The Postal Service generates thousands of tons of solid waste every month. A huge price tag is associated with this massive amount of waste being generated by our facilities. Contractors are paid to pickup and haul the waste to landfills where additional charges are imposed by the facility operators. Recycling is aimed at diverting a substantial portion of the solid waste stream from the landfills to third-party recyclers who are willing to pay the Postal Service for our discarded mixed paper, corrugated cardboard, plastics, metals, and other materials. Recycling is a win-win proposition; not only does it make good business sense, it also helps protect the environment.
The good news is that the Postal Service is actively engaged in maximizing recycling revenues. In FY 2011, the Postal Service generated more than $24 million in recycling revenue and nearly $14 million in landfill cost avoidance. However, as an organization, we have room to grow in the area of recycling. We receive the highest possible rebates when the materials are kept free of debris or contamination. Backhauling through hub and spoke programs, baling, banding, and compacting are proven methods for maximizing recycling revenues. Unfortunately, less than 50 percent of our Post Offices and mail processing plants are currently involved in a backhaul/recycling program.
Many existing hub and spoke backhauling programs at our facilities will soon be impacted by the Network Optimization Plan. That is why we are working diligently with our partners in the Office of Sustainability to support changes in these programs or to create new ones for maximizing recycling revenues in the new optimized facilities network.
Another important component of the Postal Service’s Recycling Program is the recycling of unusable/damaged mail transport equipment (MTE). All unserviceable MTE must be routed to a Mail Transport Equipment Service Center (MTESC) where recycling contracts are in place to ensure that best value is received for these discarded items.
The Postal Service is a national leader in recycling. We have experienced tremendous success in recycling materials that once went directly to landfills.
Trash and Recycling Team: Traditional Solid Waste and Recyclable Materials
Scott Theriault 860-285-7163
Shirley Leong 860-285-7296
Lisa Madison 860-285-7193
Hazardous Waste Team: Chemicals, Oils, Tires, Batteries, Light Bulbs, etc.
Joseph Han 202-268-6987
Axel Rivera 202-268-6233
We now ask for your support for building on that success so that we can all continue to reap the financial and environmental benefits of recycling. Go Green!
