1. Sustainable financial performance is only part of our responsibility as a company.
To continuously earn the trust of our customers, shareholders and associates, we
know we must uphold the highest standards of integrity. While we value and expect
good business results, we also place great value on how we achieve those results.
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Ecolab strives to use resources efficiently
in our manufacturing operations to
reduce waste and improve our
environmental performance. It’s good
for the environment, and its good for
business. We make every effort to
use environmentally responsible and
sustainable raw materials to meet our
needs, and invest in improving energy
efficiency and conservation in our
operations.
Sustainability is a growing area of
interest to our customers. We meet
demand with a systematic approach
to creating products, programs and
services that reduce environmental
impact. Our superior technology,
global knowledge base and commitment
to research and development allow us
to continue investing in innovative
solutions. Our products and services
provide superior performance while
preserving our environment, and at SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
the same time, provide us important We also take a passionate approach in
differentiation in the marketplace. our commitment to our communities.
Ecolab promotes the well-being of
associates, customers and shareholders
by contributing to the quality of life in
The financial portion of this
our communities through charitable
report was printed on 100%
giving and volunteerism.
post-consumer recycled paper.
The Ecolab Foundation celebrated its
ENVIRONMENTAL SAVINGS
20th anniversary this year, and over the
Number of trees saved 459
years has contributed more than $35
Water (gallons) 78,329
million to our communities. Through the
Energy (000 BTUs) 107,501
107,501
Foundation, we continued to sustain this
Solid Waste (lbs.) 8,416
strong giving tradition in 2006 by
Water-borne wastes (lbs.) 539
contributing $4 million – approximately
Atmospheric emissions (lbs.) 16,322
1.2 percent of U.S. pretax earnings. We
also helped strengthen our communities
by supporting our associates in
volunteering thousands of hours to
charitable organizations and by
providing over $1 million of in-kind
cleaning and sanitizing products.
16 ANNUAL REPORT 2006