by Brianna Crandall — October 16, 2015—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Tuesday the 2015 winners of the coveted SmartWay Excellence Awards for retailers, manufacturers and logistics companies. The awards honors the top-performing SmartWay partner companies that demonstrate how businesses can shrink their carbon footprints and contribute to healthier air all while saving on fuel costs as they move goods across America.
Janet McCabe, acting assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation, commented:
SmartWay partners know that improving freight supply chain efficiency is not only good for business, but also good for our shared environment. These award-winning partners are leaders among their peers, saving fuel, reducing pollution that contributes to climate change and poor air quality, and saving their customers money — a triple play.
The 2015 SmartWay Excellence Awardees for retailers, manufacturers and logistics companies are:
- Armada
- Appleton Coated LLC
- Bacardi USA, Inc.
- Canon USA, Inc.
- Gorton’s
- Hewlett-Packard
- Kimberly-Clark Corporation
- Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
- Menlo Logistics
- The Home Depot U.S.A., Inc.
- Whirlpool Corporation
Award winners demonstrate environmental leadership through effective collaboration; advanced technology and operational practices; robust SmartWay data validation and reporting; communication and public outreach; and implementation of sustainability practices in local communities, explains EPA.
EPA’s SmartWay Transport Partnership is a market-driven initiative that empowers businesses to move goods in the cleanest, most energy-efficient way possible to protect public health and reduce the emissions that contribute to climate change. Demonstration of a commitment to corporate sustainability and social responsibility through SmartWay provides for a more competitive and environmentally friendly business environment.
Since 2004, SmartWay Partners have avoided emissions of over 60 million metric tons of the carbon pollution that contributes to climate change, while saving more than 140 million barrels of oil and over $20 billion in fuel costs. SmartWay also contributes to cleaner air and healthier citizens by significantly reducing emissions of the pollution that contributes to smog.
The awards were presented at EPA’s Third Vehicle Technology Showcase in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The event was held at EPA’s National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory and highlighted innovative technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve fuel efficiency in heavy-duty trucks.
Awards for carrier partners (trucking companies, multi-modal transport companies, and barge transport companies) will be announced next week at the 2015 American Trucking Association Management Conference and Exhibition in Philadelphia.
