Are Bubble Pack Envelopes Recyclable?

Bubble mailers are not recyclable.

Engineers Marc Chavannes and Al Fielding invented bubble wrap during the early 1960s as a replacement for wallpaper, according to USA Today. Shortly thereafter, it was quickly seen as an excellent way to keep mailed items safe.

Is It Recyclable?

Theoretically, you can recycle bubble mailers. However, recycling plants usually do not take them because the plastic is attached to paper, according to Austin Community College. Recycling plants have to keep materials pure for making new products, and separating the bubble from the paper would cost too much for most plants.

Considerations

You can recycle bubble pack envelopes yourself by separating the bubble wrap from the paper and reusing the bubble wrap as padding, according to BogFrog. You could leave the bubble envelope intact for future mailings. Some companies even collect bubble wrap for reuse.

Warning

Do not pop the bubble wrap, because if it is unpopped it will offer protection for future use.

References

• USA Today: Happy 50th, Bubble Wrap!
• Austin Community College: Recycling
• BogFrog: Frog Friendly® Tips to Help Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
• Capitol Hill Seattle: Entrepreneur puts Capitol Hill's used padded mailers to work -- How you can help