The United States Postal Service (USPS) has reported another net loss of $3.5 billion during 3Q. This year’s loss has increased from the same quarter last year to $2.4 billion. According to the post office, the loses are attributed to high-increased payments of their prefund retiree health benefits, and an unprecedented decline in mail volume because of electronic alternatives. They are seeking congressional approval to cut Saturday service and have proposed price hikes for January 2011 that requires approval from the Postal Regulatory Commission. For more information regarding USPS, review the USPS News release for Aug. 5, 2010.

The UPS Store ^® located at 2269 Chestnut Street, along with The UPS Store locations across the U.S., is now offering its customers the option to neutralize the climate impact of their packages when shipping with UPS. When customers select the carbon neutral option, UPS calculates the carbon emissions associated with their shipments and purchases and retires carbon offsets to mitigate the effects.

 In October 2009, UPS became the first small package carrier in the U.S. to offer shippers the option of paying a small fee to offset the climate impact of their shipments. This summer, UPS expanded this option to include U.S. The UPS Store locations. In addition, the UPS carbon neutral shipping option is also available in 35 countries and territories across Europe, Asia and the Americas. This initiative provides options to the environmentally-conscious consumer. 

In the United States, the small fee ranges from $0.05 for a ground package, $0.20 for an air package to $0.75 for an international package. In 2010, UPS will match offset purchases up to $1 million.

"We are excited that UPS has incorporated The UPS Store in its extension of the carbon neutral program,” said Mark Shannon, The UPS Store manager. “It allows us to provide our customers a convenient, cost-effective way to address climate change."

UPS's proprietary calculation methodology and processes are verified by Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS). In addition, the carbon offset process also is certified by The CarbonNeutral Company. The calculator is based on Greenhouse Gas Protocol, the most widely used international standard for carbon accounting and reporting. 

When a customer elects to neutralize their shipments, UPS will calculate the carbon impact and then purchase high-quality certified carbon offsets on the customer's behalf. UPS will target offsets certified to the "Gold Standard," "Voluntary Carbon Standard" or "Climate Action Reserve."

 In addition to carbon neutral shipping, The UPS Store encourages consumers to help protect the environment by bringing in clean, foam packaging peanuts of all sizes, shapes and colors for reuse. Also, The UPS Store accepts a wide variety of toner cartridges for recycling.