ABF Freight Receives SmartWay Excellence Award from EPA
ABF Freight, an ArcBest company, received a SmartWay Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency during the American Trucking Associations’ Annual Management Conference & Exhibition Oct. 7 in San Diego.
The award recognizes the carrier as a “true industry leader in freight supply chain environmental performance and energy efficiency.”
“ABF Freight was a pioneer in adopting fleet efficiency and sustainability measures that are now seen as proven methods for promoting a greener supply chain. We do it because it’s good business, and it’s gratifying to see our efforts recognized by the EPA,” said ABF Freight President and CEO Roy Slagle. “ABF Freight continues to pursue environmental innovations and practices designed to enhance environmental performance and efficiency.”
For example, Slagle noted ABF Freight’s top speed of 62 mph and the company prohibiting discretionary engine idling. The result means every truck emits “significantly fewer tons of carbon dioxide.” On top of that, Slagle said fuel consumption has been reduced and operational efficiency has been enhanced through best practices, which include a strictly followed equipment maintenance and replacement program.
The SmartWay Transport Partnership has saved partners a reported 120.7 million barrels of oil and $16.8 billion in fuel costs since it was launched in 2004, according to EPA reports. SmartWay’s clean air achievements (51.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, 738,000 tons of nitrogen oxide and 37,000 tons of particulate matter emissions avoided) help to protect the well-being of citizens.
“SmartWay carriers deserve our gratitude for a decade of progress in cutting carbon pollution and other air pollutants," said Chris Grundler, EPA Office of Transportation and Air Quality director. "They have reduced thousands of tons of dangerous pollutants and raised the bar on a sustainable transportation future, all while saving money in fuel costs.”
