In support of Yale University’s campus-wide sustainability initiative, Alcoa (NYSE:AA) has donated 130 of its lightweight, environmentally-friendly Dura-Bright® aluminum wheels for use on campus transit vehicles.
Yale will study and report to Alcoa on the environmental effects of the wheels as part of its commitment to using its campus as a living laboratory for sustainability research.
Lightweight Alcoa Dura-Bright® wheels are improving the efficiency of Yale University’s campus transit buses.
The conversion of Yale’s shuttle buses and vans from current steel wheels to Alcoa aluminum Dura-Bright wheels is expected to save the fleet of 30 vehicles nearly 1,000 gallons of fuel and reduce CO2 output by 10 metric tons per year. In addition, the no-polish, easy-rinse Dura-Bright wheels will help Yale save on fleet maintenance costs.
Installation of the new wheels began this summer and will continue over the course of the next 18 months. Alcoa Foundation has also donated funds to cover environmentally sensitive disposal of the existing steel wheels.
“Aluminum is the most sustainable material for transportation,” said Alcoa Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Klaus Kleinfeld. “No other material offers the combination of high strength, low weight, and recyclability that aluminum provides. Alcoa is proud to be working closely with Yale to maximize the university’s sustainability initiatives.”
Building on a long history of research and engagement with environmental issues, Yale established a dedicated Office of Sustainability in 2005. Soon after, University President Richard Levin committed to reducing Yale’s greenhouse gas emissions by 43 percent below 2005 levels by the year 2020. In addition to improving the campus transit fleet, strategies include a combination of increasing the efficiency of on-campus energy production and distribution, energy conservation, on-site renewable energy resources, and sustainable standards for new construction and large renovations.
Alcoa approaches its commitment to corporate sustainability through three lenses – products, resources and operations. In addition to developing products that improve fuel efficiency, the company is committed to growing its businesses in a sustainable way by focusing on product development and innovation that capitalizes on the inherent and coveted qualities of aluminum including its infinite recyclability. Aluminum in use in the world’s transportation fleet today is saving 300 million metric tons of CO2 emissions annually through reduced fuel consumption. Alcoa has been recognized for its leadership in sustainability by being named to the Dow Jones Sustainability index for nine consecutive years and as one of the most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.