USPS and Cradle to Cradle

MBDC has collaborated with the United States Postal Service (USPS) to achieve the Silver level of Cradle to Cradle^SM Certification for the 500 million Priority Mail and Express Mail envelopes and packages distributed to customers each year.

Certification also was completed for more than 200 million pieces of mailing supplies each year, including labels and packaging tape. USPS intends to renew its Cradle to Cradle Certification each year and seek to achieve higher tiers through collaboration with its packaging and component suppliers.

MBDC examined 60 packaging items, which break down into 250 component materials and 1,400 individual ingredients. The materials used by all 200 suppliers in the manufacture of USPS packaging were assessed for their impacts on human health, environmental health and recyclability, including the responsible use of energy and water throughout production. Suppliers will maintain these high standards as an integral part of doing business with the Postal Service.

Cradle to Cradle Certification is another achievement by the United States Postal Service in its long history of commitment to environmental stewardship. Since 1995, USPS has been honored with over 70 awards for energy reduction, recycling and waste prevention programs, incorporation of recycled content in packaging, and use of alternative fuels within vehicles and facilities across the nation.

Cradle to Cradle Leadership and Ongoing Efforts

Cradle to Cradle Certification of Priority Mail and Express Mail packaging has established USPS and its suppliers as environmentally responsible leaders in product design. Future goals and activities include:

• Use more packaging materials that can be safely recycled
• Provide more detailed analysis of ingredients in USPS packaging (100 ppm or 0.01%)
• Eliminate hazardous ingredients from the supply chain
• Promote greater understanding of climate change and its implications for materials
• Establish stringent environmental criteria without affecting cost or performance
• Leverage continuous environmental improvements across vendors
• Achieve a higher tier of Cradle to Cradle Certification over time

More information:

Cradle to Cradle Framework
Cradle to Cradle Certification

Cradle to Cradle Certified^CM is a certification mark of MBDC.
Cradle to Cradle^SM is a service mark of MBDC.