Cintas Corporation (PPAI 303547, D12) has published its 2021 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report, its second year of doing so, that reiterates its goal to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. The 2021 document from the Cincinnati, Ohio-headquartered distributor features expanded data and information from the company’s initial ESG report in 2020 and reflects the company’s 2021 fiscal year performance, which ended May 31, 2021.
Cintas reports that in fiscal year 2021, it reduced its energy usage by 6.9 percent and water consumption by 5.1 percent from fiscal year 2020 totals, and that it also reduced its scope one—direct emissions that occur from sources that are controlled or owned by an organization—and scope two—indirect emissions associated with the purchase of electricity, steam, heat or cooling—emissions by 7.8 percent from FY20 figures.
The 2021 ESG Report also includes Cintas’ history of sustainable business practices; expanded data and information about the company’s emissions, energy and water use; insight into both ongoing and new environmentally focused initiatives; increased disclosures about Cintas’ human capital strategies, labor relations, human rights standards, safety and health commitment; and deeper explanations of Cintas’ ESG management, and its governance and ethical foundations.
“Sustainability and a ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ mindset have been central to Cintas since our company’s origins almost 100 years ago, and we’ve continued to grow our company with a sustainable business model,” says Todd Schneider, president and CEO. “We’ve become our industry’s leader while offering a suite of sustainable services and products, and this is only the start of our ESG journey. This year, we’ve embraced ESG ideas more holistically and publicly, sharing information about our achievements and progress along our journey. Our ambition to achieve net zero GHG emissions and our 2021 ESG Report are natural evolutions for our company.”
The report also noted that in August 2021, it established a new executive position to oversee its ESG strategy, promoting Christy Nageleisen to vice president of ESG and chief compliance officer. Her new Risk and Compliance Department will develop, monitor and oversee the company’s ESG activities and compliance. A company-wide organizational review is expected to continue into 2023, the results of which will help Cintas establish an integrated ESG strategy and help further identify meaningful goals and targets in impacted areas.
“We have many successful initiatives in place that help us reduce our use of natural resources; promote diversity, equity and inclusion throughout our value chain; prioritize the safety and health of our employee-partners, and encourage corporate compliance and ethical interactions,” says Nageleisen. “We have established a tremendous record and reputation in these areas, and they will serve as a solid foundation for our future. We believe we can identify further areas of opportunity as we begin to engrain ESG concepts more systemically throughout our business.”
Schneider adds, “We’re looking forward to having meaningful conversations with our employee-partners, customers, suppliers, shareholders and the communities in which we do business about our goals and ambitions related to ESG matters, and how we can all work together to be better stewards for our environment and society.”