Environmentally Conscious Efforts: How Trinity Stays Green

In 1962, A Silent Spring by Rachel Carson was released bringing societal attention to the consequences of industrial pollution. At that time, there was a larger push toward greater concern for the environment. Over the years, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Clean Water Act, the push to ban DDT, and many more efforts have been implemented to reduce greenhouse gases.
Companies and consumers continue to invest time and resources into “going green” through simple measures such a purchasing a Prius or an electric car, to more complex efforts such as implementing eco-driving programs for the transportation industry.
Over the past several years, the Environmental Protection Agency enacted standards for strict fuel economy and reducing greenhouse gases. Environmental groups feel better fuel economy would not only save consumers billions of dollars, but would also push vehicles to be more efficient, slashing pollution. According to EPA 2017 research, the transportation sector generated the largest shares of greenhouse gas emissions at 29%.
Going green is something that is important to our company. That’s why we take measures to stay in check!

EPA SmartWay

The Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay program helps companies advance supply chain sustainability by measuring, benchmarking, and improving freight transportation efficiency. Since 2008, Trinity has proudly participated in this federal initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution created by freight transportation.
The SmartWay partnership is a way for shippers, carriers, logistics companies, railways, and other transportation stakeholders to measure, benchmark, and improve logistics operations to reduce their carbon footprint.
More than 3,700 companies and organizations are now a part of SmartWay. Since 2004, it has helped its partners save 248.8 million barrels of oil, which is equivalent to eliminating the annual electricity use in over 16 million homes.
To maintain our SmartWay partnership, we report our annual freight and emissions activity to the EPA, and demonstrate commitment to constantly improve our efficiency.

Responsible Care

Trinity Logistics became part of the Responsible Care Partnership in 2009, furthering our commitment to the hazmat chemical industry we’ve served since 2002. We’ve strategically developed operating procedures in line with the key principles of Responsible Care, to ensure the safe arrangement of chemical shipments. Through Responsible Care, we commit to improve company performance through community awareness and emergency response, security, distribution, employee health and safety, pollution prevention, and process and product safety.

Intermodal (rail) Shipping

If freight isn’t extremely time sensitive, intermodal shipping is an excellent, eco-friendly alternative to truckload shipping. We have an entire team dedicated to arranging rail shipments, and encouraging our many loyal customers to consider sending some of their freight via this mode. Our team works with rail providers so we can even calculate the carbon footprint for a lane and commodity of a truckload versus intermodal.
According to the Association of American Railroads, trains are on average four times more fuel efficient than trucks, reducing highway gridlock, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and reducing pollution. In 1980, railroads in the United States moved a ton of freight an average of 235 miles per gallon. That same ton of freight per gallon will go an average of 479 miles today. Read their full report here.

Top Green Provider for 2018

In 2018, we were named to Food Logistics Top Green Provider list, which recognizes companies whose products, services, or exemplary leadership is enhancing sustainability within the food and beverage industry. We have entered again for 2019 and hope to continue boosting our green initiatives, so we can reduce our carbon footprint.