The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s  (EPA) SmartWay Transport Partnership recently shined a spotlight on Tyson Foods for its efforts to reduce emissions and overall truck miles. The SmartWay partnership is a collaboration between the EPA and the freight transportation industry that helps shippers, carriers and logistics companies improve fuel-efficiency and save money.

As part of its participation of the program, Tyson Foods’ team members eliminated more than 145 million over-the-road truck miles during fiscal years 2011 and 2012.

“That’s a phenomenal achievement for our business,” said Kevin Igli, senior vice president and chief environmental and health officer. “You immediately think about savings in fuel costs and the benefits to the environment for lower emissions, but it also saves wear and tear on equipment, and ensures our customers are supplied efficiently.” 

The SmartWay partnership noted Tyson Foods’ work to purchase lightweight equipment, its innovative package design, use of railway shipping and logistics as successful improvements. The EPA’s profile on Tyson Foods is available here: http://www.epa.gov/smartway/index.htm

Tyson Foods joined SmartWay in 2004 because it is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, other air pollutants and fuel consumption for its fleet and through third-party carriers.

“SmartWay has helped us reduce fuel usage and greenhouse gas emissions, and improve our operational efficiency,” Igli said. “We take our responsibility to the environment very seriously and we’re glad a partnership like SmartWay exists to help us and others evaluate, measure and reduce the environmental impact of transportation operations in a strategic way.”

Tyson Foods also was recently named Corporate Conservationist of the Year by the Arkansas Wildlife Federation (http://tinyurl.com/9kxcpob).

Source: Tyson Foods