• Editor’s Note: This article is part of a series of recycling Q&A tips from Kane County Recycling Coordinator Jennifer Jarland. Got a question or idea for a recycling tip? Contact Jarland at 630-208-3841 or recycle@countyofkane.org.

With more people spending time at home these days, we’re around to observe and maybe even question some of those routine practices that we might not otherwise think about. Which leads us to this week’s Q&A …

Q: What About Junk Mail?

I’ve read many of the recycling articles, including the dirty dozen, but haven’t seen an answer to a question I’ve had for a while.

What about sale flyers that arrive in the mail that are on a heavier stock of paper and sometimes slightly glossy?

Things like Kohl’s ads with the peel off sticker revealing your percentage off, Norwegian Cruise line and ACE Hardware promo’s, Val-Pak, Chicago Tribune/Retail Me Not (previously Red Plum) type ads including the Jewel-Osco, Burger King and Wendy’s coupons inside.

Just curious.

Thanks,

— A Loyal KC Connects Reader

A: Reducing Junk Mail Is Recycling Right!

Firstly, thank you for reaching out, and for your commitment to recycling right!

Glossy paper like these pictured are fine to recycle; they’re like magazines.

A lot of junk mail is on really hard cardstock with glossy finish, but it is still paper and still recyclable. The rule is basically, if you can rip it then recycle it.

Some of the election cards or other junk mail are sometimes printed on cardstock with plastic coating or are made of thin plastic card. Those are different. If it is covered in or made of plastic and you cannot rip it, then do not recycle it.

If it is sticker paper, like address labels, that is also not recyclable due to the plastic content. If it is just a section of plastic backing but the rest is just paper then you can remove the plastic piece and recycle the rest.

Further I would encourage you to actively reduce or eliminate the junk mail you receive. (I have mine down to about 1 or 2 pieces a year at this point). Follow the suggestions on this Stop Junk Mail for Good page of the Kane County Recycles webpage.

Reduce your junk mail by half almost immediately, by unsubscribing from the National Direct Mailing Lists and from phonebook and catalog distribution lists via the links below.

To eliminate the remainder, call directly any distributers of junk mail as you receive each piece, and ask to be removed from their mailing list and stop junk mail for good!

For free removal from​ lists, unsubscribe online at the following:

• National Do Not Mail List​
• DMA Choice
• PaperKarma, an app for your phone

Stop Credit Card Offers

• www.optoutprescreen.com/

Opt Out of Phone Books

• www.yellowpagesoptout.com​

Stop Catalog Mailings

• www.catalogchoice.org​

Most of these sites allow you to select preferences, so you can continue to receive the offers you want and eliminate the ones you do not.

It takes a bit of effort upfront but it will have a substantial impact on how much waste you make. The less we make (and take) the less we waste!

Read More Recycling Q&A Stories!

• Recycling Q&A: Unscrewing the Mystery of Mason Jars And Metal Lids
• Recycling Q&A: Little Bits of Paper? Envelope Windows? Jam Jars With Metal Lids?
• Recycling Q&A: Why Can’t I Put Recyclables In Plastic Garbage Bags?
• Recycling Q&A: Aargh! I’m Surrounded By Plastics!
• Recycling Q&A: What Should I Do With Propane Tanks?
• Recycling Q&A: Should Thermal Paper Receipts Go In The Bin or The Garbage?
• Recycling Q&A: What Can I Do With Shredded Paper If It Can’t Go in Recycling Bin?
• Recycling Q&A: Why Can’t Clean Takeout Containers Be Recycled?
• Recycling Q&A: I’m Still Unclear About Clear Plastic Food Containers
• Recycling Q&A: Why Do We Have To Keep Caps Plastic, Glass?
• Recycling Q&A: (1) Frozen Food Boxes and (2) To Crush or Not To Crush
• Recycling Q&A: What Are The Rules For Recycling Wrapping Paper?
• Recycling Q&A: Can I Recycle Tea Bag Wrappers?
• Recycling Q&A: Should I Recycle My Microwave Or Trash It?
• Recycling Q&A: What About Water Bottles My Dog Chewed?
• Recycling Q&A: Can I Recycle Water Softener Salt?
• Recycling Q&A: What Does ‘Tub’ Mean in Curbside Recycling?
• Recycling Q&A: Pizza Boxes — Trash Or Recycling Bin?
• Recycling Q&A: What Can We Do About Balloons?

Read The Dirty Dozen Series