Prince George’s County, Maryland’s soy-biobased journey has led them to the conclusion that sustainability does not have to sacrifice performance or bust budgets. With technical support from the United Soybean Board and a partnership with the Maryland Soybean Board, the Washington D.C. suburban county has launched a comprehensive project to replace petroleum-based products with soy-biobased alternatives, aligning with its long-standing Green Fleet Policy.
“Fleet has been looking for various ways to incorporate sustainable practices beyond the obvious strategies,” said then-Fleet Manager Rick Hilmer. “One of the strategies that really stood out was soy-biobased products, which substitute soy-based oils for petroleum-based products.”
USB has advised the County’s team on product options to fit their performance as well as procurement needs.
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- An employee at Prince George’s County cleans a car at fleet headquarters. From tires to lubricants to cleaners, the County began procuring soy-biobased products for sustainability measures and performance.
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- Sustainability leaders in Prince George’s County, Maryland installed Poreshield, a soy-biobased concrete durability enhancer, on its concrete structures at 27 different fuel sites around the county.
Deputy Fleet Manager LydiaPearl Monroe began working with USB after taking the Biobased Academy, an educational certification program offered by the American Lung Association in partnership with USB. Though the County already uses biodiesel, the Biobased Academy taught Monroe and her team about additional safer alternatives for its fleet and facilities. This knowledge sparked their interest in partnership with the Maryland Soybean Board, which supported the County’s transition to soy-biobased products: Goodyear tires. Over the course of a year, the county purchased more than 200 Goodyear soy-biobased tires in four different sizes, suited for small and mid-sized sedans, SUVs, and cargo vans–all vehicles that represent a significant portion of the county’s active fleet.
From Soy-biobased Tires to a Broader Strategy
Goodyear’s use of soybean oil in tread compounds not only displaces petroleum and offers enhanced performance. Though these advantages may not be immediately visible to drivers, they are meaningful contributors to a more sustainable fleet.
Vehicles outfitted with soy tires now display “Rolling with Soy Tires” decals, turning them into mobile billboards that educate the public and demonstrate the county’s commitment to clean technology and to U.S. Soy.
The team is already eyeing expansion. The County is planning to evaluate Goodyear soy tires on public safety vehicles at its emergency vehicle training facility.
The initiative didn’t stop there, however. Prince George’s County began to explore other ways to get more soy and less petroleum in its fleet and facility operations.
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- USB advised employees at Prince George’s County Fleet Management on product options to fit their performance as well as procurement needs. Maryland Soybean further partnered with the County on its use of soy-biobased products.
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- Soy-biobased adhesive removers are a popular choice for fleets and facilities. Prince George’s County transitioned to a wide array of products, including lubricants.
Thanks to support from the Maryland soybean growers and education from its collaboration with USB, the county has installed soy-derived products throughout its fleet and even its facilities—from lubricants and cleaners even to PoreShield, a soy-based concrete durability enhancer.
Joanna Smith, an Associate Director in the County’s Office of Public Works and Transportation: Stormwater Division, joined the fleet department on its biobased journey, starting with PoreShield. The concrete durability enhancer extends the lifespan of concrete surfaces by filling pores and creating a self-sealing, hydrophobic barrier.
In addition to concrete structures containing its 19 fuel pump stations, the County staff applied PoreShield to storm drains and key waterway areas to protect concrete structures from water and salt damage. Its use represents a forward-thinking approach to maintenance that reduces environmental impact while extending the life of critical infrastructure.
“Soy-biobased products help us meet our sustainability goals across the board,” said Smith. “They perform just as well, if not better, than petroleum-based products, and they’re sourced from renewable materials grown right here in the U.S.”
National Recognition
The County’s use of soy-based products has not gone unnoticed. Prince George’s Fleet Division was named a Best Green Fleet in America by the National Association of Fleet Administrators (NAFA) and received a special achievement award for Best Bio-Based Efforts, with the soy tire program being a key driver of that recognition.
Soybean growers also recognize their efforts.
“Prince George’s County leadership in the adoption of these sustainable products builds new markets for soybeans grown in states like Maryland,” said Mary Stewart a soybean farmer and USB Director from Pylesville, MD. “It’s a win for sustainability efforts, citizens, workers, and our farmers.”
There is more to come for Prince George’s County and U.S. Soy. In August, the County will host farmers and fleet leaders at their facilities to see the latest adoption of soy-biobased products. Additionally, the County’s fire department will see a demonstration of SoyFoam, a soy-biobased firefighting foam increasingly adopted by municipalities across the country.