Product Guide

Are Letterbox Boxes Recyclable and Eco-Friendly?

The recyclability and eco credentials of letterbox boxes, plus how to make yours greener.

3 min readUpdated April 2025

Are they recyclable?

Yes, letterbox boxes made from corrugated or solid cardboard are fully recyclable through standard UK kerbside recycling collections. Cardboard is one of the most successfully recycled materials in the UK with a recycling rate exceeding 80%.

Fully recyclable through kerbside collections across the UK
Biodegradable if they end up in landfill or compost
Made from 70-80% recycled content as standard
Can be recycled 5-7 times before fibres degrade

Quick answer

Yes, letterbox boxes are fully recyclable and among the most eco-friendly packaging formats. They use minimal material (thin by design), are made from recycled content, printed with water-based inks, and accepted in all UK kerbside recycling. Their compact size also means lower transport emissions per unit compared to larger packaging formats.

Environmental benefits

Letterbox boxes use less cardboard by design, reducing raw material consumption per unit.

Their thin, flat profile means more units per pallet, reducing delivery vehicle trips.

Standard letterbox boxes with paper tape contain zero plastic components.

Items that fit through the letterbox do not need second delivery attempts.

Sustainable material options

Eco upgrades0 / 4 checked

100% recycled cardboard (vs standard 70-80% recycled)
FSC-certified board for verified responsible sourcing
Water-based inks for fully recyclable printing
Paper tape or peel-and-seal strips instead of plastic tape

Telling customers

Print recycling instructions directly on the box. Include the recycling symbol, "Please recycle me" messaging, and your recycled content percentage. Customers who see these prompts are significantly more likely to recycle the packaging properly.

From ProcuraPack

Eco-friendly letterbox boxes

Recyclable, recycled-content letterbox boxes with water-based inks from ProcuraPack.

Browse letterbox boxes

Frequently asked questions

Yes, fully recyclable through standard UK kerbside recycling.

Less material than larger boxes, high recycled content, no plastic needed, and fewer redelivery trips.

Yes, most suppliers offer 100% recycled board at a small premium over standard.

Yes, water-based and soy-based inks are fully compatible with cardboard recycling.

Less material, more per pallet, and no redelivery attempts all reduce transport and production emissions.

Part of our guide

Product Guide: Letterbox Boxes

Expert guides on letterbox packaging, from sizing and Royal Mail rules to branding and sustainability.

Browse all guides →