Stericycle is pleased to release its 2022 Corporate Social Responsibility Report update outlining our achievements across environmental, social, and governance (ESG) areas during 2021 and into early 2022. Key topics from the report include:
Reporting
Our ESG strategy is tied to our brand promise to protect what matters. We take this seriously and recognize the important role data plays within the ESG journey. In 2021, Stericycle filed its first CDP Climate Change Survey, receiving a B- rating, and the recent 2022 CDP submission included additional third-party verification for a portion of our greenhouse gas (GHG) emission disclosures. Transparency and accuracy are foundational to our ESG approach and openly discussing our ESG focus, initiatives, and learnings play a critical role in our commitment to continuously evolve our practices.
Environmental Impact
We provide essential services that help protect communities from harmful wastes, enable recycling and alternative use opportunities, and contribute to greater consumer safety and satisfaction. Globally, in 2021, we treated 1.5 billion pounds of medical waste, recycled 1.1 billion pounds of paper, helped our customers divert 104 million pounds of plastic from landfills by offering reusable sharps waste containers, and treated 40 million pounds of pharmaceutical waste prior to disposal. We work tirelessly to help keep our communities safer, make our oceans and waterways cleaner, reduce demand for landfill space, guard against identity theft, and contribute to a circular paper economy.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
At Stericycle, we are committed to ensuring our company is a place where all people are treated fairly and respectfully, have equal access to opportunities and resources, and can thrive personally and professionally. In 2021, Stericycle’s President and CEO, Cindy J. Miller, joined more than 2,200 CEOs pledging to take action to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace through the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion coalition. We now have six Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) supporting women, black and African Americans, Latinx Americans, veterans, the LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) community, and young professionals. Globally in 2021, we increased the percentage of women in senior and middle management roles, and 64% of all US-based new hires were racially or ethnically diverse. We also formalized our supplier diversity program and verified minority status of our vendor base.
Corporate Governance
We have aligned our governance practices to support our sustainability initiatives and clarified the oversight role of our Board Committees relating to specific ESG focus areas as reflected in our committee charters. In 2021, we completed our first materiality assessment to determine Stericycle’s key ESG priorities and rolled out a new code of conduct. We also established an Environmental Justice task force focusing on aligning efforts with the Environmental Protection Agency’s definition of environmental justice and the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people with regard to facility operations and permitting.
Operations Enhancement
We have prioritized the enhancement of our operations to better protect team members and communities and to minimize potential harm to the environment. Additionally, we launched our new SafeShieldTM1 medical waste containers, which are constructed with 15% recyclable content and designed for durability with reinforced handles to extend useful life. We also improved our total recordable incident rate (TRIR) by 4% and had 95% of our global team members sign a personal commitment to safety. From new facilities to upgraded equipment to redesigned processes – all are analyzed, approved, and implemented with safety top of mind.
New Partnerships
Stericycle entered a five-year partnership with the National Park Foundation (the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service) that supports landscape and wildlife conservation with a focus on wetland restoration. In addition, we are working with the Arbor Day Foundation to replant tens of thousands of trees in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom within the communities of our customers and team members.
Looking Ahead
We recognize that our focus on ESG and sustainability is an ongoing pursuit, and there will be more to do in the coming years. Our challenge and our responsibility every day is to make a difference in the communities we serve. “I am proud of the progress to date and our thoughtful, diligent approach that focuses on collaboration, transparency, accuracy, and impact,” said Cindy J. Miller, President and CEO at Stericycle. “The journey ahead is exciting, and I believe in our team’s resilience in operating in a safe, responsible, and sustainable manner. It is at the core of the way we do business, and our business is protecting what matters.”
Learn more about these initiatives and other ways we’re shaping a healthier and safer world in our 2022 Corporate Social Responsibility Report.
