PHOENIX, Ariz., May 29, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- U-Haul International, Inc. today announced its partnership with The Conservation Fund's Go Zero Program. Customers renting equipment at participating U-Haul locations across North America and on uhaul.com will have the option to donate to The Conservation Fund's Go Zero Program to offset carbon emissions. More than 15,400 U-Haul locations will eventually be participating in this effort. Every dollar collected by U-Haul will go directly to The Conservation Fund.
The Conservation Fund launched its Go Zero Program in an effort to make it easy and affordable for individuals, corporations and even entire communities to "Go Zero" by measuring and then offsetting their carbon emissions by planting trees. This effort will address climate change, protect the wildlife habitat and enhance North America's public recreation areas.
"U-Haul decided to partner with The Conservation Fund after reviewing a significant number of potential offset organizations. Our commitment has been and is to conduct business in a socially responsible and ethical manner to protect the environment and to benefit the communities where we live and serve," stated John "J.T." Taylor, president U-Haul International, Inc. "We believe that this partnership will enable our customers to make a contribution that will positively affect the environment and continue our mission to manage and reduce the levels of pollutants in the atmosphere."
"We are very pleased to see U-Haul leading the charge to regenerate forests and wetlands that will help restore critical wildlife habitat, protect water quality and help to fight climate change -- one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time," said Larry Selzer, president of The Conservation Fund.
From day one, corporate social responsibility has been a part of the U-Haul System's Core Values. The idea of division of use and the specialization of ownership was used by U-Haul founder L. S. Shoen over 61 years ago and is as valued a concept today as it was then. In today's competitive business environment, it has taken on an increasingly important role in helping us manage and create value for our customers and the communities we serve.
For those who are not renting equipment, donations also can be made online at http://store.uhaul.com/planttree/
U-Haul recognizes that our long-term success depends on our ability to manage our operations responsibly and efficiently in today's increasingly complex environment.
U-Haul continuously looks for ways to reduce, reuse and recycle, and to implement effective programs and policies to conserve energy and resources, and to protect the environment.
Since 1945, U-Haul has been the undisputed choice for the do-it-yourself mover, with a network of more than 15,400 locations in all 50 United States and 10 Canadian provinces. U-Haul customers' patronage has enabled the U-Haul fleet to grow to more than 93,000 trucks, 80,675 trailers and 33,500 towing devices. As a result, U-Haul offers more than 380,000 rooms and more than 33.5 million square feet of storage space at more than 1,050 facilities throughout North America. U-Haul is the consumer's number one choice as the largest installer of permanent trailer hitches in the automotive aftermarket industry. U-Haul supplies alternative fuel for vehicles and backyard barbecues as the nation's largest retailer of propane.