In-plant Receives $88,000 Sustainability Grant
Ready to head out on a mail delivery on UW Mailing Services’ new electric-assist Bullitt cargo bikes are (from left) Brent McCord, David Williams and Jason Brien.
The University of Washington is a very green school. Recognized as a national leader for its deep commitment to sustainability, UW supports numerous sustainability initiatives. Among them is the Campus Sustainability Fund (CSF), which finances student-led projects that lessen the university’s environmental impact.
Recently, UW’s Mailing Services operation, part of Creative Communications, was the recipient of a major CSF grant. It received $88,319 to upgrade its three-year-old bicycle delivery program with new electric-assist bikes, cargo boxes, trailers and riding gear. This equipment will replace two of Mailing Services’ delivery trucks and join its existing fleet of mountain bikes and bike trailers that are used to deliver intercampus and USPS mail and to pick up outgoing mail from campus locations. (See story in The UW Daily.)
That bicycle delivery program won the in-plant great acclaim when it was launched in early 2015. (It was honored with a 2015 Husky Green Award for the program.) Bicycle delivery is not only more environmentally conscious, it is often faster than using motorized vehicles, since riders are able to maneuver more easily around the crowded 703-acre campus, with no worries about finding parking.
“You never have to worry about finding loading docks, parking, stopping for gas, parking tickets or bad traffic,” points out Steven V. Roberts, manager of Mailing Services.
This new grant has allowed Mailing Services to purchase five custom-made electric-assist Bullitt cargo bikes from Larry vs. Harry, with built-in cargo boxes and towable trailers. Four delivery riders have been hired as well.
“University of Washington Mailing Services is looking to be the mail industry leader in sustainable business practices,” says Roberts. “The electric-assist bicycles will make it easy for us to eliminate a few of our regular gas-powered vehicles from our fleet, further reducing our carbon footprint, saving fuel and reducing expenses.”
