Republic Services releases sustainability report

Phoenix-based Republic Services Inc. has released its annual sustainability report, highlighting the company's approach to climate leadership and tracking progress toward its 2030 sustainability goals. 

According to a news release from Republic, the company's sustainability achievements in 2020 included a 5 percent reduction in operational greenhouse gas emissions and an increase in the recycling of key materials to support the circular economy.

"Republic Services plays a vital role in providing sustainable solutions to our customers and making the planet a better place now and for future generations," says Jon Vander Ark, president and CEO, Republic. "We continue to make steady progress toward our 2030 sustainability goals and are excited about innovations and technologies under development that will accelerate our impact."

The company reported positive strides toward its climate goals with a reduction in overall emissions, an increase in circularity of recyclable commodities and organics, and numerous renewable energy projects under development.

Additional highlights include:

• Safety -- The Republic Services team recorded a 21 percent reduction in overall safety incidents, making 2020 its safest year on record.
• Human Capital -- Amid the challenges of a global pandemic, Republic maintained an employee engagement score of 85 percent.
• Climate Leadership -- Republic has made a commitment to fleet electrification, and in 2020, its first electric collection truck pilot began service.
• Communities -- Through the Republic Services Charitable Foundation, the company contributed $5 million to neighborhoods and small-business revitalization, positively impacting 2.1 million people.

Throughout 2020 and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Republic Services says it remained committed to its customers, its communities and its team through a $35 million program called Committed to Serve. The initiative provided key support to small businesses, local economies and frontline team members.

Republic Services says it is committed to transparency and disclosure through its sustainability reporting. In addition to the 2020 Sustainability Report, the company issued its 2020 Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Report and 2020 Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Report. Earlier this year, Republic released its inaugural report aligned with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures, which was the industry's first comprehensive TCFD reporting.