Coca-Cola, Ford, H.J. Heinz, Nike, and Procter & Gamble have formed the Plant PET Technology Collaborative, a working group focused on the development and use of 100 percent plant-based PET materials and fiber. PET is a durable, lightweight plastic used by the member companies in a variety of products and materials, including plastic bottles, apparel, and automotive fabric.

The Wyland Foundation and Toyota have announced the grand prize winner of the National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation, an online competition that encouraged residents in all 50 states to conserve water, save energy, and reduce pollution during Earth Month. 20,000 people from 1,000 cities made online pledges during the campaign. A new Toyota Prius C Hybrid was awarded to Nika Shalala, of Laguna Beach.

Experts from Whirlpool have helped develop the home appliance industry’s first- ever sustainability standards. Standards for refrigerators were the result of cooperative work by UL Environment, CSA G