Envelope

Also called: window envelope, brown envelope, letter envelope, white envelope

Recycle at home

National rules. Choose your council to see its answer.

Your council's answer

The answer can differ by council. Choose your council to see its rules for this item.

How to prepare it

  1. Window envelopes are fine
  2. Padded envelopes go in general waste

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National rules

The answer isn't the same in every UK nation. Choose your council to see the one that applies to you.

England

Recycle at home

Yes. Put it in your recycling bin.

Paper goes in your recycling; many councils collect paper and card in a separate box or bag.

England-wide guidance, checked 26 Sep 2026. View the source

Scotland

Recycle at home

Yes. Put it in your recycling bin.

Paper goes in your recycling; most Scottish councils collect paper and card together in their own bin or box.

Scotland-wide guidance, checked 27 Sep 2026. View the source

Wales

Recycle at home

Yes. Put it in your recycling bin.

Most Welsh councils collect paper and card together in their own box or bag, kept apart from glass and from cans and plastics.

Wales-wide guidance, checked 27 Sep 2026. View the source

Northern Ireland

Recycle at home

Yes. Put it in your recycling bin.

Clean, dry paper goes in your recycling; shredded or wet paper can go in the brown bin instead.

Northern Ireland-wide guidance, checked 27 Sep 2026. View the source

Recycle This isn't run by or endorsed by any council or the government. Councils change their services, so check anything important with your council.