If you get a package from me, it frequently comes covered in packing tape and blackened by a whole pen's worth of black Sharpie. It's always just seemed like such a huge waste that we generally destroy envelopes as soon as they arrive at their destination.

Already, NetFlix has started to overcome this problem with their durable, reusable, proprietary mailers. But, thus far, reusable mailers have been unavailable to the majority of businesses and individuals alike. Now, EcoEnvelopes has taken a good design, mixed with a couple rounds of funding, and they're turning it into the first reusable envelope, sanctioned by the USPS and readily available for use by businesses.

Eliminating return envelopes saves energy, water, and forest resources and reduces the carbon emissions that contribute to climate change. Every one million ecoEnvelopes used saves an estimated 250 million BTUs of energy and 37,000 pounds of greenhouse gasses. All ecoEnvelopes are manufactured on certified papers from managed forests using up to 100% recycled content.

By using these mailers, instead of including return envelopes, businesses can reduce their costs up to 45% and increase response to direct mail up to 8%. This seems like a natural fit for environmental non-profits, who are often criticized for wasting paper during fund raising.

Of course, the mailers are only good for two uses, they aren't perpetually reusable. But halving the number of envelopes we need in this country is certainly a good first step.

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