USPS Environmental Facts
October 2000

Fleet Management

  • USPS has the nation's largest compressed natural gas (CNG) delivery fleet, with more than 7,500 of its Long-Life Vehicles converted. Electric vehicles are also being tested nationwide.

  • USPS will begin to take delivery of 10,000 flexible fuel ethanol vehicles from Ford Motor Co. this year, 500 the first month and 1,000 each month thereafter. The total USPS AFV fleet is expected to grow to nearly 30,000 vehicles by 2002.

  • USPS is a national leader in the use of re-refined oil and retreaded tires. More than 100,000 postal vehicles currently use re-refined oil, and more than 100,000 retreaded tires are purchased annually.
Recycling and Waste Prevention
  • Spent and undeliverable mail can be recycled as mixed paper waste, so there's no reason for any of it to end up in landfills. More than 150 million Americans reside in communities that recycle mixed paper waste.

  • The Postal Service is working closely with the U. S. Conference of Mayors to establish community recycling where citizens do not have an opportunity to recycle.

  • Shopping by mail saves millions of vehicle trips that would otherwise contribute to air pollution and gasoline use.

  • Last year, USPS recycled approximately one million tons of wastepaper, cardboard, plastics, cans, and other material. About $10 million in revenue was generated from recycling activities in 1998.

Purchasing
  • The Postal Service installed 25,000 Energy Star® exit signs in 1997, saving $500,000 annually.

  • USPS has more than $150 million in Energy Star® computer systems in service.

  • USPS annually purchases more than $160 million worth of products with recycled content, and more than four million recyclable plastic pallets are in use. Longer-life plastic trays and pallets are replacing limited use cardboard trays and wooden pallets. New hampers and mail containers contain 50% recycled material.

  • Aqueous-based cleaners are replacing hazardous chemicals in many cleaning and maintenance operations. The use of 17 targeted chemicals has been reduced by more than 50%.
Energy
  • The nation's largest commercial fuel cell system was dedicated on August 9, 2000 at the Anchorage, Alaska mail center. For the first time, a fuel cell system is part of an electric utility's grid, as it serves energy needs in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner.

  • USPS has reduced its energy usage by 18 percent since 1991 and will reach a 30% reduction by 2005.

  • The Postal Service dedicated its new "green" post office in Ft. Worth, TX, in January of this year. The new, first-of-its-kind post office features efficient and sustainable use of natural resources while creating a healthy indoor environment for customers and employees.

  • The Postal Service is among the nation's leaders in using renewable energy.

  • The USPS has working solar power systems at postal facilities in California, Texas, Colorado, Rhode Island, and Puerto Rico

  • Postal facilities in Oklahoma and Maryland are using geothermal technology to provide heating and cooling.
Stamp Products
  • Retail and philatelic products -- including stamped envelops, postal cards, stamp booklet covers, packaging materials, and Express Mail and Priority Mail envelopes are made from 100% recycled content with post consumer content ranging from 80 to 100%.

  • New water-based inks that are used to print stamps do not contain lead or other "heavy" metals, and new "self-stick" stamps use water-removable adhesives.

  • In partnership with the adhesives, paper, and recycling industries, our Stamps Group has developed breakthrough pressure-sensitive adhesive technology that is now in its final testing. As a result of this new technology, mixed paper waste, including spent and undeliverable mail, will become a more valuable recycling commodity.

  • On April 20, 1996, a new "Save Our Environment" stamped envelope was issued. The envelope is composed of 100% recycled content with post-consumer material made from recycled mail. On October 2, 1996, "Endangered Species Stamps" were issued for 15 endangered animals, promoting environmental awareness to help protect these endangered creatures.

  • The 1999 Tropical Flower stamps are made with double-sided construction, which means there is no liner that requires disposal. These stamps also contain bio-based inks and benign adhesives.

  • In October 1999, the USPS will issue an Earth Day Stamp as part of the Celebrate the Century series.
Environmental Awards
  • Since September 1995, the White House has presented the Postal Service with 30 "Closing the Circle" Awards for its pollution prevention and recycling accomplishments. The Postal Service has also been recognized with numerous regional, state, and local awards for its environmental practices.

  • On June 6, 2000, USPS won three White House "Closing the Circle" Awards. The three awards related to: environmentally benign pressure-sensitive adhesives, the New Mexico Straw Bale Post Office, and an environmental curriculum CD-ROM.

  • In March 1997, the Postal Service won the Direct Marketing Association Rodale Award for "Making Mail More Recyclable," and in 1998 received the Rodale "Environmental Mailer of the Year" award.

  • In 1995, USPS received an "Innovative New Product or Material Award" from the National Recycling Coalition for its efforts to incorporate recycled products into its procurement programs.

  • The USPS received the 1999 Blue Sky award from CALSTART for its use of Alternative Fuel Vehicles.

  • The Postal Service has received eight awards from the Department of Energy for its energy initiatives.

  • USPS received the 1997 Clean Air Award from the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

  • The Postal Service has received more than 50 regional, state, and local awards from environmental regulators.

  • USPS received eight "Hammer" awards from Vice President Gore's National Performance Review.

  • In May 1999, the Postal Service received the United Nations Award for Environmental Excellence.

  • In 1999 the Alliance for Environmental Innovation named the Postal Service the leader in environmental packaging among overnight service providers.

  • The Postal Service received an award for its LED Energy Star® exit sign program from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Last Modified:
Wed, 27 Sep 2000 20:26:26 GMT

 
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