Reclaiming time, improving lives | Purposeful Connections

In 2013, one of my teachers shared an article about how Coca Cola had pioneered the “AidPod,” a simple yet ingenious solution designed to deliver life-saving medicines to remote locations by utilizing the unused space between the bottles in its distribution crates. It was a light-bulb moment for me: recognizing the opportunity for corporations to drive social change through philanthropic innovations and beyond financial contributions. 

Yesterday, Whirlpool Foundation announced a new collaboration with The Washing Machine Project (TWMP), a grassroots organization that provides off-grid manual washing machines to people in low-income and displaced communities. Together, they will deliver thousands of manual washing machines across the world over the next five years, impacting an estimated 150,000 people that rely on washing clothes by hand. In addition to Whirlpool Foundation’s philanthropic donation, the foundation will support TWMP through its distribution channels and with manufacturing, using the expertise of Whirlpool’s engineers. 

This work is predicted to free up 17 million hours for women and girls. Imagine what that means: new opportunities for education, career advancement, entrepreneurship, creative pursuits, and family time. This innovative collaboration between a corporation and a non-profit has the potential to transform the lives of individuals, families, and entire communities for the better. —Anne Hundertmark, Senior Associate

🫧 The Global Washing Divide: Did you know that around 60% of the world’s population (5 billion people) wash their clothes by hand? Of these households, 70% depend on women and girls to dedicate up to 20 hours each week hand-washing clothes. Whirlpool* Foundation and TWMP’s innovative Divya Washing Machine will allow users to wash their clothes without relying on a connected water source or electricity. The machine is also designed to reduce the need for prolonged physical effort and will ultimately save the user up to 76% of the time compared to hand washing clothes. *Whirlpool Corporation is a CCOP client.

• PR Newswire—Half the global population washes clothes by hand: Whirlpool Foundation, The Washing Machine Project helping address with thousands of manual washing machines
• The Washing Machine Project—Meet the Divya Washing Machine

⚠️ Life-saving changes from the EPA: Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized two major rules aimed at protecting the American public from chemicals. On Tuesday, the EPA announced a rule aimed at cutting cancer rates in low-income and minority neighborhoods near petrochemical plants. The first significant update to national standards in nearly two decades, the rule targets two specific cancer-causing chemicals: ethylene oxide and chloroprene. For decades, low-income and minority neighborhoods—like Louisiana's 85-mile-long "Cancer Alley"—have been disproportionately impacted due to their proximity to chemical and industrial plants. Ultimately, the ruling should cut emissions enough to reduce cancer risk by 96% in affected areas.

On Wednesday, the EPA introduced its first limits on "forever chemicals" (or PFAS) in drinking water. A class of chemicals, PFAS are known as "forever chemicals" because they can linger permanently in soil, water, and air. The chemicals are so ubiquitous that most people in the U.S. have them in their blood.

• NPR—For communities near chemical plants, EPA's new rule spells relief
• Washington Post—EPA limits toxic air pollution from chemical plants
• NBC—EPA imposes first national limits on 'forever chemicals' in drinking water

🗂️ JUST Jobs: Studies show that investments in workers reduce high costs from absenteeism and turnover, increase labor productivity, and grow revenue. Providing good pay, strong benefits, advancement opportunities, and a safe, equitable workplace allows employees to be more engaged and productive, delivering greater value to customers and shareholders.

JUST Capital’s JUST Jobs Scorecard helps corporate leaders assess job quality performance on 31 data points across six key topic areas, allowing them to understand where their performance stands against minimum, common, and leading practice standards among America’s largest publicly-traded companies. It provides actionable next steps corporate leaders can take to drive long-term value, and builds the case for new workforce investments.

• JUST Capital—The JUST Jobs Scorecard

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At the heart of Eli Lilly's purpose lies a deep understanding: their insulin is more than just a product—it’s essential for peoples’ health and survival. The company focuses on ensuring their medicines are inclusive to all patients by investing in clinical testing diversity and removing obstacles that might prevent patients from accessing their medicine—both at and beyond the pharmacy counter. We invited Jim Greffet, Head of ESG Strategy at Eli Lilly, to share more about its ESG commitments and how the company helps its employees lead purposeful careers.

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