Post It Green

Back in the days of the Pony Express, the standard cry was “The mail must get through!” The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) still believes this, but these days, the cry more likely to be heard is “the mail must get through in the greenest way possible!”

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The U.S. Postal Service has long been an advocate of environmentally friendly practices. Through the years, they have increased their recycling efforts to a point where they are now recycling more than 1 million tons of paper, plastic and other materials a year.

But realizing that there is always more that can be done, the U.S. Postal Service has been developing more ways to improve it”Ëœs green services.

For example, it has worked hard to obtain Cradle to Cradle┞¢ certification in regards it’s Priority Mail and Express Mail division. As a result, it now offers”¦

  • Priority Mail and Express Mail boxes and envelopes which are 100 percent recyclable and free of charge.
  • Postage paid Click-N-Stick labels that can be printed from your home or office computer and then affixed to your package.
  • U.S. postage stamps that are made with soy-based inks and containing biodegradable and non-toxic adhesives which can be purchased online or over the phone, thus saving a trip to the P.O.

The USPS is also making it easier for Post Box customers to recycle their mail with the Post Office Box Lobby Recycling program. Secure recycling bins are strategically positioned in Post Office lobbies around the country with the aim of encouraging customers to open, sort, and recycle un-needed mail before they leave the Post Office lobby.

That’s just to tip of the iceberg. To find out more about the USPS green initiatives and practices, head over to their website and have a look around. You might be surpised at how green the USPS really is. Who knew?

Image: uzvards