Are Envelopes with Plastic Windows Recyclable?

The little plastic windows on envelopes cannot be recycled. Although modern recycling systems can filter out these windows, it's still best to cut out the windows before recycling envelopes.

Can you put envelopes with plastic windows in recycling?

Recycling Envelopes

Envelopes with plastic windows can be recycled. The paper from these envelopes is the exact type of material that is perfect for recycling. The plastic in the window CAN be recycled and will does not need to be removed before "throwing it in the blue bin."

Do you need to remove plastic windows from envelopes before recycling?

Envelopes with address windows:

Though it doesn't hurt to remove the plastic piece, most paper recycling facilities don't have a problem recycling these. During the pulping process, the pieces that don't belong like staples, paperclips and these plastic windows are filtered out.