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The Eco-Boost: How Republic Services’ Takeover of US Ecology Elevates ESG Performance for Clients
Republic Services Acquisition of US Ecology Improves Customers ESG Performance.Byline: BTB Editor
April 18, 2024 / Time to read: 5 minRepublic Services recently acquired US Ecology, combining our environmental services for industrial, corporate and government customers. Together, we elevate your ESG performance and corporate green initiatives, starting with innovative sustainability solutions.
US Ecology's Legacy in Sustainable Solutions
Founded in 1952, US Ecology has a solid track record of providing a variety of environmental solutions for businesses and organizations. Services have included:
- Secure disposal of hazardous, non-hazardous and radioactive waste
- Treatment and remediation
- Recycling and reuse programs
- Emergency response and disaster preparedness
For decades, US Ecology has served the manufacturing, transportation and energy sectors. It’s also consistently invested in innovative technologies to continue achieving regulatory compliance. Now, under the Republic Services umbrella, we’re poised to deliver even more environmental services safely, compliantly and efficiently.
A Staggering Impact: Quantifying our Eco-Contribution
In 2020, US Ecology managed or securely disposed of 4.6 billion pounds of hazardous waste on behalf of our industrial, commercial and government customers. That same year, Republic Services processed more than 2.15 billion pounds of food and yard waste on behalf of residential and government customers. Together, we’ll do even more.
Elevating the Recycling Paradigm
Together in 2022, our Environmental Services arm recycled:
- 5 million pounds of metals
- 8.6 million pounds of glycol
- Oil 1.9 million gallons of oil
- 1.3 million pounds of aerosol cans
Internal Sustainability: A Core Pillar
Along with helping you achieve your sustainability goals, we have quite a few of our own. Combined, we employ over 40,000 people and own one of the largest vehicle fleets in the US. There’s a lot we can do to make our operations — and the services our clients rely on — more sustainable.
That’s why one of our sustainability goals is revamping our fleet to be safer and more efficient. Our test fleet of 5 EV trucks hit the road in 2022, then jumped to more than 20 in 2023. By 2028, our fleet will be more than 50% EVs.
Pioneering Innovations and Future Commitments
Looking forward, Republic Services will strive toward emissions and energy goals while investing in landfill innovations and renewable energy production.
Today, landfill gas emissions make up 87% of Scope 1 emissions, and about 50% of the gasses produced during the breakdown of organic material is methane. Although methane accounts for just
To minimize gas emissions at landfills, we’re implementing:
- Gas collection at more than 87% of our acreage
- Landfill covers that block gas from escaping into the air
- Land-based and aerial systems that measure fugitive emissions to ensure we’re on track
We also use our landfills to create and capture renewable energy. Landfill gas powers generators for 39 different projects. We make renewable natural gas from biogas that’s fully interchangeable with conventional natural gas — a total of 16 projects. Meanwhile, 8 of our projects produce solar energy, generating enough to power nearly 100,000 homes annually. And ten projects turn landfill gas into medium Btu gas to be used as thermal energy by our industrial and commercial customers.
Sustainability in Action
Together, US Ecology and Republic Services are already helping our clients achieve their sustainability goals, but we’re not resting on our laurels. Our goals include:
- A 35% reduction of Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2030
- A 40% increase in circulatory of key materials and 50% reuse of biogas by 2030
- A 40% increase recovery and circularity of key materials by 2030
We can help you with your ESG goals too.
