Washington University Mail Services collects, processes and distributes nearly five million pieces of incoming United States Postal Service (USPS) mail each year. Of that five million, about a third, or 1.67 million pieces, is undeliverable due to staff or students no longer at the University and/or unwanted commercial mail.
How is waste being reduced?
Mail Services has been collaborating with Intra-Mail Network, parent company of Waste-Free Mail, to reduce a significant amount of mail waste — the majority of which is immediately placed in recycling bins. In 2017, IMN’s patented process of address hygiene resulted in a total of 2,290 fewer publications s being mailed. In addition, address correction/formatting on another 4,565 pieces transformed them from undeliverable to deliverable. These efforts impacted roughly 14,942 pounds of paper (the equivalent of 7.47 tons) being suppressed from the printing process by eliminating or correcting names on mailing lists as verified by WU Mail Services and its delivery requirements.
What is Waste-Free Mail?
Washington University Mail Services recognizes that some commercial mail is wanted and necessary. Waste-Free Mail (www.wastefreemail.com) is a resource for companies, associations and organizations that produce mail (e.g., journals, periodicals, catalogs, unsolicited materials) to have their address lists cleaned and certified, enabling campus distribution. The Waste Free Mail system also provides the option for University faculty/staff to unsubscribe or request a digital version (when available), saving money for both the University and the mailer.
What’s Next?
In the coming months Mail Services will continue to collaborate with Intra-Mail Network and begin to strategize the inclusion of Waste-Free Mail best practices on the campus, to include a guideline addressing waste in the mail stream. Please consider supporting Mail Services as it undertakes this important initiative to save time, money, and natural resources, while ensuring information continues to be delivered in a timely and efficient manner. If you would like to get involved or have any questions, contact lmbrady@wustl.edu.
The environmental impact of waste reduction in 2017 (7.47 tons) at Washington University can be broken down in the following list. Estimates were made using the Environmental Paper Network Paper Calculator.
- Wood Use (21 tons) − EQUALS 135 Trees
- Net Energy (237 mil BTUs) − POWERS homes/year
- Greenhouse Gases (43,794 lbs CO2 equivalents) − EQUALS emissions of 4 cars/year
- Water Consumption (146,151 gal) − FILLS ZERO Swimming pools
- Solid Waste (16,723 lbs) − EQUALS weight of 1 garbage truck
- Nitrogen Oxides (76 lbs) − EQUALS emissions of ZERO 18-wheelers/year
- Sulfur Dioxide (219 lbs) − EQUALS emissions of 40 18-wheelers/year
- Particulates (41 lbs) − EQUALS emissions of 4 buses/year
Office Supply Exchange Program
In 2019, The Office of Sustainability partnered with Mail Services to launch the Office Supply Exchange, a pilot program designed to facilitate the recirculation of useful office materials. The program serves as a centralized process for donating and receiving office supplies and is open to employees on all WashU campuses with access to internal mail circulation routes.
Donate – Moving office spaces? Did someone leave or retire from their position? Doing some seasonal cleaning? Don’t let unused office supplies pile up!
- Send commonly used office supplies (listed below) via campus mail: CB 1043; Attn: Laurie Brady.
- For large quantities, please contact Laurie in advance to confirm the ability to accept the materials.
Surplus items will be donated to local non-profits and schools.
Receive – All of the Office Supply Exchange current inventory is posted on Rheaply, the university’s platform for exchanging any type of materials, supplies, equipment and furniture. Quickly set up an account and search for office supplies to request what you need. Your order will be delivered to you via campus mail!
Exchange Supplies:
- binders
- office paper
- paper clips
- memo pads & sticky notes
- pens & pencils
- staples and staplers
- tape and tape dispensers
- file folders (can be used, but good condition)
- envelops (plain and intra-office)
- mailing labels
- rubber bands
- push pins
- unopened ink cartridges
- desk organizers
- small office lamps
- keyboards
- computer mice & speakers
- power cords
All items should be in good working order. Please separate materials (for example, bag paper clips and rubberbands, rather than sending a mixed bag).
Send any question, input or suggestions to: Cassandra Hage, cassandra.hage@wustl.edu or Laurie Brady, lmbrady@wustl.edu.