Sustainability

As a leader in our sector, we want to do things the right way. We’re making significant strides to ensure everything runs efficiently, everyone stays safe, and our impact on the planet is minimized as much as possible. Sustainability at UniGroup is a work in progress: We’re always looking to improve. 

Sustainable Transportation

California Air Resources Board (CARB) Compliance

United Van Lines and Mayflower provide CARB-compliant equipment for California shipments. Over the past several years, we have actively managed compliance with CARB regulations via communications, training, monitoring and technological system enhancements. Through third-party agreements, we have converted a part of our power units and trailers to be CARB-compliant, including in 11 western states that service shipments into and out of California. 

Environmentally Responsible Practices  

Our co-op’s commitment to responsible, sustainable practices is clear throughout our agency network, including when it comes to packing materials and transportation equipment. Our practices include: 

• Using sustainable crates versus boxes to reduce cardboard usage 
• Recycling cardboard and packing materials 
• Using bio-diesel fuel 
• Using only newer, more fuel-efficient vehicles and equipment 
• Offering shred and purge services 
• Using only certified e-waste disposal services 

SmartWay® Certification

Our brands’ participation in SmartWay® programs shows a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and corporate responsibility. Developed jointly by the EPA and Charter Partners — and represented by industry stakeholders, environmental groups, American Trucking associations and the Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) — this innovative program was launched in 2004. Partners rely on SmartWay® tools and approaches to track and reduce emissions and fuel use from goods movement.  

United Van Lines, Mayflower Transit and UniGroup Logistics are certified in the SmartWay® Carrier Transport Partnership, an innovative collaboration between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the transportation industry. This provides a framework for assessing the environmental and energy efficiency of goods-movement supply chains. By joining the SmartWay® Transport Partnership, our brands contributed to the partnership’s savings of 1.5 billion gallons of fuel, $3.6 billion in fuel costs, 14.7 MMT of carbon dioxide (CO2), 215,000 tons of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and 8,000 tons of particulate matter. 

Sustainable Operations  

Improvements at UniGroup 

Solar Panels   

The solar panels installed at our home office supply up to 10% of our electricity needs. Now, we use electric meters to measure energy output on an hourly basis, helping us develop and consistently adhere to energy efficiency goals. 

Induction Lighting  

We installed induction lighting in our home office parking lots, resulting in annual reduction of more than 218,000 kilowatt-hours. Not only is the induction lighting more cost-efficient, it is also brighter for the safety and security of our staff.  

Boiler Replacement  

We replaced two old, high-maintenance, inefficient boilers in our home office with four small, energy-efficient boilers. This investment improves operational efficiencies by:    

• Operating a small boiler at 50% capacity (instead of a large boiler at 25% capacity)    
• Running operations with a spare boiler on chilly days (rather than large boilers)    
• Reducing gas costs by $2,000 per year, in addition to significant maintenance savings   
• Providing UniGroup with an incentive of $6,000 from Laclede Gas against a project cost of $139,000  

Other  

• Reduced data center energy consumption by more than 50% 
• Embraced a hybrid work model, reducing carbon emissions from employee commutes  
• Leasing out unused office space and reducing energy usage 

Our Future

What does the future of sustainability look like at UniGroup? With the support of UniGroup President and CEO Jason Mills and leadership at large, we have committed added resources toward sustainability efforts.

UniGroup Sustainability Committee Responsibilities  

• Developing the strategic framework, goals and policies for sustainability at UniGroup 
• Evaluating the effectiveness of current sustainability initiatives and find areas for improvement 
• Recommending a course of action to fairly and consistently evaluate the quality of services provided by our network members 
• Understanding the sustainability guidelines and regulations affecting our industry 
• Enhancing the customer and agent experience through our sustainability efforts 
• Assisting UniGroup’s senior leadership in its oversight of organizational investments in sustainability