RUNNING battery operated 7.5tonne electric trucks has helped a Woodhall Spa based company retain its title of 'Greenest on the Planet' for the third year in a row.

The electricity supply at the TNT express delivery depot based at The Old Mill in Roughton Moor, near Woodhall Spa, now comes from wind and hydro-electric power sources, playing a major part in helping TNT retain the top spot in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI).

The DJSI tracks the performance of sustainability-driven companies worldwide - organisations that combine business success with an ethical, caring and responsible approach across a variety of areas including economic, environmental and social criteria.

The DJSI rankings for 2009 show that TNT top-scored with 95 per cent - the highest score of any company on the DJSI.

TNT achieved the best scores (100 per cent) in the following areas: environmental reporting, climate strategy, occupational health and safety, and social reporting.

Horncastle depot general manager Rod McGowan said: "The fact that every single watt of power coming into the depot is produced by wind turbines or hydro power is a fantastic feather in the cap for the company and proves we're serious about being environmentally friendly. Topping the DJSI list is just further confirmation.

"We've drawn up a 'green electricity contract' with the supplier and generator – and it's fully auditable and a legal requirement for them – that all of our electricity comes from a green source. It basically means that our industry-leading fleet of electric trucks is truly emission free because we're charging their batteries using power from renewable sources. This initiative, plus more than £8 million investment in the 100 electric trucks in the UK, will go a long way to ensuring our goal that we're the first totally zero emission company on the planet."

Tom Bell, managing director of TNT UK, said: "We are extremely proud to maintain our top position in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. This distinction is all the more outstanding given the difficult economic conditions. It recognises the dedication of all the TNT team's sustainability efforts in Horncastle. Our customers will know we are taking our corporate responsibility very seriously."