Each May, communities around the world celebrate Green Commute Week, which is a time to advocate for alternative transportation – walking, biking, taking the bus/train, and carpooling.  As the weather starts to get warm, it is a great opportunity to challenge ourselves – why not make a pledge to carpool or take the bus once a week?  Not only will these small steps reduce our carbon emissions, it also offers a great opportunity for exercise and connection to our communities.

If you are in Maine, check out the Commute Another Way Week website.  It has lots of information on how to commute green, participating employers, and how to get free prizes!

For New Hampshire folks, check out PATH-NH (Program for Alternative Transporation and Health), which is based in Concord.  They are hosting a great week of activities, including a ride with Governor John Lynch this Friday!  Check out the great events happening every day, including bike safety classes, group bike rides, walk to work day, carpooling events, and more.  There are also several businesses in downtown Concord who are offering up free coffee and discounts.  For other statewide opportunities, please the NH Department of Transportation.

Vermont is celebrating “Way to go Vermont” and has a great website listing statewide green commuting events.  There are events happening across the state, as well as countless opportunities to learn more about safe alternative transportation options.

Have a great week of walking, biking, busing, and carpooling!

If you have seen a Goodwill truck on the back roads or highways of Northern New England, you may have noticed this sticker displayed on the back.

About two years ago, the majority of the Goodwill fleet of trucks switched to biodiesel.  Twelve out of the sixteen trucks currently operate on fuel that contains 5% biodiesel.

The trucks on biodiesel go through roughly 68,000 gallons of diesel each a month. Because 5% of that diesel is biofuel, Goodwill saves 54,776 pounds of carbon from being emitted in the atmosphere each month!

While we are excited about this accomplishment, Goodwill continues to look at further ways to decrease our fuel intake as we work together to decrease our carbon footprint.

For more information about Goodwill’s environmental initiatives, please visit our Green page.

What is your organization or business doing to reduce your environmental impact?  Please leave a comment and share your stories!