Grand Rapids MI — A recognized sustainability leader and innovator, the Postal Service continued a 50-year tradition today with the issuance of its latest Social Awareness stamp: Go Green. The sheet of Forever stamps features 16 simple ways to make a positive impact on the environment.
"With the issuance of these stamps, the Postal Service is continuing its long, proud history of raising awareness of important social issues…one letter at a time,” said Greater Michigan District Manager, Charley Miller. “The iconic Go Green Forever stamps highlight easy low- and no-cost steps everyone can take to be greener, including sharing rides, turning off lights and recycling more.”
The Postal Service is the only mailing and shipping company in the world whose shipping supplies are Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM which meet established standards for human and environmental health and recyclability. USPS is issuing 27 billion Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM postage products, including the Go Green stamps which promote environmental awareness and action.
The Postal Service has been environmentally friendly since 1899 when it tested the first electric vehicle in Buffalo, NY. Today, three-wheel electric mail delivery vehicles deliver mail in Arizona, California and Florida, with zero gas emissions and at a cost of only 2 cents a mile to operate. Since 2005, USPS has increased its use of alternative fuels 133 percent, and since 2003, has reduced its energy use 24 percent. Learn more about USPS sustainability initiatives at the green newsroom.
Activities highlighted on the Go Green stamps include:
- Buying local produce, reusing bags
- Fixing water leaks
- Sharing rides
- Turning off lights not in use
- Choosing to walk
- Reducing our environmental footprint, GOING GREEN step by step
- Composting
- Letting nature do the work by drying laundry on a clothesline
- Recycling more
- Riding a bike
- Planting trees
- Insulating the home
- Using public transportation
- Using efficient light bulbs
- Adjusting the thermostat
- Maintaining tire pressure
The Postal Service is becoming greener and continues to decrease its carbon footprint. The Go Green stamps will raise awareness about helping the environment, so anyone can participate, and do the same.
How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first day of issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office facility, at the Postal Store website at www.usps.com/shop, or by calling 800-STAMP-24. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in larger envelopes addressed to:
Go Green Stamp
Special Cancellations
PO Box 92282
Washington, DC 20090-2282
After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark. All orders must be postmarked by June 14, 2011.
How to Order First-Day Covers
Stamp Fulfillment Services also offers first-day covers for new stamp issues and Postal Service stationery items postmarked with the official first-day-of-issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the quarterly USA Philatelic Catalog. Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-STAMP-24 or writing to:
Information Fulfillment
Dept. 6270
U.S. Postal Service
PO Box 219014
Kansas City, MO 64121-9014
Philatelic Products
Nine philatelic products are available for this stamp issue:
- 467062* First-Day Cover Full Pane, $9.54.
- 467063* First-Day Cover Set of 16, $14.08.
- 467064* First-Day Cancelled Full Pane, $9.54.
- 467066 Seeded Oversized Postcard, Set of 4, $8.95.
- 467068* Digital Color Postmark Set of 16, $25.60.
- 467071 Family Activity Kit, $16.95.
- 467084 Uncut Press Sheet, $63.36.
- 467091* Ceremony Program, $6.95.
- 467099 Keepsake (Random DCP & Pane of 16), $8.95.
Items with an asterisk (*) will use the 128 barcode from Stamp Fulfillment Services. All other philatelic products will continue to use barcode series A, with the exception of the Yearbook and the Guide Book.
To purchase Go Green stamps and philatelic, licensed and retail products, visit usps.com/green.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
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Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/welcome.htm.
A self-supporting government enterprise, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation, 150 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes. The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations. With 32,000 retail locations and the most frequently visited website in the federal government, usps.com, the Postal Service has annual revenue of more than $67 billion and delivers nearly 40 percent of the world’s mail. If it were a private sector company, the U.S. Postal Service would rank 29th in the 2010 Fortune 500. Black Enterprise and Hispanic Business magazines ranked the Postal Service as a leader in workforce diversity. The Postal Service has been named the Most Trusted Government Agency six consecutive years and the sixth Most Trusted Business in the nation by the Ponemon Institute.
