The Postal Service has received a "climate action championship" award from the California Climate Action Registry, a voluntary registry for emissions baselines, in recognition of its efforts reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
According to USPS, since 2003 it has reduced energy use at its facilities by 15 percent while increasing alternative fuel use by 41 percent since 2006, in part by using electric and hybrid vehicles, ethanol-capable delivery trucks and bicycles to deliver the mail.
It said it continues to implement green strategies to reduce gas use by 20 percent over the next five years, and boasted of its Cradle to Cradle certification for its Express Mail and Priority Mail packages and envelopes, meaning the entire production process and materials that are used have been optimized in terms of recycling and energy use. That certification is part of a "green" branding strategy meant to help it compete with other carriers such as FedEx.
