April 21, 2011
(Albany, New York – April 21, 2011) Today at a ceremony held at the Karner Road General Mail Facility, the Postmaster of Albany, Joseph Finan, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Judith Enck and and CDTA Chief Executive Officer Carm Basile unveiled the U.S. Postal Service’s new Go Green stamps. The stamps depict different ways that people can make a difference in protecting the environment. The 16 stamps depict practical ways that people can conserve energy and water and reduce waste by composting and improve air quality by taking public transportation.
“These stamps are an everyday reminder of how our actions affect the environment,” said Judith Enck, EPA Regional Administrator. “The U.S. Post Office has shown real environmental leadership in greening it own operations, and we applaud them for creating these practical and educational Go Green stamps.”
“Each year, the Postal Service selects a stamp to serve as its Social Awareness stamp,” added Postmaster Finan. “We’re creating a culture of conservation at the Postal Service that will have a lasting impact in our workplaces and our communities.”
The U.S. Postal Service is a partner in several EPA programs, including WasteWise and Energy Star. The Service has been committed to environmental protection since 1899 when it tested the first electric vehicle in Buffalo, NY. Today, the agency operates more than 44,000 alternative fuel capable mail delivery vehicles across the country, including ethanol, biodiesel, compressed natural gas and electric. Since 2005, USPS has increased its use of alternative fuels 133 percent, and since 2003, has reduced its facility energy use 28 percent. The Postal Service chose the Go Green stamps as this year’s social awareness stamps to help raise awareness about cleaning up the environment.
“The Post Office should be commended for introducing their Go Green stamps to create awareness of environmentally sustainable practices that make a real difference in our community,” said CDTA CEO Carm Basile. “Using public transportation is one of the most effective ways to reduce our carbon footprint. Our new Route 5 BusPlus service supports this goal even further with its limited stop operation, advanced technology, and hybrid diesel electric buses.”
For more information on small changes that can make an environmental difference, visit http://www.epa.gov/earthday/tips.htm. For more information about the US Postal Services “Go Green” stamps, visit http://www.usps.com/green/gogreenstamps.htm.