Secure and environmentally friendly mailbox

Abstract

The present invention is a secure and environmentally friendly mailbox with components for reducing and eliminating junk or unwanted mail, as well as preventing the unauthorized tampering with or access to the mailbox. This secure and environmentally friendly mailbox comprises a stand or mount, having a top portion and a bottom portion, a base at the bottom portion of the mount, a mailbox affixed to the mount, a shredding device contained in a housing which is connected to the underside of the mailbox, a receptacle located under the housing of the shredding device, a security keypad affixed to the front of the receptacle, a series of programmable motion sensor lights affixed to the mailbox stand, and a 360-degree camera mounted on the top portion of the mailbox stand. This invention eliminates paper waste in an environmentally efficient manner while deterring tampering with or unauthorized access to the mailbox.

1 . A secure and environmentally friendly mailbox apparatus comprising:
 a stand having a front portion, a top portion, a bottom portion, and a base that extends from the bottom portion; and   a mailbox located at the top portion, a shredding device encased in a housing located directly below and adjacent to the mailbox, and a hollow receptacle for collecting shredded material located directly below and adjacent to the shredding device, all of which are integrally arranged and affixed to the front portion of the stand extending down from the top towards bottom portion of the stand; and   a security keypad affixed to the front of the receptacle; and   a series of motion sensor lights arranged vertically from the top portion to the bottom portion of the stand, and along a right side of the stand; and   a 360-degree camera affixed to the top portion of the stand, which is operably integrated with the series of motion sensor lights; and   the shredding device is operable to shred unwanted mail directly into the receptacle; and   the combination of the security keypad, series of motion sensor lights, 360-degree camera, and the mailbox integrally arranged with the shredding device and receptacle enhances security and reduces waste.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus in  claim 1  where the stand, base, mailbox, shredding device, receptacle and security keypad are made of durable plastic material. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus in  claim 1  where the stand, base, mailbox, shredding device, receptacle, and security keypad are made of metal. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus in  claim 1  where the stand, base, mailbox, shredding device, receptacle, and security keypad are made of metal alloy. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus in  claim 1  where the receptacle has a biometric security feature. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus in  claim 1  where the receptacle has a digitally enabled security feature. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus in  claim 1  where the receptacle has a lock and key security feature. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus in  claim 1  where the receptacle has a barcode enabled security feature. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus in  claim 1  where the receptacle has a magnetically enabled card security feature. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus in  claim 1  where the receptacle has a magnetically enabled fob security feature. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  where the lights are programmable to turn on and off. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  where the lights are programmable to turn on and off from dusk up to midnight and are motion sensor activated from after midnight up to dusk. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the 360-degree camera is continuously in an on position. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the 360-degree camera is motion sensor activated coupled in combination with the series of motion sensor lights. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the receptacle has a handle for opening which is positioned on the front of the receptacle horizontally parallel to the keypad.