Page 371 - Design for Environment A Guide to Sustainable Product Development

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UPS employs telematics, i.e., technology to collect and
analyze data from delivery trucks, to help identify ways to
reduce energy and emissions while improving driver
safety and customer service.
• Infrastructure
UPS has introduced energy-saving innovations in vehicle
dispatching, ranging from simply avoiding left turns to
sophisticated “package flow technology” that uses geo-
graphic tools to analyze and edit dispatch plans. During
2007 UPS reduced U.S. delivery routes by 30 million
miles, which saved 3 million gallons of fuel and reduced
CO emissions by 32,000 metric tons.
2
The company is exploring alternative and renewable
energy sources such as solar energy. For example, use of
roof-top solar panels in the Palm Springs, Calif., sorting
facility has reduced CO emissions by 1 million pounds
2
since deployment in 2003.
• Recycling
The company has recycled electronic equipment since
2000, totaling 22.3 million pounds to date, with 2.65 mil-
lion pounds in 2007.
In 2007, UPS recycled 45,400 tons of solid waste materials,
including metals, plastics, paper, corrugated materials, pal-
lets, and wood waste. Additionally, UPS purchased 159,100
tons of materials with recycled content.
FedEx, formerly Federal Express, was founded in 1971 as an air-
borne delivery service, grew rapidly through acquisitions, and in
1998 acquired RPS, a major ground package carrier now designated
as FedEx Ground. Today, its global network of companies employs
about 290,000 people. FedEx strives to integrate sustainability into
every aspect of its operations [7]. The following are highlights of its
accomplishments:
• Fuel Efficiency
By rebalancing the airplane fleet and optimizing routes,
FedEx Express improved total fleet miles per gallon
within the United States by 13.7% from 2005 to 2007, sav-
ing 45 million gallons of fuel and 452,573 metrics tons of
CO emissions.
2
FedEx is upgrading its fleet by replacing 90 narrow-body
Boeing 727 aircraft with Boeing 757 planes, which reduce
fuel consumption up to 36% while providing 20% more