adidas Group makes plastic shopping bags history

Press release

Herzogenaurach – To celebrate Earth Day, and to underscore its ongoing commitment to sustainability, the adidas Group announced that plastic shopping bags will be removed from its own retail stores globally. The switch to paper bags will be implemented immediately, with Russia and Kazakhstan following in June 2016.   

Additionally, over the last year, the adidas Group has worked closely with its partners, resulting in the vast majority of its franchisees committing to paper bags by the end of June 2016.  

This means every year the adidas Group will eliminate approximately 70 million plastic shopping bags across more than 14,000 retail stores globally. This translates to 3 million plastic shopping bags in the United States and more than 2 million plastic bags in Germany.

“Phasing out shopping plastic bags is part of our wider effort to constantly increase the use of more sustainable materials in our production, products and stores, as we recently announced with our newly launched 2020 Sustainability Strategy ‘Sport needs a space’,” says Roland Auschel, Member of the Executive Board, responsible for Global Sales. “However, there is even more to it than that. Our store staff has been trained on the importance of taking consumers on this journey with us; we will therefore ask consumers if they really need a paper bag before we give one away. Reducing the number of bags we produce also means minimising our environmental footprint and helps us to become an even more sustainable company.”

The plastic shopping bag phase-out initiative started one year ago, when the company announced its partnership with Parley for the Oceans. As a founding member, adidas supports Parley for the Oceans in its education and communication efforts, as well as its comprehensive Ocean Plastic Programme (A.I.R., Avoid, Intercept, and Redesign) that intends to end plastic pollution of the oceans. On top of phasing out plastic bags, the adidas Group has taken concrete steps to reduce its use of virgin plastic such as:

-        Ended the use of plastic microbeads across all body care products by December 31, 2015.

-        Eliminating plastic bottles in meetings at its headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany as of Q3 2015.

The adidas Group’s programme is regularly recognised by leading socially responsible investment rating agencies, such as the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices and the FTSE4Good Index. In 2015, for the 16th consecutive time, the adidas Group was included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. Again, at the beginning of 2016, the adidas Group ranked fifth among ‘The Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World’, as announced by media and investment advisory company Corporate Knights at the World Economic Forum.

For additional information on the adidas Group 2020 Sustainability Strategy, please visit http://www.adidas-group.com/en/media/news-archive/sustainability-news/2016/adidas-group-launches-new-sustainability-strategy-publishes-2015/.

For more information about the adidas Group’s continuing efforts, visit www.adidas-Group.com/sustainability.

Color Manila Blacklight Run

I've been to a couple of morning runs but this will be the first time that a fun run will be like a real party. Unlike the usual run, it starts in the evening. In this way, it may bring more participants in especially who can't wake up in the ungodly hours in the morning.

From what was oriented to me during the presscon, the blacklight run is different because along the run, you will encounter neon colored sand that will be blown to the runners. If you are seen within the blacklight area, it will be fun to look at.

singlet

Since it is at night, each runner will have their own neon flashlight strapped in their head. This flashlight is so strong that it may get you blind if you look at it directly. At the finish line, each runner will get a medal and will get ready for the party.

There are three categories for this run: 3K, 5K and 10K. Unlike any professional run, you could just run at your own pace and mingle with fellow runners. The race to finish ahead is not important because what is important is you could expand your circle of friendships.

Finisher's medal

It is also not just a fitness event because it can be fun at the same time, In addition to this fun, it is also for a cause. Color Manila also established their own foundation to help build a community. The run will be held in Filinvest, Alabang on May 28, 2016. For more details on how to register, go to http://www.colormanilarun.com/ . For more run events, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

Hellos and Goodbyes in Discovery Channel’s April lineup

With a series of hellos and goodbyes following the graduation season, Discovery Channel also brings in a new series, a one-off, and the final season of one of its most-followed programs.

This month, one of Formula 1’s top mechanics seeks a fresh challenge after nearly 10 immensely successful years in the motorsports industry. Marc “Elvis” Priestley, who was an integral part of Lewis Hamilton’s championship-winning pitstop crew in 2008, embarked on a journey to find the planet’s most fascinating amateur motorsports and the result is the show GEARS, GREASE & GLORY.

Photo courtesy of Discovery Channel

With his F1 knowledge and experience, Elvis will be exploring the world’s most fascinating motorsport subcultures and working with amateur enthusiasts to create, build and customize one-of-a-kind vehicles which they will test in a racing environment. The new series Gears, Grease & Glory premieres April 7, Thursday, 8PM on Discovery Channel.

Returning for its new and final season are special effects experts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman in their multiple attempts to find out the truth. Using modern day science, they put everyday myths and urban legends to the test to determine what's busted and what's confirmed. This team is always ready to take it to the next level with explosive results!

Catch the final season of Mythbusters as it premieres April 13, Wednesday, 9 PM.

Meanwhile, witness how the Sherpa community united in grief and anger to reclaim the mountain following the deadly avalanche that struck on April 18, 2014, killing 16 of their members. From director Jennifer Peedom, the new one-off Sherpa is a powerful and moving viewing experience that brings the audience deep into the lives of the Sherpas who make Everest’s climbing culture possible.

The story behind the locals of Nepal and the climbing industry of the world’s highest peak unfolds in Sherpa, as it premieres April 24, Sunday, 8PM.

Beat the Summer Heat: 5 Ways to Make Your Air-Conditioner Summer Ready

Press release

Philippines, March 2016

As the blaze of the summer heat arrives, all of us will start looking for places and ways to cool down. By midday, some people will find themselves mall-hopping just to escape the hot temperatures. The last thing one wants is to turn on one’s air-conditioner only to find that it doesn’t work. When an air-conditioning unit sits idle for months, collecting dirt and dust, a bit of maintenance is needed to get it running properly.

This is why it’s important to check your units before temperatures get hotter.

Now that summer is fast approaching you have to ask yourself, is your air-conditioning unit up for a blazing challenge? Electrolux, a global leader in home appliances, has prepared a simple checklist to ensure your air-conditioner is summer ready.

Clean or replace the filters. This is the simplest but most important step in maintaining your unit. It’s advisable to regularly clean this at least twice a year and additionally when you see dust collecting. Clogged or dirty filters block the airflow. Having clean filters means you are not obstructing airflow making your unit more energy efficient.

Clear the debris. Remove the leaves and debris from the base of the unit’s condenser and make sure the drain is clear. You can use a vacuum cleaner or a rag to clean the outer part of the condenser. Doing so means you won’t be recirculating the dust in the room.

Check ducts and seals. Air ducts are tubes used to connect the air conditioning system to a room. Leaks can slow down and may prevent air from being supplied properly in your home. Check for any leaks to ensure energy efficiency. Seals can easily break when exposed to moisture. To fix this problem, use mastic tapes to seal.

Use few heat-producing appliances. As the heat of summer arrives, it’s best to avoid using heat-producing appliances indoors while your air-conditioner is on. Your unit is already battling the heat from outside your home. If you add heat inside, you’re making your air-conditioner work overtime! Try cooking outside using the grill or letting your hair air dry instead of always using the hair dryer. This will give your air conditioner an easy time to serve you better every day.

Test your air conditioner. Let it dry thoroughly and then turn the power to the condenser back on by following this step. First, turn the thermostat in your home to OFF. Then turn on the power at both the disconnect box and at the main panel. Lastly, switch the thermostat to cool. If your air conditioner is not running properly, it may be time to call the professionals for help.

“All of our design and product development is based on the philosophy of Thoughtful Design. We want to give you top-tier appliances and unparalleled customer service to make your life better” shares Andrea Pionilla, the Country Marketing Manager of Electrolux Philippines.

With these simple tips and by taking good care of your appliances, Electrolux hopes you have a cool and relaxing summer at home.

To avail of the Electrolux 24/7 Premium Customer Service, customers may reach the following hotlines:

Customer Care Hotline: (+63-2) 845-CARE (2273)
Domestic PLDT Toll-Free No.: 1-800-10-845-CARE FREE (2273)

STORYTELLING AS A BASIC INSTINCT: EGG THEATER COMPANY PRESENTS THE FILIPINO TRANSLATION OF MARTIN MCDONAGH’S THE PILLOWMAN

Press release

After the brief festival run of its productions, Maniacal (Fringe Manila 2015) and Schism (Fringe Manila 2016), Egg Theater Company presents its first full-run production with a Filipino Translation of Martin McDonagh’s The Pillowman.

            Winner of the 2004 Olivier Award for Best Play and Tony-Nominated in 2005 for Best Play, The Pillowman is about a writer in an unidentified totalitarian state being interrogated about his gruesome and macabre short stories that has inspired a series of child murders. The Pillowman is a dark comedy that boldly exhibits the riveting power of narrative and how storytelling and invention of fantastical tales is a basic human instinct. With the coming elections and the incessant specter of dictatorships and martial law, this production resonates with its exploration of the fine line between the freedom of an individual to tell a story and its impact on the security of society.

            Palanca awardee and Egg Theater Company co-founder, George de Jesus III in translating and directing The Pillowman, remarks, “In examining the dark side of imagination and creativity, the play probes into how stories are created, the motivation that drives a writer to tell a story and the responsibility of a writer on the impact of what he has written. Put that against a totalitarian-state setting and we get a play that are by turns disturbingly funny and emotionally shocking. Given that the play is set in an unnamed totalitarian state, translating it into Filipino affords us not only in making it somehow familiar but it also further fuels the idea of it possibly becoming real.”

            Egg Theater Company co-founder and producer adds, “But beyond being political, The Pillowman will make us take stock on the power of words and how it can affect other people. There’s a line by Katurian that says, "It's not about being or not being dead, it's about what you leave behind." I think it’s something that will resonate to anyone in the creative field and it’s what we want to accomplish with Egg Theater Company, to create Filipino productions that will linger in the minds of our audience.”

            Co-presented by Pineapple Lab, The Pillowman features Gabs Santos as Katurian, Paolo O’Hara and Paul Jake Paule as Michal, Renante Bustamante as Tupolski and Acey Aguilar as Ariel.

            The production will also feature original music and animated graphics by Joee Mejias.

            The play will run from April 8-10 and 22-24, 2016, 8:00 PM at Pineapple Lab, 6071 R. Palma Street, Poblacion, Makati City.

            For tickets and inquiries, visit Egg Theater Company’s FB Page or contact 0917-844-0520.

Get Your Grill On with DMAX this March!

They may be some of the most successful BBQ competitors around, but every competition is a clean slate and an imposing challenge.

DMAX follows four noted BBQ teams as they compete in some of the most prestigious and demanding BBQ competitions on the circuit to see what it's really like when you're in the thick of the battle. The all-new season of BBQ Pit Wars premieres on March 10 and airs every Thursday at 9:50 PM.