Glossy Paper and Plastic Windows OK
All paper products, including glossy paper, are recyclable. It is ideal to remove plastic windows from envelopes before recycling them, but it’s OK if you don’t.
Remove Credit Cards and Address Labels
Remove any plastic credit cards or sheets of address labels and throw them away before recycling the envelope and contents it came with. These will contaminate paper recycling.
Don't Recycle Shredded Paper
If you shred any junk mail to protect personal information, the paper can no longer be recycled because it will be too small. Find out how to dispose of shredded paper.
Keep Paper Dry
If paper products get wet, their fibers become damaged so that they are no longer recyclable. Store them so that they stay dry until they are recycled.
Ways to Reduce
Stop Generic Junk Mail
First, register with the Direct Marketing Association to remove your name from most mailing lists for five years (for a $2 processing fee). Second, register with Valassis, a top 10 national direct mail printer, to stop receiving its mailings for five years, or whenever you next move.
Get Off Mailing Lists
If you receive mail from companies you’ve purchased from, use Catalog Choice or the free app PaperKarma to request specific senders to cease mailings.
Stop Credit Cards & Valpak Coupons
Opt out of prescreened credit card and insurance offers from major credit bureaus online or by calling 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688). To stop receiving Valpak coupons, fill out this form.
Reduce the Mail You Receive
Request e-statements and e-bills whenever possible to cut down on the amount of paper mail you receive. If you donate to any charities, ask them to limit donation requests to once a year.
Ways to Reuse
Use Envelopes More Than Once
As much as possible, try to use envelopes more than once before disposing of them. You can cover old addresses with labels or cross them out if you need to.
Craft With Junk Mail
Junk mail can be used for lots of different crafts, from making pocket notebooks and stationary to origami and gift wrap. Find more ideas here.
