Transportation Company Averitt Winner of Governor's Environmental Stewardship Award

Averitt, a transportation and logistics company, is the winner of the Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award in the category of Clean Air and Transportation Solutions. The award is one of nine in different categories announced today by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.

Averitt has long invested in fuel-efficient technologies and sustainable practices, earning global recognition. In 2024, Averitt eliminated over 290 million pounds of carbon dioxide (CO₂), the equivalent of removing 30,000 passenger vehicles from the road for a year.

Sustainable features include adding auxiliary power units to tractors, which saved over 18 million gallons of diesel by eliminating unnecessary idling; Transtex Skirts, which reduced drag, boosted fuel efficiency, and cut 256 million pounds of CO₂, using electric and propane-powered alternative-fuel forklift units, which cut emissions by 13.2 million pounds annually; decreasing particulate matter by switching to an ultra-low-sulfur diesel and renewable diesel; and reducing GHG emissions by 10 percent and decreased fossil fuel consumption with use of on-site biodiesel.

Averitt has saved over 14 million kWh of energy by upgrading to all LED lights at facilities in Tennessee; eliminated over 10.7 million pages printed annually; repurposed almost 91,000 gallons of used oil; and extended the life of over 28,000 tires and reduced landfill waste.

Averitt empowers customers and partners to meet their own environmental goals by using AI-driven route optimization; freight consolidation and intermodal solutions; and greener packaging and shipping practices. Averitt also partners with leading manufacturers, innovators, and policymakers to test and adopt next-generation green technologies.

Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Cookeville, Averitt has spent more than five decades building a reputation as a freight leader and a sustainability pioneer. Sustainability is integrated into every aspect of its services.

Other winners of the Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards announced today in different categories are:

• Natural Resources – Sanofi, a global healthcare company
• Agriculture and Forestry – Cul2vate, a faith-driven nonprofit
• Water Quality – Copperhill Industries
• Sustainable Performance – The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee
• Building Green – Donelson branch of the Nashville Public Library
• Education and Outreach – University of Tennessee Extension Smart Yards program
• Materials Management – WM (formerly known as Waste Management)
• Energy and Renewable Resources – White Pine Solar Farm