Home Depot "blown away" by TNT

As hurricanes ripped through Florida in August and September, employees of TNT Logistics North America, including many who were coping with losses of their own, rallied to keep building materials and other relief supplies moving to hard-hit communities. In recognition of their efforts, Home Depot has presented TNT Logistics North America with a "Hurricane Hero" award. "We are ecstatic to receive this award," says Jeff Hurley, chief operating officer, TNT Logistics North America. "However, the real heroes are our employees, who selflessly put the needs of the community and their neighbors ahead of their own in helping out during a very stressful and chaotic time."

TNT Logistics normally provides only last-mile delivery for Home Depot's construction and home improvement materials in Florida. But during hurricane season, those plans went out the window. Whenever a storm threatened, TNT Logistics began diverting drivers and trucks based in Cape Coral, Lake Worth and Hollywood, Fla., to handle deliveries of plywood, nails, building materials and power generators from Home Depot stores as far away as Ohio. During the six weeks before and after the storms, TNT Logistics handled more than 400 truckloads of this high-priority material.

A joint initiative between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the nation's trucking industry reached an important milestone late last year when the SmartWay program signed up its 100th partner.

The SmartWay Transport Partnership is a voluntary program aimed at reducing greenhouse gases and air pollution. The program's goal is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 33 million to 66 million tons and nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 200,000 tons by the year 2012.

Businesses that join the SmartWay program commit to reducing fleet emissions over a three-year period and to sharing their progress with the EPA. Techniques for cutting greenhouse gas emissions include using more efficient wide-base tires, automatic tire inflation systems and aerodynamic truck designs; reducing idling; training drivers to save fuel; improving logistics to reduce empty miles; and making greater use of intermodal transport.

The EPA says the program is designed to allow businesses to showcase their environmental success stories. Businesses that achieve their goals are allowed to use the SmartWay logo in marketing and advertising programs. The program is aimed at both over-the-road fleets and industrial trucks.