Syracuse to serve as pilot city
By Jason Klaiber
Staff Writer
With the cut of a ribbon, the Circle K location on Cazenovia Road in Manlius kicked off a reduced emissions program on April 24.
Highlighting a partnership between the convenience store and sustainability-centered company GreenPrint, the newly launched Conserve program entails zero change in fuel pumping but lessens customers’ tailpipe emissions of carbon up to 30% going forward.
“A portion of every gallon that you’re pumping is going back into the community and investing in carbon reduction projects,” Nate Marsh, GreenPrint’s chief revenue officer, said. “You don’t have to drive an electric vehicle. You don’t have to do anything new at the pump.”
Furthermore, all 15 participating Circle K stores in the Syracuse area will be powered by 100% renewable energy.
On a monthly basis, Circle K will report the amount of fuel pumped and renewable energy usage to GreenPrint.
“It’s a win-win for everybody involved,” the Circle K’s Director of Operations Scott Morris said. “It’s great for the customers at Circle K. It’s also a big win for the environment.”
According to Marsh, GreenPrint’s programs offset 1.5 billion gallons of fuel worldwide last year.
Offsetting in this context refers to the pulling of carbon out of the atmosphere through such practices as clean energy efforts and methane-recapturing solar projects.
During the afternoon ceremony, GreenPrint also presented a $3,000 check to the Onondaga Earth Corps, a local partner of Conserve.
The donation will fund the nonprofit’s upcoming projects in the community.
“It’s important to have this kind of investment,” Greg Michel, the executive director for Onondaga Earth Corps, said. “That kind of local support is really encouraging.”
