Each of us generates hundreds of pounds of mixed paper at home. Many USPS employees do not have the opportunity to recycle their mixed paper (i.e., newspapers, magazines, catalogs, advertising mail, etc.) because they live in a community where mixed paper recycling either does not exist or is not easily accessible. Since nearly all Post Offices have recycling programs for mixed paper and most are generating revenue, postmasters can increase employee awareness of the importance of recycling by encouraging them to bring in their mixed paper for a 1-day Earth Day event. Challenge them to see how much difference a coordinated approach to recycling can make by hosting a recycling day. For this special event, allow them to bring in their mixed paper and cardboard from home. Arranging this event is as simple as following the seven-step instructions set forth below. Before initiating such an event there are two prerequisites for success:
Step 1: Obtain facility management commitment.
Step 2: Identify a recycler for this collection event. If your office is already recycling, this is an easy step and requires nothing more than collecting the mixed paper grades currently accepted by your recycler. In all cases, be sure of the following:
n The vendor picks up the paper at no cost to USPS.
n The vendor provides guidance as to permissible and impermissible mixed paper and cardboard to bring from home for recycling.
n The event is organized so as not to impact USPS mail operations.
n The vendor agrees to share data on the amount recycled.
Once you have accomplished the first two steps, there are only five more tasks to complete a successful hosting of a mixed paper recycling event:
Step 3: Use specially designated containers to collect these mixed papers for recycling.
Step 4: Set a date and time for the mixed paper recycling event. Remember you can hold this event after Earth Day if it is more convenient for your employees and USPS operations.
Step 5: Post workroom and breakroom notices about the recycling event. Sample notices are available on the Office of Sustainability Earth Day website.
Step 6: Hold the recycling event as either a 1-day or 1-week collection effort with containers placed either in the workroom, breakroom, or other specially designated area. There should be at least one staff person available to provide guidance on recycling procedures, coordinating storage of the recyclables, and proper signage attached to or near the recycling containers.
Step 7: Once the event is over, be sure the recyclable paper and/or cardboard is deposited into the recycling vendor’s dumpsters or other collection equipment. Request the recycler to provide a report on the tonnage of paper collected. Share the results with the USPS Office of Sustainability by emailing sustainability@usps.gov.
Posters, notices, signs, placards, and questions and answers on hosting a successful mixed paper collection event are available for download at the Office of Sustainability website at http://blue.usps.gov/sustainability/earthday.htm.
