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The United States Postal Service is actually doing something good for the environment. Under a test program at about 1,500 post offices, those who really want to recycle small electronics can do so free of charge and if it’s successful, they may make it a national recycling ability this fall. Postage-free envelopes, paid for by Clover Technologies Group, are available to send in old cell phones, personal data assistants, MP3 players, inkjet cartridges and other such small electronic items. Clover Technologies Group remanufactures and remarkets the items. If the item can’t be refurbished and resold, the component parts are used again to refurbish other items, or broken down further and recycled. Clover Technologies Group’s “zero waste to landfill” policy should be adopted everywhere. The company does everything to avoid contributing any more waste to the nation’s landfills.
Free and green. Those are the goals of a pilot program launched today by the U.S. Postal Service that allows customers to recycle small electronics and inkjet cartridges by mailing them free of charge. The “Mail Back” program helps consumers make more environmentally friendly choices, making it easier for customers to discard used or obsolete small electronics in an environmentally responsible way. Customers use free envelopes found in 1,500 Post Offices to mail back inkjet cartridges, PDAs, Blackberries, digital cameras, iPods and MP3 players – without having to pay for postage.
It was this philosophy that won Clover the contract with the Postal Service, besting 19 other companies, said Anita Bizzotto, chief marketing officer and executive vice president for the Postal Service.“As one of the nation’s leading corporate citizens, the Postal Service is committed to environmental stewardship,” Bizzotto said. “This program is one more way the Postal Service is empowering consumers to go green.” The free, postage-paid Mail Back envelopes can be found on displays in Post Office lobbies. There is no limit to the number of envelopes customers may take.
The pilot is set for 10 areas across the country, including Washington, D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles and San Diego, but could become a national program this fall if the pilot program proves successful.
The Postal Service recycles 1 million tons of paper, plastic and other materials annually. Last year, USPS generated more than $7.5 million in savings through recycling and waste prevention programs. The nation’s environmental watchdog, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded the Postal Service eight WasteWise Partner of the Year awards, the agency’s top honor.
(cbsnews)
References: usps, cbsnews
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