Undeliverable Standard Mail Recycling Program, 2000 Recycling Symposium Proceedings

Debbie Chapman-Hermann, Michael J. Fanning, Michael R. Barr--Recent studies suggest that mixed paper constitutes up to 70 percent of the Postal Service’s waste stream. This mixed paper is approximately one-third undeliverable standard mail (USM), one-third discarded mail, and one-third undeliverable newsprint. Since the Postal Service is responsible for managing large volumes of USM, it attempts to take advantage of this commodity’s potential high market value. The Postal Service has environmental policies that apply to its operational and customer service functions. These policies seek to reduce solid waste, avoid disposal costs for nonrecyclable materials, use recycled materials, and generate revenue from the sale of recycled materials. It has been actively pursuing these policies for several years, and the policies make good business sense, and demonstrate our commitment to sustainable development. This in effect creates business advantage and promotes a triple-bottom line the potential for achieving economic, social, and environmental benefits. The Postal Service is committed to voluntarily meeting the requirements of Executive Order 13101, Greening the Government Through Waste Prevention, Recycling, and Federal Acquisition, which directs the federal government executive agencies to use natural resources efficiently by maximizing recycling and preventing waste wherever possible. The Executive order is consistent with the Pollution and Prevention Act of 1990; the National Environmental Policy Act of 1970, which encourages the maximum attainable recycling of depletable resources; and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, which authorizes states and localities to establish plans and programs for managing solid waste. It is also consistent with Executive Order 12856, Federal Compliance with Right-to-Know Laws and Prevention Requirements.