CA | Shoreline Amphitheatre^#

Sat Oct 19 | Inglewood, CA | Kia Forum*^#

ABOUT MEGHAN TRAINOR

Meghan Trainor first made history in 2014 with her diamond-certified smash single All About That Bass. Since then, the award-winning singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist has garnered a GRAMMY for Best New Artist, achieved eight multi-platinum singles and two multi-platinum albums, sold out three world tours, penned multi-platinum hits for peers across pop and country, and received countless industry awards and nominations. Expanding her influence on pop culture, she starred on FOXs hit series THE FOUR: Battle for Stardom and on the superstar coaching panel of The Voice UK. She kicked off 2020 with the release of her third full-length album, Treat Myself (Epic Records), which includes the platinum smash No Excuses as well as blockbuster anthems and collaborations such as Nice To Meet Ya [feat. Nicki Minaj], Genetics [feat. Pussycat Dolls], and Wave [feat. Mike Sabath]. At the end of 2020 she released her first-ever Christmas album, A Very Trainor Christmas, featuring the #1 holiday radio single White Christmas featuring Seth MacFarlane. In 2021, we got to watch her as the host of Top Chef Family Style on Peacock and as a judge on Clash of the Cover Bands on E!. In September of 2021 she also launched her podcast Workin On It which she hosts alongside her brother, Ryan Trainor. In 2022 Meghan released her fourth full-length album, Takin It Back, which takes you through her journey into marriage, motherhood, and achieving a new level of confidence. The album features colossal certified platinum hit Made You Look, which has garnered over 300 million streams and become a global sensation, being used in over 6 million videos on social media to date. The track also took the #1 spot on Billboards Adult Pop Airplay chart and Hot AC chart and won the first-ever Rolling Stone Sound of the Year award at the Streamys. She kicked off 2023 by joining the judging panel of the iconic star-maker series, Australian Idol, in its highly anticipated return to air. In March, Meghan released Takin It Back (Deluxe), which features 3 new songs including new single Mother. To celebrate the holiday season, Meghan teamed up with Jimmy Fallon to release their playful collaboration, Wrap Me Up. In April 2023, Meghan made her literary debut with Dear Future Mama, a humorous, unflinching guide to pregnancy and motherhood. Meghan also gave birth to her second child with husband Daryl Sabara, Barry Bruce Trainor. Stay tuned for more updates!

About Live Nation Entertainment

Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the worlds leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Sponsorship. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com.

Japan – NEC named to list of Top 100 Global Innovators by Clarivate for 13th consecutive year

NEC Corporation (TSE: 6701) has been named to the list of Top 100 Global Innovators™ 2024 by Clarivate Plc., which selects companies and organizations that “sit at the very top of the global innovation ecosystem, with the most consistent above-the-bar innovation performance.” This is the 13th* consecutive year that NEC has been selected for the award.

Clarivate is one of the world’s largest database companies, serving more than 45,000 government and academic institutions, corporations, and law firms in more than 200 countries and territories. The Clarivate Top 100 Global Innovators 2024 is an award presented to companies and organizations that have filed at least 100 patents in the last five years, and who are evaluated and ranked based on Clarivate’s proprietary data, as well as the following four factors: Influence, Success, Investment, and Rarity.In addition to strengthening intellectual property in technology areas that drive growth businesses, NEC is actively using its intellectual property for advancing co-creation with stakeholders. Going forward, NEC will continue to create new social value by utilizing intellectual property.

*Only 18 organizations in the world have been selected for this award for 13 consecutive years.ShareNEC’s intellectual property activities.

URL: https://www.nec.com/en/global/intellectual-property/index.html
Top 100 Global Innovators 2024: https://clarivate.com/top-100-innovators/
Clarivate Press Release: https://clarivate.com/newsroom/

About NEC CorporationNEC Corporation has established itself as a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies while promoting the brand statement of “Orchestrating a brighter world.” NEC enables businesses and communities to adapt to rapid changes taking place in both society and the market as it provides for the social values of safety, security, fairness and efficiency to promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. For more information, visit NEC at https://www.nec.com.

Copyright ©2024 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Japan Corporate News Network.

Global AI

 Global AI is a technology that connects with video security or CCTV cameras to detect certain potential problems and threats for home or business. The Global AI software monitors connected video cameras and automatically notifies the user via email or text message about potentially dangerous situations.

Some examples of the problem detection include crime prevention and anti-terrorism (conspicuous objects or criminal activities) as well as health and medical emergencies.

Global AI uses a subscription based model ($120 per camera per month) and is currently offered for free for all users.

More information:
https://global.fwygroup.com/

Youtube video demonstration:
https://youtu.be/cOUeDx7vcZM

The fundraising campaign can be found at:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/global-ai#/

Global AI
Alex Suhih
208-441-0401
https://global.fwygroup.com/

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