Recycling & Source Reduction

What Goes Around, Comes Around

 You could well say that this familiar saying is the unofficial slogan for UPS's ongoing commitment to recycling and source reduction. It's a responsibility we take very seriously...and, frankly, find very gratifying.

From solving new challenges to raising the bar for our industry and gracing the bottom line in the process, UPS is constantly looking for new ways to reduce packaging and limit waste.

E-Waste Recycling

Computer junk, or "e-waste" as it is known in the industry, is fast a significant global problem. Tens of million of computers become obsolete every year and less than 10 percent are collected for recycling, with the rest of them stored in homes and offices or disposed in landfills.

As part of its commitment to extended producer responsibility, UPS has implemented its own e-waste recycling program to ensure that electronic equipment used by the company is refurbished or disposed of properly when it becomes outdated.

To date, UPS has recycled more than 16.9 million pounds of electronic equipment.

UPS also helps its customers dispose of unwanted electronics. Through its Asset Recovery and Recycling Management service, UPS Supply Chain Solutions oversees the final disposition of electronics through repair, recycling or disposal in an environmentally safe manner, all while controlling logistics-related activities.

UPS also supports our alliance with eBay and its ReThink initiative which offers education on environmentally-friendly solutions for e-Waste recycling and disposal. UPS and eBay have been working together since 2000 to provide our customers with shipping solutions through the use of UPS OnLine® Tools on eBay. In 2006, the two companies are working together to provide our customers access to information and resources to reduce the environmental impact of e-Waste.

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Purchasing Products that Contain Recycled Materials

Over the years, UPS has increased its purchases of materials with recycled content. In 2005, we purchased 35,800 tons of these materials, which creates and maintains demand for products that have a positive impact on the environment.

Battery Recycling

Through its participation in the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC), UPS recycled 7,769 pounds of batteries. These batteries include nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, lithium ion and small-sealed lead acid.

Corporate Office Recycling Program

In 2005, 54 percent of waste produced by our corporate office was recycled, including paper, cardboard, lamps and ballasts. In 2005, UPS recycled wastes at a rate of 115 pounds per person at this location.

Delivery Information Acquisition Device

The DIAD is a hand-held computer that our drivers carry to electronically record delivery information, including recipient signature. The DIAD eliminates the use of 59 million sheets of paper a year, saving 5,187 trees per year annually. Currently, UPS drivers in 43 countries, including the U.S., Canada, Mexico, China, Japan and most of Western Europe, use the DIAD.

 Learn more about UPS's Recycling and Source Reduction Initiatives

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