Maybe you've suffered a pang of guilt when you've received something in the mail and had to throw away the perfectly good shipping box. Packaging waste is indeed a big concern among green consumers, and retailers are becoming sensitive to their needs. Columbia Sportswear has responded by initiating an innovative program in which online consumers can choose to receive their order in a box that's been used. The program has received an overwhelmingly positive response, with over 60 percent of consumers opting for shipment in used boxes.

There's more: by entering your box's code number into the website www.aboxlife.com, you can track where that box has traveled. Later, you can check in on that box's journey around the world long after it's been of service to you, since participants are encouraged to post to A Box Life Flickr Group and send Twitter posts when there is something "box worthy" to report.

Questions can be sent to Jim Parks at [email protected]. To find out more about Jim Parks and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.