We think the answer to that question is a resounding YES! According to Our World in Data, The transportation industry accounts for 29% of the world’s CO2 emissions. Considering we move around 72% of the nation’s freight by weight, it makes sense that we contribute a little over a quarter of the global emissions. Planet Earth deserves our love and concern as well, so here are some specific actions we have taken to ensure a more sustainable future for generations to come:

1. Improving fuel efficiency

To see specific ways we work to increase fuel efficiency, check out our article titled “8 Ways to Improve Fuel Efficiency For Truck Drivers”. As we all know, knowledge only goes so far. That’s why we give monthly bonuses to our drivers based on idle time and miles per gallon.

2. Planning trips in advance to avoid empty miles

An estimated 35% of trucks on the road today are running empty. That equates to around 72 million metric tons of C02 emissions in a year. That’s why a main priority for our dispatchers is planning loads in advance with the goal to avoid empty miles as much as possible. This also increases the amount of gross a driver is making, so it’s a win-win.

3. Installing APU units on trucks

APU units help drivers utilize truck functions without the need to keep the engine running. They save around 1 gallon of diesel fuel per hour of idling time according to Green APU. This helps drivers stay more fuel efficient, and it helps the environment!

4. Recycling all cardboard, paper, and batteries

What do you typically do with those AA batteries when they run out? You could be recycling them! We recycle our batteries through EverLights. We also have a weekly dumpster pickup for all our cardboard and paper.

5. Using mugs instead of disposable cups

Every minute around 1 million disposable cups are dumped into landfills. To avoid more unnecessary trash, we provide each of our employees with mugs and reusable water bottles to cut down on the waste that eventually ends up in our oceans. If you need more motivation to avoid disposable cups, according to Study Finds, the microplastic layer in paper cups degrades within 15 minutes when used for hot beverages. This leaves around 10.2 billion microplastics in the cup you are drinking.

6. Going paperless

Drivers can perform inspections, sign contracts, review and receive paychecks, and submit work orders from digital devices. Between Samsara, Fullbay, and Docusign, we’re eliminating our paper trail almost completely!

7. Running an environmentally minded repair shop

Having a truck shop on site is helpful enough in being able to provide some great services to our drivers. In addition, our staff has gone above and beyond to make sure we’re maximizing what we have. Here’s a short list of what they do:

-Recycle all oil
-Recycle all metal
-Recycle oil filters separately
-Recycle all liquids
-Recycle literally everything on the truck (yeah we could have started with this one)
-Rubber tires get recapped (this adds 3-4x the life length of a tire)
-Repair tractors and trailers from accidents to a renewed road-ready state
-Using only the best quality of oil to increase the life of motors (we switched to Shell oil and found a major difference)

Trucking companies can consider many ways to take action in decreasing their carbon footprint on this spectacular earth. Essentially, it all starts with a desire to make a difference and the willingness to follow through. From seeking better fuel efficiency to using mugs instead of disposable cups, the vision to be good stewards of the earth we’ve been given to care for is what really makes a company move in the right direction. Keeping this idea at the forefront of everyone’s minds will be what makes a substantial impact in the end!