Are USPS Recycling Policies Hypocritical?

I recall this being mentioned in a past thread, but couldn't find it so I thought I'd start a new one here.

The US Postal Service offers free shipping supplies for Express Mail, Priority Mail, etc., but the re-use of those supplies by the intended recipient who receives the parcel could (technically) land you in jail -- or at the very least overcharge you for services never received -- as the USPS claims rights on the packaging material forever, and no re-use is ever permitted -- and the USPS reserves the right to open packages they suspect were originally in USPS packaging, and overcharge you for it, no matter what the intended shipment may be.

So what does one think of all of the printing on the boxes that states "please recycle"?

http://postalnews.com/postalnewsblo...ime-shipper/

An interesting issue to say the least.