U.S. Postal Service Awards Contract to
Bell & Howell Postal Systems to Retrofit
Letter Mail Labeling Machines
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Postal Service said today it will soon take another important step in its role as an environmental good citizen. By switching to "linerless labels," the Postal Service will eliminate 678 tons of scrap paper from the nation's landfills.
The Postal Service has awarded a contract to Bell & Howell Postal Systems, Inc., of Chicago, Ill., to retrofit 360 Letter Mail Labeling Machines (LMLMs) with linerless label applicator technology.
"By using linerless labels, the Postal Service will contribute to reducing waste and significantly reducing our solid waste disposal costs," said William Dowling, Postal Service Engineering Vice President. "Linerless labels also cost about half as much as linered labels, and the linerless technology has fewer moving parts, which should result in lower LMLM maintenance costs," he added.
Under terms of the one-year contract, Bell & Howell will install the equipment, train postal employees on its use and provide technical support and spare parts. At present, the Postal Service is achieving considerable cost savings with its use of linerless label technology at its Computerized Forwarding System Mechanized Terminals (CFS/MT).
"This program supports the long-range strategy for system-wide automation of letter mail operations in accordance with the Corporate Automation Plan," said Dowling. "Retrofitting the LMLMs also makes very good business and environmental sense. Eliminating the liner not only reduces solid waste that would have to be sent to landfills but the lighter, denser rolls will lower transportation and containerization impacts as well."