Man breaks postal rules by reusing old box

CASTLE ROCK, Colo., May 1 (UPI) -- A Colorado man says the U.S. Postal Service accused him of breaking its rules when he tried reusing a priority cardboard box to ship an item.

The Postal Service said Gary Adler went against regulations when he tried to reuse a box that was on its way to the garbage, KMGH-TV in Denver reported Wednesday.

"We recycle old boxes that we get at the grocery store or other merchants and dumpster dive sometimes," said Adler, who ships sports items from his non-profit organization known as the Pro-Players Association.

Adler claims he turned the box inside out and removed the previously used label.

"Our priority mail and express mail boxes are bottom line supposed to be used for that service. It is important that the customer uses it for the proper service," said Nicole Reiter of the Postal Service.

Alder said he plans to stop using the U.S. Postal Service as a result of the recycling mix-up.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International