05/30/2007

U.S. Postal Service, Bell Incorporated, earn sustainable certification for courier envelopes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Involves review of every supplier, each “nook and cranny” in supply chain

Sioux Falls, SD, and Washington, D.C., May 30, 2007 -- The U. S. Postal Service and Bell Incorporated are pleased to announce that the more than 200 million courier envelopes that Bell manufactures annually for use by Postal Service customers now meet “Cradle to CradleSM” standards for environmental health and sustainability.

Cradle to CradleSM Certification is a scientifically based process. It involves using peer-reviewed data to assess and optimize the environmental attributes of materials used in products and production. Cradle to Cradle Certification was developed by MBDC, a design firm founded in 1995 to promote and implement eco-effective design. Time Magazine has described the philosophy behind Cradle to Cradle, developed by MBDC co-founders William McDonough and Michael Braungart, as "a unified philosophy that—in demonstrable and practical ways—is changing the design of the world."

All Postal Service Priority Mail and Express Mail envelopes that Bell manufactures have met the Cradle to Cradle Certification requirements at the Silver tier, the first level of certification offered by the MBDC program.

To achieve the certification, every Bell Incorporated supplier that contributes to the manufacture of the Postal Service envelopes--including raw materials, ink, tape, tear string and adhesive suppliers--went through a demanding series of measurements and assessments, conducted by MBDC. Areas reviewed and modified as needed for the finished packaging included the human health and environmental characteristics of materials, recyclability of materials, use of renewable energy in the manufacturing processes, efficient use of water and water quality during production, and strategies for social responsibility.

“The world’s most progressive institutions are realizing that environmental consciousness and business profitability go hand in hand,” said Steve Bolton, manager of business development, MBDC. “With this achievement and the commitment it required, The United States Postal Service and Bell Incorporated have demonstrated sustainable leadership in their industries.”

Postal Service envelopes and packages already exceed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards for recycled content. More than two years ago, the Postal Service decided to go beyond government guidelines to create the most environmentally sound products for consumer use. Working with more than 200 suppliers, the Postal Service audited production processes and reformulated core materials to begin achieving that goal.

“We are proud that the collaborative efforts of so many businesses, suppliers and production companies will result in improved human and environmental health,” said Anita Bizzotto, chief marketing officer and executive vice president of the Postal Service. “With partners like Bell, we have raised the standard so customers can send a very green message along with their mail.”

“We have been working toward sustainable manufacturing at Bell for many years, and our suppliers have been involved in that process with us,” said Ben Graham, vice president of finance, sales and supply chain for Bell Incorporated, explaining how Bell and its suppliers became first to achieve the Cradle to Cradle Certification for the Postal Service. “But it was still a long and challenging process requiring the cooperation and commitment from every supplier, looking at every nook and cranny of our supply chain.”

The envelopes meeting the Cradle to Cradle Certification entered circulation at the beginning of May. The biggest change to these products, in addition to a new service mark created by MBDC to convey their certified status, is that customers now can use one envelope to ship both domestically and internationally.

About Bell, Incorporated

Bell Incorporated is a nationally recognized leader in the packaging industry and a major employer in the Sioux Empire region. Bell's unique business model, focused on technological innovation and maintaining a lean, entrepreneurial workforce, has helped it become the world’s largest manufacturer of overnight envelopes and one of the 10 largest independent suppliers of paperboard packaging in the country. The company completed an expansion to a second facility in 2006 and employs more than 225 local residents. Major customers include Kraft Foods, Hormel Foods, IBP/Tysons, General Electric, and the United States Postal Service. For more information, visit www.bell-inc.com.

About the United States Postal Service

An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that visits every address in the nation, 146 million homes and businesses, six days a week. It has 37,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to pay for operating expenses, not tax dollars. The Postal Service has annual revenues of $73 billion and delivers nearly half of the world’s mail volume.

About MBDC

MBDC (McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry) is a consultancy founded in 1995 by the world-renowned architect William McDonough and innovative chemist Michael Braungart to reorient the design of products, processes and systems to provide environmental, societal and financial benefits. MBDC and its co-founders developed the innovative Cradle to CradleSM paradigm, a unique vision and leadership strategy for industry to realize practical, profitable ecologically intelligent product design and expand the definition of quality. For more information on MBDC and Cradle to CradleSM Certification, please visit www.mbdc.com and www.c2ccertified.com.