The industry's largest fleet of alternative-fuel vehicles is among UPS's many sustainability initiatives.
UPS delivery trucks are recognized around the world for their trademark brown color. But lesser-known is that the company is also green – environmentally, that is. Did you know that UPS is the only global transportation company participating in the Environmental Protection Agency's
Climate Leaders program? Or that UPS introduced the industry's first hybrid hydraulic vehicle in 2008 and continues to invest in fossil-fuel alternatives?
In 2002, UPS produced its first sustainability report – the first in the transportation industry – and it has produced them ever since, outlining the company’s environmental, economic and social goals.
"While other companies may step back from sustainability activities in a challenging economy, we are stepping forward because we believe that using our resources wisely and responsibly makes us stronger for the long run," says Scott Davis, UPS's chairman and CEO, in the new
UPS Sustainability Report.
Aggressively reducing airline emissions
Already operating the most modern, fuel-efficient and noise-compliant airline in its sector, UPS has set an ambitious goal to reduce carbon emissions by 42 percent from 1990 to 2020. To meet the 2020 goal, UPS will focus on three major areas: fuel-efficient aircraft and engines, operational fuel-saving initiatives and the introduction of biofuels.
Sustainability in numbers
Here's how UPS's environmental initiatives add up:
1.4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide avoided. To gain significant carbon reductions, UPS uses rail transport extensively – far more than any other package delivery company in the United States. In 2008, ground-to-rail shifts prevented emissions in our domestic package operations by an amount equivalent to the emissions of all our U.S. package cars.
100 million miles we didn't drive. The hardware, software and procedures that make up
UPS Package Flow Technology optimize the route for every package before it's loaded onto a delivery vehicle. Last year, we reached our cumulative goal of eliminating 100 million miles driven.
1,338 tons of paper eliminated. In 2008, we began replacing internal paper labels with direct printing on packages themselves. Because UPS is the world’s largest delivery company, this single change will ultimately save tons of paper – and millions of dollars – every year.
1,819 alternative vehicles. UPS has the industry's largest private fleet that uses alternative fuels and technology.
2.7 million dollars in environmental grants. In 2008, the
UPS Foundation issued grants for projects ranging from environmental education in the United States to tree-planting programs in Africa, China and Latin America.
| 
