Shopping online is quick and convenient, and it gives people plenty of options to get the best deal possible, but it comes with an environmental cost. Shipping items at scale produces carbon emissions, while using non-recyclable packaging increases landfill waste.

Mailing bags are a great option for online retailers to get products to their customers cheaply and efficiently. They’re flexible, lightweight and suitable for shipping a range of items.

But not all mailing bags are recyclable.

Most are made from non-recyclable plastics, creating a widespread issue. The vast majority of mailing bags are designed for single-use, meaning millions of bags are disposed of as general waste every year.

So, are there any types of recyclable mailing bags, or are there any eco-friendly alternatives?

What Do You Do with Old Polythene Mailers?

The majority of lightweight goods are packaged in polyethene mailing bags. They’re low-cost, water-resistant and convenient to store. But can you recycle these mailing bags? The short answer is no. You can’t recycle polyethene-based mailers at home, but you can take them to carrier bag collection points if they’re made of low-density polyethene (LDPE).

Why Are Mailing Bags So Popular?

They might not have the best eco-credentials, but mailing bags remain incredibly useful. There are numerous reasons why brands opt for plastic-based mailing bags:

• Protection: Mailing bags are typically made from durable yet flexible plastics such as polythene (PE) or polypropylene (PP). This provides protection against moisture, dust and minor impacts during transit.
• Versatility: Available in various sizes, mailing bags are suitable for shipping various items, from clothing and accessories to cosmetics and electronics.
• Lightweight: Mailing bags are designed to save space. This helps keep storage and shipping costs down, which is especially important for international shipments where size and weight heavily impact pricing.
• Security: Once sealed, mailing bags are hard to tear; it’s obvious if mailing bags have been tampered with. They can also keep the contents a mystery to anyone but the recipient.
• Cost-effectiveness: Mailing bags are produced on a monumental scale, making them a cheap and cheerful option for businesses shipping smaller items or operating on tight budgets.