New printings of current U.S. Postal Service® stamped cards and stamped envelopes will include an added indication to customers that these products are more ecologically conscious and reduce waste. This updates products first described in the articles “Stamp Announcement 09-15: Koi” in Postal Bulletin 22254 (3-12-09, pages 39–40) and “Stamp Announcement 09-24, Seabiscuit Stamped Envelope”, and “Stamp Announcement 09-25, Forever Stamped Envelope” in Postal Bulletin 22256 (4-9-09, pages 29–35 and 36–42), All these new varieties of cards and envelopes will have their first day of issue, January 4, 2010, in Kansas City, Missouri.
The new varieties of these cards and envelopes differ from the previously announced cards and envelopes only by the addition of the Cradle to Cradle (C2C) logo on each card or envelope, indicating that USPS® stamped cards and stamped envelopes have been awarded Cradle to Cradle Silver-level Certification. This certification provides the Postal Service™ with a means to measure achievement in environmentally intelligent design while helping customers purchase and specify products that are pursuing a broader definition of quality. This further highlights how the Postal Service is instituting strategies for social and environmental responsibility.
Cradle to Cradle Certification is awarded to products that pursue an innovative vision of ecologically intelligent design that eliminates the concept of waste. These products have been certified by McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC) for human and environmental health for their material content, recyclability, and manufacturing characteristics. As a result, the Postal Service not only exceeds governmental standards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, but it is the only mailing and shipping company to earn such certification for a wide range of its materials, helping it remain a global leader in environmental initiatives.
As existing supplies of Koi stamped cards, Seabiscuit stamped envelopes and Forever stamped envelopes are depleted, the new varieties with the Cradle to Cradle logo will be used for customer and Post Office™ orders. Customers may order the new Cradle to Cradle varieties by mail, at the Postal Store® website www.usps.com/shop, or by calling 800-STAMP-24 with the following item numbers:
n 283198: Koi Stamped Card, set of 2 designs, $0.62.
n 283163: Koi Stamped Card FDC, set of 2, $0.82.
n 283240: Koi Stamped Double-reply Card, $0.62.
n 283261: Koi Stamped Double-reply Card FDC, $0.72.
n 288500: Seabiscuit Water-activated Gum (WAG),
No. 10 size, regular, $0.54.
n 288561: Seabiscuit WAG No. 10 regular FDC, $0.64.
n 288600: Seabiscuit WAG No. 10 with window, $0.54.
n 288661: Seabiscuit WAG No. 10 with window FDC, $0.64.
n 288700: Seabiscuit WAG No. 9 regular, $0.54.
n 288761: Seabiscuit WAG No. 9 regular FDC, $0.64.
n 288800: Seabiscuit WAG No. 9 with window, $0.54.
n 288861: Seabiscuit WAG No. 9 with window FDC, $0.64.
n 294800: Seabiscuit WAG No. 6-3/4 regular, $0.54.
n 294861: Seabiscuit WAG No. 6-3/4 regular FDC, $0.64.
n 294900: Seabiscuit WAG No. 6-3/4 with window, $0.54.
n 294961: Seabiscuit WAG No. 6-3/4 with window FDC, $0.64.
n *299063: Seabiscuit Pressure-sensitive Adhesive (PSA) FDC bundle, $4.44.
n *290563: Forever WAG FDC bundle, $3.84.
n *280163: Forever PSA FDC bundle, $4.44.
n 299009: C2C (Cradle to Cradle) Variety Pack (mint envelopes), $10.92.
*These bundles include six envelopes: all three standard sizes (No. 10, 9, and 6 3/4) each with and without window.
The C2C Variety Pack includes 18 uncanceled envelopes: six envelopes (all sizes and styles) each of the Seabiscuit PSA, Forever PSA, and Forever WAG, which otherwise are exclusive to the personalized stamped envelope (PSE) program. For more information, visit www.usps.com/pse.
— Stamp Services,
Government Relations and Public Policy, 12-17-09
