Sustainability

Seattle -- Starbucks Corp. is extending its college tuition assistance plan for workers to cover the entire cost of getting an online bachelor's degree. The coffee giant launched the program with Arizona State University in June 2014. At the time, it was limited to juniors and seniors looking to complete their degrees. But in a major expansion of the benefit, Starbucks said it will now cover the full cost of the four-year online degree.

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart is launching the spring “Fight Hunger. Spark Change” campaign, a nationwide initiative inviting the public to take action in the fight against hunger. Working with food companies including Campbell’s, ConAgra Foods, General Mills, Kellogg Company, Kraft, and Unilever, Wal-Mart aims to donate up to $3 million to Feeding America based on customer participation in the #WeSparkChange social media challenge.

Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded its 2015 Energy Star Partner of the Year — Sustained Excellence Award to Kohl’s Department Stores and Staples in recognition of the companies’ continued leadership in protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency initiatives.

The U.S.

New York -- The socially conscious outdoor brand Patagonia has embarked on a coast-to-coast tour to encourage people to repair their existing clothes rather than buy new ones. The message, which reflects the brand's socially conscious, environmental positioning, comes at a time of rising popularity for lower-priced fast-fashion items that sometimes are discarded after just a couple of wearings.

Staples is trying to increase its appeal to women by embarking on a new initiative with the city of Boston.

Sellers of opening price point apparel may find themselves at odds with outdoor lifestyle brand Patagonia, which has embarked on a coast-to-coast tour to encourage people to repair their clothes rather than buy new.

Stoughton, Mass. -- Ikea has gone live with the expanded solar energy array atop its store that opened nine years ago in Stoughton, Massachusetts. The 51,516-sq.-ft. solar panel addition consists of a 318-kW system built with 1,248 panels, and will produce 385,900 kWh more of electricity annually for the store. It sits atop a 58,575-sq.-ft. store extension completed last summer.

Grand Rapids. Mich. - Meijer will invest nearly $50 million in extensive remodel projects for four supercenters located in Kettering, Miami Township, Englewood and Beavercreek, Ohio.  

Framingham, Mass. - Staples has signed onto “100% Talent: The Boston Women’s Compact,” an effort to end the gender-based wage gap and advance women in the workforce. Staples has pledged to work with Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh in a public-private partnership to make Boston the best city in the country for working women.