Corporate Responsibility

New York City -- Ikea US sent a holiday ‘thank you’ to each of its 12,400 associates with a free bike, the retailer said Tuesday.

The gifts were part of Ikea’s “strong commitment to good health and being environmentally conscious,” while rewarding employees for a good year, the company said.

Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday agreed to decide whether to certify the largest class-action employment discrimination lawsuit in U.S. history, a long-standing dispute involving Wal-Mart Stores and alleged gender bias in pay and promotions.

Orange County, Calif. -- The District at Tustin Legacy, a 1 million-sq.-ft. lifestyle and entertainment center located in Orange County, Calif., has been awarded the 2010 CalRecycle Waste Reduction Award for being a regional leader in recycling and waste reduction. 

San Bernardino, Calif.  -- Stater Bros. has been recognized as a 2010 WRAP (Waste Reduction Awards Program) Winner by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle). Among the supermarket operator’s accomplishments: a “green waste” composting program that turns organic waste from its 167 locations into compost that is sold to area farmers

Seattle -- Starbucks Coffee Co. and International Paper, with Mississippi River Pulp, LLC, have completed a six-week pilot project that -- for the first time -- proved Starbucks used paper cups can be recycled into new paper cups. This advancement brings Starbucks one step closer to its goal of ensuring 100% of its cups are reusable or recyclable by 2015.

Bridgeview, Ill. -- Rose Paving Co., which provides complete parking-lot management solutions nationwide, has been named a Chicago Tribune Top Workplace for 2010 in the small-sized company category. One hundred companies, organizations, and agencies were honored at an awards ceremony on Nov. 9 hosted by the Chicago Tribune.

The awards, given for measured qualities including company leadership, career opportunities, workplace flexibility, and compensation & benefits were presented to Chicago-area companies for the very first time.