Fiscal Year 2025

Sustainability Report

A Letter from Our CEO

Scott Barbour Headshot
D. Scott Barbour
President & CEO

At Advanced Drainage Systems, our reason is water®. We protect and manage water through sustainable solutions that safeguard the environment and build resiliency in communities nationwide.

We remain committed to driving the industry forward through innovative new solutions to solve water management challenges. In October 2024, we opened ADS’ new Engineering and Technology Center, the world’s largest and most advanced stormwater research facility in the world, adjacent to our corporate headquarters in Hilliard, OH, which will enable us to invest in material science; developing and accelerating commercialization of new products; and manufacturing and engineering excellence. This facility was integral in the Fiscal 2025 launch of the EcoStreamTM stormwater biofiltration product, as well as the ArcadiaTM hydrodynamic stormwater separator product launched in early Fiscal 2026, which has industry leading flow rates under new testing protocols.

Elsewhere in the business, we continued to develop innovative new products that assist communities across the U.S. with advance water handling and treatment, launching two new Infiltrator tanks for decentralized wastewater treatment to provide contractors additional flexibility in product selection. ADS also launched two new stormwater storage chambers, a new larger diameter capture product, and we expanded the stormwater offering through partnerships with a plastic storage crates provider and two capture product offerings.

Building on our wastewater capabilities, we acquired Orenco Systems, Inc. in October 2024. Integrated into the Infiltrator business, Orenco is a leading manufacturer of advanced decentralized wastewater treatment products. Advanced wastewater treatment systems are specialized technologies designed to provide a higher level of water purification than traditional passive systems. These systems are crucial for areas with high population density, sensitive ecosystems, or stringent environmental regulations. By adding the Orenco suite of products to the existing advanced treatment products at Infiltrator, we became the leading provider in a highly fragmented and fast-growing segment of the market.

ADS and Infiltrator products help mitigate the impact of climate change, but we recognize that sustainable business practices are equally as important as driving innovation and industry growth. In August 2024, the Science Based Targets Initiative approved ADS’ targets to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50.4% from the Fiscal 2022 baseline, and Scope 3 emissions by 30%. Already, we are making progress toward these targets by increasing efficiency of our manufacturing operations and transportation assets. On average, ADS pipe production on a per line basis has increased by over 20% since 2020 due to our focus on growing capacity, rebuilding lines and investing in planning programs while taking inefficient equipment out of the network.

In addition, this year we completed a climate scenario analysis and developed a Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan that follows the recommendations of the Task-force for Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TCFD). The process gave us the framework to identify both risks and opportunities for ADS under several different plausible future scenarios, both to improve our internal planning and risk mitigations strategies as well as prepare ADS for compliance with future reporting rules, including the California Climate reporting rule.

We believe these updates, as well as others you will find in this report, further underpin our commitment to sustainable business practices and transparency in reporting.

I thank you for taking the time to learn more about the great work ADS is doing to integrate sustainable practices throughout the business, reduce our environmental impact and increase our positive contributions to society. As always, we look forward to further building on the sustainability programs we have established in the years to come.

Read remarks from our Sustainability Chairperson, Michael B. Coleman

By The Numbers

Environmental

501 million

pounds of recycled materials processed

8.8% decrease

in energy consumption (vs. baseline)

50.2%

Pipe revenue derived from recycled products

9.0% decrease

in absolute scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions

Operational

13.3 million

investment in capital projects related to environmental, health and safety to mitigate risk across our manufacturing network

Fleet modernization

to increase efficiency, safety, driver comfort and decrease our greenhouse gas emissions

100%

of legacy ADS pipe production facilities utilize closed-loop water systems

Social & Governance

52,555 hours

training hours provided to our workforce

7% decrease

in total recordable injury rate

Supplier code of conduct

that reflects the same ethical standards expected
of ADS employees
We are proud to be one of the largest plastic recyclers in North America.

Commitment to Sustainability

ADS continues its commitment to sustainability, helping our customers utilize environmentally friendly plastic stormwater management products. Our employees contribute and provide solutions in the communities where they live, work and play, and protect the world's most precious resource, water, across North America. It makes sense for our business, our employees and our communities that we operate as a sustainable company focused on sustainable solutions that make a positive impact on our world.

For our customers

More than 16,000 professionals trust ADS, including our recycled plastic pipes and related water management products. ADS products are generally lighter, more durable, more cost effective, have a lower carbon footprint and are easier to install than comparable alternatives, making them an ideally sustainable solution for our customers.

For our employees

Our 5,705 employees across 64 manufacturing plants, 9 recycling facilities and 41 distribution centers are committed to meeting the sustainability objectives of their customers through the manufacture, distribution and installation of innovative stormwater products and solutions that protect water and the communities where they live, work and play.

For our communities

ADS continues to find innovative ways to increase the amount of recycled plastic in our products, protect communities and help them recover from severe stormwater events. Our plastic products and stormwater solutions help the communities we serve achieve their sustainability and climate change-related goals.

For our investors

Our Board of Directors recognizes the importance of good corporate governance as a means of addressing the needs of our stockholders, employees and customers alike. Our success is built on honesty and professionalism. By respecting these values, we will continue to strive for and achieve excellence.

Our reason is water.®

At ADS, we view sustainability as a journey, not a destination. We continue to make incremental progress in developing our sustainability program and achieving our Fiscal 2032 goals, maintaining a continuous improvement mindset to ensure forward progress. Our 10-year sustainability goals, released in Fiscal 2022, are built around our REASON, water. We remain committed to achieving these ambitious goals in the areas of Recycling, Environmental Impact, Accountability, Social Purpose, Operational Excellence and News.
our-reason-is-water-graphic

Awards and Honors

Over the years, ADS has been recognized as an environmental leader for the commitments included within these 10-year goals, including inclusion in the inaugural list of America's Climate Leaders by USA Today as well as recognized as Company of the Year in both Materials and Construction and the Large Manufacturing categories at the 22nd Annual American Business Awards.
2023
USA Today
America's Climate Leader
2024
Plastics News
Second largest plastic recycler in North America
2024
American Business Awards
Company of the Year in Materials and Construction and Large Manufacturing categories
2024
Gold Stevie® Awards
"Sustainability & Environment” and “Cause & Green" categories
2024
Silver Stevie® Awards
Achievement in Corporate Social Responsibility and Environment, Social and Governance
2023
Ohio EPA
Encouraging Environmental Excellence Awards

Ready To Join Us?

Contact us today to learn more about partnership opportunities and how our products can help you reach your sustainability goals.