When Washington D.C. issued a 2050 goal of 80% greenhouse gas reduction, fleet managers at the D.C. Department of Public Works knew they would need to address one of the biggest challenges towards sustainability - diesel guzzling garbage trucks.

In 2004, Harvard became the first Ivy League school to power its diesel vehicles with cleaner burning biodiesel.  Since then, Harvard’s biodiesel program has not only grown, but its leadership has paved the way for others to follow its lead. 

Harvard uses approximately 2,000 gallons of biodiesel per week, for a total of more than 100,000 gallons a year. Their diesel fleet includes about 75 service vehicles – such as shuttle buses, solid waste and recycling trucks, mail delivery vehicles and more – and about 25 pieces of off-road equipment.

David E. Harris Jr., Harvard’s Director Transit and Fleet Management, who serves as a volunteer Biodiesel Ambassador, has educated fleets throughout New England on the benefits of biodiesel and how it can help achieve sustainability and greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.

“The use of biodiesel here has resulted in a cost savings. Because biodiesel has more lubricity, we’ve had a cutdown in the number of times we are cleaning and replacing injectors and fuel injection pumps. It’s great to have American fuel support American jobs and the American economy,” said Michael Bernich, Fleet Manager, Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. 

With its advantages, instantly obvious to even the most recent acquaintance, biodiesel provides significant carbon reduction, improved operational characteristics, domestic jobs, and with its source of renewable agricultural products, long term sustainability unmatched by the fuel it naturally replaces. This publication contains stories shining the light on individuals and organizations that have been instrumental in creating the biodiesel industry.