Major goals in small format: Swiss Post dedicates stamps to sustainability and Rigi Railways

The second stamp issue of 2021 focuses on sustainability. The stamp designed for this theme is the result of a competition held in conjunction with the Bern University of the Arts. Students on the Visual Communication course were tasked with depicting various dimensions of sustainability in a stamp design. The winning design shows letters and numbers on 15 lines. It aims to encourage people to engage with the image by searching for words. As well as the circled word “HELVETIA” and the face value “100”, there are 24 German, French and Italian words to be found, all related to the topic of sustainability.

Whether it’s delivering letters, processing parcels or transporting passengers from A to B: Swiss Post is committed to sustainable solutions in all of its activities. Swiss Post aims to be a carbon-neutral company by 2040. For this reason, it is expanding the use of renewable energies in its buildings. It now operates some of Switzerland’s biggest photovoltaic systems on the roofs of its letter and parcel centers. What’s more, it is switching to alternative drive systems in its vehicles, including Postbuses. Since January 2021, all Swiss Post consignments have been sent with the “pro clima” label, which means that they are carbon-offset.

Stamp marking Europe’s first mountain railway

150 years ago, engineers pulled off an incredible feat in Central Switzerland. They completed their work on 21 May 1871, enabling Europe’s first mountain railway to open – and, with that, the Rigi Railways was born. It has since transported thousands of day trippers and tourists up the Rigi each year. The massif between Lake Lucerne and Lake Zug is one of Switzerland’s major tourist attractions. Swiss Post is paying tribute to the railway’s anniversary with a stamp. It shows the famous view from the Rigi over Lake Lucerne and the magnificent peaks of Stanserhorn, Bürgenstock and Pilatus. The red vehicle depicted on the design is typical of Rigi Railways’ rolling stock.

Other stamps from the current issue are dedicated to the following themes: Summer, Summer Olympic Games 2021, 125 years Touring Club Switzerland, 75 years International Handball Federation, EUROPA – Endangered national wildlife and Pro Patria – Craftsmanship and cultural heritage.