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28 The operator has also set up a service that allows members of the public to send in their old electrical equipment for recycling. This provides a means for the Post to provide a service and encourage recycling while complementing the recycling that it carries out itself. 84 United States of America In 1,500 USPS post offices, customers can obtain free mail-back envelopes for recycling inkjet cartridges, mobile phones, PDAs, digital cameras and other similar items. Postage is paid for by a nationally recognized company that recycles, remanufactures and remarkets inkjet cartridges, laser cartridges and small electronic items. 85 86 In 2009, about 69,000 kilogrammes of material was recycled through the mail-back envelopes. Lessons learned: – Such initiatives can help to reduce collection costs. – Recycling is improved. – Posts can enhance their public image. – Posts can generate new contacts with customers. – New business opportunities can open up. 8 Raising awareness Tackling environmental issues calls for concrete action by individuals. So raising the awareness of the public is important, for the postal sector as for any other sector. This awareness raising has two particular aims: Firstly, the Post is a huge sector which has great potential to become more sustainable by raising awareness within the sector itself. And secondly, the postal sector has a huge network with a direct public interface. A number of operators have made use of this huge network to raise the awareness of the public. 8.1 Changing the everyday habits of staff The postal sector has 5.5 million employees around the world. In addition, designated operators are one of the biggest employers in each country. So the sector and operators consume a lot of energy and natural resources. To reduce the total consumption of the sector and of operators, staff cooperation is essential. Here are some good examples of operators raising awareness among their employees. Cambodia At Cambodia Post, awareness-raising stickers are displayed in offices and toilets: – Please turn the light and water off before leaving. – Save water and electricity, save the environment. – Love the environment, love ourselves. Maldives All staff are informed through office memos, flyers and posters of the need to save water and electricity. Bills for both water and electricity have fallen as a result. 83 UPU Sustainable Development Project Group Newsletter, No 15, April 2010 (www.upu.int/en/activities/sustainable-development/sustainable-development-newsletters.html) 84 Postal Technology International, March 2010 85 www.usps.com/mailpro/2008/marapril/page16.htm 86 www.usps.com/green/report/2009/services.htm#vending
29 Mauritius Circulars and newsletters are issued on a quarterly basis to raise staff awareness of the importance of reducing energy and water consumption. Following the first circulars and newsletters, Mauritius Post's energy and water consumption fell by 10%. Mauritius Post promotes waste reduction and use of recycled materials among staff. Posters are displayed in post offices to disseminate products prompting post office staff to consider measures to protect the environment, such as eco-designed products made from recycled paper and other recycled materials. Tanzania (United Rep.) A "switch off when not in use" initiative has been in place since the inception of the Tanzania Posts Corporation in 1994. The operator reminds staff of this initiative through post office circulars and notices on staff notice boards. Tanzania Post estimates that these actions cut consumption of electricity by between 2 and 4%. Lessons learned: – Direct effect: reduced energy consumption and lower drain on natural resources in daily operations. – Substantial reductions achieved with relatively low costs. – Involvement of staff is essential. – Working conditions can also be improved through such initiatives. 8.2 Raising public awareness The postal network is the largest physical network in the world, with more than 660,000 post offices. Millions of people visit post offices every day or perform postal operations through Posts' websites. This means that the sector has a potential to reach people around the world and to raise public awareness. 8.2.1 Organizing campaigns As a part of CSR activities, some postal operators organize and participate in campaigns which raise the awareness of the public. Viet Nam Vietnam Post takes part in the Earth Hour and Environment Day campaigns. Earth Hour is an annual international event launched by the World Wildlife Fund to encourage households and businesses to save electricity in non-essential areas for one hour on the last Saturday of every March. World Environment Day is a United Nations event held each year on 5 June to raise worldwide awareness of environmental issues and encourage political action. Viet Nam takes part in these global programmes by launching national programmes and campaigns in which Vietnam Post takes an active part. VNPT took part in the National Earth Hour campaign by turning off lights during Earth Hour to save electricity. VNPT's participation in these activities has helped it to reduce water and electricity consumption in postal production activities. Botswana 87 Botswana Post, in common with other countries throughout the world, commemorates the annual World Post Day. An event on the theme of "A postal service committed to green growth" was held at Mmankgodi Village in Kweneng District. In line with the theme, Botswana Post planted trees at three schools, and then donated 87 www.botspost.co.bw/doc/botswana_post_newsletter09_edited.pdf
Page 1: Best practices for a greener postal
Page 4 and 5: 4 Forewords With more than 600 000
Page 6 and 7: 6 Making a difference: activities w
Page 8 and 9: 8 New Zealand New Zealand Post has
Page 10 and 11: 10 Emitters (operators in the case
Page 12 and 13: 12 Viet Nam VNPT sets fuel consumpt
Page 14 and 15: 14 In the postal sector, more than
Page 16 and 17: 16 Greece In November 2008, Helleni
Page 18 and 19: 18 Employing a total system approac
Page 20 and 21: 20 5 Using renewable energy Renewab
Page 22 and 23: 22 Italy Today, 50% of all electric
Page 24 and 25: 24 remaining emissions are compensa
Page 26 and 27: Lessons learned: - Such initiatives
Page 30 and 31: 30 further trees to the Mmankgodi c
Page 32: 32 buildings" which are both user f

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