GOING GREEN

In today’s competitive global economy, businesses can no longer turn a blind eye toward the environment. In fact, some of the most successful companies of the 21st century are now at the forefront of sustainability initiatives.

Going green is no longer just something a company does once a year for publicity; it’s a sound business strategy.

Rising fuel costs, stricter environmental guidelines, and increased competition all make it imperative for companies to seriously consider green alternatives to established business practices.  Choosing the right initiatives that are environmentally-friendly can often be extremely time consuming and cost prohibitive. However, one of the easiest (and cheapest) measures a company can implement is GPS tracking.

Since many businesses already employ some sort of GPS tracking to help manage their fleets, its “green” benefits are often overlooked. But, with a little personalization and creativity, a company can not only decrease its carbon footprint, but also increase its profits.

One of the major ways GPS tracking can help a business is by reducing its employees’ fuel consumption.

A company with a fleet of hundreds or even thousands of vehicles can eliminate wasteful fuel consumption by making sure its drivers always know the most direct route to their destination. A few miles shaved off of a driver’s route each day may not seem like much, but multiplied across an entire fleet can lead to a serious reduction in environmental pollution and business costs.

In addition to reduced fuel consumption, GPS tracking also helps companies monitor their employees’ driving habits and eradicate common fuel-wasting activities like excessive idling, speeding and braking.

Eliminating speeding and aggressive driving behavior is perhaps the best way to reduce fuel consumption. The Department of Energy estimates that every 5 mph above 60 mph is the equivalent of paying an added $.0.30 per gallon of gas. Idling for an hour can burn as much fuel as 25 miles of driving does. These small changes can have a big impact on protecting the environment, as well as a company’s future.