USB Helps Sustainability Leader Add Soy-biobased Products

The District of Columbia Water Authority is already a recognized leader in sustainability. The agency led the charge in converting all of Washington, D.C.’s government fleets to switch diesel vehicles to B20 biodiesel.

DC Water’s fleet director volunteers as a Biodiesel Ambassador to educate others about biodiesel and now other soy-biobased products, too. Recently, the soy checkoff helped DC Water’s 620-vehicle fleet transition to soy-biobased products, including hydraulic fluids and cleaning supplies.

Natural Soy Products’ fifth-wheel grease is the latest successful soy based-bioproduct introduction at D.C. Water. Staff found the grease works better than what they had previously used. It’s easy to apply and it stays on, which keeps equipment and grounds cleaner. The pleasant odor is a plus for workers, as well.

The soy checkoff created a case study of these results to share with other fleets, such as New York City. According to the Iowa-based manufacturer, the fifth-wheel grease contains 67 percent soy oil, displacing the petroleum found in traditional fifth-wheel grease. Natural Soy Products estimates the average over-the-road semi tractor-trailer uses 20 pounds of fifth-wheel grease annually. With 2 million semi-trucks rolling across America’s highways, soy-based fifth-wheel grease potential market of 40 million pounds per year.

The grease is recognized as a USDA Certified Biobased Product in the Department of Agriculture’s BioPreferred Program.