Business
Looking for positive and inspiring business stories? From green operations to employee rights, from innovative corporate structures to diversity and inclusion, the Business section at The Optimist Daily has got the latest innovative solutions from the corporate sector.
Major firms sign ambitious deal to cut plastic waste in the Pacific
Every year, more than 800,000 tonnes of plastic waste in Australia end up in landfills or the environment, contributing to an already toxic plastic soup that’s threatening marine ecosystems all across the world. In the coming years, that number is expected to decrease significantly thanks to a Read More...
Degree Inclusive is the first deodorant designed for people with disabilities
'Inclusivity.' It’s a term that is coming up more and more frequently as humanity strives towards a more equitable playing field that addresses the historic exclusion of marginalized and minority voices and needs. On the topic of diversity, most discussion circles around race and class, Read More...
Alabama removes anti-LGBTQ language from sexual education curriculums
Sexual education classes are a critical component of health education, but the content and quality of these curriculums vary widely from state to state. For example, only 22 US states actually require schools to teach sex education. In Alabama, curriculums in much of the state emphasize Read More...
Allbirds and Adidas team up to bring sustainable shoes to a wider audience
We’ve followed Allbirds closely as the shoe company expands its sustainable footwear line to include both sustainable and completely biodegradable shoes. Now, the brand is bringing its eco-friendly design to an even broader audience with the announcement of its partnership with Adidas. Part Read More...
Cob on Wood is a refuge center that empowers the unsheltered in Oakland
A charming refuge for the unsheltered in Oakland has taken form under a highway overpass in West Oakland thanks to a coalition of organizations and members of both the housed and unhoused community. The structures are made of “cob,” a mixture of organic materials including sand, subsoil, water, Read More...
Mattel’s recycling program is now accepting old toys
If you’re a parent of older children, you likely have a box full of once-beloved dolls and matchbox cars taking up space in your attic. Fortunately, there’s a new eco-friendly way to rehome these toys with the announcement of Mattel’s new toy recycling program. Toy giant Mattel is the Read More...
Heineken is turning wasted beer into sustainable energy
When the pandemic forced us into lockdown, many of our favorite watering pubs, bars, and restaurants had to throw out millions of dollars of stock. In the UK, the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) estimates that about 87 million pints of beer have been tossed as a result. Fortunately, the Read More...
Stimulus checks were critical in dropping hunger rates during pandemic
Back in April, we wrote about how Americans were overwhelmingly using their stimulus checks to cover basic expenses and reduce their personal debt. Now, according to new census data, stimulus checks, in conjunction with expanded access to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, Read More...
World’s largest jewelry maker will soon sell only lab-grown diamonds
There are few other things in the world that symbolize luxury like diamonds, but these status symbols often come at a price that goes beyond their monetary value. In recent years, for instance, concerns about the environmental impact and human rights abuse associated with the mining industry have Read More...
These Florida waterways are taking developers to court
If nature could speak, would it defend its rights from damaging human activity? Last November, Orange County, Florida passed a measure called the “rights of nature” that allows for entities such as waterways to bring people to court should someone infringe on their rights. Two weeks ago, a Read More...