Waste Management announced a significant milestone in its natural gas fleet journey, opening its 100th natural gas fueling station. At a ceremony in Oklahoma City, Okla., industry representatives, local and state officials joined the company to dedicate the fueling station. The company also celebrated a significant milestone of operating 6,000 natural gas trucks, which is the largest heavy-duty fleet of its kind in North America.   

“Waste Management’s mission is to maximize resource value, while minimizing environmental impact so that our customers, our company, our economy and our environment can thrive,” said Jim Trevathan, Waste Management executive vice president and chief operating officer. “Today’s milestone is certainly a stellar example of this, and we’re proud to be the leader in the adoption of natural gas for our heavy-duty fleet and we plan to do even more!”

As a pioneer in the use of natural gas in its fleet since the early 1990’s, Waste Management established a goal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and improve the efficiency of its on-road fleet efficiency by 15% by 2020 (based on 2007 levels). The goal was achieved in 2011, and with the increasing adoption of natural gas vehicles, the company continues to exceed this goal each year.

Waste Management vehicles powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) emit nearly zero particulate emissions, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and are quieter than diesel trucks.

For every diesel truck replaced with natural gas, the company reduces its use of diesel fuel by an average of 8,000 gallons per year along with a reduction of 14 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year (the equivalent of a 15 percent emissions reduction per truck).

“Waste Management invests in building our own fueling infrastructure to refuel our vehicles while making CNG available to other commercial fleets and individuals,” said Marty Tufte, Waste Management corporate fleet director.