The US Postal Service is successfully reducing its CO2 footprint despite its financial troublesand says it is well on the way towards its 2020 target.
USPS achieved an 8% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from a fiscal year (FY) 2008baseline. CO2 emissions were cut by a total of 1,067,834 tonnes.
The Postal Service voluntarily reported its FY 2010 GHG emissions reduction progress accordingto Federal Greenhouse Gas Accounting and Reporting Guidance. USPS reported a reduction of 9.5% infacility energy and fuel use, and 7% in contracted transport, wastewater and solid waste.
“These results demonstrate the Postal Service’s commitment to reduce our GHG emissions 20% byfiscal year 2020,” said Emil Dzuray, acting USPS chief sustainability officer. “Our leaner, faster,smarter energy reduction and conservation efforts have placed us more than one third of the way toour goal.”
Reduced facility energy use represented almost half of the Postal Service’s GHG emissionsdecrease. From FY 2003 to FY 2010, USPS reduced its facility energy use by 29.4%, or 9.9 trillionBTUs which is an amount equal to the energy used by approximately 100,000 average Americanhouseholds in a year.
“Postal Service employees are laser-focused on reducing energy use at Post Offices and mailprocessing centers,” said Tom Samra, vice president, Facilities. “We are proud to have reduced ourfacility energy-related emissions 12% from FY 2008 to FY 2010 — enough to power approximately39,000 average American households for a year.”
Other factors supporting USPS’ positive GHG results include the creation of more than 400cross-functional Lean Green Teams across the country, which produce significant results in energyreduction and resource conservation, usage of more than 44,000 alternative fuel-capable vehiclesand a large number of ‘green’ mail delivery routes by foot or bicycle.
USPS said these energy-conservation actions are part of a comprehensive strategy to meet itsgoals to reduce energy use in its facilities 30% by 2015 and GHG emissions 20% by 2020.
USPS said it 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,and Direct Marketing Association Green Echo awards, as well as the Postal Technology InternationalEnvironmental Achievement of the Year.
