Mail commingling meaning

Mail commingling is a process in the postal industry where multiple mailers' mailpieces are combined into a single truckload or container for transportation to a processing facility. This is done to increase efficiency and reduce costs by taking advantage of economies of scale.

In commingling, mail from different mailers is sorted and combined into a single batch, often by zip code or geographic area. This allows the postal service to:

1. Reduce transportation costs: By combining mail from multiple sources, the postal service can fill trucks and containers more efficiently, reducing the number of trips needed to transport mail.
2. Increase processing efficiency: Commingling allows the postal service to process mail more quickly and efficiently, as multiple mailpieces can be sorted and scanned at the same time.
3. Improve delivery times: By combining mail from different sources, the postal service can deliver mail more quickly, as it can be sorted and routed more efficiently.

There are different types of commingling, including:

1. In-plant commingling: This is the most common type of commingling, where mail is combined at a processing facility.
2. Out-plant commingling: This type of commingling involves combining mail at a mail processing center or a hub, rather than at a processing facility.
3. Remote commingling: This type of commingling involves combining mail at a remote location, such as a mail processing center or a hub, rather than at a processing facility.

Mail commingling can have both benefits and drawbacks. The benefits include increased efficiency and reduced costs, while the drawbacks include potential delays in delivery and the risk of lost or damaged mailpieces.