The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently honored its 2021 SmartWay Excellence Award recipients during a virtual ceremony.
The annual SmartWay Excellence Awards honor top shipping (retailers and manufacturers) and logistics company partners for superior environmental performance. The SmartWay Excellence Award also recognizes top truck, barge, and multimodal carrier partners that are setting efficiency benchmarks in how they move products and supplies.
Out of 4,000 SmartWay partners helping protect public health and the environment by reducing freight emissions, EPA honors only the top 1-2% of SmartWay companies with its prestigious SmartWay Excellence Award. This year’s list included 72 total honorees, 60 carriers, and three tank truck companies: Eagle Transport Corporation, LTI, Inc., and Quick-Way, Inc.
“These companies lead their industries in demonstrating freight efficiency throughout their supply chain, and in contributing to cleaner air,” said Joann Jackson-Stephens, SmartWay brands manager, and 2021 award coordinator.
EPA says its SmartWay program, along with other partnerships and initiatives created over the last 30 years, have helped void more than 6 million metric tons of greenhouse gasses, while providing $7 billion in public health. The SmartWay program was launched in 2004 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fuel use through voluntary partnerships.
LTI, Inc., and its Milky Way division, received its sixth consecutive SmartWay Excellence Award, affirming its status as one of North America’s most efficient and lowest-emitting tanker fleets. “To be recognized for a sixth year is a true testament to our team,” said Jason Jansen, LTI, Inc. president. “Our entire group is consistently focused on innovation and efficiency. We are continually seeking opportunities to remove waste from operations. All these efforts reduce the impact of transporting freight on our environment.
“This award is only possible because of the dedication of our people. I am extremely proud of their achievement.”
Karl Simon, director of EPA’s transportation and climate division in the Office of Transportation and Air Quality, said the SmartWay program is unique in its collaboration between EPA and the freight transportation industry, starting from its earliest days in 2003, when a coalition of 15 charter partners, including the American Trucking Associations, helped design the program.
“Thanks to the commitment of our partners over the years, we’ve been able to maintain and build upon that collaboration, growing the partnership to nearly 4,000 partners at last count,” he said.
“This includes large global corporations and small family-run businesses. These companies depend upon SmartWay to deliver credible information on saving fuel and cutting emissions to protect the health and well-being of their employees and their families. And believe me, my team works hard every day to keep earning (their) trust. That’s one part of our secret sauce. The other part is the commitment of our partners.
“We deeply, deeply appreciate all the dedicated shipping and delivery professionals, including drivers who’ve been managing nearly two years of supply-chain disruptions due to COVID and it’s (negative) effects that have turned labor and production markets upside down. Throughout these challenges and disruptions, shipping and logistics industry professionals hung in there, doing their jobs, day after day, and getting us all through this pandemic.
“They deserve our recognition and gratitude for our service.
“Collectively, since 2004, SmartWay partners have avoided emitting 143 million metric tons of CO2, 2.7 million short tons of NOx, and 112,000 short tons of PM (particulate matter), helping to protect the environment and keep Americans healthy.
“Today, from this noteworthy and dedicated awards bunch, we’re recognizing the best of the best.”
ATA also called special attention to its 28 member companies for being recognized with SmartWay Excellence Awards.
“ATA and its members are proud supporters of the EPA SmartWay Transport Partnership—it is a model for how the public and private sector can come together to address shared goals and address real issues in a constructive way,” said Chris Spear, ATA president and CEO. “I’m proud that so many of our member companies not only belong to SmartWay, but have been recognized for their efforts with this award.”
ATA members honored with SmartWay Excellence Awards are:
- ATS
- Meijer Logistics
- KBX Logistics
- ABF Freight, an ArcBest company
- Hub Group
- J.B. Hunt Transport
- Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products
- Meijer
- A&M Transport
- Bison Transport
- CRST Dedicated Services
- CRST Expedited
- Doug Andrus Distributing
- Duncan and Son Lines
- Freymiller
- Hogan Transports
- Knight Transportation
- Lake Trucking Company
- Mesilla Valley Transportation
- Old Dominion Freight Line
- Penske Logistics
- Roehl Transport
- Ruan Transportation Management Systems
- Ryder Dedicated Transportation Solutions
- U.S. Xpress Enterprises
- Walmart Transportation
- Werner Enterprises
- Wilson Logistics Inc.