Business

GFL Environmental : 2024 Sustainability Report (2024 Sustainability Report)

GFL Environmental : 2024 Sustainability Report (2024 Sustainability

Gfl Environmental IncDecember 11, 20255
GFL Environmental : 2024 Sustainability Report (2024 Sustainability Report)

About this update from Gfl Environmental Inc

2024 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT ABOUT THIS REPORT MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDER AND CEO GFL AT A GLANCE CIRCULAR ECONOMY & CLIMATE LEADERSHIP TEAM GREEN OUR COMMUNITIES TABLE OF CONTENTS 03 ABOUT THIS REPORT 04 MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDER AND CEO 05 GFL AT A GLANCE 09 CIRCULAR ECONOMY & CLIMATE LEADERSHIP 17 TEAM GREEN 21 OUR COMMUNITIES ABOUT THIS REPORT ‌MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDER AND CEO GFL AT A GLANCE CIRCULAR ECONOMY & CLIMATE LEADERSHIP TEAM GREEN OUR COMMUNITIES ABOUT THIS REPORT Cover Photo, from left to right: Mike Thomson, Yasmeen Al Maleh, Em Wright, Jenn Packer, Jennifer Ahluwalia, Tess Davison, Deanna Ciccone, Gregory Zimmer, Lisa Mendonҫa, Martha Hamre This Sustainability Report provides information on GFL Environmental Inc.'s (GFL) sustainability performance, initiatives and data for the calendar year 2024 unless noted otherwise. It aligns with certain elements of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Sustainability Reporting Guidelines, the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Standards, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). The report covers all of our operations across both the United States and Canada, with all financial information presented in Canadian dollars, our financial reporting currency. The Circular Economy and Climate Leadership section of this report provides a summary of our performance against our climate-related goals. Additional climate-related information can also be found in our 2024 Climate Report. Estimates and calculations related to GFL's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory have been prepared according to greenhouse gas emission accounting best practices and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol developed by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and the World Resources Institute (WRI). Our 2024 limited third party assurance statement for our scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions is available here. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS AND IMPACTS ON THIS REPORT Changes to our disclosures to exclude information regarding our Environmental Services business, including the soil remediation sites and operations, that were sold effective March 1, 2025, will be reflected beginning with our reporting for the 2025 calendar year. FORWARD-LOOfiING STATEMENTS This report includes certain "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable U.S. and Canadian securities laws, respectively. These include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our sustainability goals, including reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, use of renewable energy, biogas recovery recycling, nature conservation initiatives, health and safety goals, employee matters including engagement, retention and living wage initiatives, and charitable giving. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts nor assurances of future performance but instead represent management's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events or circumstances. Forward-looking information is based on our opinions, estimates and assumptions that we considered appropriate and reasonable as of the date such information is stated and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ, possibly materially, from those indicated by the forward-looking information include, but are not limited to the markets for renewable energy products, our operations, including organic growth in our recycling business, our ability to invest in landfill gas projects, our investment in alternative fuel vehicles and the other factors described in the "Risk Factors" section of GFL's annual information form for the 2024 fiscal year filed on Form 40-F and GFL's other periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities in Canada. There can be no assurance that the underlying opinions, estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. Although we have attempted to identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors not currently known to us or that we currently believe are not material that could also cause actual results or future events to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained in this report represents our expectations as of the date of this report (or as the date it is otherwise stated to be made) and is subject to change after such date. However, we disclaim any intention or obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities laws. ‌ABOUT THIS REPORT GFL AT A GLANCE CIRCULAR ECONOMY & CLIMATE LEADERSHIP TEAM GREEN OUR COMMUNITIES MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDER AND CEO MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDER AND CEO This year's Sustainability Report is again a testament to the incredible work of our GFL team. It's our opportunity to highlight not just the strong financial performance we have achieved, but also the significant and positive impact our sustainability initiatives are having on all our stakeholders. I am especially proud that we are featuring some of the dedicated employees who are driving these key programs highlighted in this year's report. March 5, 2025, marked the five-year anniversary of GFL's initial public offering on the New York and Toronto Stock Exchanges. From the time of our IPO through 2024, even in the face of a challenging macro environment, GFL realized an annualized total shareholder return of approximately 22.5%, a result that is better than the returns provided by our industry peers, the S&P 500 and the TSX 60 in the same period. Our financial success goes hand-in-hand with our commitment to sustainability. Since adopting our Sustainability Action Plan in 2021, we have made good progress in implementing its key objectives. Our projects in landfill gas-to-energy and Extended Producer Responsibility are not only expected to generate meaningful incremental financial returns but are also central to achieving our climate-related goals. These goals include increasing the volume of recyclables recovered at our Material Recovery Facilities by 40%, doubling the beneficial use of biogas from our landfills and our new updated target that we adopted late in 2024 of reducing our own greenhouse gas emissions by 30% from our 2021 baseline. As I mentioned, this report features some of our employees who make our progress possible. On the front cover and on page 15, you'll see our Renewables, Environmental Responsibility and Sustainability (RER&S) Team that developed our industry-leading and unique 3-pillar approach to our new GHG emissions reduction target. The work of our RER&S Team was recognized this year as a Sustainability Initiative of the Year by Business Intelligence Group. Our Extended Producer Responsibility Team, featured on page 11, is at the forefront of translating new EPR programs in Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta into effective operations that help our partners achieve their recycling targets. Safety will always be our top priority. Our continuous improvement in our safety record, including a 10% year-over-year improvement in our TRIR in 2024, would not be possible without the consistent, daily efforts of our environmental health and safety team, who are featured on page 18. Our commitment to sustainability extends deep into our culture and the communities we serve. In 2024, we successfully achieved our goal of establishing 18 Employee Sustainability Committees across GFL. These committees are another way our employees can engage with each other and with community groups, providing opportunities to volunteer on local environmental and conservation projects. This community focus is also at the heart of our signature Full Circle Project. In 2024, we invested over $4.2 million into more than 220 local projects across 105 of our branch locations, supporting the causes that matter most to our employees and our customers. I encourage you to read more about the projects we supported this year and the dedicated team responsible for implementing this program across GFL on page 22. GFL's achievements from our strong shareholder returns to our ambitious climate goals are all driven by the commitment of our employees. This collective passion and commitment is what defines GFL. I could not have expressed it better than to quote our driver, Chris Girard in his acceptance speech when he was recognized by the National Waste and Recycling Association with a 2025 Driver of the Year award: "If you aren't working for GFL, you're working for the wrong company." Thank you to our entire team, our customers, and our stakeholders for helping us build a more sustainable future, together. Patrick Dovigi GFL Founder and CEO ‌GFL AT A GLANCE Read more

View stock analysis, news, and events for Gfl Environmental Inc

More from Gfl Environmental Inc

All Gfl Environmental Inc news →