UPS Inc. has begun using biodiesel fuel blends at its Worldport hub in Louisville, Ky., the National Biodiesel Board said.
UPS recently installed a biodiesel tank and fueling station to allow blending of biodiesel, starting with 5% and up to 20%, the board said.
“There is a finite amount of petroleum-based fuel available from our planet, so it is important that UPS and other companies invest in ways to use alternative fuels and technologies, including biodiesel,” said Scott Wicker, UPS’ chief sustainability officer.
“This project helps us reduce our dependence on fossil fuels with the added benefit that it will also reduce air pollution and carbon emissions,” he said in a statement.
Worldport’s 30,000 gallon biodiesel tank fuels nearly 200 vehicles and diesel equipment, most of which help load packages on and off UPS planes. The site, one of UPS’ busiest operations, processes 416 thousand packages an hour.
The National Biodiesel Board applauded the move.
“For a giant like UPS to use biodiesel is not only an outstanding vote of confidence for biodiesel, but an example of how America's first advanced biofuel will fuel the drive towards genuine corporate sustainability,” Joe Jobe, the board’s CEO, said in a statement.
UPS Inc. is ranked No. 1 on the Transport Topics 100 listing of U.S. and Canadian for-hire carriers.
