In November, Sustain SC took South Carolina’s sustainability journey global–all the way to Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt for the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference, otherwise known as COP27. The annual UN meeting brings countries and global experts together to address climate change and compel others to implement actionable steps toward a more sustainable future.

Global manufacturer Milliken & Company does not shy away from a challenge. When it comes to sustainability goals, it has set the bar high. In October, the Spartanburg-based company announced its commitment to a science-based net-zero future by 2050.

Sustain SC is proud to welcome Pam Martin as a Fellow on the organization’s growing team. This new role was created specifically for Martin, who will direct collaborative efforts around sustainable development goals for businesses and organizations. As Fellow, Martin will help lead the SDG pilot study launched by Sustain SC and Ernst & Young (EY) earlier this year.

Sustain SC is thrilled to announce the launch of its Land and Water Action Platform, a new conservation fund dedicated to protecting South Carolina's precious natural resources.

For Atlantic Packaging, the sustainability journey is a lot like riding a wave. The opportunity to jump on board came about eight years ago when the emergence of e-commerce was starting to swell.

Sustain SC is proud to announce the graduation of the inaugural class of Sustainability Leadership Initiative (SLI) fellows. All 23 participants accepted their certificate of completion at a ceremony on June 2 on Furman University’s campus. It was a milestone moment marking the end of the program, which spans eight months from October to April.

South Carolina is ranked 37th out of 50 states in the 2021 United States Sustainable Development Report. Today Sustain SC and Ernst & Young (EY) have begun laying the groundwork to improve the ranking of South Carolina.

Google played an integral role in getting Sustain SC off the ground. Not only is the company a Corporate Membership Network member, but a founding partner as well. Lilyn Hester, Google’s Head of Southeast Public Affairs, was instrumental in cultivating that partnership. Hester is now a board member and SLI fellow.

Dr. Susan L. Johnson, Ph.D. was one of 23 candidates chosen to be part of SLI’s inaugural class. As the six-month program nears completion this month, Johnson is slated to bring her newfound knowledge to the growing sustainability conversation within healthcare.

Trip Chavis has been a member of our Corporate Membership Network since the beginning. He’s also a Sustainability Leadership Initiative fellow. We took a “trip” down memory lane with him to reflect on our year long partnership and how its impacted his business, Milliken Advisors.

From fisticuffs to breaking bread—how did Sustain SC form a bridge from conservation to commerce? We all know Ethel Bunch is the force behind this organization, but where did it start?

Sustain SC, an economic and conservation driven organization connecting the sustainability goals of business in South Carolina with local solutions, is pleased to announce its 2022-23 Board of Directors with the addition of three new members.

The South Carolina Department of Commerce and Sustain SC were honored to attend COP26, the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference, in Glasgow to listen, learn and be part of the global conversation about how sustainability is driving economic development. With thanks to Sustain SC founding member Google, Vanessa Goeschl, managing director, Europe Office of the South Carolina Department of Commerce, and Ethel Bunch, president and CEO of Sustain SC, were able to be in the middle of the action.

Sonoco, a Sustain SC partner, is a global supplier of innovative packaging and recycling services. Sonoco began in 1899 in Hartsville, S.C. with a team of 12. More than 100 years later, Sonoco has 19,000 employees in more than 300 operations across 34 countries.

SustainSC today honored three South Carolina organizations with the inaugural Excellence in Mitigation award, recognizing their efforts to bring economic development to our state while maintaining a positive conservation impact.

The three honorees are Boeing, the S.C. Ports Authority and Volvo Cars, each of which developed innovative projects with successful mitigation components.

Sustain SC and the Furman University Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities has selected a group of professionals across various sectors to join the inaugural class of the Sustainability Leadership Initiative (SLI).

The exclusive Sustainability Leadership Initiative program represents a robust cross-boundary stakeholder network of South Carolina leaders with the knowledge, skills, and desire to collaborate and support each other in identifying pathways and executing solutions for a sustainable future.

In the spring of 2021, Coke Consolidated collaborated with The Heritage Classic Foundation during the 2021 RBC Heritage to enhance the PGA TOUR golf tournament’s can and bottle recycling program. More than 45 yards of aluminum and polyethylene terephthalate plastic (PET) were collected during the tournament. Through a partnership with Clemson University, these bottles and cans will be processed into new bottles and cans.

Sustain SC joined South Carolina Department of Agriculture Commissioner Hugh Weathers to talk about the important role that agribusiness has in South Carolina.

Sustain SC partnered with the SC Department of Agriculture to host the first Regional Roundtable sustainability discussion.