How consumers interact with their mail
How consumers interact with their mail
Read MoreTag: Mail Services
The impact of mail on consumer behavior
The impact of mail on consumer behavior
Read MoreBoosting sales and brands through mail
Boosting sales and brands through mail
Read MoreScheme to introduce postcodes could cost up to euro 50m
The introduction of postcodes across the country will initially cost euro 15m, with the overall cost likely to be more than three times that.
The National Postcode Project Board (NPPB) has advised the government that euro 15m is the “upfront cost” of establishing, implementing and promoting the postcode.
An Post estimates that the overall cost of the scheme could be as high as euro 50m.
But Communications Minister Eamon Ryan has now decided to recruit more consultants to establish a “more complete estimate of the costs and benefits” of postcodes to the public sector.
The idea was first mooted by Mr Ryan’s predecessor Noel Dempsey, now Transport Minister, who originally set a deadline of 2008 for postcodes to be brought in.
On taking office last summer, the Green Party Minister pledged to press ahead with the introduction of a “clear and simple system” of postcodes as soon as possible.
Given the continued delays, however, it appears unlikely postcodes will be introduced before 2009.
Last night, Labour’s Liz McManus said she was not yet convinced of the necessity for postcodes and whether they should be prioritised.
Read MoreA smaller carbon footprint? (U.S)
Agencies have been ordered to cut their energy consumption, buy green office equipment, and gas up their government vehicles on ethanol-blended fuels.
But these mandates have only hinted at the ultimate goal: cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
That’s about to change.
The Environmental Protection Agency next year will order at least some agencies to start measuring and reducing their carbon footprint.
The U.S. Postal Service isn’t a member of the EPA program, but it’s also been taking steps to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions as part of a larger effort to make its postal routes more efficient. With help from IBM Global Business Services, the Postal Service in 2006 created a program to target inefficient highway routes driven by tractor trailers. In many cases, these trucks were operating at 60 percent capacity.
In two years, the Postal Service has saved 1.2 million gallons of gasoline, primarily diesel, and reduced its carbon dioxide emissions by 28 million pounds. It’s also cut emissions of carbon monoxide by 60,000 pounds and nitrogen oxide by 400,000 pounds.
E.J. Matto, an associate partner at IBM, said the program targets just a small number of trips but illustrates how much savings could be achieved if the agency were to target additional routes. “The next step is for the Postal Service to expand this to a larger level,” he said.
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