The SmartWay Certified Program
TLI just earned its
EPA SmartWay Certified registration, valid through September 16, 2026. We also just marked
our 12th anniversary as a SmartWay Partner Provider. Reaching this point took thirteen rounds of the application and review process. We did this because reducing environmental impact matters to us—and to many clients.
The
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched the SmartWay program in 2004. It serves to help freight carriers, shippers, and logistics companies measure, benchmark, and improve their environmental performance. SmartWay focuses on lowering transportation-related emissions, saving fuel, and promoting efficient shipping practices.
SmartWay operates as a voluntary public-private partnership. Partners submit data on freight movement, fuel usage, emissions, and operational efficiency. The EPA uses that data to help partners improve their operations, reduce costs, and meet sustainability goals.
Key Components of Being SmartWay Certified
TLI’s SmartWay Certified status means we meet several rigorous criteria. We commit to the following components:
- Measurement and reporting: We track detailed data such as miles traveled, fuel used, emissions, and carrier performance.
- Benchmarking: We compare our performance against industry peers and SmartWay-standards to spot areas for improvement.
- Operational improvements: We invest in consolidating shipments, partnering with more fuel-efficient carriers, TMS technologies, and using processes to lower environmental footprint.
Each of those sustainability components requires active, continuous work. We do not just certify once and rest. We update, report, and refine each year in order to keep our status. That keeps our operations transparent and accountable.
Why SmartWay Certification Matters For Clients
TLI’s SmartWay Stats & What They Show
We didn’t get here by chance. This is the thirteenth time we submitted for updated registration, and we commit to the process every year. Each year we gather fresh data, verify it, compare to industry norms, and make improvements. We maintain compliance with SmartWay standards through internal systems and work hard to partner with Smartway Certified Motor Carriers. We work with shippers to consolidate loads and we use
mode optimization software to be as efficient as possible. We also educate our carrier partners about what data they need to supply to TLI, and what practices reduce emissions.
Looking back over last year, here are some numbers that illustrate how our SmartWay certification works in practice:
- We used 5,518 unique carriers, but only 180 were SmartWay approved (about 3.26 %). Most SmartWay carriers are full truckload (TL) or less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers that go through rigorous data analysis.
- We moved 471,624,521 pounds of freight, on over 108,170 shipments.
- We covered 66,601,713 total miles, and 40,488,807 miles (approximately 60.79 %) on SmartWay-approved carriers.
- We accumulated 112,564,349 ton-miles in total freight movement, and SmartWay carriers handled 31,068,533 ton-miles—about 27.60 %.
These metrics show two things: we move a lot of freight, and we are making strong progress in shifting that freight movement towards more sustainable carriers. We will keep pushing the percentage higher.
What You Should Know as a Client or Partner
When you see “SmartWay Certified” on TLI, you can expect these things:
- We will share collective data and reports that you can use for your own sustainability goals.
- TLI elects into carrier partnerships not only for competitive freight cost and reliability, but also for their environmental performance.
- We continuously look for operational improvements that both reduce emissions and improve efficiency.
- In addition, we promote mode optimization and load consolidation efforts to improve sustainability efforts.
Being
SmartWay Certified
informs shippers we at TLI hold ourselves to high standards. We refresh that commitment every year. If you want to evaluate your freight shipping more deeply, here are questions to ask:
- What percentage of the miles your freight moves are with SmartWay certified carriers?
- How much emissions or fuel usage data does your freight partner provide?
- What ongoing improvements are in place—equipment, routing, modes, technology?
Partnering with a SmartWay Certified provider like TLI means you get more than just shipping. You get sustainability, transparency, and partnership. For those clients who care about emissions, regulatory reporting, or corporate sustainability, choosing TLI now means aligning with a partner certified to help meet those goals. We see this certification not as a badge, but as a living process:
always improving, always accountable.
