Recyclable Mailing Envelopes: Sizes, Cost & Best Options

Recyclable Mailing Envelope Basics: What E-commerce Sellers Need to Know

Recyclable mailing envelopes—also known as polythene mailing bags, postal bags, or e-commerce mailers—have become the go-to packaging solution for online retailers seeking both functionality and environmental responsibility. These versatile envelopes provide a lightweight, secure method of shipping products while supporting sustainable business practices.

At Globe Packaging, the recyclable mailing envelopes that we stock are manufactured in Europe using a special blend of recycled film, ensuring the highest standards of quality, sealing integrity, and tear resistance. With 99% recycled content and 100% recyclability, these envelopes allow businesses to reduce their environmental footprint without compromising on protection or presentation.

A key feature of these envelopes is their fully opaque construction, meaning items remain completely invisible through the material during transit. This provides both security and a professional appearance, regardless of the contents. The self-seal 'peel and seal' closure ensures quick, efficient packing without the need for additional tape or equipment, streamlining fulfilment operations for businesses of all sizes.

When selecting recyclable mailing envelopes, thickness becomes a critical specification. Standard grey mailing bags typically measure between 55 and 60 microns, providing sufficient strength to withstand the rigours of postal and courier handling while remaining flexible enough to accommodate various product shapes. This thickness strikes an optimal balance between protection and material efficiency, making it suitable for everything from delicate clothing to robust accessories.

Standard Recyclable Mailing Envelope Sizes Available

Understanding the range of available sizes ensures you select the most appropriate envelope for your products, minimising waste and optimising postage costs. We maintain stock at our 60,000 sq ft UK depot in 24 sizes, covering virtually any shipping requirement.

Small Sizes (Ideal for Accessories, Jewellery & Small Electronics)

The smallest recyclable mailing envelopes start at 4" x 6" (105 x 160 mm), perfect for compact items such as phone cases, jewellery, or small accessories. Moving up, 6" x 9" (165 x 230 mm) envelopes accommodate slightly larger items like wallets, cosmetics, or paperback books. These compact sizes help businesses minimise postage costs while providing appropriate protection for smaller merchandise.

Medium Sizes (Perfect for Clothing & General Merchandise)

Medium-sized envelopes represent the most popular category for e-commerce sellers. Options include:

• 9" x 12" (230 x 300 mm) – Ideal for t-shirts, documents, and flat items

• 10" x 14" (250 x 350 mm) – Suits folded clothing and small soft goods

• 12" x 16" (305 x 405 mm) – Accommodates jumpers, multiple garments, or larger documents

• 13" x 19" (330 x 485 mm) – Perfect for jeans, dresses, and bulkier clothing items

These sizes align with Royal Mail's pricing bands, helping businesses optimise postage expenditure while ensuring products arrive in perfect condition.

Large Sizes (Suitable for Bulk Orders & Larger Items)

For businesses shipping larger products or multiple items per order, larger envelope sizes provide ample capacity:

• 17" x 24" (425 x 600 mm) – Excellent for bedding, curtains, or numerous clothing items

• 22" x 30" (550 x 750 mm) – Suits coats, large soft furnishings, or bulk textile orders

• 28" x 34" (700 x 850 mm) – Ideal for duvets, large cushions, or wholesale quantities

Extra-Large Sizes (For Oversized & Bulky Shipments)

The largest recyclable mailing envelopes measure 48" x 50" (1200 x 1250 mm), providing solutions for oversized items such as large textile products, bulk shipments, or items that would typically require box packaging. These extra-large options offer significant cost savings compared to rigid packaging alternatives while maintaining full recyclability.

Cost Breakdown: What You'll Pay for Recyclable Mailing Envelopes

Understanding the cost structure of recyclable mailing envelopes helps businesses budget effectively while selecting appropriate packaging for their operations. Pricing typically reflects envelope dimensions, quantity ordered, and material specifications.

Recyclable mailing envelopes are among the most economical postage solutions available. Compared with alternatives such as cardboard boxes or padded mailers, polythene mailing bags deliver substantial savings in both packaging costs and postage fees due to their lightweight construction.

Factors Affecting Price

Several elements influence the final cost of recyclable mailing envelopes:

• Size: Larger envelopes naturally require more material, resulting in higher per-unit costs. However, the price difference between sizes remains proportionally modest, making it worthwhile to select the appropriate size rather than forcing products into undersized packaging.

• Quantity: Volume-based pricing delivers meaningful savings for businesses ordering in bulk. Purchasing 1,000 units versus 100 units typically reduces the per-envelope cost by 20%–40%, depending on the size selected.

• Thickness and Quality: Standard 55–60 micron envelopes offer excellent value, while premium options with enhanced thickness provide additional protection for delicate items at a modest price increase.

Bulk Purchase Savings

E-commerce businesses with predictable shipping volumes benefit significantly from consolidating orders. Globe Packaging's competitive pricing structure rewards larger orders, enabling businesses to reduce packaging costs while maintaining quality. For high-volume operations, annual savings from bulk purchasing can represent a substantial reduction in overall fulfilment expenses.

How Globe Packaging Compares

When evaluating suppliers, businesses should consider total value rather than unit price alone. Unlike some competitors, we combine competitive pricing with same-day dispatch and next-day delivery across mainland UK. Our responsive service reduces the need for excessive safety stock, freeing up working capital and warehouse space.

Best Recyclable Mailing Envelope Options for Different Applications

Selecting the optimal envelope type depends on your specific products, shipping requirements, and customer expectations. The versatility of recyclable mailing envelopes makes them suitable for diverse industries and product categories.

E-commerce & Online Retail

For general e-commerce operations, medium-sized grey mailing envelopes (10" x 14" to 14" x 21") provide versatile solutions for most product categories. The lightweight construction helps minimise postage costs, particularly important for businesses offering free or subsidised shipping. The professional grey appearance suits most brand aesthetics, while the opaque material maintains product confidentiality.

Clothing & Textiles

Fashion retailers typically require a range of sizes to accommodate different garment types. Small envelopes suit accessories and underwear, medium sizes handle t-shirts and shirts, while larger options accommodate coats, dresses, and multi-item orders. The opaque material ensures garments remain invisible during transit, maintaining the surprise element for gift purchases.

The flexibility of polythene mailing bags allows clothing to be compressed slightly without damage, often enabling smaller envelope sizes than rigid alternatives would require. This compression reduces both packaging costs and shipping expenses.

Documents & Flat Items

For businesses shipping documents, prints, photographs, or other flat items, smaller envelope sizes (6" x 9" to 12" x 16") provide appropriate protection without excessive material waste. The self-seal closure ensures the contents remain secure throughout the delivery journey, while the water-resistant material protects against light rain.

Large & Bulky Items

Businesses selling bedding, soft furnishings, or bulk textile products benefit from the larger envelope sizes (22" x 30" and above). These envelopes offer substantial capacity while remaining significantly lighter and more cost-effective than equivalent box packaging. The material's flexibility accommodates irregular shapes that would require custom boxes in rigid packaging solutions.

Choosing the Right Size for Your Products

Selecting appropriately sized envelopes optimises both cost efficiency and environmental impact. Oversized packaging wastes material and increases postage costs, while undersized options risk damage and present an unprofessional appearance.

Measuring Guidelines

When determining the correct envelope size, measure your product at its largest dimensions when packaged. Add approximately 25mm to both width and length measurements to ensure a comfortable fit without excessive space. For clothing, measure items when folded to your standard packing configuration.

Consider creating a size guide for your fulfilment team that maps product categories to specific envelope sizes. This standardisation reduces errors, speeds up packing operations, and ensures consistent presentation for customers.

Postal & Courier Compatibility

Recyclable mailing envelopes are fully compatible with Royal Mail services and major UK courier networks. Their flexible construction allows them to pass through automated sorting systems efficiently, while the robust seal ensures contents remain secure throughout processing and delivery.

For Royal Mail's tracked and signed services, mailing envelopes provide an economical alternative to parcel packaging for items within weight and size limits. The lightweight material helps keep shipments within lower postage bands, reducing costs for both senders and recipients.

Environmental Benefits of Right-Sizing

Beyond cost savings, selecting appropriately sized envelopes supports broader sustainability goals. Using the smallest suitable envelope reduces material consumption, decreases shipping weight (lowering transport emissions), and minimises waste at the recipient's end. 

These incremental improvements compound across high-volume operations to deliver meaningful environmental benefits that increasingly matter to environmentally conscious consumers.

Partner with Globe Packaging for Eco-Friendly Mailing Solutions

At Globe Packaging, we stand as one of the largest distributors of mailing bags in the UK, maintaining a comprehensive stock across all 24 sizes of recyclable grey mailing envelopes. This extensive inventory ensures immediate availability without project delays, supporting businesses with a consistent, reliable supply.

Our same-day dispatch service applies to all orders placed by 4pm, with next-day delivery available across mainland UK. This responsive service supports tight fulfilment schedules, enabling businesses to maintain optimal stock levels without excessive warehousing costs.

Beyond competitive pricing, we also provide expert guidance on envelope specifications, size selection, and volume optimisation. Whether you're launching a new e-commerce venture or scaling an established operation, our support team helps identify the most effective packaging solutions for your specific requirements.

The recyclable mailing envelopes we stock combine environmental responsibility with practical performance, helping businesses meet growing consumer expectations for sustainable packaging without compromising on quality or protection.

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*Note: Prices shown are approximate and subject to change. Contact Globe Packaging for the latest information.