USPS has worked out sustainability goals and plans that were posted by the US White House on itsnew website whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ceq along with federal government goals for clean
energy, reducing waste and greenhouse gas reduction.The Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan of the US postal operator joins other agency plansto help reach the green goals of the Obama Administration. It describes USPS’s environmental goalsand targets and summarises implementation initiatives. Its green practices and successes are widelyrecognised, including its recycling and mail-back programmes, electric and alternative fuel-poweredvehicles and Cradle to Cradle Certified mailing and shipping supplies.
“The Postal Service voluntarily worked with 55 other federal agencies to publicly release ourplans to achieve a sustainable future,” said Sam Pulcrano, vice president, Sustainability. “ThePostal Service is committed to building on our history of green innovation and socialresponsibility. This plan is another example of our sustainability leadership role.”
The plan also outlines a number of milestones set by USPS. For example, it became one of thefirst federal agencies to have a sustainability officer and was the first federal agency to publisha third-party-verified greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory and commit to absolute GHGreductions. It is also one of the first federal agencies to issue Global Reporting Initiative-basedpublic sustainability performance reports (2008 and 2009). USPS Joined other posts at the 2009United Nations Climate Conference in Copenhagen to become the first industry sector to commit toGHG reductions. It was named “most trusted government agency” for six consecutive years.
“The Postal Service is making progress in achieving its sustainability goals and continues tolay a solid foundation for a sustainable future for our organisation, our employees and ourcustomers,” Pulcrano added.
With a large national presence and more than 33,000 facilities, USPS takes steps daily tominimise its environmental impact. By achieving the goals outlined in its Strategic SustainabilityPerformance Plan, the Postal Service maximises resources, reduces costs, and benefits itsemployees, customers and the communities it serves.
The company has won more than 75 environmental awards, including 40 White House Closing theCircle, 10 Environmental Protection Agency WasteWise Partner of the Year, Climate Action Champion,Direct Marketing Association Green Echo, and the Postal Technology International EnvironmentalAchievement of the Year, 2009.
