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Leave the Windows, Recycle All Paper Envelopes!

Recycling Myths
White envelope on a wood table

MAKING YOUR RECYCLING LIFE EASIER 🙌

You do NOT need to remove the clear windows from envelopes before recycling.

A community member recently asked us:
“I’ve always removed the plastic window—do I actually need to?”

Short answer: Nope!

This used to be a common rule, but recycling and envelope manufacturing have improved. Today:

  • Some envelope windows are made from materials that break down during the paper recycling process
  • Plastic windows are separated out during processing

So if you’ve been painstakingly ripping those out—or tossing the whole envelope instead—good news: you can recycle the entire envelope as-is with your mixed paper.

Less hassle, more recycling. Win-win. ♻️

Want to go deeper? Learn more about recycling mail: https://www.afandpa.org/.../do-you-know-how-recycle-all...

This material is based upon work supported under a grant by the Rural Utilities Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Rural Utilities Service. Rural Community Assistance Partnership, Inc., is an equal opportunity provider and employer.