Employer teams will compete to reduce air pollution and save money
This summer employees at Kansas City area companies will "go green and save green" during the annual Green Commute Challenge, a competition that encourages employees of participating organizations to reduce driving alone and save money on their commutes. The challenge is a fun way for employers and commuters to address two serious issues: air quality and rising gas prices.
The Green Commute Challenge will run from July 6 through Aug. 28, and is sponsored by the Mid-America Regional Council's RideShare and Air Quality programs. Organizations can register a team in advance by visiting www.marc.org/rideshare/challenge or calling 816/842-RIDE (7433). They will receive promotional materials to help encourage
their employees to join the company team. Participants can begin accruing points starting July 6.
The contest challenges employees to use alternative forms of transportation to get to and from work — carpooling, biking, riding the bus, walking and telecommuting — and to find other ways to reduce their driving, such as staying in for lunch. Commuters will use an online tool to track their miles-reducing activities, and earn points to qualify for weekly and monthly prize drawings. The Green Commute Challenge web site will be updated weekly to track point totals for each
participating employer. Employers will compete for most points accrued for alternative transportation trips (in several company size categories).
RideShare Program Manager Marge Gasnick notes that interest in this year’s challenge is strong and that a number of employers are expected to participate for the first time. “Gas prices are starting to creep up again, and there seems to be an overall interest in finding ways to cut costs in this current economic climate,” said Gasnick
On a number of days each summer, Greater Kansas City fails to meet federal air quality standards because of high concentrations of ground-level ozone, a pollutant formed when emissions from manmade sources react in heat and sunlight. Exposure to ozone pollution is linked to a variety of problems even in healthy people, including chest pains, coughing, nausea, throat irritation and difficulty breathing.
“About half of the emissions that cause our ozone problem result from everyday people doing everyday things, so the cumulative effect of challenge participants’ activities will definitely have a positive impact on our region’s air quality,” said Amanda Graor, senior air quality planner.
Last year, 35 companies and more than 1,760 commuters participated in the Green Commute Challenge. They reduced their driving by 1.2 million miles, prevented 934,316 pounds of ozone-forming emissions, and saved $546,489 in fuel costs.
To learn more or register a company team, visit www.marc.org/rideshare/challenge or call 816/842-RIDE (7433).
MARC Air Quality Program: www.marc.org/airQ
MARC RideShare Program: www.marc.org/rideshare
