Republic Services launches Circularity Index

Republic Services, Phoenix, has launched the Circularity Index, an online tool designed to help businesses understand and optimize their circularity and sustainability goals.

“Companies have set ambitious sustainability goals, but many need additional knowledge or tools to effectively achieve them,” Republic Services Chief Commercial Officer Amanda Hodges says. “We developed the Circularity Index to help companies assess their circularity initiatives and provide a roadmap to help them achieve their goals.”  

In partnership with the Harris Poll, Republic Services asked 1,200 sustainability leaders at companies across 10 U.S. industries to rate their organization on 21 aspects of circularity. The poll showed that 87 percent of companies plan to invest more in circular initiatives over the next two years, but many lack needed expertise, tools and prioritization. Republic Services says it developed the Circularity Index to benchmark companies by industry and help them accelerate their circularity efforts.

The Circularity Index places companies on a five-point maturity curve, from “novice” to “expert,” to help them understand the maturity of their circular initiatives relative to peers across three categories:

• Commitment: to what extent are leadership, resources, goals and budget aligned with circularity-related initiatives;
• Execution: how well an organization plans, implements and measures progress to achieve its circularity goals; and
• Recovery: the degree to which circularity programs are achieving waste minimization and diversion and increasing material reuse and recycling.

Republic Services’ research shows that many companies are still in the early phases of their circularity approach and initiatives, with 45 percent of all companies falling into the lower “novice” and “emerging” categories. On the high end, 12 percent of companies have achieved “expert” status, according to the data. Industries that are more advanced in circularity efforts include consumer packaged goods, manufacturing, engineering and environmental services.

“Most companies acknowledge the need to take action to improve circularity, but many do not know where to start or how to advance their initiatives in a way that provides both environmental and economic benefit,” Hodges says. “We are committed to helping companies further their circularity journey.”

Republic Services says companies can use the Circularity Index to assess and benchmark current initiatives versus industry peers by following the index’ roadmap to set goals and enhance circularity in their operations.