Dear John,

If you’re a regular reader, you already know about our reports, scorecards, and resolutions. Have you checked out our blog posts? You’ll find a multitude of topics, from our CEO’s open letter to Larry Fink to how Executive Pay tied to carbon emissions reductions could help incentivize needed cuts. It’s a great way to stay abreast of the latest develops on a host of important issues. Speaking of which – read on for the latest…

 Scorecard Wins Fast Company Impact Investing Award
 

We’re thrilled to announce our Invest Your Values Corporate Retirement Plan Sustainability Scorecard has been named the winner of Fast Company’s 2022 Impact Investing Category as well as Honorable Mention in the General Excellence category! Check to see if your company is included. We add new ones regularly. An action center is included on the site to help you get started.

Burger King to Eliminate Forever Chemicals from Packaging

Restaurant Brands Int’l, owner of Burger King, Popeye’s, and Tim Hortons, committed to eliminating PFAS (per-and fluoroalkyl substances) from its food packaging by 2024 in all stores worldwide.

PFAS are a group of highly toxic chemicals used in a range of products, including non-stick and stain-repellant products. They build up in the environment, drinking water, and our blood and have been linked to serious medical conditions such as cancer and reproductive harm. These impacts disproportionately affect low-income communities and communities of color.

Its commitment follows other major fast-food chains including McDonald’s and Wendy’s, who have both made commitments to phase out PFAS from consumer packaging. Investor pressure by As You Sow and other organizations helped move RBI towards this important commitment.

Once again, changes made by industry leaders compel the rest of the sector to follow.

Another Laggard Steps Up

Church & Dwight, maker of Arm & Hammer, Orajel, and other popular consumer brands, scored a D on As You Sow’s “2021 Corporate Plastic Pollution Scorecard.” We filed a shareholder resolution with the company, asking how it planned to reduce plastic packaging. After dialogue, the company committed to productive action and shared its plans to announce a substantial virgin plastic packaging reduction goal in its Sustainability Report this year.

Church & Dwight’s commitment follows similar pledges by Keurig Dr. Pepper, Mondelez International, PepsiCo, Target Corp., Walmart, and Kraft Heinz.

Your donations support the publication of reports and scorecards that are the catalyst for these fruitful engagements and encouraging commitments.

It is critical for corporate leaders to address the impact of their policies and actions which create risk for their customers, employees, shareholders, and themselves. As You Sow’s shareholder advocacy presses corporations to undertake this broader risk analysis, which leads to decisions that benefit us all.

Yours for a sustainable future,

Hannah Shapiro
Development & Operations Coordinator



As You Sow’s 30-year track record promoting environmental and social corporate responsibility and facilitating values-aligned investing spans many of the most important environmental and social issues facing us today, including climate change, ocean plastics, pesticides, racial justice, workplace diversity, and executive compensation. To donate to As You Sow, visit our website at www.asyousow.org/donate