When people sort through their daily mail, they are more likely to find some junk in there somewhere. From a sales letter from an unknown company down to unnecessary materials in product packaging. Luckily, all these unwanted plastic items that people have can be recycled. After all, most mailers are composed of #2 high-density polyethylene if not the #4 low-density plastic polyethylene. 

Most recycling companies do not accept materials made of the #2 and #4 polyethylene because they could entangle the recycling machinery. Though some would accept rigid #2 and #4 plastics like the plastic water bottles and other materials that are less likely to call some unwanted complications in their machinery. 

However, the plastics from these mailers don't have to get all dumped in the landfill where they could spend the rest of this life there. Many huge groceries and big box stores that accept these plastic bags, made from a specific type of plastic. Whole Foods, Target, and Home Depot are just some of the stores that come with drop off points for these plastic mailer items. If there is a store like them near the area, that's where people can get rid of the plastic mailers without hurting the environment. 

Before you drop them off the recycle bins, it is best to do the following:

  • Check the packaging for the recycling symbol. The type of plastic used will direct the users to only change what was discussed in making the materials.

  • Conduct online research of the possible recycling programs that will be flexible to the type of plastic waste that you have. 

  • The paper labels on the mailers need to be removed. Doing so will make it easier for the people in the recycling plants to sort them out. 

  • If the mailer comes with bubble wrap, make sure to remove it. Both can be recycled but they need to be done that separately. 

The recycling process of these packaging materials may seem a bit complicated, but it is now. With a few simple steps, it is possible to recycle these materials to be used again. They don't have to send in the landfill. With the process in place, it becomes easier for people to follow what needs to be done. If everyone helped out in the process, one small step at a time, the problem on single-use plastic will soon be addressed.