General Forum

I'd never heard that reusing a stamp is against the law so I just did a quick search.  Sure enough it is.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/7208
 

Here's the part that shocked me:
"shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $10,000, or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both."

Can you imagine sitting in a cell block as prisoners ask around "what are you in for?"  Rape, arson, murder, assualt... reused a stamp.  LOL
Has anyone ever actually been punished for reusing a stamp?  Seriously.

There's a special, black site for those stamp reusers and mattress tag cutters.

I always have a row of used blue painters tape on my the edge of my desk.

I did just a quick check and there was a guy in Iowa that modified one of those stamping machines and used it for like $250,000 worth of postage. So not exactly the same thing as reusing a stamp but similar, more of a counterfiter though. He got a lot of time, probably due to the amount.

https://www.insider.com/iowa-man-defrauded-usps-250000-postage-meter-stamps-2021-3

You want to get away with defrauding the government, you need to get elected first. Them's the rules.

I try to reuse the blue tape that I get when every possible. I try to reuse the padded evenlopes as much as possible and the cardboard from the pwe trades as much as possible.  

Interesting point there.  I can't put bubble envelopes in my recycle bin, but I might be able to reuse them as padding. 

I try to reuse anything that isn't damaged or discolored. I'll hold on to padded mailers that aren't too taped up, sleeves, top loaders and team bags go in to a box I have for supplies. Lately I have been reusing the cardboard packaging envelopes that Topps uses when they send out the Project 2020/70/100 cards. They are perfect for adding a little protection without adding weight in a padded mailer.