LRS diverts 330,000 tons of recyclable material in 2024

LRS, Rosemont, Illinois, has released its 2024 sustainability report, detailing improvements in employee safety, environmental sustainability and community engagement.

Now in its second year of reporting, LRS says it aims to build a long-term sustainability strategy rooted in measurable action and public accountability.

“At LRS, we believe sustainability isn’t a department, it’s a mindset that shows up in every part of the business,” LRS CEO Matt Spencer says. “This report highlights the progress we’ve made, but also where we’re headed as we work to be a safer, cleaner, more responsive company for the people and communities we serve.”

Among the report’s findings, LRS improved employee safety in 2024 by reducing its lost time injury frequency rate (LTIFR) by 67 percent, its total recordable incident rate (TRIR) by 45 percent and its accident frequency rate (AFR) 39 percent. The company also worked to enhance driver safety measures last year, which included advanced training programs and vehicle safety audits.

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The company diverted more than 330,000 tons of recyclable material from landfills through its network of material recovery facilities in 2024. Of the total diverted from landfills last year, LRS reclaimed 107,269 tons of paper, cardboard and cartons; 13,259 tons of plastic; 30,827 tons of glass; 25,257 tons of metal; and 42,739 tons of food and yard waste.

The company also diverted construction & demolition materials, including 57,060 tons of shingles; 24,789 tons of brick, concrete and aggregate; and 30,254 tons of wood.

In 2024, LRS renewed and won 24 municipal contracts, including the city of Elgin, Illinois, one of its largest municipal contracts to date.

The company also held more than 175 community events and hosted facility tours with residents and students to provide recycling education. In addition, the Exchange, LRS’ flagship material recovery facility, was named Recycling Facility of the Year by the National Waste and Recycling Association (NWRA).

Read the full sustainability report.