EPA is using 2022 to refresh its SmartWay Excellence Award program. SmartWay strives to be proactive, innovative, and partner-focused.

By postponing SmartWay Excellence Award recognition until 2023, EPA can use 2022 as a year to listen to its partners, according to Kathleen Martz, Affiliate Program Manager of EPA’s SmartWay and Supply Chains Program.  

What Does This Mean?

During this “listening year,” SmartWay plans to refresh the 10-year old SmartWay Award Program. Martz tells Food Shippers of America (FSA) that they will consider the many changes in the supply chain that have had an impact on the business of food shippers and carriers by taking time to:

• Listen to partners regarding what matters for award recognition
  
  
• Integrate rapidly changing and transformative freight industry trends as part of annual recognition, which may include:
  1. Advanced freight transportation optimization
  2. Alternative, cleaner, more efficient modes to transport goods
  3. Low carbon intensity fuels or technologies such as electric vehicles; smarter, more responsive supply chain practices; and environmental justice (community air quality improvements)
  
  
• Discover how top-performing partners are using SmartWay to incentivize green investments and ways the award can highlight these efforts
  
  
• Use stakeholder input to consider new award criteria
  
  
• Explore new award event partnership opportunities

During this 2022 listening year, EPA SmartWay will continue to highlight partner environmental performance through the annual SmartWay “High Performers List” and collaboration with regions and affiliates. In addition, partners’ sustainability and environmental successes will be highlighted via featured partner profiles and new partner videos.

Questions? Contact the SmartWay Award team: jackson-stephens.joann@epa.gov or martz.kathleen@epa.gov.

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