U-Haul Partners with Tree Canada's Grow Clean Air Program

PHOENIX, May 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- U-Haul is proud to announce that it is partnering with Tree Canada, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to planting trees in Canada.  Since 1945, U-Haul has been committed to conducting business in a socially responsible manner to help protect the environment.  Today, we continue our commitment by allowing U-Haul equipment rental customers the option of contributing to Tree Canada's Grow Clean Air Program to offset their carbon emissions.   

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090622/LA34860LOGO-b)

All U-Haul locations across Canada are participating in this effort and 100 percent of all contributions collected will be given to Tree Canada to be used to fund the planting and care of native trees. As these trees grow and become forests, they will provide a habitat for wildlife, preserve natural ecosystems and clean the air we breathe. 

"U-Haul decided to partner with Tree Canada after reviewing a significant number of potential offset organizations. Our commitment has been and is to conduct business in a socially responsible and ethical manner to protect the environment and to benefit the communities where we live and serve," stated Claude Boucher, vice president, U-Haul Company of Canada.  "We believe that this partnership will enable our customers to make a contribution that will positively affect the environment and enable us to continue our mission of managing and reducing the levels of pollutants in the atmosphere." 

"Tree Canada is extremely pleased to be partnering with U-Haul for our Grow Clean Air program. Thanks to U-Haul's support, we will be able to plant more trees to further absorb carbon emissions across Canada under the Tree Canada Carbon Protocol. U-Haul has clearly demonstrated its commitment to improving the environment while continuing to provide excellent service to its customers," said Michael Rosen, President, Tree Canada.

Corporate social responsibility has always been a part of the U-Haul System's Core Values.

U-Haul recognizes that our long-term success depends on our ability to manage our operations responsibly and efficiently in today's increasingly complex environment.  U-Haul continuously looks for ways to reduce, reuse and recycle; and to implement effective programs and policies to conserve energy and resources, and to protect the environment.

About U-Haul
U-Haul was founded by a Navy veteran who grew up during the Great Depression. Tires and gas were still rationed or in short supply during the late 1940s when U-Haul began serving U.S. customers. Today, that background is central to the U-Haul Sustainability Program: "Serving the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."  Our commitment to reduce, reuse and recycle includes fuel-efficient moving vans, neighborhood proximity, moving box reuse, moving pads made from discarded material and packing peanuts that are 100% biodegradable.  Learn more about these facts and others at uhaul.com/sustainability.

Since 1945, U-Haul has been the choice for the do-it-yourself mover. U-Haul customers' patronage has enabled the Company to maintain the largest rental fleet in the do-it-yourself moving industry which includes trucks, trailers and towing devices. U-Haul also offers storage throughout North America. The Company provides industry leading moving and storage boxes and an extended line of packing supplies to protect customer possessions. U-Haul is the consumer's number one choice as the largest installer of permanent trailer hitches in the automotive aftermarket. The Company supplies alternative-fuel for vehicles and backyard grills as one of the nation's largest retailers of propane.

About Tree Canada
Tree Canada is a not-for-profit charitable organization established to encourage Canadians to plant and care for trees in urban and rural environments. A winner of the Canadian Environmental Award (2007), Tree Canada engages Canadian companies, government agencies and individuals to support the planting of trees, the greening of schoolyards, and other efforts to sensitize Canadians to the benefits of planting and maintaining trees. To date, more than 77 million trees have been planted, more than 450 schoolyards have been greened, and Tree Canada has organized 9 national urban forest conferences. More information about Tree Canada is available at www.treecanada.ca.

Contact
Joanne Fried, Director, Media and Public Relations
Ashleigh Wagner, Senior Media and Public Relations Specialist
U-Haul International, Inc.
(602) 263-6194
[email protected]

Laura Banks
Acting Communications Officer
Tree Canada
613-567-5545, ext. 224
[email protected]

SOURCE U-Haul