ACI Sustainability Report Says ‘There Is Progress’

The American Cleaning Institute (ACI) released its fourth Sustainability Report, “Foundations for Transformation”. The report showcased the steps the cleaning product supply chain is taking to address the industry’s core material issues.
 
The report highlights the progress made by companies in the cleaning product supply chain to minimize the industry’s environmental impact over the last two years.
 
“ACI and its members are building upon a legacy of leadership by evolving our sustainability strategy to reflect the critical issues identified through the first-ever materiality assessment for the industry, which debuted in our 2015 report,” said Melissa Hockstad, ACI’s new President and CEO. “By weaving these critical issues into the fabric of our sustainability strategy and reflecting honestly on our progress to date, we hope to set the stage for leadership into the future.
 
ACI’s Sustainability Metrics Program has overseen industry performance in categories including energy, water, waste and climate change/greenhouse gases.
 
Some highlights from the report include: A reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, totaling a 23 percent reduction during cleaning product formulation since 2011; and an increase in renewable energy use by 46 percent since 2011. As well as a report on waste management showed that 64 percent of the waste from product formulation was reused or recycled in 2015.
 
While this data shows that there has been progress in sustainability efforts since 2011, some categories are still in need of attention from the industry. This includes an uptick in greenhouse gas intensity between 2011 and 2015, even though absolute emissions were down. There was a lack of improvement in energy efficiency, remaining relatively consistent since 2011; and an increase in water intensity over the last two years despite initial declines in water intensity from 2011 – 2013.
 
“ACI plans to continue to delve into the factors that may affect the metrics data, as we work to align the Metrics Program with member companies’ most material sustainability issues. We know our member companies are setting targets and making progress, which we expect to see in our future data,” said ACI’s Melissa Hockstad.
 
The 2017 Sustainability Report includes information on more than 30 of ACI’s member companies, outlining their sustainability efforts over the past two years. Also featured is an updated summary of ACI’s social and environmental sustainability programs, as well as the different features of ACI’s scientific and research programs. 
 
Overall highlights include 27 ACI Members committed to improving performance through the Charter for Sustainable Cleaning. There have been 9,000 hygiene kits assembled for families in need in 2016 and 2017 at ACI’s Annual Conventions; as well as 4,000 young minds explored ACI’s Science of Soap Exhibit at STEM Festivals in 2016.
 
“We need to see greater engagement and participation from companies large and small in the transactions that make up the sustainability fabric of our supply chain. Now more than ever, we call upon the industry to consider bold collective actions that can drive momentum toward sustainable development,” said Hockstad.