Novel Truck Loading Technique Saves Energy and Cuts Emissions

S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc., a Wisconsin-based provider of household goods, is a family business that has evolved an unusual biofriendly approach to improving the environment. By implementing their innovative Truckload Utilization Project the company has eliminated 1,882 tons of greenhouse gases over a 12 month period. In addition, they used 2,098 fewer trucks, cut fuel consumption by 168,000 gallons and saved $1.6 million. (1)

This environmentally conscious company decided to look for ways to save energy. After a six-month study, they discovered that trucks could be loaded more effectively than in the past. A truck loaded with small but heavy items would not be filled to capacity, because of maximum weight restrictions, while a truck filled with bulkier but lighter goods would not be anywhere near its load carrying capacity. By devising a system to combine these different goods in a way that would optimize weight and volume, the company cut the number of trips required.

Then they found a way to improve efficiency even further. Many trucks have a sleeping compartment for the driver, but on trips that can be completed in a day that facility is not needed. By using so called “day cabs” without sleeping facilities on shorter trips, the trucks gained another 3,000 pounds in carrying capacity that could be used for payload.

The effectiveness of the program was further increased by modifying their customer incentive program. Better and more effective loading of the trucks resulted in fewer road trips, with consequent reductions in fuel consumption, greenhouse gases and pollutants, as well as considerable financial savings.

S. C. Johnson’s example demonstrates that biofriendly solutions to environmental problems do not always have to resort to unusual high technology methods. Often the simple solutions are the best. On a smaller scale, more effective use of transportation can also be accomplished by car pooling, using mass transportation, combining errands, and the like.

Of course, fuel savings can also be achieved making internal combustion engines more efficient. Biofriendly Corporation does this with their Green Plus® liquid fuel catalyst, which causes a more complete burning of the fuel. This results in improved torque, reduced emissions and better fuel economy.

References:

(1) http://www.csrwire.com/News/10246.html

About the Author

Author, Peter Verhoeff, contributes articles on environmental issues for Biofriendly Corporation. More information on these and other topics can be found on the Biofriendly site.