Your Guide To Recycling Window Envelopes In The UK

If you’re wondering if you can recycle window envelopes or bubble wrap envelopes in the UK then here’s all you need to know.

I recently received an email from a reader asking me if you can recycle envelopes. Specifically window envelopes and bubble wrap envelopes. They told me they’d read conflicting information and wanted a definitive answer as to whether you can, or cannot recycle these types of envelopes.

So, let’s take a look at what to do with these types of envelopes. As a bonus, I’ve looked at whether or not you can recycle padded envelopes as well as some upcycling tips for reusing envelopes. Let’s go!

Recycling Window Envelopes In The UK

As much as I try to give advice that covers most people in the UK, there is in fact no definitive answer to whether you can recycle envelopes or not. Whether you can or not all lies with your local council, and the recycling facilities they have in place. 

For example, some councils, like North Lanarkshire Council, say that you can recycle envelopes provided you rip out the cellophane window. Others, like Midlothian Council, say that when recycling envelopes you shouldn’t remove the cellophane. Instead, you can just recycle them as they are. There’s no consistency at all!

I have even heard of some local councils that say they can’t recycle any envelopes at all – windowed or not – as the adhesives in envelopes can gum up the recycling machines. Although, I do think this has become less of a common occurrence as most councils do seem to recycle them now.

Why it has to differ so much from one area to another does baffle me. I think it may all be down to the recyclers they use and the equipment they have. So the best advice on the recycling envelopes question is: check with your local council. Sorry that I couldn’t be more conclusive!

Recycling Padded Envelopes

If you’ve received a padded envelope (including Jiffy Bags and bubble wrap envelopes), then these may be able to be recycled. However, it all depends on if they have been designed to be recyclable.

You would think in 2025 that it would be given that all padded envelopes should be recyclable, but there are still some unscrupulous manufacturers out there making non-recyclable ones.

Those that are able to be recycled generally have instructions printed on the back of them detailing how to detach the bubble wrap from the paper. If this is the case, separate the parts and put each in the correct recycling bin.

Generally, the paper goes in your paper and cardboard bin. The bubble wrap can be recycled in the soft plastic recycling bins found in many large supermarkets.

If there are no recycling instructions printed on the envelope, then assume the envelope is not recyclable. This is because they are classed as composite or mixed materials.

If you’ve ever tried to separate the plastic bubble liner from the paper outer layer, you’ll know this is incredibly difficult, hence why they cannot be recycled. It’s frustrating because the individual components that make up these envelopes are recyclable.

Meanwhile, if you’ve been sent something that’s arrived in a padded envelope that is made from shredded paper or cardboard then you are in luck. These can be recycled at home, without any prep work. Just pop these in your paper and cardboard bin – job done!

What To Do If Your Council Doesn’t Recycle Envelopes

Whilst it’s now thankfully very rare that a local council won’t recycle envelopes – window or otherwise – if you are in that situation then here are some ideas to minimise waste from envelopes:

• Reuse envelopes as shopping lists or as notepaper.
• Open your envelopes very carefully and reuse them.
• Use envelopes for saving and storing seeds over the winter.
• Cut up envelopes to use as packaging labels. I reuse envelopes to post items I’ve sold on eBay. To make labels I’ll cut up an old envelope rather than using a fresh sheet of paper.
• Remove the window from the envelope and shred the paper. This paper can then be placed in your compost bin. The minimal amount of adhesive used in envelopes should break down easily in your composter. See my guide on how to compost if you’re new to composting!
• You can also recycle stamps for charity. All you need to do is carefully cut around the stamps, save them up and then send them on to a charity that collects stamps.

Other Tips To Reduce Waste

Other good ideas to reduce the number of envelopes coming into your home are:

• Opt out of junk mail
• Ask your utility providers to switch you to paperless billing.
• Likewise, ask your bank to switch you to paperless statements.

Another idea is to try to limit the number of envelopes you send. For example, you could send eCards instead of greeting cards. Paperless Post is one of my favourite sites for free (and really nice looking, non-cheesy) eCards. Alternatively, Canva is a great site that allows you to utilise its wide range of templates to make professional-looking graphics that you can then email.

Alternatively, If you’ve got the time and are feeling crafty then you could make your own envelopes out of recycled paper.

Your Ideas

Those are just some ideas for recycling envelopes and reducing the number of envelopes in your life. Do you have any other ideas for recycling envelopes? If so, do share in the comments below!