by Brianna Crandall — October 10, 2014—Of relevance to sustainability-minded facilities managers who oversee fleets or take part in selecting suppliers, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is honoring 44 top truck and multi-modal carriers as industry leaders in supply chain environmental and energy efficiency with its 2014 SmartWay Excellence Awards.
These carrier partners are SmartWay’s top environmental performers, setting benchmarks in how they move products and supplies, by transporting the continent’s goods efficiently with the lowest overall carbon dioxide and criteria emissions and showing that fighting climate change and protecting human health is good for business, says EPA.
This year, the SmartWay program, a public-private partnership between EPA and transportation-related companies, celebrates 10 years as a market-driven initiative that empowers businesses to move goods in the cleanest, most energy-efficient way possible, while protecting public health and reducing the impacts of climate change. Demonstration of a commitment to corporate sustainability and social responsibility through SmartWay provides for a more competitive and environmentally friendly business environment, notes EPA.
Since 2004, SmartWay partners have saved $16.8 billion in fuel costs and 120.7 million barrels of oil— the equivalent of taking over 10 million cars off the road for an entire year, figures EPA. SmartWay’s clean air achievements have reportedly protected the well-being of citizens by avoiding emissions of 51.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, 738,000 tons of nitrogen oxides, and 37,000 tons of particulate matter.
In addition, last week, EPA recognized SmartWay shippers and logistics companies for moving freight while burning less fuel—by increasing the fuel efficiency of fleet vehicles, reducing idling, and maximizing the productivity of every haul, long or short.
The full list of 2014 SmartWay Excellence Awardees, including shippers, logistics, top-truck and multi-modal carrier awards, may be found on the EPA Web site.
