Republic Services recognized in climate change report

Phoenix-based Republic Services Inc. is among the top companies recognized by CDP, a international nonprofit organization dedicated to measuring and disclosing environmental information, in the CDP S&P 500 Climate Change Report 2015. The report features companies that demonstrate science-based strategies for reducing their impact on climate change.

In this most recent report, Republic earned a Disclosure Score of 98 out of 100, which reflects its strong commitment to transparency, quality and completeness, CDP says, and an A- in Performance. An A is the highest Performance score possible.

Republic's CDP score improved strongly from the prior year. In 2014, Republic's inaugural year in the report, the company established its baseline for future submissions.

"We work hard to demonstrate our commitment to sustainability, and we are proud to be recognized by the CDP," says Pete Keller, vice president of recycling and sustainability at Republic Services. "We are committed to protecting and preserving our planet, identifying opportunities to reduce our carbon footprint while expanding our capabilities to solve our customers' evolving recycling and waste needs."

Republic is working to reduce its carbon footprint and to increase growth opportunities in these key focus areas:

• Fleet – Republic operates a fleet that includes more than 2,200 compressed natural gas (CNG) powered vehicles. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EPA, each new CNG collection truck deployed is equivalent to planting over 600 mature trees each year. To support its CNG fleet, Republic has installed 38 natural gas fueling stations nationwide.
• Landfills – Republic is committed to harnessing landfill gas, the natural byproduct of decomposing waste, and whenever possible converting it into renewable energy. Republic directs its landfill gas to more than 70 landfill gas-to-energy (LFGTE) projects across the country and plans to add two more LFGTE projects per year through 2018. Combined, these projects capture and convert enough landfill gas into energy to power more than 250,000 homes annually.
• Recycling – Republic operates 66 recycling centers nationwide which process roughly 5 million tons of recyclables per year. Republic continues to make significant investments in advanced recycling capabilities and technologies, including recently opening the largest and smartest residential recycling center in North America.

Involvement in the CDP S&P 500 Climate Change Report, which is voluntary, substantiates Republic's commitment to provide effortless recycling and waste solutions to millions of customers across the country and to placing sustainability at the center of its operations, the company says. 

Known as the Blue Planet sustainability initiative, Republic is defining its approach to corporate responsibility through reduced emissions from operations, materials management, safety, community engagement and employee growth opportunities. Republic's 2014 Sustainability Report is available at http://RepublicServices.com/sustainabilityreport.

CDP is an international, nonprofit organization providing the only global system for companies and cities to measure, disclose, manage and share vital environmental information. CDP works with market forces, including 722 institutional investors with assets of $87 trillion, to motivate companies to disclose their impacts on the environment and natural resources and take action to reduce them. CDP now holds the largest collection globally of primary climate change, water and forest risk commodities information and puts these insights at the heart of strategic business, investment and policy decisions.