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Republic Services Achieves Initial Sustainability Goals
Republic Services released its 2017 Sustainability Report, which details the company’s solutions for “Our Blue Planet.”
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New fleet of Republic Services CNG trucks arrives in Houston. (PRNewsFoto/Republic Services, Inc.)
Republic Services just released its 2017 Sustainability Report, which provides details on the company’s sustainability initiatives and progress. The report details the company's sustainability strategy and achievement of its time-bound goals set in 2014.
"At Republic, we understand that we play a critical role in helping more than 14 million customers lessen their environmental impact," said Don Slager, president and CEO, in a statement. "We also recognize that as we grow the business, our responsibility as environmental stewards grows—along with our potential for even greater impact. This is a source of pride for every employee, because our customers—and the communities we serve—can count on us for solutions that are responsible, reliable and resourceful."
In 2014, as part of its Blue Planet sustainability platform, the company set its first public sustainability goals, including:
Energy: Develop at least two landfill gas-to-energy projects per year through 2018. This goal was achieved in 2017.
Recycled Commodities: Add an additional 150,000 tons or more per year of recycling capacity through 2018. This goal was achieved in 2017.
Fleet: Reduce absolute fleet emissions by 3 percent from direct operational impacts (Scope 1 emissions) through 2018. This goal was achieved in 2017.
Safety: Reduce Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recordable rates by 7 percent year-over-year. This goal is on track.
Highlights from the 2017 Sustainability Report include:
For more than a decade, Republic stated it has made investments in compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks and fueling stations. Republic's continued investments in CNG trucks and fueling stations have enabled the company to begin making a seamless transition to renewable natural gas (RNG), which has the lowest carbon intensity of all the alternative fuel technologies on the market today, according to the California Air Resources Board.
In 2017, Republic collected more than 8 million tons of recyclables and processed more than 6 million tons at 90 recycling centers nationwide. In addition, Republic noted it is delivering solutions to customers “in response to an industry-wide recycling crisis.”
Last year, Republic said it gave $7.1 million back to the communities it serves. In addition, Republic employees, board members and suppliers gave more than $4 million in funds, food, supplies and housing to support employees affected by hurricanes.
According to the company, since 2009, Republic drivers have won 75 percent of the National Waste & Recycling Association's "Driver of the Year" awards, an honor that celebrates exemplary customer service and superior driver safety records. Last year was no exception, with drivers from the company's Huntington Beach, Calif., and Phoenix divisions selected by the industry to receive this recognition.
In addition, Republic earned 100 percent and the distinction of a "Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality" on the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index for 2018.
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