2022 Sustainability Report

Since the last American Cleaning Institute report in 2019, sustainability has turned a corner within the cleaning industry. Our members have been working hard to reduce emissions at every stage of the supply chain while innovating high-quality products they can be proud of – from the very chemicals used to the reclamation of packaging. These efforts have occurred during unprecedented demand due to COVID-19. Despite these challenges, we did not lose sight of sustainability; rather, its essential status within our products and services was confirmed.

Our goals at ACI remain to support our members, regardless of where they are on their sustainability journeys, and to drive the industry forward. We do this by providing the tools to build successful sustainability programs. Through close collaboration with our members, our alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) on core topics such as climate and packaging has strengthened. We are excited to spotlight this progress and new initiatives, such as the 1.5°C Challenge, in this report. This program invites members to align their company targets with internationally recognized climate science and set a goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

We are excited to be at the forefront of business practice innovations with shifts in packaging material standards and design. Beyond this, we are looking at the role our industry plays in the wider waste system. Because of supply chain disruptions due to the pandemic and state of global unrest, we are witnessing an increasing focus on where companies source their materials, as well as on transport and distribution routes.

Through our collective action as a large and influential trade group, we can help drive the industry and policy landscape, further extending our impact. Our collaborative nature allows everyone to learn from and push each other. We make efforts to maximize this by showcasing case studies and sharing knowledge among members to inspire companies to take the next step.

As I look to the coming years, I expect to see an increase in commitments to sustainability as we continue our work to move it to the forefront of business practices. As our voice gains strength, we will continue to influence the industry to take bold action toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.

We look forward to reflecting on our collective journey to make this future a reality in the next ACI report!

Increasing Transparency Across the United States

In 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) again named ACI as a Safer Choice Partner of the Year. The Safer Choice program helps consumers, and purchasers for facilities such as schools and office buildings, find products that perform and are safer for human health and the environment.

Science-Based Emission Reductions

Science-based targets provide a clearly defined pathway for companies and financial institutions to reduce GHG emissions, helping prevent the worst impacts of climate change and future-proof business growth. Our members are increasingly aligning their long-term business strategies with these targets, with over 25 percent having made public commitments.

Positively Contributing to the Global Goals

We continue to support our members as they act to realize and report their impact on the UN SDGs.

To be sustainable, we must meet our current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. Our sustainability strategy unites members to achieve common goals and advance the industry toward a cleaner, safer world. In this report, we share stories of progress, and celebrate and inspire with our member initiative highlights.

Contribute Positively
To invest in our shared future globally by extending our collective impact in support of the UN SDGs.

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Increase Transparency 
To uphold good health and well-being for all people by providing the information people need to make informed decisions when choosing cleaning products.

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Value Nature
To move toward a more circular global economy by optimizing the use of natural resources, advancing water stewardship and eliminating waste.

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Reduce Emissions
To confront global average temperature rises by accounting for and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across our value chain.

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Our Future Is Clean is ACI’s ongoing campaign highlighting the cleaning products industry’s efforts toward a clean, sustainable world and to promote consumers’ health and well-being. Learn more about the campaign and about our latest member challenge.