Taco Bell To Recycle Hot Sauce Packets
Taco Bell knows its fans have more than just a mild obsession with its hot sauce packets, with 8.2 billion sauce packets used in the U.S. each year. They're iconic. But today, they're not recyclable.
That's why Taco Bell will be collaborating with international recycling leader TerraCycle later this year to give its sauce packets a spicier second life that doesn't involve a landfill. Taco Bell, no stranger to industry firsts, is the first QSR brand to partner with TerraCycle to tackle recycling flexible film packets. While the companies will announce details of a national U.S. recycling pilot program later this year, customer participation will be easy and will incorporate free shipping.
Whole Foods Market To Reduce Carbon Footprint At U.S. Stores
Honeywell announced that global natural and organic foods retailer Whole Foods Market has adopted its Solstice N40 (R-448A) lower global-warming-potential (GWP) refrigerant in its stores across the United States as it seeks to reduce refrigerant emissions under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's GreenChill program.
Whole Foods Market will retrofit their commercial refrigeration systems at more than 100 stores with Honeywell's reduced-GWP alternative, replacing high-global-warming-potential refrigerants R-404A and R-22. Based on hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) technology, Solstice N40 offers a GWP that is approximately 68 percent lower than legacy hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants like R-404A.
Bed Bath & Beyond Invites People To "Escape The Noise"
In a busy household, the bathroom is often the only room that can truly offer a private retreat, a place to escape the noise. In fact, a recent "Escape the Noise" survey, conducted by Bed Bath & Beyond, found that 40% of Americans linger in the bathroom longer than they need to just to get more alone time.
The reality, however, is that many of us are settling for less-than-tranquil bathroom spaces. The survey went on to reveal that 68% of Americans believe having a space in their home dedicated to relaxation would be helpful in improving their self-care. It's no surprise that "me-time" is essential in helping us find balance and be our best selves. In fact, Americans who do not have a space in their home where they can get quality "me-time"—that's 37% of us—are far more likely than those who do to report having had high levels of stress over the past year. So how do we maximize our bathroom spaces to ensure they're delivering that much-needed retreat?
Petco Urges Employers Not to Forget Fido in "Return to Work" Plans
As businesses across America develop and start to implement return-to-work plans, Petco Health and Wellness Company is urging employers to consider adopting a pet-friendly workplace policy among other post-pandemic changes and sharing information and resources for employees and employers ready to welcome pets at work.
The company will introduce a new playbook and toolkit this summer to help employers transition their workplace into a safe, healthy and productive environment for both people and pets. Offerings will include options ranging from DIY solutions for creating a pet-friendly workplace to benefits like pet insurance, Vital Care, on-site pet services and supplies.
Herman Miller Acquires Knoll
Herman Miller and Knoll announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Herman Miller will acquire Knoll in a cash and stock transaction valued at $1.8 billion. The transaction, which has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies, is expected to close by the end of the third quarter of calendar year 2021, subject to the satisfaction of closing conditions.
This highly complementary combination will create the preeminent leader in modern design, catalyzing the transformation of the home and office sectors at a time of unprecedented disruption. Herman Miller and Knoll collectively have 19 leading brands, presence across over 100 countries worldwide, a global dealer network, 64 showrooms globally, more than 50 physical retail locations and global multi-channel eCommerce capabilities. The combined company will have pro forma annual revenue of approximately $3.6 billion and pro forma adjusted EBITDA of approximately $552 million, based on each company's respective last reported 12 months and including the anticipated $100 million of cost synergies, implying adjusted EBITDA margins of approximately 16%.