ST. PAUL, MINN.—Ecolab Inc. announced the publication of its 2007 Sustainability Report, which details the corporation’s efforts in the areas of economic progress, environmental stewardship and social responsibility; and provides data on related activities for 2007.
“Sustainability is a critical part of our business at Ecolab, from new product development to the efficiency of our daily operations and those of our customers,” says Dr. Bruce Cords, vice president of Environment, Food Safety and Public Health.
Highlights of the report include:
• Continued advancements in the sustainability of products and services. From solid formulations to innovative packaging and dispensing methods, Ecolab is a leader in developing effective and efficient solutions that help conserve water and energy, increase safety and reduce waste.
• Progress in managing manufacturing impact. In 2007, Ecolab achieved 5 percent reductions in both water and energy usage in U.S. plants, as well as a 17 percent reduction in wastewater discharge, while increasing production.
• Commitment to continuous improvement. In Europe, Ecolab committed to the Charter for Sustainable Cleaning, a voluntary initiative of the International Association for Soaps, Detergents and Maintenance Products (AISE). The life-cycle-based framework goes beyond current legislative requirements to drive the industry toward continual improvement in terms of sustainability.
• High standards for social responsibility. In 2007, Ecolab implemented Ethical Sourcing Standards, representing a global supply chain initiative to require strategic suppliers to conduct business in a way that protects health, safety and human rights. This complements Ecolab’s own long-standing code of conduct.
• Contributions to communities. In 2007, Ecolab sustained its strong tradition of giving by contributing $7 million to communities through foundation, corporate and in-kind giving.
The 2007 Sustainability Report illustrates that Ecolab works to positively impact the environment far beyond managing its own operations. Ecolab leverages its impact through innovative product development that considers the entire product life cycle, from sourcing to use to disposal, thereby helping each of its hundreds of thousands of customers around the world minimize their environmental footprint while providing effective cleaning and sanitizing solutions.
“We provide our customers with products and services that help them achieve cleaner, safer, healthier surroundings,” says Steve Christenson, vice president of Regulatory Affairs. “And we remain committed to our global sustainability principles in everything we do.”
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