Date: September 20, 2007
Source: Allied Waste Services
Allied Waste Goes Biodiesel
Clean-burning Alternative Fuel to Power Allied's 225-Truck Peninsula Fleet, Helping to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions in San Mateo County
Allied Waste Services of San Mateo County, a local waste services company providing collection, transfer, recycling and disposal services to 103,000 residential and commercial customers in 13 Peninsula communities, today announced the conversion of its entire 225-heavy-duty truck fleet to clean-burning biodiesel fuel.
The move makes Allied one of the largest users of B20 biodiesel in Northern California and will reduce the company's local carbon emissions by more than 3.3 million pounds each year-- the equivalent of taking more than 315 cars off Peninsula roadways annually. With its full fleet conversion, Allied will be replacing some 80,000 gallons of ultra-low sulfur petroleum diesel each month with clean-burning alternative fuel produced from local renewable resources.
"We're doing our part locally to fight climate change by transforming our entire San Mateo County fleet to biodiesel as quickly as fuel supplies allow," said Allied Waste Industries Chairman and CEO John Zillmer. "Biodiesel is the best greenhouse gas mitigation strategy for heavy duty vehicles available, and this conversion will have a demonstrative, positive environmental impact in the Bay Area communities we serve," he said. "In addition, there are proven maintenance cost savings to biodiesel, making this both a good business decision as well as the environmentally right thing to do."
"We are all familiar with the threat of global warming," said California State Assemblymember Ira Ruskin. "All of us are responsible and must do our part. Allied Waste is demonstrating the kind of sound business and environmental leadership we need. Using biodiesel in their fleet benefits our planet, globally, and our community, locally. I commend them for this initiative."
"We are pleased to partner with Allied Waste on this important environmental initiative," said Larry Patterson, Chair of the South Bayside Waste Management Authority (SBWMA). "This is an encouraging step toward reducing diesel fuel consumption and improving air quality in San Mateo County. We would encourage other large users of heavy-duty diesel-powered equipment to make a positive environmental difference in our communities."
Allied has sourced its biodiesel through Energy Alternative Solutions, Inc. (www.bioeasi.com) of Watsonville, California, which produces a biodiesel fuel made from locally-based renewable resources. This high-quality fuel can be used in any diesel engine without modification, and because of its superior lubricating properties, has been shown to prolong engine life and reduce overall maintenance costs.
"With our proven processing technology and focus on community-based production, we're able to keep costs low and pass those savings on to Allied," said Energy Alternative Solutions President and CEO Richard Gillis. "Produced locally from recycled vegetable oil, our biodiesel is cost-competitive with petroleum diesel, far more stable in price, and provides a long list of benefits ranging from air quality to reduced dependence on foreign oil."
Allied's first biodiesel-powered waste and recycling trucks hit the streets in early August. Beginning today, residents will see "Powered by Biodiesel" trucks making the rounds throughout the Peninsula. All of Allied's 225-truck fleet is expected to be running on biodiesel by the end of January 2008.
About Allied Waste Services of San Mateo County
Allied Waste Services of San Mateo County (www.alliedwastesanmateocounty.com) provides waste collection, recycling, transfer and disposal services for 93,000 residential and 10,000 commercial customers in 12 Peninsula communities and designated unincorporated areas in San Mateo County, in conjunction and partnership with the South Bayside Waste Management Authority (SBWMA). The company also owns and operates the Ox Mountain Sanitary Landfill in Half Moon Bay, CA. Its parent company, Allied Waste Industries, Inc. (NYSE: AW), provides collection, recycling and disposal services to residential, commercial and industrial customers across the U.S., operating a network of 300 collection companies, 164 transfer stations, 169 active landfills and 53 recycling facilities in 37 states and Puerto Rico. The company was recently named one of the 100 most trustworthy American companies for "the highest degree of accounting transparency and fair dealing to stakeholders during 2006."
For more information, contact:
MacKenzie Communications, Inc.
Kathryn Pellegrini / Jay Rosenthal, Office: 415-403-0800
Mobiles: 415-716-7976 / 415-260-6979
kpellegrini@mackenziesf.com.
Sign up to receive our free Weekly News Bulletin