11 replies to this topic

[artistry]

Some time ago I read about an individual who took the envelopes from his mail, opened them up completely, put them together and used the inside of the envelopes as scrap note paper. I started to do the same thing and found it worked well, but then got away from doing it. I think I will try it again.

[Julie]

This is a really good point - and a heads-up as to how easy it can be to slip out of a good green habit.

I re-use envelopes for future mailing if they are not too ripped and if the address portion can easily be written over. Otherwise i use them as notepads - I keep a pile by my computer to jot down ideas whilst writing. I also use them for shopping lists.

They certainly should not simply be thrown away - unless they go directly into a paper recycling bin (where my old notes and shopping lists go eventually anyway).

It's also good to remove stamps and send them to the various charities that collect stamps as fund raisers.

[artistry]

Julie, I never knew that charites collected used stamps for fund raising. Thanks for the interesting information.

[HollisterFitch]

This is actually a good idea. I'm always writing down notes and crunching numbers so I think I'm going to start turning my "bills into scratch paper." haha ;)

[zararina]

I am already doing that on envelops I am receiving that had been used for monthly bills like electricity. Instead of just throw it, I use it as writing pad or scratch paper. And for envelops used on mails specially those with stamps, I do keep those cause I am a stamp collector and keep stamps on covers.

[tigerlily78]

If you have kids, you can also get into the habit of reusing your return envelopes for sending in money to school when it's needed (for lunch, fundraisers, etc).

Pasting another piece of scratch paper over the window on the envelope or any barcodes and markings makes the envelope ready for just about any reuse. Last year I decided I wanted to send out a few handwritten and individually decorated Christmas notes to friends and family... I used cut outs from wrapping paper scraps and markers to embellish repurposed return envelopes and it seemed to garner a lot of kudos and appreciation from those who received them.  

[Germs]

Very simple and effective tip, hopefully i will remember to use this one myself.

[Mon-Jes]

I have to admit I'm pretty lazy and just put them in the recycling bin. I also live in a small place, so I really can't keep too many of them around for too long!

[steph84]

What a clever idea! I usually just put them in my recycling bin, but now I think I'll get a little more use out of them by writing my shopping lists on them! Thanks for the ideas everyone. I too live in a small space so I can't have them piling up, but it wouldn't hurt to have a small stack near my desk.

[magickat]

We have been donating used stamps to the Lifeboats for many years, and I am sure there are many other charities that do a similar thing. I know some people include used envelopes in their compost, but you have to make sure to remove any plastic windows! I save the larger envelopes to re-send items such as books..

[karmaman]

We compost most of our paper waste, including envelopes. Our local companies have also switched to online billing to cut down on paper waste. Occasionally we'll save some envelopes to tear up and make handmade paper as well.

[anEgrahm]

Usually when I have to use scrap paper or note paper, I end up taking something out of our recycling bin anyway.

A lot of the envelopes in my area come with parts saying "Open here if you wish to reuse later". There is dried glue for reusing on the sides, and even the envelope specifically says that you can reuse it to post to someone else later. The community around me has really gotten into environmental issues, and we already have companies thinking about recycling envelopes.