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The Postal Service has implemented a program to reduce power consumption at data centers using a technology that allows multiple applications to run on a single server. This ongoing process, called “virtualization,” increases the available resources of each server and has eliminated more than 1,600 servers and reduced hardware maintenance costs by $2 million. Conversion of 40 percent of workstations to power-saving monitors and replacement of outmoded equipment with energy-efficient units resulted in rebates of more than $250,000 from power companies.
In addition to energy reduction, fewer printers and less paper are used as part of the PRint and IMaging Environment (PRIME) initiative. This has reduced the number of stand-alone printers through networking and decreased the number of pages printed by switching the default printer setting to back-and-front printing. Printer paper used is at least 30 percent post-consumer recycled content, and a recycling program is in place for ink and toner cartridges.
Green IT also is helping employees and customers improve their carbon footprint. The Postal Service’s Wide Area Network supports live video multicasts and webinars for more than 250,000 users. These technologies reduce fuel use and carbon dioxide emissions by enabling greater use of online meetings and telecommuting.
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