U.S. Postal Service Celebrates Earth Day

Employees Recycle Thousands of Pounds of Small Electronics

WASHINGTON — Postmaster General John Potter today launched a campaign to increase awareness and create results for energy conservation at a “Turning Over a Green Leaf” event in celebration of Earth Day.

Building on its history of environmental innovation, and its goal of reducing energy use 30 percent by 2015, the Postal Service is working to create a culture of conservation among its 646,000 employees in its 34,000 facilities and among its suppliers and partners in the mailing industry.

Employees exhibited “green” initiatives, including the Postal Service’s Green web site, a carbon and lifestyle calculator, an office supplies swap web site, energy-saving tips, and Cradle to Cradle-certified “green” packaging and shipping supplies.

A small electronics recycling center was set up to enable employees to recycle cell phones, laptops, BlackBerry devices and MP3 players, with the goal of doubling the 6,000 pounds of materials recycled at last year’s event.

Outside corporate headquarters, Potter contrasted the old — an antique delivery bicycle and a 1929 Model AA Ford delivery vehicle — with the new, four battery-powered vehicles from Chrysler’s ENVI organization and a GM hydrogen fuel-cell truck. The all-electric minivans could be tested as early as this summer as a possible replacement for traditional Postal Service fuel delivery vehicles.

“We continue to look for energy-efficient replacement vehicles for our aging fleet,” said Postal Service vice president of Sustainability, Sam Pulcrano, “as we explore ways to reduce our transportation-related carbon emissions.”

“The Postal Service is a recognized environmental innovator and leader, and Chrysler is excited at the prospect of continuing our relationship by working to deliver alternative energy postal delivery vehicles in the future,” said Lou Rhodes, vice president, Advance Vehicle Engineering and president of ENVI, Chrysler LLC.

The Postal Service has been honored with more than 70 major environmental awards, including the 2009 Climate Action Champion award, and 39 White House Closing the Circle awards for environmental stewardship.

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An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation, 149 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes, six days a week. It has 34,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products and services, not tax dollars, to pay for operating expenses. Named the Most Trusted Government Agency five consecutive years by the Ponemon Institute, the Postal Service has annual revenue of $75 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail.