August 5, 2009—The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) recently dedicated its first and New York City’s largest green roof atop the 2.2-million-square-foot Morgan mail processing facility built in 1933 and located in midtown Manhattan. When the roof was scheduled for replacement in 2007, it was deemed strong enough to support the weight of the soil, vegetation, and other requirements of a green roof.
At nearly 2.5 acres, the green roof will help USPS meet its goal of reducing energy usage 30 percent by 2015. The roof is projected to last up to 50 years, twice as long as the roof it replaced. It will also reduce the amount of contaminants in storm water runoff flowing into New York’s municipal water system. The agency projects the reduction of polluted runoff to be as much as 75 percent in the summer, and up to 35 percent during the winter months.
The Morgan green roof is the latest step in the Postal Service’s greener facilities strategy, which includes the use of environmentally conscious building components, renewable materials, energy-efficient lighting and HVAC, low volatile organic compound parts, low-water use fixtures, solar photovoltaic systems, and a LEED-certified facility opening soon in Long Island.
The agency also continues to add hybrid electric delivery vehicles to its fleet, and has expanded its recycling program in New York City to include mixed paper and cardboard, resulting in nearly 400 tons of materials recycled each month. The USPS has been honored with more than 70 major environmental awards.
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