ACC - American Chemistry Council

09/26/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/26/2025 13:05

Driving Sustainability in Freight: TQL Reduces Empty Miles for a Cleaner Supply Chain

Logistics providers can play an important role in helping to reduce the environmental footprint of the manufacturing sector. One overlooked yet impactful area for improvement is the reduction of "empty miles"-the distance trucks travel without carrying cargo. These non-revenue-generating trips, often referred to as "deadhead" miles, contribute significantly to carbon emissions and inefficiencies across the supply chain.

Responsible Care® Partner,Total Quality Logistics (TQL), one of North America's largest freight brokerage firms, has taken steps to address this issue through its Empty Miles Reduction Program. By leveraging a vast network of over 110,000 carriers and offering multimodal, lower-carbon transport options, TQL has successfully matched drivers with nearby shipments, minimizing wasteful travel and maximizing operational efficiency.

The Empty Miles Pledge in Action

In 2021, TQL launched its Empty Miles Pledge, aiming to eliminate 45 million empty miles by 2025. Not only did they meet this goal ahead of schedule-they exceeded it, cutting over 65 million empty miles. Their renewed commitment now targets an additional 25% reduction by 2030, based on load count.

TQL is also taking steps to reduce GHG emissions in the logistics and transportation industry and is helping chemical companies understand their Scope 3 emissions. This approach includes:

  • Free emissions reporting for shippers, enabling both large enterprises and small businesses to track and reduce their environmental footprint.
  • SmartWay Transport Partnership since 2010, reinforcing their commitment to cleaner freight practices.
  • Recognition as PepsiCo's 2023 Broker Sustainability Carrier of the Year, highlighting the company's leadership in carrier efficiency and modal diversification.

Collaborating with freight providers that prioritize environmental responsibility can help chemical manufacturers and distributors reduce emissions, improve supply chain resilience, and contribute to broader climate goals.

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American Chemistry Council

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American Chemistry Council

The American Chemistry Council's mission is to advocate for the people, policy, and products of chemistry that make the United States the global leader in innovation and manufacturing. To achieve this, we: Champion science-based policy solutions across all levels of government; Drive continuous performance improvement to protect employees and communities through Responsible Care®; Foster the development of sustainability practices throughout ACC member companies; and Communicate authentically with communities about challenges and solutions for a safer, healthier and more sustainable way of life. Our vision is a world made better by chemistry, where people live happier, healthier, and more prosperous lives, safely and sustainably-for generations to come.

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ACC - American Chemistry Council published this content on September 26, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 26, 2025 at 19:05 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]