How to Reuse & Recycle Envelopes Using Sticky Labels

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Envelope Recycling Labels

Envelope Recycling has caused some people real problems, with some local authorities deciding that stamps, gummed edges and the dreaded plastic windows mean that envelopes are not suitable for recycling. After reading about the dilemma of envelope recycling I decided to investigate a much better way of dealing with this problem - REUSE them.

It is often forgotten that recycling is lower down the waste management hierarchy than reusing and luckily there are organizations that are ready to help us reuse our envelopes. This lens contains a list of envelope recycling label suppliers.

Reuse, Reduce and Recycle 

The Three R's: Reuse, Reduce, Recycle (What Do You Know About? Books)

Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 11/30/2009) Buy Now

Do You Reuse and Recycle? 

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Sticky Labels 

A few friends of mine introduced me to this idea, which is quite disingeniously referred to as envelope recycling labelling by some, when in fact it is envelope reusing. The idea is just to stick a new label over the old address or plastic window, write on the new address and use tape to close the envelope and use it again!

Brilliant! No need to waste energy processing the envelope for recycling, just use it again, and again, and again. I guess, however, there is a point at which it eventually becomes unusable.

Don't Throw It Out, Recycle, Renew and Reuse 

Don't Throw It Out: Recycle, Renew and Reuse to Make Things Last

Amazon Price: (as of 12/01/2009) Buy Now

Suppliers of Envelope Recycling Labels 

The great thing about these labels is that many charities and worthy causes supply them, just choose your favourite cause and buy!

Here is a list of suppliers of envelope recycling labels:

British Trust for Ornithology; 200 labels for £3.50
World Wildlife Fund; 50 labels for £4.50
Recycled Paper Supplies; 50 labels for £2.75
Green Party of New Zealand; 100 labels for $7 NZ
Trees for Life; 100 labels for £3.50
Thatu; 50 labels for £2.50; 100 labels for £4; 500 labels for £15
British Trust for Conservation Volunteers; 50 labels for £1.20
Barn Owl Trust; 50 labels for £1.40
Northern Friends Peace Board; 100 labels for £2.50
Woodland Trust; 100 labels for £3.99
Common Ground; 100 labels for £3.50 (£4.50 outside UK)
Progressive Resources Catalog; 100 labels for $4 US
Irish Peatland Conservation Council; 50 labels for 5 Euros
Spokes - The Lothian Cycle Campaign; 120 labels for £3
The Land Is Ours; 100 labels for £3.75
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (NZ); 100 labels for $5 NZ
Ecotopia; 50 labels for £1.99
Ecocentric; 100 labels for £4.50
Envelope Angel; 100 labels in dispensing box for £4.95
Green Metropolis; 50 labels for £1.75
StopJunkMail.org.uk; 50 labels for £2
Sumatran Orang Utan Society; 25 labels for £2.99
The Green Sationary Company; 100 labels for £2.95
Rabbit Welfare; 100 labels for £3.75
Surfers Against Sewage; 50 labels for £3.92
Animal Aid; 100 labels for £3.25
Cornwall Wildlife Trust; 50 labels for £3.50

Recycled Paper 

If you are going to reuse envelopes then it only makes sense to use recycled paper for writing on, drawing on and making photocopies on.

Envelope Reusing/Recycling Tips 

If you would prefer to recycle or reuse your envelopes without ordering sticky labels then here is a list of alternatives.

Please vote for your favourite method and add your own tips: remember, reusing is preferable to recycling.

Ackowledgements: A number of these tips came from How can I reuse or recycle used envelopes at recyclethis.co.uk

Shopping Lists

One of the simplest and quickest methods of reusin more...5 points

Use as Bookmarks

Instead of buying laminated bookmarks just stick a more...4 points

Make Pet Bedding

Use only the unglued parts of old envelopes, shred more...2 points

Use Envelopes for Storage

Keep small, easily lost items in old envelopes; th more...2 points

Compost Old Envelopes

Remove any plastic windows, shred the envelopes an more...1 point

Make Notepads

Cut out the parts of old envelopes that have no wr more...1 point

Tape underneath drills to collect dust

If you are doing a little DIY tape an old envelope more...1 point

Re-use by attaching Bulk Mailing Labels

I receive a high volume of envelopes in my home bu more...0 points

Sticky Notepads - thepromohut.com

A nice eco friendly web site http://www.thepromohu more...0 points

Recycling Lenses 

Recycled Toilet Paper 

Contrary to the old joke about recycled toilet paper, it does exist and is a good option if you care about the environment.

SEV13714 - 100% Recycled Toilet Paper

Amazon Price: (as of 12/01/2009) Buy Now

Reuse Toilet Paper Rolls 

After you have finished your roll of recycled toilet paper take a look at this excellent lens for ideas on what to do with the cardboard tube that is left over.

New Igo GREEN Tip of the Day 

Recycling Websites 

For those committed to reusing and recycling these websites will be of interest.
How Can I Recycle This
Ask and Answer Questions for Suggestions on Recycling.
Recycle Now
Advice and Ideas on Recycling.
Recycle More
Help and advice on all aspects of recycling at home, at school and in the workplace

Recycling on Blogs 

Where on earth does our waste go when we put it in green bags?
Westminster estimates suggest 67% of plastic, 51% of paper recycling, 19% of glass and 34% of aluminium is now sent overseas for reprocessing. ...
The following is a press release from the City of Somerville:
Clean cardboard must be flattened and tied in 2' by 3' bundles and newspaper and mixed paper will be accepted for recycling when tied together in a bundle ...
Walmart Turns Trash Into Pizza Boxes
by Jennifer Berry We all know that pizza box recycling can be a tricky procedure. But what about the paper that goes into the box itself? ...
On the Cheap: Save on gift-wrap one way or another
Here's a statistic that will have you reaching for the newspapers in your recycling bin. "If every American family wrapped just three presents in re-used ...

My Other Environment Lenses 

Recycling 

Do you useenvelope recycling labels? Have you got a recycling or environmental lens? if you do please feel welcome to link to it here. Alternatively just comment on the lens.

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  • Reply
    totalhealth totalhealth Nov 12, 2009 @ 3:05 pm
    I try to recycle or reuse anything that can be used or recycled. I also love making handicraft out of unused things at home. there's just so much you can do with just a little creativity.
  • Reply
    mulberry mulberry Oct 29, 2009 @ 4:16 am
    It's simple, everyday stuff like this that makes a difference.
  • Reply
    Apaihai Apaihai Sep 15, 2009 @ 4:31 am
    I always use old envelopes for shopping lists. Sometimes I reuse old till receipts for shopping lists too if there is nothing printed on the back.
  • Reply
    rinz rinz Aug 12, 2009 @ 7:27 am
    we're doing a research on environmental awareness and pro-environmental behaviors among adolescents

    right now, we're using our old bond paper from our previous paper works, and writing our drafts on the back pages...(an undergraduate psychological approach thesis)

    we feel that we are earth warriors... ;p

    if you have some environmental psychology related studies that you can share, we would be very thankful to have those...

    you may send them to www.hyperatari@yahoo.com

    Thank you!!!
  • Reply
    CheekyMonkey CheekyMonkey Sep 28, 2008 @ 1:40 am
    I have been using an old envelope as a bookmark for the last 9 months - I think it has just about worn out now. Maybe time to compost?
  • Reply
    Mortira Mortira Sep 11, 2008 @ 7:10 pm
    I'm always leaving my bills lying around, so the envelopes usually get used as shopping lists. It's so much better to reuse before you recycle! Thanks for the great lens! *****
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Recycling for Kids 

Recycle!: A Handbook for Kids

Get your children in the recycling habit from the earliest of ages with this book.

Amazon Price: $3.20 (as of 12/01/2009) Buy Now

About The Lens Author 

Lensmaster nickupton has been a member since June 23 2007, has rated 149 lenses, favorited 73, and has created 63 lenses from scratch. This member's top-ranked page is "The Sneetches by Dr Seuss". See all my lenses

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