TxN20 Industry Highlights — Healthcare

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1. TxN20 Industry Highlights — Healthcare

   November 29, 2022 1:20 pm Leave a Comment

   2022 TxN 20: Texan-led leadership in conservation for a sustainable future in Healthcare.

   The Texan by Nature team is excited to present the fourth annual list of Texan by Nature 20 (TxN 20) Honorees. TxN 20 recognizes outstanding work in conservation and sustainability from Texas-based businesses.

   It’s an opportunity to showcase innovation, commitment to conservation, and best practices from the industries that keep Texas running: Agriculture, Architecture, Financial Services, Food, Beverage, & Grocery, Technology, Energy, Healthcare, Municipal Services, Retail, Transportation, and Construction & Manufacturing. 

   Providing Care for Our Environment, the Texas Company Diverting 9,000 lbs of Single-Use Medical Devices – 2022 Honoree: Texas Health Resources
   

   Who is Texas Health Resources?

   Texas Health Resources is a large Arlington-headquartered health services system that serves much of North Texas and is one of the biggest providers in the country. Their impact extends far beyond human health toward the environment that supports us. Not only did they divert 9,000 pounds of single-use medical devices from landfills, but Texas Health Resources recycled 2 million pounds of materials, such as cardboard, paper, and plastics, and saved 4.1 million kilowatts of energy. 

   

   The Texas Health Resources Community is able to operate through a variety of roles, including 370 employees that are involved in conservation. Employees in Engineering, Plant Operations, Facilities Management, and Supply Chain Management – work in roles that are tied to the conservation of natural resources. Approximately 20% of those employees have roles involving significant investment in and oversight of building automation systems and other efficiency-related technologies, processes, sourcing, products, and usages.

   Outside of their organization, Texas Health’s Blue Zones Project® Fort Worth (BZP) works with the city of Fort Worth, area school districts, and numerous other city and county governments and community partners to increase health and well-being through a multitude of efforts. From instituting policies that promote well-being to encouraging local schools, businesses, restaurants, and community leaders to adopt healthy behaviors.

   

   Why Forward-Thinking Leaders in Healthcare Matter

   Healthcare matters for the millions of Texans who rely on the industry to provide quality care and support for themselves and their loved ones. In Texas, eight of the 25 largest employers are related to the medical industry as a hospital or place of research. The Dallas-Fort Worth area has a healthcare industry valued at $52 billion and in San Antonio, one out of every six Texans is employed in healthcare-related jobs and careers. These providers recognize the benefits of a healthy environment on community health and lead the way in advancing conservation through greater resource efficiency and sustainable supply chain strategy while maintaining high-quality care. 

   How TxN20 Honorees Are Selected Each Year

   To select the 2022 TxN 20 Honorees, the TxN Team evaluated submissions and conducted independent research across 2,000+ of Texas’ publicly traded and private companies in 12 key industry sectors. 

   All companies were evaluated on a 17-point scoring system, from which the top 60 highest-scoring companies moved on to the final round of TxN 20. A selection committee of top industry leaders and experts was then formed to evaluate the top 60 companies and select the final 20 businesses recognized as TxN 20 Honorees.

   Honorable Mentions: Standouts in Sustainability

   In addition to this year’s TxN 20 honorees, here are three industry standouts for best practices in conservation and sustainability coming from companies across the agriculture industry.

   Industry Innovator: Alcon

   The American-Swiss company Alcon specializes in eye care products that help improve their clients’ vision. In 2020, they certified ~95% of manufacturing sites to ISO 14001, making it a standardized environmental management system, with a goal of 100% certification in 2021. Alcon implemented a Zero Manufacturing Waste policy, with ~60% of sites 100% landfill-free for non-hazardous waste disposal. 

   Industry Innovator: AmerisourceBergen

   The Pennsylvania-based AmerisourceBergen strives to provide pharmaceutical products, value-driving services, and business solutions that improve access to care. In 2021, they committed to setting a science-based target in line with the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) guidance. They reduced greenhouse gas emissions by using hybrid vans to deliver medicines and medical products to Alliance Healthcare customers as well as adding an electric vehicle to their animal health fleet in the U.K. 

   Industry Innovator: Johnson & Johnson

   The New Brunswick-based Johnson & Johnson believes that good health is the foundation of vibrant lives which is why its mission is to keep people healthy at every stage of life. In 2021, they had a 34% reduction in CO2 emissions in 2016. Johnson & Johnson also added on-site solar arrays at their facilities in China, Columbia, South Africa, and Thailand. 

   Get Involved:

   Is your company at the forefront of sustainability in Texas? Share your work with Texan by Nature by submitting Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) data that showcases how your company benefits people, prosperity, and natural resources to programs@texanbynature.org.

   To be considered for the official TxN 20 list, companies must:

   • Have operations and employees based in Texas;
   • Share a demonstrated commitment to conservation & sustainability;
   • Showcase tangible efforts, impact, and data in conservation;
   • NOT be a conservation-based nonprofit (501c3).

2. TxN 20 Industry Highlights — Architecture, Design, and Development

   November 11, 2022 1:51 pm Leave a Comment

   2022 TxN 20: Texan leadership in conservation for a sustainable future in Architecture.

   The Texan by Nature team is excited to present the fourth annual list of Texan by Nature 20 (TxN 20) Honorees. TxN 20 recognizes outstanding work in conservation and sustainability from Texas-based businesses.

   It’s an opportunity to showcase innovation, commitment to conservation, and best practices from the industries that keep Texas running: Agriculture, Architecture, Financial Services, Food, Beverage, & Grocery, Technology, Energy, Healthcare, Municipal Services, Retail, Transportation, and Construction & Manufacturing. 

   Turning their pledge into action, this company has diverted 100.73 Metric Tons of CO2 through carbon offsets purchases – 2022 Honoree: Overland Partners
   

   Who is Overland Partners?

   Overland Partners is a San Antonio-based architecture and urban design company setting the standard in infusing stewardship into architectural practice.

   

   Overland Partners implements a rigorous sustainability review process, reevaluating their goals and commitments every three years with 100% of their employees committed to carbon emission reduction. Their pledge to the American Institute of Architecture’s 2030 commitment means they have reported emissions data annually since 2014.

   

   From this commitment comes action. Overland Partners’ PV panels reduce the amount of electricity generated from fossil fuels. Through the purchase of annual carbon offsets for its operations, Overland Partners offset 100.73 Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) in 2021. These offsets translate to the carbon offset from roughly 600 mature trees. The work doesn’t stop there. Overland Partners’ in-house composting program amounts to 5,475 gallons of waste (454 pounds of methane) diverted from landfills each year.

   
   A Global Design Powerhouse Saving 21 Billion Gallons of Water — 2022 Honoree Stantec

   Who is Stantec?

   Stantec is an international engineering, architecture, and design consulting firm that serves a wide range of projects and communities. Experts in innovation, Stantec worked with a top technology company to help improve water conservation and prevent pollution across its supply chain, supporting everything from engineering to capacity building. 

   

   Stantec’s conservation efforts start at the source, investing $4.4 million to support communities, granting $830,000 in STEM scholarships for underrepresented and BIPOC communities, and providing more than $610,000 in STEM grants. During the annual Stantec in the Community Week (SITC) Stantec employees engage in conservation and volunteering efforts for the communities they serve. In 2021, 2946 employees donated time to 341+ community organizations.
   

   Why Forward-Thinking Leaders in Architecture, Design, and Development Matter

   Reducing consumption of non-renewable resources, minimizing waste, and creating efficient, healthy, and productive environments are key to building a sustainable future. By making environmentally conscious design decisions at every phase of a project, architects and designers are reducing the negative impacts and carbon footprint of our environment. Smart, forward-thinking designs ensure a future tradeoff of less carbon emissions, less energy consumed, and more water conserved throughout a building’s life cycle. These decisions, combined with community efforts and investments in conservation are driving Texas to a more sustainable future.

   How TxN20 Honorees Are Selected Each Year
   

   To select the 2022 TxN 20 Honorees, the TxN Team evaluated submissions and conducted independent research across 2,000+ of Texas’ publicly traded and private companies in 12 key industry sectors. 

   All companies were evaluated on a 17-point scoring system, from which the top 60 highest-scoring companies moved on to the final round of TxN 20. A selection committee of top industry leaders and experts was then formed to evaluate the top 60 companies and select the final 20 businesses recognized as TxN 20 Honorees.

   Honorable Mentions: Standouts in Sustainability

   In addition to this year’s TxN 20 honorees, here are three industry standouts for best practices in conservation and sustainability coming from companies across the architecture, design, and development industry.

   Industry Innovator: Dewberry

   • Since 2014, Dewberry has reported annual sustainability data for the American Institute of Architecture 2030 Commitment. 94.3% of their projects have met the 25% lighting density reduction target.
   • Dewberry’s Engineering Innovation Building demonstrates a commitment to sustainable design, with a large native grass space and a high-efficiency mechanical system providing a 30% indoor water use reduction and saving 6,795,990 gallons of water thus far.

   Industry Innovator: Jacobs

   • Jacobs has overseen large global projects, such as the Pensacola East Bay Oyster Habitat Restoration Project, which, in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy, placed 33 oyster reefs along the Santa Rosa shoreline and has expanded to the continent’s largest reef reconstruction project.
   • Focusing on the future, Jacobs’ Butterfly Effect program is a new Climate Response Education Initiative teaching young students to learn about sustainability and making positive impacts on climate change.

   Industry Innovator: Gensler

   • With over 188 million square feet of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) registered and 110 million square feet of LEED-certified building projects, Gensler has been able to divert 150 million tons of waste and save 1.2 billion gallons of water annually. 
   • Within a decade, Gensler has committed to eliminating all future net emissions.

   Get Involved:

   Is your company at the forefront of conservation and environmental sustainability in Texas? Do you want to be recognized for your efforts? Contact Texan by Nature at programs@texanbynature.org.

   To be considered for the official TxN 20 list, companies must:

   • Have operations and employees based in Texas;
   • Share a demonstrated commitment to conservation & sustainability;
   • Showcase tangible efforts, impact, and data in conservation;
   • NOT be a conservation-based nonprofit (501c3).

3. TxN 20 Industry Highlights — Financial Services

   1:48 pm Leave a Comment

    

   2022 TxN 20: Texan-led leadership in conservation for a sustainable future in Financial Services.

   The Texan by Nature team is excited to present the fourth annual list of Texan by Nature 20 (TxN 20) Honorees. TxN 20 recognizes outstanding work in conservation and sustainability from Texas-based businesses.

   It’s an opportunity to showcase innovation, commitment to conservation, and best practices from the industries that keep Texas running: Agriculture, Architecture, Financial Services, Food, Beverage, & Grocery, Technology, Energy, Healthcare, Municipal Services, Retail, Transportation, and Construction & Manufacturing. 

   Meet the 2022 TxN 20 Honorees leading sustainability in Financial Services: Comerica Bank and North American Development Bank.

   The Company Investing in Environmental Progress with $1.7 Billion Loaned to Green Projects – 2022 Honoree: Comerica Bank

   Who is Comerica Bank?

   Comerica Bank is a subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA), a financial services company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, that understands the valuable return in supporting our environment. Their $1.7 billion in loans and commitments goes toward 14 green loan categories, including green building (new and retro-fit), bio-fuels, recycling, biogas, energy efficiency, vehicle electrification, brownfield redevelopment, smart grid technologies, wind energy, pollution control, solar energy, green engineering, geothermal, wave or tidal energy, other green services, and products.

   

   Comerica’s innovative Master of Sustainability Awareness (MSA) program is a colleague education and engagement program dedicated to sustainability. Developed in-house, this program seeks to move employees from learning about sustainability to sharing what they’ve learned and then putting it into action, both at work and at home. The effects are evident, as the organization recycled or repurposed 96 tons of electronic equipment in 2021 and diverted  57% of its total waste from landfills.

   

   Covering Carbon Offsets for Employee Flights — 2022 Honoree: North American Development Bank

   Who is North American Development Bank?

   North American development bank is a San Antonio-based financial services company dedicated to helping fund the environment and people of both Mexico and Texas. With nearly a 1,255-mile shared border with Mexico, Texas is an optimal location and has benefitted from the Bank’s financing programs. Of the 140 projects located in the U.S., 76 are in Texas, and of the US $1.5 billion in funding provided to projects in the U.S., just over half has gone to support projects in Texas.

   

   Their commitment beyond our shared region extends to their purchase of carbon offsets for each flight NADBank staff takes on work-related travel. Carbon offsets are voluntary schemes whereby people pay to offset or make up for the emissions their flights produce. This means that even on the go, NADBank employees can give back to the environment. 

   North American Development Bank recognizes the value of conserving our natural resources. NADBank has contributed a significant impact in up to 4.2 million gallons per year by installing more than 20 miles of drinking water distribution lines, more than 5000 new or improved water connections, and installing 3.43 million gallons per day of new or improved wastewater treatment systems capacity. In addition, NADB eliminated 20.5 million gallons per day of untreated or inadequately treated wastewater discharges. 

   Why Forward-Thinking Leaders in Financial Services Matter

   It is no secret that Texas is a national leader in industry and economy, with a GDP of 1.83 trillion dollars in 2021, rising over 3.5 percent from the previous year and taking the claim for second highest GDP in the country. To future-proof this growth, the financial service industry has the opportunity to innovate and invest in environmental sustainability. By investing in green services, and weaving conservation efforts into business strategy, we can secure a prosperous economy and rich natural resources for future generations of Texans.

   How TxN20 Honorees Are Selected Each Year

   To select the 2022 TxN 20 Honorees, the TxN Team evaluated submissions and conducted independent research across 2,000+ of Texas’ publicly traded and private companies in 12 key industry sectors.

   All companies were evaluated on a 17-point scoring system, from which the top 60 highest-scoring companies moved on to the final round of TxN 20. A selection committee of top industry leaders and experts was then formed to evaluate the top 60 companies and select the final 20 businesses recognized as TxN 20 Honorees.

   Honorable Mentions: Standouts in Sustainability

   In addition to this year’s TxN 20 honorees, here are three industry standouts for best practices in conservation and sustainability coming from companies across the agriculture industry.

   Industry Innovator: Allegiance Bank

   • Allegiance Bank is a financial services company that prioritizes sustainable practices throughout its company. In 2021, the bank launched its Allegiance Goes Green initiative in 2021 on Earth Day’s 50th anniversary, forming a “Green Team” of 15 bankers who are passionate about environmental issues such as recycling, and reducing their carbon footprint.
   • Additionally, the bank recycled over 221,000 lbs of paper, saving more than 1,885 trees.

   Industry Innovator: JP Morgan Chase Bank

   • JP Morgan Chase introduced a beekeeping program and installed 20 beehives at six of their corporate offices. These hives brought 750,000 bees into the communities that helped pollinate 450 different plant species over 300 square miles of land. The success of these hives will only increase as they plan to introduce more hives to more offices across the country.
   • In 2021, the organization diverted 490 metric tons of solid waste from landfills.

   Industry Innovator: Prosperity Bank

   • Prosperity Bank is a financial services company working towards a more sustainable world by tracking sustainable efforts and their return on investment. Through all of their methods of sustainability and conservation, Prosperity Bank saved $4,276,564.03 in 2021.
   • By tracking financial savings, Prosperity Bank promotes the economic benefits of incorporating sustainable practices in their industry. By investing in efficient energy, the company saved 3,190 kw of energy, equating to $255,268.88.

   Get Involved:

   Is your company at the forefront of sustainability in Texas? Share your work with Texan by Nature by submitting Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) data that showcases how your company benefits people, prosperity, and natural resources to programs@texanbynature.org.

   To be considered for the official TxN 20 list, companies must:

   • Have operations and employees based in Texas;
   • Share a demonstrated commitment to conservation & sustainability;
   • Showcase tangible efforts, impact, and data in conservation;
   • NOT be a conservation-based nonprofit (501c3).

4. TxN 20 Industry Highlights — Agriculture

   November 7, 2022 8:50 am Leave a Comment

   2022 TxN 20: Texan-led leadership in conservation for a sustainable future in Agriculture.

   The Texan by Nature team is excited to present the fourth annual list of Texan by Nature 20 (TxN 20) Honorees. TxN 20 recognizes outstanding work in conservation and sustainability from Texas-based businesses.

   It’s an opportunity to showcase innovation, commitment to conservation, and best practices from the industries that keep Texas running: Agriculture, Architecture, Financial Services, Food, Beverage, & Grocery, Technology, Energy, Healthcare, Municipal Services, Retail, Transportation, and Construction & Manufacturing. 

   Meet the 2022 TxN 20 Honorees leading sustainability in agriculture, Darling Ingredients, and Sanderson Farms.

   Nearly $10 million invested in energy and water efficiency improvements last year — 2022 TxN 20 Honoree Darling Ingredients

   

   Who is Darling Ingredients?

   Darling Ingredients is the largest publicly traded company turning edible by-products and food waste into sustainable products and is a leading producer of renewable energy.

   How does Darling Ingredients set the standard?

   Darling Ingredients invested nearly $10 million in water and energy efficiency in 2021. Their most substantial sustainable energy investment has been with Diamond Green Diesel, a renewable diesel that reduces emissions up to 85% compared to traditional diesel. Diamond Green Diesel is produced in partnership with Valero Energy Corporation, also headquartered in Texas. All of Darling Ingredients’ plants engage in primary water reduction practices limiting the demand for freshwater supplies across Darling operations resulting in ≈11 billion gallons of water returned to the environment per year. Darling Ingredients’ employees organized a recycling drive, collecting over 6,000 units of solid waste. In November of 2020, that same team planted 234 trees in the Mosquito River Basin region where their facility is located. 

   226,466 kWh of electricity saved in the calendar year 2021- 2022 — 2022 TxN 20 Honoree: Sanderson Farms

   

   Who is Sanderson Farms?

   Sanderson Farms is a Fortune 1000 company engaged in the production, processing, marketing, and distribution of fresh and frozen chicken and other prepared food items. Through efforts in conservation, recyclability, renewable energy, and fuel efficiency, Sanderson Farms demonstrates they are dedicated to producing quality, affordable chicken that is not only good for our customers but also good for the environment.

   How does Sanderson Farms set the standard?

   The company has 58 full-time employees company-wide dedicated to environmental and conservation efforts. The environmental services department consists of three managers of environmental services and an environmental coordinator, who are all responsible for monitoring the company’s usage of natural resources such as natural gas and electricity. Sanderson Farms utilizes energy-efficient LED lighting in select processing facilities resulting in 226,466 kWh of electricity saved in the calendar year 2021. Sanderson Farms generated 309,561 MMBTUs of renewable energy or biogas, which reduced the volume of natural gas purchased in their facilities. Sanderson Farms has reduced its water use intensity by 44% since 2008 and saves 1.3+ billion gallons of water annually.

   8,400 acres of land restored naturally — 2022 TxN 20 Honoree: Vital Farms

   

   Who is Vital Farms?

   Vital Farms’ purpose is rooted in a commitment to Conscious Capitalism, which prioritizes the long-term benefits to each of their stakeholders – farmers and suppliers, customers and consumers, communities and the environment, crew members, and stockholders. Today Vital Farms partners with over 275 small family farms. Every hen is humanely treated, every egg is pasture-raised, and they continue to elevate their own, and the industry’s, standards.

   How does Vital Farms set the standard?

   Approximately 200 family farms commit to Vital Farms exacting standards and the pasture-raised practices they believe are best for hens, cows, and land, resulting in 8,400 acres of natural land restoration. 

   Through Vital Farms’ conservation-minded pasture rotation practice, the land is naturally restored, and herbicides and pesticides are avoided in 300 farms. ZERO waste facilities: all excess egg product is used for other purposes, such as pet food. In addition, Vital Farms utilizes bio-retention features that clean and cool rainwater, provide for the recharge of local aquifers rather than runoff into storm sewers, and conserve over 700,000 gallons of water per year. 

   Why forward-thinking leaders in Agriculture matter

   80% of groundwater in Texas is used for irrigating crops, and according to the State Water Development Board’s 2022 Water Plan, Texas’ population is expected to grow by 70% by 2070. This increase in population means natural resources, including water and the agricultural products that put food on the table, will need to stretch further. To meet these needs while protecting the environment, it’s critical that the agriculture industry in Texas weaves environmental sustainability into its business model. Texas ingenuity in agriculture is helping produce more with less and increase environmental stewardship along the way.
   

   How TxN20 Honorees Are Selected Each Year
   To select the 2022 TxN 20 Honorees, the TxN Team evaluated submissions and conducted independent research across 2,000+ of Texas’ publicly traded and private companies in 12 key industry sectors.
   All companies were evaluated on a 17-point scoring system, from which the top 60 highest-scoring companies moved on to the final round of TxN 20. A selection committee of top industry leaders and experts was then formed to evaluate the top 60 companies and select the final 20 businesses recognized as TxN 20 Honorees.

   Honorable Mentions: Standouts in Sustainability

   In addition to this year’s TxN 20 honorees, here are three industry standouts for best practices in conservation and sustainability coming from companies across the agriculture industry.

   Industry Innovator: DOW Inc

   DOW Inc. is a leader in sustainability with its various initiatives to preserve natural resources. Notable efforts include executing optimization projects that have saved approximately 400,000 mT CO2 annually. Additionally, their efforts in renewable power surpassed their 2025 goals by obtaining 740 MV from renewable sources.

   Industry Innovator: Bayer & Bayer Crop Science

   Bayer & Bayer Crop Science incorporates sustainable practices into their business. Their unique efforts include using plant biotechnology to create herbicide-tolerant plants that reduce the release of GHG from the soil. The company also participates in purchasing electricity from renewable energies. In 2021, 24.7% of their electricity was sourced renewably as they are working towards 100% by 2029.

   Industry Innovator: Dairy Farmers of America

   Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) prioritizes sustainable efforts by aligning with UN SDG goals. DFA has approximately 200 on-farm renewable energy projects with plans to utilize more than 50 anaerobic digesters to convert dairy waste products into green energy. Additionally, DFA focuses greatly on soil health and regenerative agriculture to increase the longevity of soil life and health.

   Get Involved:
   Is your company at the forefront of conservation and environmental sustainability in Texas? Do you want to be recognized for your efforts? Contact Texan by Nature at programs@texanbynature.org.

   To be considered for the official TxN 20 list, companies must:

   • Have operations and employees based in Texas;
   • Share a demonstrated commitment to conservation & sustainability;
   • Showcase tangible efforts, impact, and data in conservation;
   • NOT be a conservation-based nonprofit (501c3).