Can you recycle mail with the plastic window

The eternal question!

In general, it's not recommended to recycle mail with plastic windows, such as envelopes with plastic windows or plastic inserts. Here's why:

  1. Contamination: Plastic windows can contaminate the recycling stream, making it difficult to process the materials. The plastic can also stick to other materials, like paper and cardboard, and cause problems during the recycling process.
  2. Sorting issues: Plastic windows can make it challenging for recycling facilities to sort and separate materials correctly. The plastic can be mistaken for other types of plastic or get stuck in machinery, leading to inefficiencies and potential waste.
  3. Lack of market demand: There is limited demand for recycled plastic windows, which means that recycling facilities may not be able to process them efficiently or effectively.

That being said, some recycling programs may accept certain types of plastic windows, such as:

  1. Clear plastic windows: Some programs may accept clear plastic windows, like those used in envelopes, as long as they are removed from the envelope and placed in a separate recycling bin.
  2. Specific types of plastic: Some recycling programs may accept specific types of plastic, like polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which are commonly used in plastic windows.

To recycle mail with plastic windows, you can try the following:

  1. Check with your local recycling program: Contact your local recycling program or municipality to see if they accept plastic windows and what types of plastic they accept.
  2. Remove the plastic window: If your local program accepts plastic windows, remove the plastic window from the envelope and place it in a separate recycling bin.
  3. Participate in special collection programs: Some organizations, like the United States Postal Service (USPS), offer special collection programs for plastic windows. Check with your local post office or USPS website to see if they have such a program in your area.

Remember to always follow the guidelines set by your local recycling program and to properly prepare your materials for recycling.