Procter & Gamble says only Green Fleets need apply

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Updated Jul 15, 2013

If you’re going to move product for Procter & Gamble (P&G), you’re going to have to make an effort to go green.

The company announced at the ACT Expo in Washington D.C. Thursday that it plans to be one of the first large shippers to convert a significant percentage of its for-hire truck loads to natural gas.

Beginning next month, P&G says it will work with eight transportation carriers to convert up to 20 percent of its North America truck loads to natural gas vehicles within two years.

“P&G is investing in carriers with a commitment to natural gas vehicles to help boost the emerging natural gas industry, while continuing to seek more sustainable options for our supply chain and operations,” said Yannis Skoufalos, Global Product Supply Officer for P&G.

By meeting this goal, P&G expects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by nearly 5,000 metric tons – the equivalent GHG emissions from 1,000 passenger vehicles for a year.

Approximately 7 percent of the company’s North America for-hire transportation network will be converted to natural gas powered trucks during the initial phase. The initiative will be rolled out in 16 states with an average length of haul of more than 280 miles, including two 1,000 mile truck lanes.

Skoufalos says the use of for-hire transportation carriers for natural gas in the market will enable P&G to use them on routes far longer than average in the dedicated fleet model, while supporting the growth of public natural gas refueling stations.

The for-hire natural gas carrier arrangement is in addition to P&G’s 22 natural gas vehicles.
P&G is also bringing distribution centers closer to its customers and ensuring trucks are full while traveling both directions, Skoufalos says.

As part of its sustainability strategy, P&G says it aims to use 100 percent renewable energy at all of its plants, use 100 percent renewable or recycled materials for products and packaging and to have zero of its manufacturing and consumer waste go to landfill.

“Sustainable logistics is a critical part of achieving this bold vision, so we’re taking important steps to make our supply chain more efficient,” Skoufalos adds.

Jason Cannon has written about trucking and transportation for more than a decade and serves as Chief Editor of Commercial Carrier Journal. A Class A CDL holder, Jason is a graduate of the Porsche Sport Driving School, an honorary Duckmaster at The Peabody in Memphis, Tennessee, and a purple belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu. Reach him at [email protected]