UniFirst : 2024 ESG report
UNF
Working to deliver a sustainable future
2 0 2 4 E S G R E P O RT
About This Report
This ESG report includes environmental, social, and governance topics that pertain to UniFirst's internal and external stakeholders. Unless otherwise stated, the statements and data presented in the report cover our 2023 and 2024 fiscal years (September 1, 2022 - August 31, 2024) with a baseline year of 2022, and refers to our operationally owned and controlled locations. Unless otherwise noted, all financial values in this report are in United States dollars (USD).
UniFirst does not undertake to update or revise any such statements or data. This report represents UniFirst's current strategies and intent and is not intended to create legal rights or obligations. This report may contain or incorporate by reference public information not separately reviewed, approved, or endorsed UniFirst, and no representation, warranty, or undertaking is made by UniFirst as to the accuracy, reasonableness, or completeness of such information. In 2023, UniFirst announced its agreement to acquire CLEAN Uniform. We have fully integrated their information into our database for safety and environmental metrics, but are continuing to integrate their information into our human resources systems unless otherwise stated.
All data and insights in this report are accurate and current as of the publication date. We are committed to transparency and continuous improvement in our reporting practices. As part of this commitment, we reserve the right to update or revise previously reported data should internal processes or new information necessitate adjustments. This ensures our disclosures remain relevant and reflect the latest developments in our sustainability efforts. Our approach aligns with commonly accepted ESG reporting standards, emphasizing accuracy, completeness, and the dynamic nature of ESG data.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
4
COMMUNIT Y
41
APPENDICES
77
Overview
5
Community Involvement
42
Appendix A:
A Message From Our CEO
6
Stakeholder Engagement
About UniFirst
8
GOVERNANCE
47
Materiality Assessment
78
ESG Overview
17
Leadership
48
Appendix B: Water Data
83
Responsible Business & Ethics
51
Appendix C: Energy Data
83
PEOPLE
22
Responsible Sourcing
59
Appendix D: Reference to
Company Culture
23
Sustainable Accounting
Team Partner Metrics
25
ENVIRONMENT
61
Standards Board (SASB)
84
Inclusion & Diversity
26
Environmental Compliance
62
Appendix E: United
Nations (UN) Sustainable
Environmental Management
63
Company Recognition
28
Development Goals (SDGs)
87
Talent Management & Development
29
CONCLUSION
74
Employee Wellness & Benefits
31
Looking Ahead
75
Health & Safety
35
Forward Looking
Statements & Disclaimers
76
INTRODUCTION
PEOPLE
COMMUNITY
GOVERNANCE
ENVIRONMENT
CONCLUSION
APPENDICES
Introduction
UniFirst is on a transformative journey toward sustainability, community impact, customer service, and employee empowerment.
INTRODUCTION // OVERVIEW
Overview
This ESG Report highlights our commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles as we enhance business practices through strategic initiatives aligned with our core values and mission.
As UniFirst takes these important steps, we acknowledge the significant work ahead and remain dedicated to creating a positive impact across our footprint.
This report focuses on our efforts to promote sustainability within a circular economy model; effectively working to mitigate our environmental footprint while seeking to provide cost-effective solutions for our customers. We remain committed to community engagement through philanthropic efforts and partnerships that contribute to the growth of the regions we serve. Finally, employee empowerment is central to our strategy and we believe investing in the development and well-being of our Team Partners will translate into exceptional customer service.
Our ESG strategy, guided by formal assessments and stakeholder feedback, sets goals for inclusion and diversity, energy management, waste reduction, and safety. We recognize that we are at the beginning of our ongoing journey toward greater sustainability
and community impact, reaffirming our commitment to creating long-term value for all stakeholders. We invite you to explore the detailed sections that follow, as we move forward on this journey to responsible leadership in our industry.
UniFirst ESG Report 2024 5
INTRODUCTION // A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO
As we enter our ninth decade of service, UniFirst continues to uphold its core mission:
To serve the people who do the hard work. Helping them succeed and deliver for what gives their lives meaning.
Our mission is the heart of how we serve our customers and our Team Partners, while making positive impacts on the communities where we live and work. As we release our new ESG report at the close of our fiscal year, I am proud to share how our mission is deeply woven into our ESG priorities and strategies.
The past year reaffirmed our commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices. Over the past year we actively engaged our customers and Team Partners to survey the ESG aspects most important to them. This initiative, along with our collaboration with an Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability (EHS&S) consulting firm on a double materiality assessment,
has enabled us to refine our ESG strategy. We organized our focus around four key pillars. Each of these pillars is rooted in our mission and reflected in our passion for enhancing the lives of our
customers, Team Partners, and the communities we serve.Steven Sintros
President & CEO
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INTRODUCTION // A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO
EMPLOYEE EMPOWERMENT
Our Team Partners are vital to delivering exceptional customer service. By investing in our workforce, our goal is for their success to translate into exceptional service. We've expanded
our online Learning Center to support their professional development, providing essential tools for career advancement. This commitment to growth not only enhances service quality but also highlights our dedication to valuing and retaining our most important asset-our people.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND PHILANTHROPY
Our philanthropic efforts align with our core values. Over the past year, we have made significant donations to numerous non-profit organizations across North America, positively impacting local communities.
Our Team Partners and customers play a vital role in these efforts, supporting charities that resonate personally with them and reinforcing our dedication to meaningful community involvement.
SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MODEL
Our business model seeks to enable a circular economy by reducing our environmental impact through initiatives like reduce, reuse, and recycle, helping our customers achieve their ESG goals. Reinforcing our dedication to sustainable growth and operational excellence, we are thrilled to welcome Kelly Rooney as our new Chief Operating Officer. She will be instrumental
in driving strategy to help us always deliver for our customers and Team Partners.
ENERGY
EFFICIENCY
INITIATIVES
We continue to invest in energy-efficient technologies and alternative energy sources across our service facilities, this is central
to our efforts in lowering our carbon footprint. Our state-of-the-art equipment, including advanced water recycling systems and low-energy consumption machinery, reduces the environmental impact of our business and delivers tangible benefits for our customers, including improved service, innovative products, and cost savings.
As we advance our efforts, I am excited to see the strong commitment from our Team Partners as we continue this journey towards greater sustainability and impact. Our resolve is strengthened as we see our efforts directly benefiting our customers every day, helping them operate safely, productively, and professionally. We are committed to creating long-term stakeholder value for the greater good and for future generations. Your support and collaboration inspire us to succeed as a sustainable, customer-focused organization.
I am grateful to our customers, Team Partners, and all stakeholders for engaging with this report and being an integral part of our journey.
Your support and collaboration enable us to always deliver on our ESG commitments, and we truly appreciate your continued involvement in our shared efforts.
STEVEN SINTROS
President & CEO
UniFirst Corporation
UniFirst ESG Report 2024 7
INTRODUCTION // ABOUT UNIFIRST
About UniFirst
COMPANY HISTORY
Founded in 1936, UniFirst (NYSE: UNF) began as a fledgling industrial laundry operation conducting business out of a converted horse barn in Dorchester, MA. Our founder, Aldo Croatti, prioritized essential services by offering heavy soil garment cleaning paired with exceptional customer service to meet the needs of local workers. From these humble beginnings, UniFirst has evolved into a North American leader in the uniform and workwear solutions industry. Throughout our growth, we continue to focus on serving our customers with a managed rental service model, which promotes a circular economy through garment rental and reuse. This approach extends the life of the garments and reduces water, energy, and detergent consumption, delivering cost-effective and high-quality solutions for our customers, the environment, and the community.
Our comprehensive resources now include facility service solutions, offering a range of products and services to help customers clean and maintain their workplaces. We manufacture our own line of mats, mops, and towels and provide professional laundry service, which includes consistent pick-up and delivery of hygienically clean products weekly. Choosing our reusable options contributes to our customers' sustainability efforts by reducing
waste, water, and energy usage. We also offer restroom solutions such as paper, soaps and sanitizers, and air fresheners, as well as cleaning solutions and disinfectants. We manage our customers' inventory so they will always have what they need, saving time, money, and the frustrations of managing their own programs.
UniFirst also provides first aid solutions, which encompass products, training, and safety services tailored to diverse customer requirements. We have expanded our uniform and workwear programs to feature branded clothing from leading brands and our own collection of garments manufactured in company-owned ISO 9001 manufacturing facilities. Alongside our subsidiaries, UniTech and UniClean, we manage specialized garments for cleanroom and nuclear industries, ensuring each service is customized with our customers' unique needs in mind.
Today, with over 290 service locations, 16,000-plus Team Partners, three ISO 9001-certified manufacturing facilities, and two distribution centers, UniFirst serves more than two million workers across 300,000 customer sites. Our steady growth is a testament to our unwavering commitment to enhancing customer satisfaction and promoting sustainability.
Interstate Uniform
Service Company
at work in 1962.
FOUNDED IN
1936
3
MANUFACTURING
FACILITIES
2
DISTRIBUTION
CENTERS
290+
SERVICE
LOCATIONS
16,000+
TEAM PARTNERS
300,000+
CUSTOMER
LOCATIONS
2M+
WORKERS
OUTFITTED DAILY
UniFirst ESG Report 2024 8
INTRODUCTION // ABOUT UNIFIRST
WHERE WE ARE
CANADA
FRANCE
GERMANY
MEXICO
NETHERLANDS
NICARAGUA
UNITED KINGDOM
UNITED STATES
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INTRODUCTION // ABOUT UNIFIRST
WHO WE ARE
At UniFirst, service is the cornerstone of our mission:
To serve the people who do the hard work. Helping them
succeed and deliver for what gives their lives meaning.
This mission is deeply woven into our company culture and extends to our customers, Team Partners, and the diverse communities we serve.
We believe our service culture sets us apart in the industry, providing a competitive edge and defining our company identity. We pride ourselves on supporting one another and treating everyone with dignity and respect, just as we do with our customers and communities.
At the core of our culture at UniFirst, we focus on our ability to Always Deliver. This means that shift after shift, day after day, and night after night, we get the job done for our customers, our Team Partners, our communities, and our families.
Through this unwavering dedication, UniFirst continues to lead with integrity, reliability, and a commitment to service that earns trust and fosters lasting relationships with those we serve.
To be universally recognized as the top service provider in the industry.
Customer focus
Respect for others
Commitment to quality
Integrity
A service culture
The drive to achieve
Strategic agility
Support for others
An enterprise mindset
To serve the people who do the hard work.
Helping them succeed and deliver
for what gives their lives meaning.
UniFirst ESG Report 2024 10
Disclaimer
Unifirst Corporation published this content on January 14, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on January 16, 2025 at 07:02:05.341.