Overview

Agencies and schools mail correspondence in a wide array of envelopes, from standardA characteristic or set of characteristics for an item, generally accepted by the manufacturers and users of the item as a required characteristic for all such items. business and letterhead envelopes to tear-resistant mailers, large manila, brown, and padded envelopes.

Yet in many cases, envelopes are unnecessary. Correspondence such as newsletters and publications can be designed as self-mailers, thus saving money on envelope purchases. The Internet offers ways to avoid the expense of envelopes and mailing altogether, through communication methods such as:

• Making documents, newsletters, and forms available on web sites;
• E-mailing or e-faxing documents, press releases, and announcements; and
• Setting up electronic commerce systems to allow online transactions for such services as licensing, reservations, and utility billing.

Reusing envelopes is another good way to reduce waste and save money. Most envelopes survive being mailed in sufficiently good shape to be reused, especially clasp or resealable envelopes. Apply new address labels and make sure there is a clear space for postage metering or fresh stamps. By keeping these envelopes in the loop, you can promote recycling, too: stamping envelopes with a recycling message - "This envelope is being reused to reduce waste," or something similar - will alert your recipients to recycling possibilities. The Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance estimates that its Clearinghouse can save nearly $345 annually by reusing envelopes!

When purchasingThe act and the function of responsibility for the acquisition of equipment, materials, supplies, and services. In a narrow sense, the term describes the process of buying. In a broader sense, the term describes determining the need, selecting the supplier, arriving at a fair and reasonable price and terms, preparing the contract or purchase order, and following up to ensure timely delivery. envelopes, look for post-consumer recycled contentThe portion of a product that is made from materials diverted from the waste stream, usually stated as a percentage by weight.. Many types of envelopes are available with post-consumer contentMaterials collected for recycling from homes, retail stores, office buildings, etc., after they have completed their intended end use as consumer items. Post-consumer is part of the broader category of "recovered materials.".

Although most paper envelopes are recyclable, there are important exceptions. Some recycling markets refuse to accept brown or paper-padded envelopes. Similarly, plastic envelopes and those with plastic bubble padding are very difficult to recycle. Purchasing white or light-colored envelopes - and those without plastic windows - increases the chance that users will be able to recycle them.

Laws & Guidelines

Federal procurement guidelines resulting from an Executive Order set acceptable standards for purchasing envelopes:

• White wove - 30% post-consumer content
• White or colored Kraft (including manila) - 10% to 20% post-consumer content
• Unbleached Kraft envelopes - 10% post-consumer content
• Plastic envelopes - 25% to 35% total recycled plastic content with at least 25% post-consumer content.

State and local governments are encouraged to use these guidelines when purchasing envelopes.

Performance

Some envelopes, such as those that are padded, have long been sold in recycled content form without raising the least concern about performance. More recently, varieties such as finer stationary and bond envelopes have added recycled content and are performing well alongside those made with virgin (new) materials. Improvements in paper manufacturing in the past decade mean the performance of recycled-content envelopes is virtually indistinguishable from their virgin counterparts.

Availability

Recycled-content envelopes are widely available from most office supply outlets. Most recycled envelopes are available with a minimum of 10% post-consumer content; in fact, many have between 20%-30% post-consumer content.

Cost

Comparative costs for virgin versus recycled-content envelopes vary significantly based on the quantity ordered, size or style of envelope, and source. In general:

• #10 Business size envelopes Prices for boxes of 100 envelopes are typically 10% to 20% higher for recycled content. Price differences are sometimes more dramatic for boxes of 500 envelopes because of deep discounts often offered by superstores for #10 size envelopes made from virgin paper, a high-volume item. Cost differences will decline as the market for recycled-content envelopes grows.
• Clasp and catalog envelopes Recycled-content envelopes are available at prices similar to virgin counterparts, but can sometimes cost up to 20% more. However, recycled-content Kraft envelopes are widely available at prices much lower than virgin or recycled-content white or manila envelopes. Consider whether white or manila envelopes offer a necessary benefit for the higher price over recycled Kraft envelopes.
• Tear-resistant envelopes Recycled-content plastic envelopes are typically price competitive with, and in some cases noticeably cheaper than, virgin plastic envelopes.
• Interoffice envelopes Recycled-content paper envelopes are typically price competitive with virgin paper envelopes.

Specifications

State and local governments are encouraged to use the federal procurement guidelines noted in Laws and Guidelines when putting together specifications for bid solicitations or when choosing products through an office supply outlet.

Vendors

State of Minnesota Office Supply Connection
Many sizes and styles of recycled-content envelopes are available through Office Supply Connection. For more information, see State of Minnesota Office Supply Connection.

Minnesota State Contracts
There are two state contracts for recycled-content printed envelopes. All envelopes available through these contracts contain at least 30% post-consumer waste, except for white Kraft. See Cooperative Purchasing Venture for information on accessing these contracts through the state's Cooperative Purchasing Venture program.

• P-707 (5) Printed Envelopes: plain, Kraft, window.
• P-710 (5) Printed Envelopes: plain, Kraft, window.

Cooperative Purchasing -
U.S. Communities Program
Counties, cities and schools may join the U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance to access a contract with Office Depot. See Cooperative Purchasing - U.S. Communities for information on this program, or visit the U.S. Communities web site. Many types of envelopes with recycled content are available at a good discount through this contract, and orders may be placed over the Internet.

Other Vendors
Many sizes and styles of recycled-content envelopes are available from most office supply outlets. When shopping at office supply stores, inspect the packaging, catalogues, and shelf tags to ensure that the product has recycled content and to determine its percentage of post-consumer recycled materials.

Tyvek® Envelopes
These tear-resistant plastic envelopes are made from 25% recycled plastic and are 100% recyclable - but not recyclable with paper envelopes. Tyvek has established a mail-back program to recycle plastic Tyvek® envelopes. Call 800/44-TYVEK (800/448-9835) for a free pouch to mail them to a regional recycler. To learn more about this product's environmental attributes, visit the Tyvek web site.