Where do Envelopes with plastic windows go?
The advice to cut out every address window predates the equipment now in use. Pulpers agitate paper in water and screen the result, and a small polystyrene or cellulose film window is removed with the other rejects along with staples and paperclips. Most authorities now say envelopes can go in whole, though a minority still asks for windows to be removed and a few exclude padded envelopes entirely. Padded envelopes are the genuine exception: paper-lined ones are usually fine, plastic-bubble-lined ones are not unless the lining is stripped out. Check your own council list, because the minority that still asks for windows to be cut out means it.
How to prepare it
- Put ordinary window envelopes in whole.
- Tear the plastic bubble lining out of padded envelopes, or bin them whole.
What not to do
- Never put a plastic-lined padded envelope in the paper bin intact.
Kerbside collection rules genuinely vary by council and county, and local rules always win over general guidance. The reasoning above is what transfers — if your service differs, it will usually be for a reason described here.
Other things that go to kerbside recycling bin
- Pizza boxes Recyclable if the card is only greasy; not if it is soaked or has food stuck to it. Tear off the clean lid if in doubt.
- Aerosol cans Empty aerosols go in the kerbside recycling in most areas. Never pierce them, never crush them, never bin a part-full one.
- Wrapping paper Plain paper: recycle. Foil, plastic-coated or glittery: general waste. The scrunch test settles it.
- Drinks cartons (Tetra Pak) Recyclable, but only where your scheme says so — they need a mill that separates the card from the plastic and foil.
- Aluminium foil and foil trays Recyclable if it is clean. Scrunch it into a ball the size of a fist so the sorters can see it.
- Shredded paper Depends entirely on your council. Loose shreds jam sorting lines; where they are accepted it is usually bagged or in food waste.
- Plastic bottle caps Leave the cap on the empty bottle. That is now the standard advice in most places.
- Black plastic food trays Historically rejected because the optical sorter could not see them. Increasingly accepted now — check your council.
Common questions
- Where do Envelopes with plastic windows go?
- Kerbside paper recycling in most areas — modern pulping screens the window out.
- What happens if you put Envelopes with plastic windows in the wrong bin?
- Never put a plastic-lined padded envelope in the paper bin intact.
Related pages
- Where do Pizza boxes go? Recyclable if the card is only greasy; not if it is soaked or has food stuck to it. Tear off the clean lid if in doubt.
- Where do Aerosol cans go? Empty aerosols go in the kerbside recycling in most areas. Never pierce them, never crush them, never bin a part-full one.
- Where do Wrapping paper go? Plain paper: recycle. Foil, plastic-coated or glittery: general waste. The scrunch test settles it.
- Where do Drinks cartons (Tetra Pak) go? Recyclable, but only where your scheme says so — they need a mill that separates the card from the plastic and foil.
- Where do Aluminium foil and foil trays go? Recyclable if it is clean. Scrunch it into a ball the size of a fist so the sorters can see it.
- Where do Shredded paper go? Depends entirely on your council. Loose shreds jam sorting lines; where they are accepted it is usually bagged or in food waste.
- Where do Household batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V) go? Shop or manufacturer take-back
- Where do Lithium-ion batteries go? Shop or manufacturer take-back
- Where do Vapes and disposable e-cigarettes go? Shop or manufacturer take-back
- Where do Medicines and tablets go? Pharmacy
- Where do Leftover wet paint go? Household waste recycling centre
- Where do Mobile phones go? Shop or manufacturer take-back
Sources
- US Environmental Protection Agency — EPA (Public domain (US Government))