How to make your USPS boxes reusable

[d_day]

Anyone who has used the fre USPS boxes to send cigars in knows they're only supposed to be used once. Most of us have used them again afterwards, but had considerable work to do to be able to do it. Well, today I picked up a couple of new boxes to ship some smokes in. I figured out a way to modify them to make them much easier to reuse. It's quick, it's easy, and it can save us all lots of time in the long run.

Step one: Fold up and seal the box like the instructions say, but make sure you leave one end completely open.



Step two: Draw lines on the flaps of the open end. For the side flaps, make it a quarter circle, and for the end flap a straight line right across the bottom of the opening in the middle.





Step three: Using a sharp knife or a pair of scissors, make cuts on the lines you just drew. Your box should now look like this



Step four: Draw lines about an inch and a half long on each side of the flap. These lines should be parallel with the sides of the box. Next, draw a line connecting the ends of the two lines you just made. It should look like this.



Step five: Cut the first two lines you drew in step four. Then, using something dull (the back of a knife blade works well), score the last line you drew. DO NOT CUT THIS LINE! Your box should now look like this.



Step six: Draw a semi-circle at the opening for the tab, like this.



Step 7: Cut out the semi-circle and then fold it all up. You now have a box that can be opened and reclosed easily without damaging the box.



Now, if you receive a box like this in the mail, it's very important to not use the pull tab to open the box. I repeat, DO NOT USE THE PULL TAB TO OPEN THE BOX! All you'll need to do is slit any tape that might be holding the modified tab in place and then just open it up. It really makes things easier for the next person to use the box, plus it has the added benefit of reducing the number of boxes the USPS has to give away. If enough folks did this, we might be able to delay future raises in postal rates.

From here on out, I'll be taking an extra couple minutes to do this to any new box I use. If any of you fine folks receive one from me, I hope you are able to reuse it.

[zitro_joe]

nifty, thanks. I will use that soemtime.

[tx_tuff]

Thats it, just because you posted this I'm using the pull tab as soon as it gets here LOL. I hope you put some extra labels in there also, that way my lazy a won't have to pick any up.

But really a good thread! Thanks.

[GoinFerSmoke]

Great idea... I will take a dozen! Oh and don't forget the cigars that go inside them too! This thread rates an A+

[nativetexan_1]

For a butterfingers like me, that sounds like a lot of trouble for something that's free. If I do all that, the box had better be used again, and again, and ...

[d_day]

Originally Posted by tx_tuff

Thats it, just because you posted this I'm using the pull tab as soon as it gets here LOL. I hope you put some extra labels in there also, that way my lazy a won't have to pick any up.

But I sent you a different kind of box altogether.

But really a good thread! Thanks.

You're welcome, and thanks for taking the time to read it.

[slyder]

Great idea!! way to save a tree!! Not alot of that goin on these days.

[fiddlegrin]

Nice work Lord P-Fugu!

Thanks for taking the time!

[GlockG23]

Good idea thanks
anyone one else not seeing the photo's?

[d_day]

I was seeing the photos just fine, until last night's update. Now I get nothing but red x's.

[Sweet_Cigars]

I can't see the pictures so I am not sure what boxes are being used. I order all my boxes from United States Priorty Mail site. They are all free. I reuse boxes when I can but being as I get them for free I tend to use a new one each time. Its not eco friendly but I thought I would share the information for those that didn't know you can get all the free boxes you want mail to your house at no cost. Good job on making them reusable though.

[tx_tuff]

I reported the prob, you see what happens.

[d_day]

Originally Posted by tx_tuff

I reported the prob, you see what happens.

I think it's just bugs from the last update. I imagine it will get straightened out soon.