I recently went to the Post Office for stamps, and purchased the USPS Go Green Forever stamps that were released last year for Earth Day. The stamps feature simple things that anyone can that can have a positive impact on the environment. Each of the fifteen stamps features a way to reduce our environmental footprint. Buy local produce, reuse bags, fix water leaks, share rides, recycle more ride a bike, plant trees, and other everyday actions are featured on the stamps. Since the stamps are forever stamps, each stamp has the word forever on it. “Reuse bags… forever,” “Buy local produce…forever,” is how the stamps read.
The stamps are made from materials that re biodegradable and recyclable and is part of the Post Office’s Go Green sustainability initiative. The stamps are intended to help promote the idea that doing daily things can make a difference. Examples are that recycling one aluminum can save enough energy to run a computer by three hours, or inflating your car tires properly will improve gas mileage by three percent.
The U.S. post office has been working to reduce its impact on the environment for some time. For over 100 years, the post office has owned electric vehicles. The USPS was the first federal agency to publicly report greenhouse gas emissions, and has eco-friendly mailing materials that meet the Cradle to Cradle Certification, which is earned by conserving natural resources.
I haven’t used any of my stamps yet. It’s hard to say what using the stamps will do to promote these ideas, but I can’t wait to use the “Ride a bike… forever” stamp on a letter.
Links:
USPS sustainability initiatives and the Go Green Forever stamps