Editing Post box (section)

== Clearance ==
Post boxes are emptied ("cleared") at times usually listed on a [[collection plate (postal)|collection plate]] fixed to the box. In urban areas, this might be once or twice a day. Busy boxes might be cleared more frequently to avoid overflowing, and also to spread the work for the sorters. Extra clearances are made in the period leading up to Christmas, to prevent boxes becoming clogged with mail.{{Citation needed|date=August 2008}}

Since 2005, most [[Royal Mail]] post boxes have had the time of only the last collection of the day shown on the box, with no indication of whether the box is cleared at other times earlier in the day. Royal Mail say they needed to increase the type size of the wording on the plate to help those with poor sight, and so there was not enough room to list all collection times throughout the day. Some post boxes may indicate the next collection time by a metal 'tab'<ref>{{cite web | title = Changes to post box collections: Collection Tabs | publisher = Postwatch.co.uk | url = http://www.postwatch.co.uk/issues/CurrentIssues.asp?id=15  | access-date = 15 August 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070630075459/http://www.postwatch.co.uk/issues/CurrentIssues.asp?id=15 |archive-date = 30 June 2007}}</ref> or dial that can be changed while the box is open. The tab displays a day or number, each number corresponding to a different time shown on the plate.

Some boxes have been used as a dumping ground for used hypodermic needles.<ref name="BBCDerbyNeedles">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/derbyshire/7675689.stm|title=Used needles found in post boxes|publisher=[[BBC]]|access-date=6 January 2013|quote=Postal workers in Derby are being warned to take care after a rise in the number of used syringes being found in post boxes.|date=17 October 2008}}</ref> In such cases staff are issued with protective equipment.<ref name="BBCNeedles">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-20908577|title=Somerset postal workers given gloves to protect against needles|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=4 January 2013|access-date=6 January 2013|quote=Protective gloves are issued to postal workers emptying a Somerset postbox used by drug addicts to dump needles.}}</ref>