USPS set green targets

Postmaster general John Potter sets green targets for his company as USPS launched its annual conservation campaign. US postal officials are calling on employees, suppliers and partners in the mailing industry to be “go green”, at an event recognising October as National Energy Awareness Month.

The Postal Service has a stated goal of reducing energy use by 30% and fuel use by 20% by 2015, said Potter, a further demonstration of the organisation’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

“We will build on our history of environmental innovation and foster a culture of conservation and sustainability,” Potter said.

Potter asked postal employees to become personally responsible for conservation. Simple steps taken collectively among the 619,000 employees at USPS and throughout its 34,000 facilities will have a dramatic impact on the environment, he said.

Potter also outlined the Postal Service’s top five goals: reducing energy use, lowering vehicle petroleum use, improving water efficiency, achieving zero waste and reducing consumable products.

“We need to take whatever steps we can to meet the needs of the present without compromising the future,” he said.

In addition to displays at its corporate headquarters showcasing each of the five ways postal employees can reduce energy use, carbon calculators were provided.

“Figure out your carbon footprint and learn ways to lower it,” Potter challenged employees.

The Postal Service has introduced significant environmental initiatives that have received national recognition, including 40 White House Closing the Circle Awards and the 2009 Climate Change Champion of the Year Award for efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to Sam Pulcrano, vice president, Sustainability.

“Every day brings a new challenge and a new opportunity to reduce our impact and improve our operations and systems,” Pulcrano said.

Those efforts include adding an additional 1,900 environmentally friendly vehicles to the largest civilian fleet of alternative fuel-capable vehicles (41,000). The Postal Service has used more than 1 million gallons of alternative fuel and increased E85 fuel consumption by 41% between FY2006 and FY2008. Mail is delivered by bicycle in Arizona and Florida. Two-ton electric vehicles have been delivering mail in New York City since 2001. And three-wheel electric (T-3) vehicles are being tested as possible replacements for traditional gasoline delivery vehicles in Florida, California, Texas and Arizona. The T-3 has a range of 40 miles, a maximum speed of 12 mph, can carry 450 pounds, has zero emissions and averages 4 cents a mile in energy costs.

A national energy management plan has been established by Postal Service leadership, said Pulcrano, including goals and standards for energy reduction and consumption for facility energy management, fleet management, fuel use and energy consumption.

Pulcrano noted other energy and conservation programs, including:

• Several large solar photovoltaic systems. Photovoltaic’s convert sunlight directly into electricity. The emissions eliminated by using solar power are equal to planting more than 850,000 trees.
• A green roof on the top of the Morgan mail processing facility in New York City. One of the largest in the country and the largest green roof in Manhattan, the roof will last up to 50 years, twice as long as the roof it replaced. It also will reduce the amount of storm water runoff flowing into New York’s municipal water system by as much as 75% in the summer and 40% in the winter.
• Secure recycle bins housed in 6,000 Post Office lobbies nationwide, making it easier for postal customers to make environmentally friendly choices about their mail. The program promotes the message: “Read, Respond, Recycle.”
• Cradle to Cradle Certification based on the quality of raw materials used to produce Priority Mail and Express Mail packaging, cardboard signs in Post Office lobbies and Ready Post packaging and shipping supplies – including tape and labels. The Postal Service is the only shipping or mailing company to earn this designation.