Pitney Bowes announced it recycled 14,532,290 pounds of waste in 2009, equivalent to the emissions of 26,938 metric tons of carbon, according to a company press release. The figure was verified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the company's participation in the voluntary WasteWise program. That amount of carbon emissions is equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas emissions from 4,932 passenger vehicles.
In 2008, the company recycled 13,686,766 pounds of waste, an amount equivalent to 16,147 metric tons of carbon or the annual greenhouse gas emissions from 2,956 passenger vehicles.
In 2009, Pitney Bowes was able to increase the amount of avoided carbon emissions due in part to a secure destruction program that recycles paper after it is shredded. Since 2004, the company has avoided approximately 120,345 metric tons of carbon emissions. The company earned recognition in the WasteWise Hall of Fame in 2007 for its success in recycling and waste prevention.
The company's recycling of waste is a part of its initiative to measure, analyze and reduce its carbon footprint. In 2010, Pitney Bowes will participate in the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP8) questionnaire for a third year, affirming its commitment to measuring carbon emissions and reducing environmental impact. An analysis of Pitney Bowes's responses is expected from the CDP in September 2010.
