2Sustain

Aramark Uniform Service (AUS) is the first commercial uniform provider to introduce hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) into its fleet.

As part of its commitment to protecting and improving the environment, AUS has already begun the rollout of 25 hybrid stepvans. By spring of this year, the company plans to have 78 HEVs deployed in service routes throughout 28 states.

“Our team continues to proactively introduce environmentally sound practices in all of our operations,” said Brad Drummond, President of Aramark Uniform Services. ”The addition of hybrid technology to our fleet services will complement all of our programs designed to reduce our environmental impact.”

The HEVs use the combination of an energy-efficient diesel engine and a battery-driven electric motor. Compared to a standard diesel model, each hybrid: (more…)

Late last month, United Airlines completed the first flight by a U.S. commercial airline using natural gas synthetic jet fuel.

Specifically, this was  an “engineering validation” flight conducted using a certified synthetic jet fuel (RenJet) produced by Rentech, Inc. and approved for commercial use. RenJet was used in a 40/60 mix with conventional Jet A fuel in one of two engines on an Airbus 319 aircraft.

RenJet is derived from natural gas and converted to liquid fuel, and it’s considered a “drop-in” fuel –which means that it can be used in existing engines with no modifications required. (more…)

Most Americans feel sustainable infrastructure developments are important investment, according to a new America THINKS survey from HNTB Corporation.

The survey polled a random nationwide sample of 1,064 Americans from April 1-7, 2010, and found that: (more…)

Cisco is in the process of developing a comprehensive sustainable value chain strategy that includes a broad-based green packaging initiative. And, early results from this “packaging diet” are “sensational, to say the least,” reports Claudia Girrbach at Greener Computing earlier this week.

For example: (more…)

Below is an excerpt from a speech by Wal Mart CEO Lee Scott at a recent conference for Wal Mart suppliers. In case you missed it have a look below – very interesting comments, particularly in the context of our discussion here on the meaning of sustainability.

In my opinion Wal Mart is well on their way to achieving something that most companies have found somewhat elusive to date: not only talking the talk, but walking the walk. While it remains to be seen if Wal Mart can execute on their lofty goals around reduced energy usage, less wasteful packaging, reduced toxicity, energy efficient stores, etc, I would say they are off to an admirable start. They are even doing things like working with Act Now (Adam Werbach’s sustainability consulting firm) to educate the 1.3 million Wal Mart employees on what they can do to improve sustainability in their own lives.

(more…)