Sustainability: Transportation

Overview  |  Facilities  |  Transportation  |  Customers  |  Material Use

In August 2009, Grainger became the first and only major industrial distributor to be certified as an EPA SmartWaySM Transport Partner.

Grainger has joined an elite group of only 170 corporations to receive this recognition, and is the only major Maintenance, Repair, and Operating distributor among them! Not only can Grainger deliver to over 98% of the population next day, we're doing it through a partnership with our SmartWay certified carriers, actively reducing carbon emissions with every mile.

The EPA's voluntary SmartWay program includes carriers, shippers, logistics companies, and truck stops that are committed to reducing transportation-related emissions to improve air quality for the future. Since launching in 2004, SmartWay partners have saved nearly 1.5 billion gallons of diesel fuel and prevented the formation of 14.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other emissions that contribute to climate change.

Now that Grainger has achieved SmartWay Shipper status, Grainger will continue to reduce its third-party emissions throughout its vast distribution network with the support of a nationally recognized benchmark for sustainability excellence. By examining Grainger's freight operations, as well as working with carriers who are SmartWay certified, Grainger will experience even leaner distribution AND reduce its carbon footprint.