A SECURE, re sealable two way envelope - claimed to be the first of its kind in the world - was put on the market in Dublin yesterday. Patented in all 15 EU countries, it could make a fortune for its inventor, Mr Tom Murray, and help to reduce the volume of waste.

Mr Murray (63), who spent most of his working life as a builder in England, has entered into an agreement with the Smurfit Group, which will manufacture the envelopes. He hopes that it will appeal particularly to the business community - especially for sending out bills.

Though there are other two way envelopes in daily use, most can easily be opened and their contents examined by third parties. Mr Murray's "Dual Envelope" is the first with a re sealable side flap as well as the standard address "window" common for business correspondence.

Family, friends and other investors contributed more than £60,000 to pay for patents in the EU member states. It has also patented in the US where, according to reports, it is set to out strip another two way envelope which does not have the security features which are regarded as crucial.

Mr Murray developed the ideal at his home in Stillorgan, Co Dublin, and he believes it will "revolutionise" the envelope manufacturing industry. His motivation was to reduce the number of trees being cut down by making it simple for businesses to re use envelopes for returnable transactions.

After a reception at the Berkeley Court Hotel, the first "Dual Envelope" in Ireland was sent out on its inaugural journey by AIB.

Anyone else with an interest in reducing waste - and saving money on paper - may contact Mr Murray's company by telephone at (01) 288 3597 or fax (01): 288 7347.