Amid all the upheaval in the trucking industry, is anyone still thinking about becoming more environmentally conscious, or has that been deemed unnecessary and swept under the boardroom table?

For most companies, fuel is the largest operating expense, as well as the biggest contributor to pollution. Everyday our trucks spew hundreds of tones of pollutants into the atmosphere. But how can we cut fuel consumption without destroying productivity? The answer is to think greener and become more responsible consumers. First, we must eliminate waste. But how?

Whether it's better fuel management through improved planning, new technology that can measure and manage consumption, or enhanced driver training, rest assured, there's a solution that's the fit for you and your company.

Cost Savings

The biggest benefit to your company is without question, saving money. Most people think it costs money to become more environmentally friendly, but that is not true. Think about it this way: When you use less fuel, you spend less money on fuel. Becoming more efficient with your fuel consumption pays dividends to both your company and the environment. As mentioned previously, there are lots of solutions that help eliminate fuel waste. Here are just a few:

• Stop driving to card locks. Instead, use an on site refueller. When you have fuel delivered, you eliminate wasted time and fuel.

• Measure and manage your fuel consumption. You can't manage what you don't measure. The right information will allow you to calculate which piece of equipment (or driver) is guilty of over consumption and make the necessary changes.

• Train your drivers to be more fuel conscious. Bad driving habits waste fuel.

• Use technology to understand where you're efficient and where you're wasteful. There are a number of choices available to monitor engine performance so you can control fuel consumption.

• Switch to biofuels where possible. You can do this without any engine modifications.

Once you've made the decision to pollute less and cut fuel waste, you've made you first strides towards becoming a leader in changing business attitudes. You've become a smarter company and there are big benefits to be had. A smart company attracts more attention and a better caliber of clients. Add this to your list of standard company benefits and you will improve your corporate profile and enhance your market position.

Even if you decide to use only one of the above listed tips, you'll be making a huge impact on the environment. Consider this. For every gallon of fuel your trucks burn, 22 pounds of greenhouse gases are generate. If you decide to have your fleet refuelled on-site, instead of driving to a card lock, you eliminate at least 20 minutes driving time to and from the card lock. That's 20 minutes your engines aren't running. Twenty minutes you're not consuming fuel, and that's 20 minutes you're not paying in non-productive wages. How many times a week could you be putting cash back to your bottom line at a time when cash flow is critical? How many tones of emissions would you NOT emit into the atmosphere? Think about that the next time you think getting “greener” is n no longer a priority for your company.