United Rentals outlines sustainability approach

United Rentals, Stamford, Conn., has outlined the steps the company is taking to reduce the environmental impact of its operations and help its customers reduce their carbon footprint. The initiatives United Rentals is undertaking to achieve these goals are detailed in the new white paper “Sustainability at United Rentals.” The white paper details three focus areas:

• First, the company is looking at its own operations, focusing on how it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from non-rental fleets, buildings and operations. Reducing emissions in the United Rentals non-rental fleet is one of the top priorities. In an agreement with Ford Motor Co., United Rentals is adding electric vehicles to its fleet for use by the company’s sales, service and delivery personnel. In addition, United Rentals is adopting more efficient technologies in its buildings and properties to further reduce greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions. The company has created an employee resource group, Planet United, to lead and engage other employees in environmental awareness.
• Second, United Rentals is helping its customers create lower-emission worksites without compromising safety or productivity. The company continues to expand low- and zero-emissions rental equipment options in its fleet. United Rentals initiatives with Ford, POWRBANK, Takeuchi, JCB and others demonstrate the company’s commitment to provide eco-friendly equipment to the rental mix. United Rentals is working with several manufacturers to add more environmentally friendly rental equipment to its portfolio, including more electric, dual-fuel or hybrid forklifts, aerial lifts and skid steers, as well as solar-powered LED light towers.
• Third, as customers build plans to achieve sustainability goals, United Rentals can help them reduce their equipment footprint by assisting with strategies, visibility and tracking. United Rentals’ cloud-based Total Control® fleet management system allows customers to track engine hours and use that information to help reduce engine idling. Total Control also tracks utilization that helps users right-size fleets, which can conserve natural resources. The company also recently launched Total Control Emissions Tracking, a solution that helps customers monitor and manage environmental impact.

“As a purpose-driven company committed to continuous improvement, United Rentals has set its sights on establishing new, environmentally sound ways of operating,” said Grant Zoldowski, director, environmental management, United Rentals. “As an industry leader, we are using our position to support sustainable changes on construction and industrial work sites. Together, with our customers and OEM partners, we can Work United™ to leave a lighter footprint on the planet and build a better, more sustainable future.”

United Rentals outlined its approach in its recent Corporate Responsibility Report.