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U.S. Postal Service Announces "Cradle to Cradle"SM
Certification
Co-branded Boxes Meet Higher Environmental Standards
The U.S. Postal Service is the only mailing or shipping company
in the nation to achieve "Cradle to Cradle"SM
Certification at the Silver level from MBDC (McDonough Braungart
Design Chemistry) for human and environmental health. Postal Service
mailing and shipping supplies already had exceeded government
requirements, including recycled content standards from the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency. Going beyond existing federal and
state agency requirements was a goal in seeking certification.
Cradle to Cradle Certification is a scientifically based process
that reviews specific criteria to assess the environmental
attributes of materials used in products. MBDC examined 60 packaging
items, breaking those items down to 250 component materials and then
further analyzing 1,400 individual ingredients in those component
materials before awarding the certification.
Based on the recycled content of the more than 500 million
Express Mail and Priority Mail packages and envelopes the Postal
Service provides its customers each year, more than 15,000 metric
tons of carbon equivalent emissions (climate change gases) now will
be prevented annually. Express Mail and Priority Mail boxes and
envelopes also are 100 percent recyclable.
To achieve certification, all 200 suppliers contributing to the
manufacture of Postal Service envelopes and packages completed a
demanding series of measurements and assessments of materials for
human and environmental health. Maintaining these new, higher
standards is now an integral part of doing business with the Postal
Service.
"We are proud that the collaborative efforts of so many
businesses, suppliers and production companies will result in
improved human and environmental health," said Postmaster General
John E. Potter. "At the Postal Service, we continue to find
innovative ways to help the environment without passing added costs
onto our customers. Our friends at eBay will not see any change in
price, service or convenience."
All materials were examined using 39 criteria for human and
environmental health, including toxicity, renewable energy, water
stewardship, recyclability and other manufacturing attributes.
The Postal Service also worked with MBDC to gain certification
for an additional 200 million pieces of mailing supplies used each
year (decals, labels, packing tape), examining inks, tapes and
adhesives.
Consumer convenience didn't stop with higher environmental
standards. The Postal Service also redesigned all Priority Mail and
Express Mail packages and envelopes, including the popular Flat-Rate
boxes and envelopes. Customers now can use the same Priority Mail or
Express Mail packaging whether shipping within the United States or
to another country. Eliminating the need for separate materials for
international mail further reduces source material for recycling. |
