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use USPS.com instead of driving to the Post Office™ and save energy and money too. estimate your savings now

results : If you used usps.com and skipped trips to the Post Office™ you would save time and over a year an estimated:

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How We figured this out

Key Assumptions

Carbon Emissions per Gallon of Gasoline = 0.0088 metric tons of CO2 (Source U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) 1 metric ton = 2,204.6 pounds

Each vehicle emits 5.46 metric tons (12,037 lbs.) of CO2E annually (Source U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

How We Estimate Your Savings

Round-trip mileage divided by average fuel economy equals gasoline used in one trip

Gallons of gasoline used times number of trips/year = Gallons of Gasoline (annual)

Gallons of gasoline used times average price of gasoline = Fuel Costs (annual)

Total gasoline times .008 times 2204.6 = Carbon Dioxide savings (in metric tons)

Carbon dioxide savings times 2204.6 = Pounds of Carbon Dioxide savings (annual)

Our mpg values

The following fuel economy values are based on U.S. EPA data:

Compact car = 24.85 mpg*

Mid-sized car = 22.40 mpg*

Large car = 20.56 mpg*

Pickup truck = 16.48 mpg**

Sport utility vehicle = 18.57 mpg***

About our mpg values

The above fuel economy values are likely to overestimate the efficiency of your vehicle, since data is from new cars, pickups and SUVs. So your savings will be underestimated somewhat as a result.

*The car values were derived from EPA combined city/highway fuel efficiency data for new 1990-2007 models. We excluded hybrid models. Source: Light-Duty Automotive Technology and Fuel Economy Trends: 1975 through 2007, EPA, Sept. 2007. The report is available at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/fetrends.htm.

**The pickup truck value is an average of EPA combined city/highway fuel efficiency data for 142 2008 models. We assume 50/50 city/highway driving. We excluded E85 models. Data for each pickup represented is available using the pull-down menu at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/byclass.htm.

***The sport utility vehicle truck value is an average of EPA combined city/highway fuel efficiency data for 330 2008 models. We assume 50/50 city/highway driving. We excluded hybrid and E85 models. Data for each SUV represented is available using the pull-down menu at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/byclass.htm.

Other Data

An average U.S. household emits 11.33 metric tons (24,978 lbs.) of CO2 per year, or 68 lbs. per day (Source U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

Tree — The 23.2 lbs of carbon per tree is based on savings over a 10-year period, beginning from the time of planting (Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency).

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Key Assumptions

Carbon Emissions per Gallon of Gasoline = 0.0088 metric tons of CO2 (Source U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) 1 metric ton = 2,204.6 pounds

Each vehicle emits 5.46 metric tons (12,037 lbs.) of CO2E annually (Source U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)


How We Estimate Your Savings

Round-trip mileage divided by average fuel economy equals gasoline used in one trip


Gallons of gasoline used times number of trips/year = Gallons of Gasoline (annual)


Gallons of gasoline used times average price of gasoline = Fuel Costs (annual)


Total gasoline times .008 times 2204.6 = Carbon Dioxide savings (in metric tons)


Carbon dioxide savings times 2204.6 = Pounds of Carbon Dioxide savings (annual)

Our mpg values

The following fuel economy values are based on U.S. EPA data:

Compact car : 24.85 MPG* Mid-sized Car : 22.40 MPG* Large Car : 20.56 MPG* Pickup truck / mini-vans : 16.48 MPG** Sport utility vehicle : 18.57 MPG***

About our mpg values

The above fuel economy values are likely to overestimate the efficiency of your vehicle, since data is from new cars, pickups and SUVs. So your savings will be underestimated somewhat as a result.

*The car values were derived from EPA combined city/highway fuel efficiency data for new 1990-2007 models. We excluded hybrid models. Source: Light-Duty Automotive Technology and Fuel Economy Trends: 1975 through 2007, EPA, Sept. 2007. The report is available at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/fetrends.htm.

**The pickup truck value is an average of EPA combined city/highway fuel efficiency data for 142 2008 models. We assume 50/50 city/highway driving. We excluded E85 models. Data for each pickup represented is available using the pull-down menu at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/byclass.htm.

***The sport utility vehicle truck value is an average of EPA combined city/highway fuel efficiency data for 330 2008 models. We assume 50/50 city/highway driving. We excluded hybrid and E85 models. Data for each SUV represented is available using the pull-down menu at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/byclass.htm.


Other Data

An average U.S. household emits 11.33 metric tons (24,978 lbs.) of CO2 per year, or 68 lbs. per day (Source U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

Tree — The 23.2 lbs of carbon per tree is based on savings over a 10-year period, beginning from the time of planting (Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency).

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Our environmental efforts…
Our mission is to deliver now — and for future generations. With every step we take, we are committed to leaving a "green" footprint across the American landscape. The Postal Service has a long history of environmental stewardship. We are pioneers in using alternative fuel-capable vehicles. We support recycling programs and we offer eco-friendly products and services. We're working with customers to reduce mail that's undeliverable, and we’re working with other delivery companies to move mail and packages on shared transportation, saving on energy costs and consumption.

We not only can lead by example, we can empower the American people to go green too.

Did you know…
  • The Postal Service has the largest civilian alternate fuel vehicle fleet in the nation.
Our environmental awards…

Get eco-friendly packaging for FREE! : Shop the Postal Store®Priority Mail Box Image Alpine Tundra Stamps: This stamp pane is the ninth in an educational series designed to promote appreciation of major plant and animal communities in the United States. buy now