The term “eWaste” is broadly defined as obsolete, surplus, or broken electrical or electronic devices, but may include a variety of equipment (see the Recyclable Postal Service eWaste list). Improper disposal of eWaste could be harmful to human health and the environment as it generally contains heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury.
Similarly, the USPS continues to upgrade its information technology platform with the concurrent challenge of realignment, consolidation, and downsizing of our mail-processing network. As a result, USPS generation of eWaste will substantially increase over the next several years. USPS Supply Management entered into an innovative revenue sharing contract in 2011 with Asset LifeCycle, LLC at our Topeka Material Distribution Center, to promote the collection, reuse, recycling, and disposal of our electronic equipment.
Our selected vendor, Asset Life Cycle, is a third-party certified “responsible recycler” in R2 and eStewardship, along with being a Postal Inspection Service-certified secure site. Third-party certifications ensure best management practices and offer a way to assess the environmental, worker health, and security practices of entities managing our used electronics.
n ACE Hardware and Equipment. Contact your local IT office to get accountability, collection, and shipping procedures for shipping ACE hardware and equipment to the Topeka Material Distribution Center.
n Processing and Distributions Centers. Follow MMO 04212, which provides instructions for shipping eWaste to the Topeka Material Distribution Center. Click the link for instructions: http://blue.usps.gov/sustainability/electronic_stewardship.htm.
n Post Offices. Contact your local IT office for information about recycling ACE-related hardware and equipment. Other eWastes (see the Recyclable Postal Service eWaste list) may be shipped directly to the Topeka Material Distribution Center.
n Electronic Security-Related Equipment. Contact your local Postal Inspection Service Field Office for more information about recycling security-related equipment.
Make sure your office is recycling its eWaste to ensure these items are generating revenue, rather than being placed in the trash. To take advantage of this nationwide eWaste recycling program, go to the sustainability website and download the instructions for sending your obsolete or non-functioning equipment to the Topeka Material Distribution Center. The eWaste shipping instructions are available at: http://blue.usps.gov/sustainability/electronic_stewardship.htm.
n Desktop computer, laptop computer, docking stations, and related power cords.
n CRT and LCD monitors.
n CD players, DVD players, optical drives, and modems.
n Circuit boards, PC boards, CPU, integrated chips, and finger cards.
n Cisco equipment.
n Tape backup equipment and data types.
n Calculators and electric typewriters.
n Point of sale equipment (POS).
n Hard drives, keyboards, and mice.
n Copiers, printers, plotters, and faxes.
n Network equipment, surge protectors, and wires and cables.
n Printer supplies (toner and ink).
n Overhead projectors.
n Fax machines and scanners.
n Cell phones, chargers, and wireless devices.
n Car chargers.
n Telephones, pagers, answering machines, adapters, and cords.
n Global positioning systems (GPS), cords, and chargers.
n Personal digital assistants (PDAs).
n Televisions, VCRs, DVD players, and speakers.
n Labeling and laminating machines.
n Cameras, camcorders, video and sound equipment, adapters, and cables.
n Microwaves and small electrical appliances.
n Power tools.
n Electric motors and fans.
n Switches.
n Universal power supply.
n Test equipment (voltage meters and field instruments).
n Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).
n Digital signs and sign board readers.
n Whitebox systems.
Send all old USPS electronics to the Asset Recovery Center at:
USPS Asset Recovery Center
7215 South Topeka Blvd, Bldg 3D
Topeka, KS 66624-9998
The USPS BlueEarth® Federal Recycling Program is the Postal Service's resource for the recycling of all empty toner and inkjet cartridges. We are trying to increase participation in every District and in every office. Please help us to spread the word to all that use a printer in your facilities. Go to http://blueearth.usps.gov instead of using the enclosed UPS label when returning your used cartridges.
Employees can securely and easily recycle toner and all types of inkjet cartridges by visiting the program website at http://BlueEarth.usps.gov.
The steps are simple:
n Click on “Get Started Today,” then choose agency assets and United States Postal Service® from the drop down menu.
n Fill out and submit the online form.
n Print the prepaid label, pack the empty cartridges in a box, and mail it.
DO NOT photocopy the labels. A new label must be generated for each shipment.
If you would like more information or have any questions, please contact the Investment Recovery Team at: InvestmentRecovery@USPS.gov or call 202-268-6201.
— Corporate Sustainability Initiatives,
Office of Sustainability, 4-2-15
