eBay is testing a new durable shipping box that can be re-used multiple times, making it eco-friendly. The box was designed by a team of eBay employees participating in Innovation Expo, a program that encourages employees to develop prototypes for new products that benefit eBay buyers and sellers.

eBay has printed 100,000 boxes in three sizes and is giving participants of today's eBay On Location event a chance to participate in a pilot program.

The outside of the box has eBay advertising, including the messages "Reuse eBay Box" and asking, "Where to Next?" and "This box is on a mission to make shipping a little greener and the world a little cleaner.

On the inside of the box, there are messages, including one that encourages recipients to sell again on eBay: "Now that you've gotten what you wanted, sell what you don't and make some extra cash."

In addition, there is space on the box for recipients to write a personal message to the next person in the chain - the history of each box can be tracked through a virtual community where buyers and sellers can connect online.

According to the eBay Green Team, if every box gets reused at least five times, it could save almost 4,000 trees and2.4 million gallons of water and could conserve enough energy to power 49 homes for a year.