Lean Green Teams are moving forward in FY 2013 to get all plants and Network Distribution Centers (NDC) signed up on the Green Initiative Tracking Tool (GITT). On the GITT, teams are selecting easy low- and no-cost projects to reduce wasted facility energy, vehicle fuel, water, and spending on office supplies. Lean Green Teams also work on diverting solid waste from landfills to recycling in order to reduce disposal costs and build revenue. In FY 2012, USPS® efforts in these programs resulted in a positive impact to the bottom line of over $76 million. But there is still a lot of opportunity to get involved in reducing waste and cost, boosting revenue, and making the USPS a more sustainable place to work. Every little bit makes a difference, especially when you multiply even the smallest savings by 33,000 facilities and 212,000 vehicles.
This year, we have more options to help Lean Green Teams save money and generate revenue for the USPS, including helping to divert USPS electronic wastes to the Topeka Material Distribution Center (see companion article on page 4) and promoting the new USPS Federal Recycling Program (see companion article on page 8). These two programs are designed to promote internal electronic waste recycling, and help all federal agencies and their employees recycle qualified end-of-life products free of charge.
Lean Green Teams are encouraged to help the Postal Service™ reduce electronic waste by:
n Sharing the companion article on electronic recycling tips with fellow employees so none of these items go in landfills (see page 5).
n Working with employee supervisors to deploy Notice 890-A on all dumpsters and compactors at Postal Service facilities. Notice 890-A is intended to remind employees and custodians that electronic waste must never be disposed of in landfills.
Watch for the announcement of the USPS web link so that your Lean Green Team can take advantage of the benefits of these important eWaste recycling programs for the wide range of electronics generated at your facility.
If you aren’t a member of a Lean Green Team at your facility, you have probably heard something about these teams in the last few years. If you haven’t had the opportunity to participate, as an individual or as a team, take a look at the Lean Green Team home page at http://blue.usps.gov/sustainability/greenteams.htm. You will find links to the Lean Green Team Guide and other resources to help you establish a successful Lean Green Team at your facility.
