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Corporate Social Responsibility
News
3.29.2005 ET
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Two New UPS Initiatives Deliver Environmental Benefits
Company powers down computers, purchases ''green'' power
(CSRwire) ATLANTA - UPS (NYSE:UPS) is implementing two new initiatives to
protect the environment - 11,000 computers soon will automatically go to
"sleep" when not in use, and 14 California facilities have begun
purchasing "green" power.
UPS also has joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Green Power
Partnership. "Energy conservation and choosing renewable energy sources are
just two of the many ways UPS actively pursues its commitment to
sustainable business practices," said Mike Herr, UPS vice president of
environmental affairs. "We have always believed that working green and
working smart are synonymous."
The computer initiative is part of what's known as the ENERGY STARĀ®
Million Monitor Drive. UPS is installing "sleep" software on 11,000 of
its computers in Atlanta, Louisville, Towson, Md., and Mahwah, N.J., to
conserve energy while saving the company almost $145,000 per year.
Most computers are used only an average of four hours each business day
but continue to consume energy even when idle. The Million Monitor Drive
challenges organizations to set computer monitors to go into a low-power
"sleep" mode during periods of inactivity.
In addition to reducing energy use with its computers, UPS now has 14
facilities in California currently using "green" power as part of their
electricity supply. This power is supplied by 3 Phases Energy Services
and comes from biomass sources. Biomass refers to a waste-to-energy
process and can take the form of converting landfill gas, human and animal
waste or agricultural waste to energy.
UPS is purchasing 10 percent of its electricity at the 14 California
facilities from these cleaner, more renewable sources.
"This commitment, which will prevent the release of 2.4 million pounds of
carbon dioxide, a leading cause of global warming, has the equivalent
environmental impact of removing 213 cars from the road for a year," said
Herr. "This carbon reduction is equal to the carbon absorption capacity
of 330 acres of trees."
UPS also recently joined the EPA's Green Power Partnership, which
recognizes companies that demonstrate environmental leadership by choosing
cleaner and renewable energy sources. UPS already generates green power
with solar panels at its facility in Palm Springs, Calif., in addition to
the 14 facilities now operating on electricity created from biomass
sources.
California UPS facilities using green power include operations in South
San Francisco, Sunnyvale, West Sacramento, Victorville, Visalia, San
Bernardino, Romoland, Ventura, Newbury Park, Goleta, Laguna Hills,
Cerritos, Baldwin Park and Ontario.
UPS is the world's largest package delivery company and a global leader in
supply chain services, offering an extensive range of options for
synchronizing the movement of goods, information and funds. Headquartered
in Atlanta, Ga., UPS serves more than 200 countries and territories
worldwide. UPS's stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange (UPS), and
the company can be found on the Web at www.UPS.com.
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