Envelopes

Put in Recycling Cart
Envelope with Window

Glossy Paper and Plastic Windows OK

All paper products, including glossy paper, are recyclable. It is ideal to remove plastic windows from envelopes before recycling them, but it’s OK if you don’t.

Padded Envelope

Padded Envelopes Go in the Garbage

Recycling plants don’t accept padded envelopes because they can’t separate the mixed materials. If your padded envelope is plastic-only, recycle it with plastic bags.

envelope

Lunar New Year Envelopes

Red envelopes for the Lunar New Year made of plain paper can be placed in the recycling container. However, glossy envelopes with foil must go in the garbage.

Ways to Reduce

Junk Mail Pile

Reduce Junk Mail

Junk mail generates a lot of waste on a weekly basis. Learn how to reduce the amount of junk mail you receive.

Ways to Reuse

Use Envelopes More Than Once

As much as possible, try to use envelopes more than once before disposing of them. You can cover old addresses with labels or cross them out.