Royal Mail has introduced a solar-powered “postbox of the future” that features a built-in barcode reader and a larger hatch to accept parcels. This marks the biggest change in postbox design since their introduction over 175 years ago. The black, chequered lid of the postbox is made of solar panels that power the scanner.

The new postbox design aims to capitalize on the growing parcel trade, as letter volumes continue to decline. In Britain, there is a surge in secondhand selling through platforms like Vinted. The postboxes can be used by customers to drop off packages with barcoded postage. After scanning their code, the hatch opens, and they can request proof of posting through the Royal Mail app.

The redesign of the postboxes is seen as an effort to enhance convenience and make it easier for customers to use the postal service. There are currently 115,000 postboxes in the UK, and Royal Mail plans to adapt thousands of them to accept larger parcels.

The iconic history of the red pillarbox dates back to the 1850s when they were first proposed by Anthony Trollope. The distinctive red color replaced the original green in 1874 after complaints that green was difficult to spot.

The initiative comes as Royal Mail prepares for a £3.57bn takeover by Daniel Křetínský’s EP Group. Additionally, Royal Mail is facing changes to postal service rules, including a potential reduction in second-class delivery days and new reliability targets for first-class and second-class letters.

The redesign of the postboxes aims to provide a more convenient and modern service for customers, despite concerns about potential costs and regulatory changes.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/apr/10/royal-mail-trials-postbox-parcel-hatch-solar-panels-barcode-scanner