Subway Cuts Energy Use

November 21, 2007

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Subway has opened an Eco-Store in Florida that includes high efficiency HVAC systems, remote condensing units for refrigeration and ice making equipment, day lighting and controls for high efficiency lighting, LED interior and exterior signs, low flow water fixtures, and building and decor materials from sustainable sources.

Subway has also started using paper napkins that are made from 100 percent recycled materials with 60 percent post consumer recyclables.

Working in partnership with the franchisee-controlled Independent Purchasing Cooperative, which sources product and negotiates contracts for Subway franchisees, brand representatives are reviewing everything from materials used in disposable gloves to locations of product distribution centers.

The company is also testing recycle bins, the Wall Street Journal reports, something no other major fast-food chain, including McDonald’s, Burger King, Yum Brands’ KFC and Taco Bell and Wendy’s International, are doing at its restaurants in the U.S.

Restaurants say they don’t recycle because wrappers, napkins, cups and other packaging that is soiled with food is difficult, and in some cases impossible, to recycle in the U.S. But some think franchisees typically don’t want to do it because it usually costs more. If Subway can make recycling bins work, it could prompt other chains to add them too.Here are some details on other initiatives:

Efforts were made to strategically relocate several redistribution centers next to vendor manufacturing facilities, eliminating the need to transport product from long distances. In all, the move saves an estimated 1,660,079 gallons of gas per year and eliminates 10,491 truck loads annually. The brand has also undertaken an Operational Efficiency program and has a Transportation Management Center plan in the works, which ensures all routes are optimized and all trucks are full, which saves money on freight costs and emits less green house gasses.

Along with making napkins with 100 percent recycled materials – of which 60 percent is post consumer recyclable, saving an estimated 147,000 trees annually – the brand has also: switched the materials used for the manufacturing of its cutlery and 32 ounce plastic drinking cups from polystyrene to polypropylene. The change resulted in an annual resin savings of more than 610,000 pounds and saves an equivalent of 13,000 barrels of oil.

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Stay competitive through sustainability.

Find out how at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>

Unclear about the EPA's new GHG Rule?

Learn how it could affect your business. >>

EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st

CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>

Product Environmental Compliance Best Practices

How to achieve compliance at a significantly lower cost. Download the full report. >>

Join the Discussion

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

11/20/2009
11/19/2009
11/18/2009

Charts [ see all ]

European Paper Industry Cuts CO2 Emissions by 42% since 1990

S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks

Nike Tops Annual Climate Action Scores

Oceans May Trap more Carbon than Forests

Jobs

View All Jobs >> Post a Job >>

Comments and Discussions

Trade Association on Trade Group on EPA Chemical Regs: ‘If Everything is a Priority, Then Nothing is a Priority’
"Seriously… that..."

Gary Markowitz on Supermarkets Tackle Emissions Reductions, Fuel Efficiency
"Supermarkets waste over 10 percent of their energy through improper..."

peter in ireland on Ontario May Follow California’s Lead on TV Energy Efficiency
"Governor Schwarzenegger is shooting himself in the foot! 1...."

Environmental Leader on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"The survey respondents (the PDF report mentions 4,000 respondents in 38..."

Jake on UPS Trying New Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks
"A point of clarification: the Reuters press release referenced herein reports that 20 UPS will purchase..."

Custom Organic Shirts on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"90% of North Americans believe it is urgent to get a global climate..."

peter dublin on California City’s Green Building Ordinance Applies to Commercial Buildings
"Why energy efficiebnt regulation on buildings –..."

Environmental Leader