Washington Business Winter 2016 | Page 23

washington business On-board Environmental Stewardship Tracking how long vehicles are idling in traffic or at stop lights is just one of many creative ways a Spokane logistics company found to lower fossil fuel consumption and vehicle emissions. employer: IEDS Logistics location: Spokane number of employees: 90 product: IEDS provides seasoned and reliable distribution, transportation and supply chain services for their customers, many of which transport agricultural products throughout the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada. innovative environmental stewardship: IEDS Logistics is reducing its environmental footprint by cutting energy use, carbon emissions and reducing fuel use and expanding its recycling programs. IEDS installed electronic on-board recording devices in their trucks this year to allow the company to track real-time drive and vehicle performance information to optimize delivery routes. In two months, the company reduced engine idle time by 40 percent and increased mileage per gallon by 8 percent, decreasing fuel use by 3,780 gallons. With the overwhelming majority of carbon emissions coming from the transportation sector, this kind of progress makes a real and positive impact on our environment. IEDS also provides customers the logistical option to convert freight from truck to rail, allowing for movement of more freight per gallon of fuel. On the ground, propane-powered forklifts reduce both carbon emissions and noise pollution. in their own words: “We consider