Hertz NZ gains green accreditation
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Hertz New Zealand has enhanced its green credentials, securing an Enviro Bronze Accreditation from Qualmark, the official quality measurement agency of New Zealand’s tourism industry.
The accreditation for Hertz is the first awarded by Qualmark to a car rental company in New Zealand.
The Qualmark ratings system, introduced last year, recognises the commitment of tourism companies to practices including energy efficiency, conservation initiatives, waste management, water conservation and community activities.
“New Zealand is one of the greenest tourism destinations in the world and Hertz is committed to being one of the greenest members of the New Zealand tourism community,” said Jacqueline Lehmann, Region Vice President Hertz Australia and New Zealand.
“The Qualmark Enviro Bronze Accreditation recognises our commitment to measures which reduce our impact on the environment,” she said. “We will continue exploring and implementing green initiatives.”
Qualmark Chief Executive Geoff Penrose congratulated Hertz on achieving this environmental rating. “It’s great to see Hertz showing leadership in this area, and I wish them well with their journey to environmental excellence,” he said.
Well before the Qualmark ratings programme was introduced, and in the absence of a local emissions measurement system, Hertz adopted Euro fuel emissions standards for its rental vehicles in New Zealand.
More than 85 per cent of the Hertz New Zealand corporate fleet now meets the Euro 4 standard, which is currently the most stringent benchmark, while the balance of the fleet meets the Euro 3 emission standard.
Hertz also is well advanced in introducing an all-diesel fleet of Toyota Prado 4WD vehicles throughout New Zealand, and expects to complete the upgrade programme by the end of March 2010.
In addition to fleet management initiatives, Hertz was the first New Zealand car rental company to introduce a carbon calculator, which prints on each rental statement the amount of carbon produced by the customer during the rental period.
A wide range of other measures has been implemented, from fuel storage facilities designed to minimise and monitor leakage to waste recycling and improved resource management.
Hertz has more than 8000 rental locations in 147 countries, including more than 40 locations in New Zealand. For more information about Hertz in New Zealand or to make a booking go to www.hertz.co.nz, call Hertz reservations on 0800 654 321 or contact your local bonded travel agent.
To book via a computer, or a mobile phone or communications device visit www.hertz.com. For more information about the Qualmark programme visit www.responsibletourism.co.nz
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