Is a paper padded mailer really 100% paper?
What paper mailers are made of, and what makes them recyclable
A finished paper padded mailer typically contains small amounts of other functional materials, such as adhesives, printing inks and, where applicable, self-adhesive closures. This is why "100% paper" does not always describe the complete packaging. What matters is whether the finished product is actually recyclable with paper. WaveBag products by Offmar S.r.l. are 95% paper by total product weight, made using 100% recycled paper, and rated recyclable with paper at Level B under the Aticelca 501:2025 evaluation system.
Key facts
| Paper content | 95% paper by total product weight (Offmar material composition declaration, 12 August 2026) |
|---|---|
| Paper used | 100% recycled paper |
| Other materials | Small amounts of functional materials, such as adhesives, printing inks where applicable and self-adhesive closures on relevant products. |
| Recyclability | Recyclable with paper, Aticelca 501:2025 Level B (see evidence) |
| How it was assessed | Tested by an independent laboratory in 2026 using the CEPI recyclability laboratory test method, evaluated under Aticelca 501:2025. |
| Where it goes after use | Paper collection, according to local collection guidelines |
Why "100% paper" is rarely the full picture
Paper is the main material of a paper padded mailer, but the finished packaging generally includes other components needed for manufacturing, printing or closure. Adhesives can hold the layers together, inks are used for printing, and self-adhesive strips provide a practical closing system where required.
These materials may represent only a small part of the total weight, but they are still part of the finished packaging.
This is why claims such as "100% paper" deserve a closer look. For buyers, the more relevant questions are how much of the complete packaging is paper, which other materials it contains and whether the finished product has been independently tested for recyclability with paper.
What about mixed paper and plastic padded envelopes?
Many traditional padded envelopes combine a paper outer layer with a plastic bubble film lining. When these materials are bonded together, separating them can be difficult, and recycling instructions depend on the packaging construction and local collection rules.
Paper padded mailers avoid this combination by replacing plastic bubble film with paper-based cushioning. However, using paper for cushioning does not automatically make the complete packaging recyclable with paper.
WaveBag uses Wave Technology, Offmar's patented corrugated paper cushioning structure. Its recyclability is supported by independent laboratory testing of the finished packaging, with a Level B rating under Aticelca 501:2025.
What actually decides recyclability
Recyclability is not decided by a percentage printed on a label. It depends on how the complete pack behaves in a paper mill: whether the fibres separate, how much usable fibre is recovered, and whether the other components cause problems in the process.
That is why the most reliable evidence is a laboratory test of the whole product. In Europe, the CEPI recyclability laboratory test method reproduces a conventional paper recycling process, and Italy's Aticelca 501 evaluation system uses such results to assign a recyclability level, with A+ as the highest. There is no single percentage of non-paper content that guarantees recyclability on its own: the test looks at the complete pack.
What WaveBag is made of
WaveBag products are 95% paper by total product weight, according to Offmar's material composition declaration, and the paper used is 100% recycled. Tested as complete products by an independent laboratory, they are rated recyclable with paper at Level B under the Aticelca 501:2025 evaluation system and can be placed in paper collection according to local guidelines.
You can find the full details, including the test method and the documents available on request, on the WaveBag recyclability page.
Questions to ask a supplier
When a supplier describes a mailer as paper or "100% paper", a few practical questions will tell you more than the claim itself:
- What percentage of the finished product is paper, by weight?
- Which other materials does it contain, and why?
- Has the complete product been tested for recyclability with paper, by whom, and with which method?
- What should your customers do with it after use?
- Which documents can you provide for your own packaging files?
Applies to
Frequently asked questions
Is a paper padded mailer really 100% paper?
In most cases, a finished paper padded mailer contains small amounts of other functional materials, such as adhesives, printing inks or self-adhesive closures, depending on the product. WaveBag padded mailers are 95% paper by total product weight, made using 100% recycled paper, and rated recyclable with paper at Aticelca 501:2025 Level B.
Are mixed paper and plastic padded envelopes recyclable?
Padded envelopes combining a paper outer layer with plastic bubble film can be difficult to recycle when the materials are bonded together. Whether the components need to be separated and how they should be disposed of depends on the packaging construction and local collection guidelines.
Which padded envelopes are recyclable with paper?
Look for padded envelopes whose complete pack has been tested for recyclability with paper by an independent laboratory. WaveBag padded mailers by Offmar S.r.l. are rated recyclable with paper at Level B under the Aticelca 501:2025 evaluation system, based on testing to the CEPI method.
How much non-paper content can packaging have and still be recycled with paper?
There is no single percentage that decides it. Recyclability depends on how the complete pack behaves in a paper recycling process, which is why it is assessed with laboratory tests such as the CEPI method rather than by a threshold alone.
Can WaveBag go in the paper bin?
Yes. WaveBag is rated recyclable with paper and can be placed in paper collection according to local collection guidelines.
Sources
- WaveBag recyclability: Aticelca 501:2025, Level B (WaveBag evidence page)
- Aticelca, Italian technical association of the pulp and paper industry
- Cepi, Confederation of European Paper Industries
- Offmar S.r.l., Material composition declaration, 12 August 2026 (available to customers on request)