ST. PAUL, MN – Despite an increase in total vehicles and miles traveled, Ecolab Inc. has managed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve average mpg, and lower fuel consumption in its 7,000-vehicle U.S. fleet over a five-year period.

From 2006 to 2011, Ecolab’s U.S. fleet achieved:

• A 22-percent reduction in GHG emissions, normalized to sales.

• An 18-percent improvement in average miles per gallon (MPG) per vehicle.

• A 12-percent absolute reduction in GHG emissions.

• An eight-percent reduction in fuel consumed (1.4 million gallons) while the number of vehicles grew one percent and total miles driven increased nearly nine percent.

The drive to reduce GHG emissions by the fleet aligns with Ecolab’s corporate goal to reduce U.S. GHG emissions per dollar of sales by 20 percent from the base year of 2006. Ecolab has incorporated sustainability principles into a revised fleet policy, changed vehicle models and measures, and manages the fleet sustainability program overall to meet both business and sustainability objectives.

“Our sustainability action plan included right-sizing the fleet and redefining the optimal vehicle for business requirements,” said Gayle Pratt, director of Global Fleet, Ecolab. “We revised our fleet policies to acquire more fuel-efficient vehicles, focusing on EPA-certified SmartWay vehicles. We moved from large to intermediate to small vehicles; and from eight- to six- to four-cylinder engines whenever possible.”

In addition, fleet drivers participate in surveys, eco-driver awareness and safety training, and provide continuous feedback via a fleet web portal. The fleet also implemented forecasting tools to determine how to optimize fleet operations to achieve both business goals and the company’s overall sustainability goals.

Ecolab ranked No. 36 on Automotive Fleet’s Top 300 Commercial Fleets in 2011.

Pratt was also nominated for AF’s Professional Fleet Manager of the Year in 2000 and Fleet Financials’ Executive of the Year in 2010. She recently accepted an award for the fleet’s environmental efforts in St. Louis.