UPS to save 800,000 gallons of fuel through Smart Pickup program

Now here's a unique way to save on fuel usage: only drive when you need to. Who would have ever thought of that. Under the new program from UPS called Smart Pickup, drivers will only make pickups when needed. What an idea!

Getting the program underway is a little more challenging than it might sound. UPS will eliminate package pickups from small businesses if there is no need on a given day. Drivers will be notified by small business owners regarding the need for a pickup. If a pickup is required, the brown truck heads on over. If no pickup is required, no trip is made. The driver is contacted via their handheld devices/scanners that they carry.

Here's where the staggering numbers come in. This simple change under the Smart Pickup program will save an estimated 800,000 gallons of fuel per year and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 7,800 metric tons. Now that's impressive.

[Source: Green Car Advisor]