The Postal Inspection Service has recovered more than $30,000 worth of missing mail transport equipment (MTE) in Atlanta District since last fall, part of a national program to reduce misuse of these materials.
MTE includes trays, sacks, pallets and tubs. Misuse of the equipment results in significant financial losses to USPS.
More than $10 million worth of missing MTE has been found since the national recovery program began several years ago.
Atlanta District Postal Police Sgt. Tyrone Dash said the program is important to the Inspection Service’s mission to support USPS and protect its infrastructure.
“The effort put forth is to reduce spending and redundancy that cause a financial hardship on the Postal Service,” Dash said.
The program includes a hotline that employees can call to provide tips on missing MTE, as well as outreach to businesses.
“We also educate local recycling plants, pallet resellers, warehouses and major mailers to report excess MTE to the Inspection Service so it can be collected,” Atlanta District Postal Police Sgt. Michael Smith said.
If you spot MTE where it shouldn’t be, call the MTE hotline at 866-330-3404 or send an email to HQMTE@usps.gov.