The operating companies of YRC Worldwide Inc. participate in programs and processes for protecting and preserving the environment. Our industry-leading brands effectively and aggressively promote pollution prevention, waste reduction, and conservation across their daily operations.
Carbon Footprint Modeling
• YRC Logistics received the Environmental Excellence Award from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) SmartWaySM Transport Partnership for its efforts to help clients reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The US EPA developed the Shipper Fleet Performance Model to help shippers estimate GHG emissions over the road and on the rail. YRC Logistics expanded the model to include air and ocean. With this model, YRC Logistics can help clients analyze the affect of their transportation strategies on the environment and determine if changes in the strategies might lower emissions. For example, would different routes or modes of transportation reduce emissions? Can freight consolidation or rethinking of the shipper’s network design make a difference? Working together, shippers can more efficiently find ways to offset the environmental impact of their supply chains and still meet their cost and service goals.
• As a SmartWay Charter Partner, YRC Logistics actively encourages both its clients and transportation providers to join the SmartWay partnership.
Chemicals
• To prevent unwanted products from entering the waste stream or disposal process, chemical shipments deemed unacceptable by a shipper or consignee are recovered, repackaged and offered for sale to the public through a physical location in Missouri and a virtual location on the Internet.
• The comprehensive emergency-response capabilities of each YRC Worldwide brand include a 24/7 emergency hotline for both employees and customers.
Fuel
• Biodiesel fuel is voluntarily used in the respective fleets at select locations across the U.S., in addition to locations where use of biodiesel is mandated. Well over 3 million gallons of biodiesel have been voluntarily purchased.
• Use of ULSD (ultra-low-sulfur diesel) at all internal fueling locations allows cleaner emissions of NOx (nitrogen oxides) and particulate matter. Also, all YRC Worldwide brands will introduce LED (low-emission diesel) tractors into their respective fleets in 2007.
• New engine oil and lubricant technologies to extend service intervals, greatly reducing waste product generation, continue to be used and evaluated.
• Evaluations of fuel savings initiatives and policies, such as the use of computers to automatically shut down an idling engine, tractor speed governance, fuel-efficient tires and tread designs, and aerodynamic modifications to tractor and trailer configurations, are ongoing.
Tires
• All tires are disposed of through EPA-registered disposal agents. Many go to tire recycling companies for further use as energy sources, playground mats and chips, mulch for landscaping, and road construction material.
Recycling efforts
• At all garage locations operated by the YRC Worldwide brands, oil filters are generally drained and crushed, and the garage properly disposes of the canisters.
• At most locations, new batteries are purchased through a national distributor who properly disposes of the used ones.
• At all garage locations, scrap metal is separated from other garage waste. The metal is purchased by a recycler for further use instead of going to a landfill.
• The YRC Worldwide brands recycle and reuse most antifreeze. The small quantities generated are picked up by a qualified waste hauler and further recycled.
• Waste motor oil is collected and picked up by a qualified oil hauler for recycling at all garage locations. Where permitted, waste oil is burned as fuel or in oil-fired heaters.
• In addition to office paper, oil, antifreeze, cleaning solvents, tires, and batteries, all the YRC Worldwide brands recycle aluminum, steel and unusable cardboard dunnage at their respective facilities.
• Over 50% of the copy paper waste generated at nearly 1000 facilities is recycled.
• To reduce energy consumption, light bulb fixtures in buildings are recycled and lighting fixtures are being replaced with low-wattage lamps.
Services and the environment
• Use of electronic bills of lading, invoices and other ecommerce tools is actively encouraged to reduce paper consumption for all supply chain partners.
• Transportation services for product returns and reverse logistics offered by the YRC Worldwide brands prevent pollution and minimize waste in the movement of shipments. For example, the use of reusable totes for chemical shipments eliminates the need to manufacture steel drums and dispose of used drums.
Affiliations
• The YRC Worldwide brands partner with several organizations to provide safe transportation of hazardous materials. These organizations include the American
Chemistry Council, Haz-Mat One, Cooperative Hazardous Materials Enforcement Development program (COHMED) of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), and Chemtrec.
• Responsible Care® Partnership Program of the American Chemistry Council.
• SmartWaySM Transport Partnership. This voluntary program between various transportation industry sectors and the federal Environmental Protection Agency addresses key national concerns to improve energy security and energy savings.