Environmental initiatives
People around the world take pride in the beauty and grandeur of our planet, and are increasingly aware of the need to protect it. Canada Post is dedicated to conserving resources by implementing energy-conservation strategies and recycling programs, and by encouraging the purchase and use of supplies that are recycled, recyclable, reusable, renewable or otherwise environmentally sustainable.
Green House Gas reductions
Since 2002, we have reduced emissions from Canada Post-owned buildings and fleet by 3 per cent. We now project a total reduction of 14 per cent by 2012. In 2002, the Corporation set a target to reduce GHG emissions from its buildings and vehicles by 25 per cent, from an initial baseline of 161 kilotonnes, over a 10-year period. In 2004, a collective agreement was negotiated with Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers (RSMCs), who subsequently became Canada Post employees. RSMCs use their own vehicles when delivering mail. Accordingly, we restated our GHG baseline at 206 kilotonnes to include emissions from the 6,562 cars and vans used by these new employees.
Fleet
The nature of its business makes Canada Post one of the largest users of transportation services in the country. Our fleet of more than 7,000 vehicles burns approximately 23 million litres of fuel every year at a cost of more than $20 million. Because of this, even the smallest changes to our practices can significantly reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. We are focused on two key strategies to reduce fuel consumption and cut CO2 emissions in the near term. The first is to purchase vehicles suitable for our delivery operations that have smaller engines and are more fuel efficient. These vehicles are scheduled to replace our larger, less efficient, step vans between 2010 and 2015. The second strategy is to work with manufacturers and after-market outfitters to find viable alternative vehicles, including hybrid vehicles, that will meet our operational needs.
Buildings
As a member of the Canada Green Building Council, Canada Post appreciates the enormous impact buildings can have on the environment—and the opportunities for savings that come with more sustainable design. A large portion of the Corporation’s CO2 emissions comes from its buildings. Reducing those emissions will not only benefit the environment and help reduce overall energy costs, but will also create a healthier work environment for employees. Our integrated design process for a ‘green’, sustainable building will use the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) framework of the Canada green-building rating system.
Commuting Challenge
The Canada Post Commuting Challenge encourages employees to find environmentally-friendly alternatives to driving to work. Since 1996, employees have travelled over 1.2 million pollution-free kilometres by walking, biking or roller-blading to work.
Canadian Environment Awards
The Canadian Environment Awards: A Celebration of Community Achievement is a national program that recognizes individuals and groups of Canadians who have made outstanding contributions to the protection, restoration and preservation of the Canadian environment. Canada Post has been sponsoring the Canadian Environment Awards for the past 5 years.
epost™
epost is Canada Post’s free online mail-delivery service that securely connects Canadian businesses with their customers. Consumers can opt to have their bills, statements, pay advices, notices and other important communications delivered electronically to a personal online mailbox, where they can view and manage their mail, and pay their bills, online. All mail and transactions are archived for up to seven years.
SmartFlow
In 2007, Canada Post introduced SmartFlow Document Management Services, a unique new suite of electronic services that provide end-to-end bill, invoice and statement solutions—electronically and physically. SmartFlow enables customers to reduce their operating costs and increase the effectiveness of their bills, invoices and statements. The services also enable our customers to respond to the growing demand from their customers for online services—and do it easily and cost effectively.
Consumers’ Choice:
Canada Post respects the wishes of consumers who do not wish to receive unaddressed print advertising material through our program called Consumers’ Choice. For more information about Consumers’ Choice, click here.
For all addressed advertising mail, Canada Post is required under the Canada Post Corporation Act and Regulations to deliver this mail to the address specified. If customers do not wish to receive addressed advertising mail, they should contact the Canadian Marketing Association and request to have their name removed from mailing lists.
