If you've ordered anything online lately, chances are it showed up in a polymailer. You know, those thin, plastic envelopes that seem to be everywhere now. They're light, they keep stuff dry, and are way cheaper to ship than boxes. But once you've ripped one open and grabbed your order, what are you supposed to do with it?
Can you actually recycle these things, or are they destined for the landfill? Let's dig into what really happens to poly mailers and what you can do to give them a second life.
What Polymailers Are Made Of
Most poly mailers are made from polyethylene (PE), which is a thin, flexible plastic film. It's the same material as grocery bags, just in a different shape. You might see it labeled as LDPE or "Plastic #4." It's cheap to make, protects your stuff pretty well, and doesn't add much weight to your package, which is exactly why online retailers love it.
Some mailers are just that simple plastic film. Others have bubble wrap padding or paper liners stuck inside, which definitely adds protection but also complicates things when it comes to recycling.
Why You Can't Just Toss Them in Your Blue Bin
Here's the frustrating part: even though poly mailers are technically recyclable, most curbside programs won't take them. Just because you throw them in the recycling bin, doesn't automatically mean it will be recycled. The problem? The thin plastic film gets tangled up in the sorting machines at recycling facilities. They jam the equipment, slow everything down, and create a mess. Most programs specifically tell you not to put plastic bags, wraps, or mailers in your regular recycling bin.
While the traditional first line of recycling isn't an option for polybags, don't give up yet. There are other ways to properly recycle them.
How to Actually Recycle Polymailers
Recycling polymailers is totally doable, you just need to take a different route:
Check the packaging icons and material claims. Look for "LDPE" or "Plastic #4" which means it can go in a film recycling program.
Clean it up. Peel off the shipping label, remove any tape, and take out paper inserts. The cleaner it is, the better chance it has of actually getting recycled instead of rejected.
Find a drop-off location. A lot of grocery stores and big retailers have those collection bins near the entrance where you can drop off plastic bags and films. These usually accept clean poly mailers too.
Skip the fancy ones. If your mailer has bubble wrap or paper permanently fused inside, it probably can't be recycled through these programs. Mixed materials are tricky.
Not sure where to find a drop-off? Check your city or county recycling website to find a list of film collection spots or special recycling events.
What Happens After You Drop Them Off
Once collected, the plastic films get cleaned up, shredded into bits, and melted down into little plastic pellets. Those pellets get turned into new products like deck boards, park benches, or more plastic film.
While this process gives plastic a second life, your poly mailer probably won't become another poly mailer. The recycling process tends to downgrade the material, so it usually ends up as something less picky about quality. But hey, that's still way better than sitting in a landfill for the next few hundred years.
Compostable and Recycled Options
Some companies are now making mailers from compostable materials or from recycled plastic, which is a step in the right direction. Compostable mailers will break down, but usually only in industrial composting facilities (not your backyard bin). Recycled content mailers mean less new plastic gets made, which is always a win.
If you get one of these, read the label carefully. Compostable ones need special handling, and you'll want to know if there's a facility near you that accepts them.
EcoPackables offers both 100% recycled content polymailers and 100% certified compostable options, giving you flexibility without sacrificing convenience.
What If You Can't Recycle Them?
If there's no film recycling nearby and composting isn't an option, your best bet is to reuse the mailer before you trash it. A lot of them can survive a second (or even third) trip if you open them carefully.
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Save them for shipping your own packages or returns
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Use them to send donations through the mail
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Store seasonal clothes, craft supplies, or other random stuff around the house
Reusing keeps the material in circulation longer and delays the inevitable trip to the dump.
The Bigger Picture
Polymailers aren't going anywhere. Unfortunately, they are too convenient and too cheap for online retailers to ditch completely. But people are starting to pay more attention, and that matters. When you take the time to recycle or reuse properly, and when you support brands offering better options, you're nudging the whole packaging system in a better direction.
At EcoPackables, we think packaging should protect your order and the planet. That's why we focus on making sustainable options, because choosing better packaging shouldn't feel like solving a puzzle.