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USPS cut environmental impact by 20 percent last year
Through a wide range of "green" practices, the United States Postal Service substantially reduced its carbon footprint last year, the agency reported Thursday. Specifically, the USPS noted an 8 percent decrease in greenhouse gas emissions in 2010, from a baseline level of 2008 measurements.
The service is aiming to reduce its total carbon footprint by 20 percent by 2020 through the use of more fuel-efficient vehicles, greater bicycle and walking routes, more efficient practices such as address verification and more sustainable shipping supplies. Total USPS energy savings earned last year equate to 204,000 passenger vehicles, the agency reported.
"Postal Service employees are laser-focused on reducing energy use at Post Offices and mail processing centers," said Tom Samra, vice president of Facilities. "We are proud to have reduced our facility energy-related emissions 12 percent from FY 2008 to FY 2010 - enough to power approximately 39,000 average American households for a year."
Aside from improving their environmental impact, businesses can also save capital by modifying their use of the postal service. For example, simple address validation software can save large amounts of money - and environmental waste - by eliminating "assessorial" charges.
