Meijer Operates One of Largest All-Clean Diesel Fleets in North America

Retailer reduced carbon footprint by nearly 60 percent in 3 years

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Oct 28, 2013, 08:00 ET

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Oct. 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Midwest retailer Meijer announced today that it operates one of the largest all-clean diesel fleets in North America.

As part of its ongoing green initiatives, the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer's fleet utilized innovative technology to improve fuel efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint by nearly 60 percent since it first began implementing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2010 near-zero emissions standards 3 years ago.

"This is an extremely rewarding achievement that truly speaks to our commitment to the environment," said Rick Keyes, executive vice president of supply chain operations and manufacturing. "Not only are we integrating cutting-edge technology into our business, we're also working under the philosophy that to be a good company, we must be a good neighbor."

The Meijer fleet was the first in North America to implement the federal clean emissions standards that feature near-zero emissions technology, and today the retailer's fleet of 170 semi-trucks meets or exceeds those stringent requirements.

As a result of that commitment, the Meijer fleet realized a:

47 percent reduction in particulate matter
55 percent reduction in – or 525 U.S. tons of – nitrogen oxide
3 percent reduction in – or 9,300 U.S. tons of – carbon dioxide
5 percent increase in fuel economy, saving 105,570 gallons of fuel each year. In 5 years, that equals a savings of 527,850 gallons of fuel – or 52,785 barrels of oil.

In fact, it takes 47 of the new 2010 compliant trucks to equal the same emissions as one of the older trucks they replaced, said David Hoover, director of outbound logistics.

"I'm very pleased to say that Meijer is able to cut that down and continue to be environmentally conscious," Hoover said. "The impact is tremendous because the Meijer fleet makes deliveries to our stores 26 times each week."

The Meijer fleet is comprised of 170 Freightliner® Cascadia™ trucks that are equipped with new fuel efficient, reduced-emissions engines. They feature selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology that treats nitrogen oxides emissions downstream in the exhaust so the engine can be tuned to run more efficiently and economically. SCR technology consists of an after-treatment catalyst system that allows engine exhaust to be treated with a non-hazardous fluid known as diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) that reduces harmful nitrogen oxides into simple nitrogen and water.

To view a video highlighting the Meijer fleet's achievement in clean technology, please visit http://youtu.be/a2SkBTBcfWQ. A b-roll package, complete with sound bytes, for media use is available on the Meijer Newsroom at http://newsroom.meijer.com/media-tools.

To view an infographic that details the positive impact the Meijer fleet has made on the environment, please visit http://www.pinterest.com/pin/259449628506680665/.

About Meijer: Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates 203 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. As a pioneer of the "one-stop shopping" concept, Meijer stores have evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive electronics departments, garden centers and apparel offerings. Additional information on Meijer and the ability to shop for more can be found at www.meijer.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/Meijer and @twitter.com/MeijerPR or become a fan at www.facebook.com/meijer.