MAILER & ITEM BAG
DISPOSAL GUIDE
The compostable mailer
If possible, re-use the compostable mailer as many times as you can before disposing of it, you could:
- use it again to return an unwanted/damaged item to us (compostable mailers come with two adhesive strips to make this even easier);
- use it again to send something else (you can even flip it inside out);
- cut it up and use it as weed matting in your garden;
- cut it up and use it to grow seedlings (it’s non-toxic!);
- use it to carry or store green waste.
Once the mailer has reached the end of its useful life, the best way to dispose of it is to compost it it’s home compostable and will break down in a normal compost bin in about 6 months. Remove any labels (unless you’re sure that they’re also compostable), sticky tape and the recyclable plastic backing of any adhesive strips that remain and throw it into a compost bin to start the process!
If you don’t have access to a compost bin, you can also dispose of the mailer in a municipal composting facility or with food waste. Please don’t try to recycle it like most compostable items, it’s not recyclable and will have to be removed from the recycling stream.
Compostable right at home
The compostable mailer will break down in a home compost bin or under industrial composting conditions.
The compostable mailer (medium size) before and after being placed in a home compost bin for only 30 days.
The item bag
If possible, re-use item bags as many times as you can before disposing of them. Once they’ve reached the end of their useful life, the best way to dispose of them is to dissolve them in boiling water.
Boil at least 200ml of water per item bag. place each bag into the water one at a time and stir to dissolve. The resulting mixture will contain mineralised biomass and non-toxic ink, not microplastics. Once the mixture has cooled, pour it down the sink. Watch the video demonstration.
We don’t recommend trying to compost the item bag. We also don’t recommend trying to recycle it. Although the material is technically recyclable, it’s unlikely to be recycled if disposed of in a normal recycling bin and may have to be removed from the recycling stream.
The item bag
The biodegradable, non-toxic store-and-transport bag that dissolves in boiling water