USPS Says Don't Reuse Shipping Boxes

The latest USPS Twitter mailing suggestion:



Seems like a very unusual request coming from the USPS, who is highly touting recycling and environmental friendly causes.

Is it just a marketing ploy in hopes of getting customers to buy additional shipping supplies?

I think it's the latter. I've been using used boxes for decades and never had any form of structural failure. Just tape all the edges.

I have shipped things intermittently for almost 50 years, and I don't think I have ever used a new box.

Seems to me they're admitting how rough they are with packages (do not reuse MAILING boxes). Any other used box is fine. :D

Yes. I think a re-used box is obviously fine if not already damaged. It's a scam. The thing is, If you try to re-use a box, will they let you? Is it a really just a "tip", or is it a "rule"?


-IBFS

Maybe instead of a priority mail box they are hoping you will accidently take the express mail box instead.

Just about everyone I know reuses boxes. Can't understand why they would say that.

I think that the boxes are recycled at some point. I also think that they are speaking to the general public who take no care at all as far as shipping is concerned. I've seen people in line that the boxes have been compromised as well as old addresses on the box.

The USPS provides free flat rate boxes, so I don't see this as anything that's going to make them money. They may be right and just trying to cut down on insurance claims during the busy holiday shipping season.

Hi,
I sell on ebay each wintertime - mainly model trains and this year Scott albums. Anyway, I take pride in my packaging, and find that the USPS priority boxes are a good way to go. In fact, I've never had a problem with a package I sent being damaged. However, I have received a number of damaged packages over the years. The faults were fairly obvious - not proper wrapping of the items, using old worn boxes, and lack of proper taping of said boxes.

When I stand in the PO line, I almost always see someone with a grocery box that is obviously a candidate for the trash, as opposed to shipping something. Of course the USPS objects, for damages will always be blamed on them.

Parcel Post rate maybe the area where they're attacking the most because it is a little cheaper. I've also heard discussions that the package in question is always books.
Tom

Its sort like a disclaimer, "Hey, don't blame me, I warned you", when nobody is really expected to follow it.

Either that, or some guy was told to write some tips and wasn't told what they should be...so he just made up a few.

Something to keep the intern busy.

Robert

More than one customer has rented a car on a program that was started by one of my interns just filling space on a web page...it of course had never been approved by the sales department and shouldn't have ever reached the production stage...