USPS OKs two-way postage for reusable envelopes

The US Postal Service has approved the first two-way postage indicia for mailers using reusable envelopes.

EcoEnvelopes, a designer of reusable envelopes, was authorized by the USPS to make the envelopes, for which mailers using approved reusable envelopes can use one printed indicia - markings showing that postage has been paid - for both outgoing and reply postage on an envelope. 

EcoEnvelopes worked with the USPS in the testing and approval of this as a method to reduce costs by eliminating the need for a separate reply envelope, which reduces the impact on the environment, said the company.  National test mailings were conducted to assure the new indicia did not slow mail processing. 

The two-way postage indicia is available to companies and organizations using approved reusable envelopes along with a bulk rate permit using an Intelligent Mail Barcode.