Better Health for All

The core business of selling automotive parts has a neutral health impact. However, the company incurred an $11 million settlement for the illegal disposal of 5 million hazardous waste items, including motor oil and batteries, identified during a 2-year investigation.

This constitutes a notable safety incident and a significant health externality, despite other recycling efforts. AutoZone has ramped up its mental health offerings for employees and their families. The company also offers a no-cost type 2 diabetes and prediabetes program to eligible employees, which has led to a 73% reduction in insulin prescriptions and an average 1% HbA1c reduction. During the COVID-19 pandemic, AutoZone provided a $100 vaccination incentive and invested over $125 million to support employees, including emergency time-off and virus safety information. The company's operations do not involve pharmaceutical patents, food products, addiction potential, or clinical trials.

Fair Money & Economic Opportunity

AutoZone primarily operates as a retailer of automotive parts and offers a commercial credit program for businesses, including small enterprises.

As the company does not offer lending or deposit services to consumers, most financial inclusion and fair lending KPIs are not applicable. Its initiatives do not specifically address financial fairness or economic opportunity through equitable financial services. The company has made over $6.5 million in donations to community organizations, including the National Civil Rights Museum and the Mid-South Food Bank. A 2014 legal challenge for gender and pregnancy discrimination, resulting in a $185 million punitive damages award, relates to workplace practices rather than fair lending.

Fair Pay & Worker Respect

AutoZone faces significant challenges in fair pay and worker respect. Multiple employee reviews and articles indicate that the company does not pay a living wage

, with retail sales associate roles starting as low as $10 per hour , and employees considering $15 per hour insufficient . This contributes to a high voluntary turnover rate , which is reported at 60%. Employee engagement is moderate, with an overall rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars based on over 15,000 reviews ,5, and pay and benefits specifically rated 2.9 out of 5 stars. ,5

Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing

AutoZone Inc. has outlined its commitment to ethical sourcing and fair trade practices in its 2024 ESG Report.

The company conducts due diligence with potential vendors, evaluating criteria such as workplace standards, employee treatment, and business conduct. AutoZone enforces a Vendor Code of Conduct that prohibits child and forced labor. In 2021, 245 independent audits were conducted to evaluate social and environmental criteria within its supply chain. Following COVID-19 disruptions, AutoZone re-evaluated its supplier diversity strategy. However, a 2024 assessment noted limited publicly accessible information regarding the company's responsible sourcing practices and product sourcing guidelines. , and its impact score on fair labor practices was rated 'D'.

Honest & Fair Business

AutoZone received an S&P Global ESG Score of 33 as of August 15, 2025.

The company's Audit Committee Charter, last updated June 17, 2025, outlines procedures for the confidential and anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters. For fiscal years ending August 31, 2024, and August 30, 2025, the financial statements did not reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. In August 2023, AutoZone experienced a data breach due to vulnerabilities in MOVEit software, exposing sensitive personal information of approximately 185,000 individuals. The company delayed notification until November 2023 and subsequently faced a proposed class-action lawsuit alleging inadequate data security practices. In October 2023, AutoZone employees initiated a trial concerning 401(k) plan management, challenging fees and investment services. Since 2000, AutoZone has incurred penalties totaling over $25 million across 34 records, predominantly for environmental and employment-related offenses. As of December 1, 2023, AutoZone conducted 245 independent audits on vendors' factories, assessing environmental and social criteria. The company also regularly engages independent, outside expertise to assess and benchmark its overall cybersecurity program against industry standards. AutoZone states its compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and local anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws. The Audit Committee oversees the independent public accounting firm, including its appointment, compensation, and review of annual and quarterly financial statements, internal controls, and compliance with legal requirements and the Company’s Code of Conduct.

Kind to Animals

AutoZone Inc's core business activities, which involve retailing and distributing automotive parts and accessories, do not inherently involve animal testing, factory farming, or wildlife habitat destruction.

The company's products and research and development processes do not require animal testing. Its inventory mainly comprises mechanical and electronic parts, reducing the likelihood of using animal-derived materials. While there could be secondary effects through supply chains, such as the use of materials sourced from animals treated inhumanely, transparency in sourcing is not provided to fully assess this potential indirect impact.

No War, No Weapons

AutoZone's core business is the retail and distribution of automotive parts and accessories for consumer vehicles.

The company does not engage in the production or distribution of arms, weapons components, or military-specific goods, nor does it engage in military contracting or supply products for military use. While AutoZone does not actively participate in peacebuilding initiatives or conflict resolution advocacy, it supports military veterans by employing approximately 8% of its workforce from military backgrounds and has hired over 10,000 service members since 2015. It also offers a 10% discount to active and retired U.S. military members and their dependents.

Planet-Friendly Business

AutoZone has set several environmental goals, including a short-term goal to decrease heat and electricity-related GHG emissions by 15% across Scopes 1 and 2 from U.S. operations by 2025, a medium-term goal to reduce Scopes 1 and 2 GHG emissions across the entire enterprise by approximately 50% by 2030, and a long-term aspiration to achieve Net Zero GHG emissions across Scopes 1 and 2 by 2050, all against a 2019 baseline.

In fiscal year 2023, the company recycled 14.4 million gallons of oil, 287,830 tons of batteries, 1,284 tons of plastic, 1,081,355 wood pallets, 24,881 tons of cardboard, 19,274 tons of steel, and 52,415 tons of used auto parts. Energy efficiency initiatives include centrally managed Energy Management Systems, LED lighting, energy-efficient roofing, and HVAC upgrades. The portfolio of recyclable automotive parts increased to 24.7% of total parts inventory in 2023. The company is also testing fuel-efficient vehicles, has ordered 50 electric vehicles, and is considering installing rooftop solar panels at over 100 stores. In June 2019, AutoZone entered into an $11 million settlement with the State of California to resolve allegations of violating state laws governing hazardous waste.

Respect for Cultures & Communities

AutoZone has established three formal partnerships with community groups: ArtsMemphis, the Mid-South Food Bank, and the National Civil Rights Museum.

Since 2012, the company has donated over $4 million to ArtsMemphis and contributed $5 million to the National Civil Rights Museum to establish the Corporate Equity Center. Additionally, AutoZone has provided over 17 million meals through the Mid-South Food Bank.

Safe & Smart Tech

In May 2023, AutoZone experienced a data breach due to a vulnerability in the MOVEit Transfer application

, affecting approximately 185,000 individuals and exposing sensitive personal information, including names and Social Security numbers . The company became aware of the unauthorized access in August 2023 and began notifying affected individuals in November 2023 . In response, AutoZone temporarily disabled the MOVEit application , patched the vulnerability , rebuilt the affected system , and offered free credit monitoring and identity protection services . Following this incident, a class-action lawsuit was filed against AutoZone in November 2023 , alleging the company failed to implement adequate security measures and delayed notifying victims .

Zero Waste & Sustainable Products

AutoZone offers remanufactured parts, contributing to a circular economy model.

The company has implemented recycling programs for used motor oil, vehicle batteries, plastic, wood pallets, cardboard, steel, and used auto parts. In 2023, these programs recycled 14.4 million gallons of oil, 287,830 tons of batteries, 1,284 tons of plastic, 1,081,355 wood pallets, 24,881 tons of cardboard, 19,274 tons of steel, and 52,415 tons of used auto parts, significantly reducing hazardous waste. No waste disposal violations were reported in the past three years. However, in June 2019, AutoZone was fined $11 million for illegal disposal of hazardous waste in California.