From our CEO
Driving Our Business Forward
At Republic Services, sustainability is how we create value for our customers, our communities and our business.
Our latest assessment of sustainability priorities reaffirmed what matters most to our stakeholders: safety. It ranked first across internal and external groups, reinforcing our commitment to protecting our people, communities and the environment. We’ve enhanced our leading Safety program to more formally integrate Environment, Health and Safety, strengthening compliance and supporting responsible operations.
We continue to invest in sustainability innovation, with nine new renewable natural gas facilities coming online and our third Polymer Center under construction.
Looking ahead, we remain focused on our sustainability goals and the opportunities before us. Sustainability is driving long-term value for our stakeholders and helping our customers achieve their goals.
Our 2030 Sustainability Goals
We track and disclose our progress in our annual sustainability reporting.
12017 baseline year
2Goal is approved by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a corporate climate action organization that helps companies set targets to reduce their GHG emissions in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Measuring Impact
Our sustainable actions are leading to real world outcomes
22%GHG emissions reduction since 2017
4.7MTons processed in recycling centers
1.1MTons of organics processed
87Employee engagement score
23%Safer Than Industry Average
Our Sustainability Journey
See how our leadership in environmental services and sustainability has progressed over the past three decades.
- Company sets a foundation of environmentally responsible operations.
- Compressed natural gas trucks put into operation, reducing fleet emissions.
- First landfill renewable natural gas collection and processing plant in operation (McCarty Landfill).
- Merger with Allied Waste forms one of nation's largest environmental services providers.
- Programs to harness landfill gas to generate renewable natural gas (RNG) begin.
- Release of first Sustainability Report, outlining sustainability platform and goals.
- Named to DJSI and CDP A List for the first time.
- Charitable Foundation and National Neighborhood Promise™ launch.
- Recycling operations expand with acquisition of ReCommunity.
- With original goals achieved, Republic Services unveils 2030 Sustainability Goals aligned with U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.
- Emission reduction target approved by SBTi, an industry first.
- Mack LR electric collection truck begins testing.
- Announcement of Polymer Center, nation's first integrated plastics recycling facility.
- $2.2B acquisition of US Ecology creates industry's broadest set of product and service offerings.
- Launches joint venture with BP to develop portfolio of landfill RNG projects.
- First fully integrated electric collection truck with McNeilus. Republic estimates that 50% of truck purchase will be EV by 2028.
- Republic opens first Polymer Center, the first in a planned network of integrated plastics recycling facilities.
- First Lightning Renewables RNG project begins operations in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
- EV fleet begins service in Louisville, Colorado.
- Indianapolis Polymer Center-Blue Polymers complex opens.
2024-2025
Sustainability Innovation
We’re investing in bold solutions to meet our customers’ sustainability goals, reduce waste, cut emissions and build a more circular economy.
Transforming Plastics Circularity
Through our Polymer Center and Blue Polymers network, Republic Services is reimagining plastics recycling, from curbside collection to consumer packaging and back again.
Advancing Decarbonization Solutions
With our partners, we're developing a portfolio of renewable natural gas (RNG) projects at Republic Services landfills, converting naturally occurring biogas into low-carbon energy.
Sustainability Spotlight
Leading the Charge
We're bringing cleaner, quieter service to the communities we serve through adoption of a zero-emissions electric collection fleet. We made the industry's largest commitment to electrification, and today we operate the largest EV collection fleet in North America
Read MoreAwards and Recognition
We're proud to be consistently recognized for our commitments and actions.
