EPA Honors USPS Vehicle Maintenance Facilities in Albany and Syracuse for Environmental Excellence

EPA Honors USPS Vehicle Maintenance Facilities in Albany and Syracuse for Environmental Excellence

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has welcomed the USPS vehicle maintenance facilities in Albany and Syracuse, NY, into the National Environmental Performance Track program. These facilities are leading the way in sustainable practices by purchasing retread tires that contain 70 % recycled materials, and by shifting to electronic document processing to reduce paper use.

Both sites are also active participants in EPA’s Wastewise and the National Partnership for Environmental Priorities programs, successfully recycling mercury and lead from fluorescent lamps and other mercury‑containing equipment.

“Performance Track members continue to contribute notable reductions in water use, hazardous waste generation, emissions of greenhouse gases and energy use,” said EPA regional administrator Alan J. Steinberg. “Members of the program have distinguished themselves as environmental leaders, and deserve EPA’s continued support and recognition for their efforts.”

The Performance Track Fifth Annual Progress Report documents members’ environmental accomplishments from 2000 to 2005, showing a collective reduction of 3.5 billion gallons of water, 97,000 tons of CO₂‑equivalent emissions, 130,000 tons of hazardous waste, and 600,000 tons of non‑hazardous waste. Members have also restored or protected more than 14,000 acres of wildlife habitat. The program currently includes over 450 member organizations nationwide, with 58 in New York, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico.

New members were honored this month at a national ceremony in New Orleans, bringing together top environmental performers, EPA and state leaders, and program partners. In addition to the USPS facilities, the ceremony recognized Covanta Energy Corporation plants in Onondaga, Huntington, and Babylon, as well as the Swiss Re building in Armonk.

The Performance Track Program, launched in June 2000, is a voluntary public‑private partnership that encourages participants to exceed regulatory compliance. To join, facilities must demonstrate a track record of compliance, implement an Environmental Management System, achieve at least two past environmental milestones, commit to four future improvements, and maintain a public outreach program with transparent reporting.

Program members receive benefits such as public recognition, priority for routine EPA inspections, administrative flexibility, and access to a learning network that offers mentoring, tele‑seminars, EPA roundtables, and newsletters. EPA is currently accepting applications. For more information, visit EPA Performance Track program.