Commercial printer Quad/Graphics has received its fourth consecutive Environmental Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SmartWay Transport Partnership. It won for leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution from its freight operations.
"This award highlights the fact that a company can achieve its business goals year after year while at the same time reducing its environmental impact," said Joel Quadracci, CEO, Quad/Graphics.
The company's freight subsidiary Duplainville Transport, which operates a fleet of semi-trailer trucks has won awards for the past four years. During 2008 Duplainville Transport achieved significant improvements in fleet performance as it pertains to emissions reductions and fuel efficiency, avoiding:
- 11,479 tons of carbon dioxide emissions -- a 44.6% reduction over a fleet with no modifications
- 58.9 tons of nitrous oxide emissions -- a 78.6% reduction over a fleet with no modifications
- 1.1 tons of particulate matter -- a 48.0% reduction over a fleet with no modifications.
Other initiatives the company supported in 2008 to reduce emissions and fuel consumption included:
- Continued financial incentives for drivers who focus on fuel efficiency and minimizing idle time. All Duplainville Transport drivers qualified for incentives in 2008.
- Putting into service 10 new SmartWay-certified trailers with aerodynamic features. The new trailers improve mileage up to 1/2-mile per gallon, helping the company's fleet mileage average increase to 7.47 mpg in October 2009, up from 6.47 mpg in October 2008.
- Installing speed controls in all trucks to limit maximum speed to 65 mph and requesting all drivers to drive 60 mph.
