[jamesdhutton]

In the USA, the postal service picks up outgoing mail from your mailbox. I wish they would do that in the UK.

[tdeck]

This is only true in rural areas and most suburbs. In the city, you often have to take it to a blue post box.

Although some carriers will pick up outgoing mail in an apartment building if you leave it where they can see it and indicate it clearly.

[nevon]

That's very interesting. How do they know what's outgoing? Do they have to check the address of each letter, or is there like a separate compartment for outgoing mail?

[tyleo]

Most mailboxes have a little plastic flag on a hinge you flip up to mark that you have outgoing mail. The process is is generally:

1. Remove all mail from the mailbox

2. Place outgoing mail in the mailbox

3. Raise the outgoing mail flag

4. Carrier will empty the box and file outgoing mail during the next delivery before putting new mail in the box

Edit: here is a good example of a mailbox with that red flag https://www.amazon.com/Step2-541200-MailMaster-Mailbox-Black...

[gadders]

You can get them to pick up parcels now, at least.