Consumables
Pitney Bowes Environmental Roundtable Features Multiple Perspectives on Sustainable Mail
Tuesday 04. November 2008 - As consumers become increasingly aware of the importance of protecting the planet, widespread misunderstanding of the environmental impact of mail may potentially harm communities, businesses and charities that depend on this vital communications channel.
In response, “Integrating Sustainability and Environment in the Mailing Industry,” a World Environment Center Roundtable hosted today at the National Press Club by Pitney Bowes Inc. (NYSE: PBI) aimed to stimulate discussion among mailers, environmental groups and the U.S. Postal Service on prioritizing key environmental initiatives to further the industrys goal of sustainable mail.
In his remarks, Pitney Bowes Executive Chairman Michael Critelli noted the importance of awareness, innovation and collaboration in the creation of solutions that meet the environmental challenges of the mailing industry.
“As an industry, we are at a critical cross-roads. In addition to continuing the progress in environmental responsibility already achieved by our industry, new and practical approaches to overcoming public misperception and misguided legislation are needed,” Critelli said.
Critelli noted that forest land in the United States has increased by 5.3 million acres in the last three decades, according to the U.S. EPA. “Mail is an environmentally responsible way to reach customers. The majority of paper produced in America today comes from trees grown for that purpose. Trees are a renewable resource,” Critelli said.
Pitney Bowes Vice President of Environment Health & Safety Paul Robbertz provided a detailed review of a recently published White Paper titled “The Environmental Impact of Mail: A Baseline”. The research is a comprehensive review of existing data on mails carbon footprint from a variety of sources including regulatory agencies, not-for-profits, and U.S. and international postal services. Its conclusion: mails environmental impact is far smaller than many other activities that consumers take part in every day.
“Todays roundtable serves as a productive forum for industry, environmental groups and the Postal Service to explore additional partnerships and alternatives to achieve further progress in this area,” said Robbertz.
In addition to Critelli and Robbertz, speakers included Direct Marketing Association President & CEO John A. Greco, Jr. on “The Strategic Challenge to the Mailing Industry”, U.S. Postal Service Vice President of Sustainability Samuel Pulcrano on “The Sustainable Mailstream” and Keri Davis of the Rainforest Alliance on “The Triple Bottom Line of Mail.”
A panel discussion moderated by the Editorial Director of DM News Julia Hood included panelists from Consumers Union, Five Winds International and The Nature Conservancy.