Can you reuse Prime envelopes?

[whatnots2like]

Dumb question, but can you reuse those Prime plastic envelopes? Through USPS?

I don't see a warning on them (like Priority mailers)

tia

[a_c_green · Accepted solution]

Amazon Prime envelopes? There are no restrictions on reusing those. Priority mailers are paid for by the USPS, so they get to dictate how they can be used, but there are no comparable restrictions on the Amazon packaging. (I receive and reuse Amazon packaging in USPS shipments all the time, although I generally turn the Amazon boxes inside-out first.)

[gwzcomps]

I never have understood the problem with reusing priority packaging for priority mail purposes.  As long as it is still structurally sound and is is being used for Priority mail what is the big deal?

[nobody*s_perfect]

It's OK to re-use Priority Mail supplies if you're shipping via Priority Mail.

Some people think it should be OK to put non-Priority postage on the used Priority Mail  packaging.

[whatnots2like]

Thanks, that's good news, those are great envelopes (but the PRIME and smiley will show through if turned inside out - so I'll leave them right side out).

I got spanked once for using a Priority Box B, with regular Priority postage! The Box B is so special it requires an extra fee (which of course was taken out of my account). Odd because there are regular Priority boxes that are larger, without a surcharge. Who knew? Not me obviously.

Oh, yes, you can reuse priority stuff, but with priority postage. I do that all the time. 

thanks everyone!

[a_c_green]

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@whatnots2like wrote:

I got spanked once for using a Priority Box B, with regular Priority postage! The Box B is so special it requires an extra fee (which of course was taken out of my account). Odd because there are regular Priority boxes that are larger, without a surcharge. Who knew?

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Right; the Regional Rate A and B boxes are better for heavier weights going longer distances, because charges are capped at something resembling a 2-pound rate. I am waaaay oversimplifying here on the assumption that @nobody*s_perfect or similar postage expert can wade in here with better details. Suffice to say that RRA or RRB can be cheaper than the regular weight-/zone-based Priority Mail under certain circumstances.

[onlinecentral]

95% of returns are Buyer Remorse regardless of the reason the buyer selects.
Some buyers will return an item to me in a used Amazon bubble envelope, or fraction of one.
They keep the new cardboard box I originally shipped the purchase in.
That really adds insult to injury.
The box I use the most measures 6x4x2 inches and costs $0.22 each in quantity.
eBay does not provide me the boxes for free, that expense comes out of my pocket.

[whatnots2like]

So far, I haven't had to purchase boxes. I've run out of packing peanuts though. Was using preformed styro, cut to my requirements. Now I've run out of that.

It kills me that I've had to recently buy packing peanuts and know folks are just throwing them out after they get them. I'm a small time seller and really can't afford the extra expenses of packing materials. I just dumped $5 worth of peanuts into a recent purchase. 

[onlinecentral]

My first few years of shipping was all used boxes. Eventually, spending $0.22 to $0.80 per box becomes affordable.  I rarely use peanuts or bubble wrap because I have 20 plus sizes at home plus free Priority Mail boxes. I will be buying some peanuts for the first time in a few years because I will be shipping some larger fragile products. Here is the lowest cost per unit if you buy an awful lot of them.

LOT OF 10 Bags Free Shipping Loose Fill Packing Peanuts, 20 Cubic Feet
Gallons = 1,500
Cubic Feet = 200
Total price = $318.00
$ per cubic foot = $1.59

[ste-9405]

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@whatnots2like wrote:

Was using preformed styro, cut to my requirements. Now I've run out of that.

It kills me that I've had to recently buy packing peanuts and know folks are just throwing them out after they get them. I'm a small time seller and really can't afford the extra expenses of packing materials.

I just dumped $5 worth of peanuts into a recent purchase. 

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The problem with packing peanuts is that the item(s) suspended within a sea of peanuts can eventually work its way through the quicksand to rest against 1, 2, or 3 sides of the outer box, defeating the intended protection against damage.

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@toysaver wrote:

Cheap Alternative To Packing Peanuts

These were 88 cents a package at Walmart. I use the plates too sometimes.

[kleiny41]

Yesterday I tried to ship a book (sold for $2.00) in an Amazon bubble envelope. I purchased the shipping label through eBay and had safely packed the item. I took the package to the USPS counter for dropoff and the postal employee made me buy a cardboard mailer from USPS. She stated that they won't let customers re-use packing with logos from Amazon (she mentioned one other company as well). She cut off my label and glued it on to the cardboard mailer (I thanked her). I was shocked, though. I haven't looked for this policy yet on the USPS website. Has anyone heard of this? Isn't recycling more important the logos? There was no print on the bubbled envelope I was reusing. 

[nobody*s_perfect]

That is absolutely ridiculous. Of course it's OK to re-use an Amazon box or envelope to ship via USPS. I (and many other eBay sellers) do that all the time.  

Any time a USPS employee announces some outrageous "new policy," ask to see it in writing or at least to speak to a supervisor.  

[chevelleflorida]

Go on Craigslist or buy/sell groups in facebook and ask if anyone has a bunch that they're trying to get rid of. Perhaps a FB environmental group. Some people hate putting things in the trash and are waiting for the right opportunity to give it to someone to reuse.

[katier19]

If these are styrofoam I would Never use them, for anything. Botching up the ocean and land. Never breaks down pretty much, gets eaten by myriad animals including ourselves via the food chain. This is true for many plastics. I hope there is a good packing alternative but it's challenging.

I'm trying to find out what to do with my many plastic Amazon mailers and was hoping they would take them back to reuse, but haven't found anything on that yet.

[Anonymous]

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@kleiny41 wrote:

Yesterday I tried to ship a book (sold for $2.00) in an Amazon bubble envelope. I purchased the shipping label through eBay and had safely packed the item. I took the package to the USPS counter for dropoff and the postal employee made me buy a cardboard mailer from USPS. She stated that they won't let customers re-use packing with logos from Amazon (she mentioned one other company as well). She cut off my label and glued it on to the cardboard mailer (I thanked her). I was shocked, though. I haven't looked for this policy yet on the USPS website. Has anyone heard of this? Isn't recycling more important the logos? There was no print on the bubbled envelope I was reusing. 

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I would write a very stern letter to the postmaster, demanding proof of her authority to do so.

Edit: Oops, sorry about the necro did not notice the date of the post I was replying to.