USPS Reports on 'Life Cycle Inventory of Mail

The USPS yesterday issued a report on the Lifecycle Inventory of Mail (LCI). The study explores “how mail really affects the environment.” The study covers topics including paper manufacture from tree-cutting to paper, to creating a mail piece, to delivery, to disposal or recycling. The study found that, at the household level, energy and CO2 emissions associated with the entire mail life cycle are roughly comparable to those from operating any of several common home appliances over the same period of time. It was noted in the Postal Service study that the energy and CO2 emissions associated with mail was roughly equivalent to the annual houselhold energy and CO2 emissions of an electric coffee pot. Commenting on the report, DMA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Jerry Cerasale said, “USPS has committed to improve its environmental footprint and has set goals to achieve greener mail and a greener USPS. We applaud them and pledge to work with them as we have begun with our Green 15.”

LCI Report