USPS 'Go Green' Stamps

Did you know the United States Postal Service is the only mailing and shipping company in the world whose packaging, stamped cards, and stamped envelopes meet the (Cradle to Cradle Certification) standards for human health, environmental health, and recyclability? According to USPS Chief Sustainability Officer, Emil Dzuray, that's just the beginning of their commitment to conservation. In 2010, the USPS recycled more than 222,000 tons of material. Thousands of facilities are working together to meet their goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2020. And most recently, the USPS decided to spread the good green word with their new Go Green stamps.

William Gicker, creative director of Stamp Development, and the folks in the Art Department could have illustrated big concepts, like solar or wind power, but wanted to send the message that the opportunity to live greener belongs to each of us. They were also well aware of the thin line between motivating and guilt tripping, so they teamed up with someone capable of communicating light, environmentally friendly messages without a finger-shaking scold: filmmaker, animator and founder of Climate Cartoons, Derry Noyes. Derry and her older brother Eli.

The Go Green stamps feature "playful but purposeful" illustrative tips that everyone can do. Many of the suggestions, like "use efficient light bulbs" and "recycle more" are things we already do. Others, like "compost" and "maintain tire pressure" inspire a little extra effort. The stamps were released in April and are available for purchase online and at your local post office.