Green Calgary

Steps to writing and implementing an idle free policy

Step #1 – Establish a team and get buy-in.
Working in a team can get more done with your idle free policy than going it alone. Establish a group of committed people to develop you policy and spread awareness. Perhaps the first action will be to seek management buy-in or perhaps the directive has already come from the top.

Step #2 – Write your policy
An idle free policy can be as simple as one line or more complicated to address the different vehicles and operating situations of a workplace.

Ensure you policy is in line with other organizational policies. Don't forget to identify barriers to reduce unnecessary idling and try to overcome them. Green Calgary suggests the following policy: Company fleet vehicles and employee vehicles will not be parked with the engine operating for more than 1 minutes outside of traffic. We also encourage supplier vehicles, delivery vehicles or customer vehicles to be turned off when visiting our site(s).

Each policy will be customized to your business environment. The City of Calgary's internal idle-free policy reads as follows: City fleet vehicles will not be parked with the engine operating for more than 5 minutes unless it is essential for performance of work. Exceptions are during an initial engine warm-up period in weather below –10 Celsius and during periods of extreme cold weather below – 10 Celsius. When engines must be left operating, for any reason, the operator will remain with the unit.

Step # 3 – Commit to being idle free and get employees involved
After you have written the policy and committed to becoming and Idle Free company, Green Calgary will provide you with Idle-Free decals for your fleet vehicle.

One way to increase participation and buy-in is to offer employees a chance to sign up as Idle Free Calgarians. Download Green Calgary's Idle Free Commitment and ask staff to sign it. Once the commitments are submitted to Green Calgary , your organization will be given idle-free decals to give to employees.

Step #4 - Develop and implement a communications strategy.
It is important to share your new policy worth all of those effected by it. Place information in your newsletter, on your website, around the office and at key idling areas such as a loading dock or drop-off zone.

Green Calgary is able to help by coming in to educate employees on idling reduction and green driving habits with our Getting There Green workshop.

Celebrating the launch and successes of your program can also increase participation and keep the Idle Free initiative on the right track.

(OPTIONAL) Step #5 – Compliance measurement
The compliance measurement step involves establishing a compliance standard and monitoring driver behaviour in relation to the compliance standard to determine program success.

Policy Examples