Can the plastic windows in some envelopes be thrown in the paper recycle?
A lot of the mail I get has a plastic window where the recipient’s address is shown underneath. Up to this point, I have been tearing out the plastic and throwing just the paper part of the envelope in the recycle. Is that neccessary? To what extent do recycling plants filter what’s coming in?
The Consumer Recycling Guide gives the following guidelines for mixed paper but it would be a good idea to check with your district council guidelines before recycling anything.
Mixed paper is a catch-all for types of paper not specifically mentioned above. Everything you can imagine from magazines to packaging is acceptable. The paper must still be clean, dry, and free of food, most plastic, wax, and other contamination. Staples are OK. Remove plastic wrap, stickers, product samples, and those pointless "membership" cards, and most junk mail can be recycled as mixed paper. Due to new technology, plastic window envelopes and staples are generally OK.
Of course.
You can also throw a yappy little dog or small rocks in there.
You should do whatever makes you feel good.That’s what recycling is all about.
Leave them on if you want.
Yes you can. It gets processed out along with other contaminants at the recycling plant.
Its generally OK – but you should check with your local recycling station to be sure. Every place is different.
For example, here where we are, they require you to wash everything out well because its a small operation and there are real people around the items, so, to avoid contamination by rodents and bugs, as well as bacteria and the general smell of things, they want you to wash things out thoroughly.
However, in the city where my parents live, they can just basically throw most things in the bin, even if they have a bit of food gunk on them.
Different rules for different places.
So, while it is generally OK to leave the little plastic windows in the envelopes, you specific recycling station may have different requirements.
Re plastic windows. NO you cannot leave the windows on. I asked my local authority the same question only a couple of weeks ago and was told to remove them. It’s not difficult after all.
Regards Bruce.
The tons of paper that goes through recycling centers would have a very small percentage of plastic from the average thoughtful recycler. If you ask the recycling center, they may generally say not to include any plastic material, including window envelopes. My center told me as much. However, they do not refuse paper because of window envelopes. Business recyclers do not sort their paper recycling materials and recycling is still encouraged.
Some window envelopes are already recycled and appropriate for recycling. Look for the recycling symbol. If you are really concerned you may follow the step that someone I know uses – she cuts out all the plastic windows with a scissor and then recycles only the white paper. If you have nothing more important to do with your time, then that would be an option.
Best wishes. Recycle all you can! Blessings and Balance. K