Trucking Goes Green!

"For me, running this biodiesel trucking company is like coming home..."

For owner Charles Whitwam, Blue Sky Shipping represents a return to his Midwestern roots and heartland values. Whitwam operates a regional shipping and delivery company whose trucks are powered 100% by biodiesel, also made by his company. It all began with collecting used vegetable oil from restaurants. Then Charles and his colleagues built a biofuel processor, tinkering around until they learned how to reliably make their own biodiesel.

But they wanted to do something more - so they started a trucking company. Based in Northern California, Whitwam's company is the only dedicated US shipping firm that uses 100% biodiesel for all its trucks. As the leader in sustainable shipping, Blue Sky is on track to grow 150% this year. Its customers love the company's pioneering, values-based approach to economic growth coupled with environmental sustainability.

"I'm the kind of guy who likes to invent his own ways of getting things done. I believe you just have to start somewhere, and you'll progress if you keep your goals in sight and your values real," says Charles.

Apart from the financial rewards of owning a growing business whose predominant raw material cost is about 25% of market rates, Whitwam gets tremendous satisfaction out of knowing that his trucks reduce emissions on a comparative basis by about 16 pounds per gallon of fuel used. "The environmental impact is huge - and the financial part just makes sense. It's easy, gratifying, and rewarding for us, and also for the planet and the community and for our country - and now, customers are coming to us because they want a shipping alternative that's environmentally friendly and service-oriented."

Plus, as Charles Whitwam points out, "It's just cool to drive a delivery truck that smells like French fries -- especially when it reduces emissions and creates local jobs, too."

This is just one example of how individuals, organizations, businesses and governments are helping to stop climate change. There are thousands more across the country and around the world – and it’s through these efforts that we’re going to be successful. We can’t afford not to succeed in this unprecedented challenge to our planet.

You can view more success stories or find out how you can get involved. If you have your own success story to add, please let us know.