Question

Atlest 700 words

what is the environmental sustainability program for Atlas Van Lines. Describe the components of the sustainability program and explain why the program is considered a benefit rather than just another cost to the company."

Answer 1

The environmental sustainability program at Atlas Van Lines is a holistic program that has made sustainability a priority for the organization. Atlas Van Lines has introduced ATLAS SUSTAINABLE AGENT CERTIFICATION and under this every agent of the organization is required to meet environmentally friendly standards. The organization is aware of the environmental implications of moving families and businesses around the globe. In other words the organization is aware of the environmental impact of its business and hence Atlas Van Lines is taking all possible steps to hold it as well as its agents accountable for their business and commercial actions.

It is with the purpose of ensuring accountability on the part of its agents that the company had started Atlas Sustainable Agent Certification. As already mentioned under this certification every agent of Atlas has to meet environmentally friendly standards. The agents who meet these environmentally friendly standards earn the certification.

The operation at Atlas Van Lines has been organized in a manner that ensures that environmental sustainability does not merely remain a one-time effort for the company. This is because if this will be the case then the entire purpose will be defeated as such. In fact at Atlas Van Lines constant efforts are put in to ensure that environmental sustainability are an ongoing broader policy initiative and a constant endeavor. The objective of this endeavor is to, of course, protect the environment on one hand and to empower the communities at large on the other hand.

Atlas Van Lines and the agents of the company drive forth the company’s environmental sustainability program in the following ways:

· Optimal and proper management of materials – At Atlas Van Lines materials are managed in a systematic and optimal manner. This ensures that the company is properly recycling its waste. Recycling of waste helps the company to conserve natural resources and this is a big factor and part of its environmental sustainability program. Recycling of waste not only conserves natural resources but it also enables Atlas Van Lines to save significant amount of energy being used by it. Recycling of waste bolsters the company’s environmental sustainability program in other ways too like reducing landfill space and reducing the overall level of emissions from the company. Atlas Van Lines takes this a step further and does not stop at recycling of waste. It ensures that its agents put in the required effort to procure materials from sources that is sustainable and responsible. Thus the impact is there throughout its value chain. It should also be noted that at Atlas Van Lines recycling is done not only of the waste and of the materials but also other things like office equipment of the company, electronic items of the company, etc.

· Transportation – The second aspect of environmental sustainability program at Atlas Van Lines is transportation. The company focuses on optimizing its fuel usage and reduction of fuel waste is an important aspect here. The company puts in significant amount of efforts to chalk out the most efficient routes for its trucks that will minimize fuel usage. The company also takes tangible and actionable steps to reduce its fuel consumption like doing proper maintenance of its vehicles, reducing the idling time for its vehicles, putting in place training for drivers that will give them with an eco-oriented outlook etc.

· Administration – Here the focus at Atlas Van Lines is to conserve its print resources. This is an important aspect as just one piece of office paper takes a very high amount of around 2.5 gallons of water to produce. The company saves its usage of paper by making use of recycled paper in whatever aspects it is possible, making use of document imaging, doing paperless billing and preparing paper wrap and boxes for recycling by investing in bailing and bundling.

· Facilities – Here Atlas Van Lines has taken steps like increased use of LED lights, investments in new HVAC units and lighting reduction. All these steps make the office buildings of Atlas Van Lines more energy efficient.

The environmental sustainable program at Atlas Van Lines is regarded as a benefit and not treated as a cost. This is because the program, in a way, helps the business of the company in the long run. First of all the company’s brand image is improved. More importantly the program makes the operations of the company more efficient and this increase its competitive advantage. With increased efficiency and productivity various costs for the company will also come down in future and this will have a positive traction on its business in the future. Besides the company considers environment and the society in which it operates as an integral part of the company’s business and hence the program is considered a benefit rather than just another cost to the company.

(796 words)