As a charter member of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) SmartWay Transport Partnership program in 2004, Schneider has been deeply involved in sustainability initiatives for years. Now, for the sixth time, the carrier has been recognized as a SmartWay Awards of Excellence winner for its role in greening the supply chain.
“When it comes to the supply chain, shippers can greatly reduce their carbon footprint by selecting green transportation carriers. The greener the carrier, the greener the shipper and the supply chain overall,”says Steve Matheys, Schneider executive vice president and chief administrative officer.
The Awards of Excellence are reserved for the top 2% of SmartWay members, which number about 3,000.
“Schneider invests millions of dollars each year in the testing and implementation of emerging green technologies and driver training because it makes good sense for our customers, our business and the environment,” Matheys adds.
Those investments have paid big dividends when it comes to its green performance. Schneider achieved a 22% reduction in carbon dioxide, 39% reduction in nitrogren oxides, and 30% reduction in particulate matter year-over-year, exceeding EPA’s 2014 fuel reduction and environmental goals.
With such a broad footprint, Schneider has been able to see significant fuel reduction gains through the purchase of more fuel-efficient tractors, the addition of aerodynamics (more than 98% of its van truckload trailer fleet has skirts), and better equipment tracking.
[CHARTBEAT:3}For instance, back in 2012, it turned over one-third of its fleet of over 10,000. In 2013, the rollout of tracking technologies began on its 33,000-unit trailer fleet to help reduce empty miles, and further new truck purchases in 2014 reduced fuel usage by some 12 million gals. Now the company is starting to implement more automated transmissions and predictive cruise control for consistent and fuel-efficient vehicle performance.
Since 2008, Schneider has improved fuel efficiency, and that includes the consumption of 10,000 gals. of blended biodiesel per year. The company also has an effective driver training program using simulators that save over 335,000 gals. of fuel per year. Drivers are rewarded with bonuses. In 2014 alone, $28.4 million in bonuses due to fuel management, safety and other efforts were paid out.
But sustainability efforts go beyond just vehicles. Schneider recycles over 12,000 batteries, 160,000 gals. of oil, and 92,500 tire casings per year. Its facilities are energy-efficient and becoming more so each year, thanks to the work of a “green team” that identifies energy improvements and helps set site-specific goals. Some of those efforts have led to the addition of energy-saving bulbs for lighting, an upgrade of the data center’s air conditioning that reduced energy consumption 25% at corporate headquarters, a recycling program, dust control initiatives, and energy audits.
Considering its intense focus on being green, it will be no surprise when Schneider earns its tenth SmartWay Awards of Excellence in just a few years.
