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Innovators in Eco-Friendly Packaging and Shipping Supplies

Bubble Mailers

Born out of our commitment to the planet. Cushioned, puncture-resistant, and waterproof, bubble mailers protect fragile, delicate goods in transit.

bubble envelopes with recycled plastic
Recycled Content

Recycled Content

50.27% of functional resin is recycled content. May also include pigments and additives.

PCW Content

PCW Content

Made with 10% post-consumer waste that has been diverted from landfills.

Thin Film Recyclable

Thin Film Recyclable

Recyclable via source-separated thin-film streams at store drop-off locations.

Reusable

Reusable

Features a dual adhesive strip to easily reuse the mailer for a return or second shipment.

Take-Back Program

Take-Back Program

Our QR code design encourages recipients to reuse, recycle, or return for recycling.

Made in USA

Made in USA

Utilizes local recycled inputs, transparent supply chain, lower transportation footprint.

Custom Bubble Mailers

Create an exceptional customer experience with custom bubble mailers. Customization is available starting at 25,000 units. Work with us on unique projects, including custom dimensions, branding in up to 7 colors, full edge-to-edge flood coats, and more.

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5-14 Units
= 5% Savings
15-24 Units
= 5% Savings
15-24 Units
= 10% Savings
25+ Units
Specifications
Material 50.27% recycled LPDE polyethylene
Recycled Content 50.27% recycled content
10% post-consumer waste
Thickness Each air jacket is 7/64”
Material Features Moisture, tear, tamper-resistant
Functionality Self-seal adhesive closure
Tear strip for easy opening
Dual adhesive strip for reuse
End-of-Life Recyclable with thin film
Origin Made in USA
Mailer Color White
Print Color Pantone Color Matching System (PMS)
Ink Type Water-Based Ink
Print Process Flexographic
Print Option Inline: custom dimensions, 7 print colors, full edge-to-edge flood coats, and more - request quote
Frequently Asked Questions

What are bubble mailers?

A bubble mailer is a cushioned mailer envelope made of polyethylene film. It has a layer of bubbled air pockets and is made from plastic, making it waterproof. These cushioned mailers are designed to protect fragile items in transit.

Those made of plastic are recyclable with thin film (#2 and #4 stretch film plastics). Many consumers have access to thin film recycling at local grocery stores. Curbside recycling is not widely available.

Check out our Ultimate Guide to Protective Mailers for more information.

What are the sizes, dimensions, and weights of EcoEnclose bubble mailers?

mailer usable dimensions

Want to know the weights and dimensions of specific bubble padded envelopes? You’ll find everything you need to know right here.

*Please note the dimensions in the product description refer to the INTERNAL/USABLE space, and the third column provides the OUTER dimensions.

We recommend laying your items out, measuring their length, height, and depth, and choosing sizes that meet or exceed these dimensions. We recommend ordering free samples before placing an order.

Product Code Product Description Outer Dims* (in) Parcel Weight (lbs) Parcel Dims (in) Mailer Weight (oz) Mailer Thickness (in)
BBM4-500 4" x 6.75" - Case of 500 4.875 x 10.0 9 26.75 x 15.625 x 11 0.2 1/16
BBM4-25 4" x 6.75" - Bundle of 25 4.875 x 10.0 0.5 7.6 x 5.05 x 4.1 0.2 1/16
BBM6-250 6.5" X 8.75" - Case of 250 7.375 x 12.0 9 27 x 15 x 10.5 0.4 1/16
BBM6-25 6.5" X 8.75" - Bundle of 25 7.375 x 12.0 8 9 x 6.15 x 5 0.4 1/16
BBM8-100 8.5" X 10.75" Case of 100 9.375 x 14.25 5 11.5 x 9.75 x 21.375 0.6 1/16
BBM8-25 8.5" X 10.75" - Bundle of 25 9.375 x 14.25 1.25 11.15 x 9.6 x 4.15 0.6 1/16
BBM10-100 10.5" X 14.75" - Case of 100 10.5 x 15 8 16 x 11 x 21 1.1 1/16"
BBM10-25 10.5" X 14.75" - Bundle of 25 10.5 X 15 1.75 15.15 x 10.5 x 5 1.1 1/16

Why aren't EcoEnclose bubble mailers made with 100% recycled content?

Today, most bubble shipping envelopes and bags are made with virgin content.

Other "eco-friendly" alternatives exist but generally have less recycled content and/or unverified figures. For example, they may claim 100% recycled content, but a further inquiry reveals that only the outer layer has high levels of recycled content. There are kraft exterior/plastic interior cushioned mailers that may have some recycled content but are unrecyclable and must be landfilled. Finally, those described as "degradable" and "compostable" are emerging but do not meet our strict standards for sustainable packaging. Read more about our Stance Against Degradable Plastics and our Perspectives on Bioplastic Ecommerce Packaging.

All of this said, we fully recognize that 50% recycled content falls short of our long-term vision. While we’re still striving to develop a 100% recycled version, we have found our 50% recycled version to be the best option, given manufacturing and shipping constraints. They have nine film layers, and the complex manufacturing process is highly partial to the purity and consistency of virgin content.

Check back often to see what kinds of developments we come up with because we’re always looking to improve our products. For example, we launched with 32% recycled content, and within two years, we released 50% recycled content. And this 50% recycled option has 10% post-consumer waste. That is real, measurable progress.

What is the difference between padded and bubble mailers?

Padded and bubble mailers are very similar in that they offer cushioned, protective packaging for your shipped products. The main difference is the material: padded mailers typically have a soft, cushioned interior made from paper, while bubble mailers have an air-filled interior made from plastic.

Our padded mailers are paper-based with macerated newsprint.

  • They are made with 100% recycled paper of which 20% is made with post-consumer recycled content
  • Their structure makes them easy to recycle because the vast majority of curbside programs accept them
  • They are naturally biodegradable outside of the plastic tear strip, which is removed when a customer opens the package
  • They can be printed with custom designs for low-volume orders of 500 units

Our bubble mailers are plastic-based with air pockets.

  • They are made with 50% recycled plastic, of which 10% is post-consumer content
  • They are thin-film recyclable, however, they are downcycled into composite lumber (versus recycled back into packaging)
  • They are weather-proof
  • They are lighter and more compact, which can help keep shipping costs—and your environmental impact—down
  • They are less expensive
  • They have a lower carbon footprint*.

*This is because much less material is needed to achieve the same functionality. This is true in almost all cases when comparing paper versus plastic packaging - paper is more circular, but plastic is typically more carbon efficient.

What is the difference between a bubble mailer and a shipping box?

The main difference is that a bubble mailer is a lightweight, small padded envelope, while a shipping box is a cardboard container intended for packing and shipping larger or more fragile items.

Are bubble mailers more expensive than shipping boxes?

Prices for bubble mailers and shipping boxes can vary depending on the type, size, and quantity you need. However, per unit, bubble mailers are often less expensive than shipping boxes.

Which is better for small businesses, bubble mailers or shipping boxes?

For small businesses with less shipping needs, bubble mailers are an excellent option for lightweight and speedy shipments. Shipping boxes may be more appropriate for larger products but require more cost and effort to pack and ship.

What bubble mailer sizes are available, and which do I need?

EcoEnclose carries four bubble mailer sizes. Below is a list of typical items that can fit in each.

  • 4 x 6.75" - jewelry or small vials of cosmetics and oils
  • 6.5 x 8.75" - larger jewelry items, wallets, larger cosmetic items, and small clothing items
  • 8.5 x 10.75" - small to medium clothing, books, journals, small clutches and handbags, picture frames
  • 10.5 x 15" - medium clothing, larger books, some framed prints

To select the best bubble mailer sizes for your needs, we recommend laying out the items you will be shipping on a table and measuring the imaginary bounding box it would fit in. The two dimensions of your selected mailer must exceed the largest two dimensions of your products' bounding area, plus a little extra room to compensate for the mailer's expansion when it’s filled.

Once you've selected, order a free sample to test them. One of the worst feelings in the world is ordering everything you need to start shipping your product and finding out that what you thought was perfect is actually too small to ship your items. We want to avoid any issues with our bubble envelopes, so we encourage people to use our samples to test.

Can I customize my mailers to boost brand recognition?

Yes, starting at 25,000 units. The complex inline production process yields the best results with the brightest colors and crispest lines.

If you don’t need enough units to justify inline printing, don’t worry. Our stock's unique, eye-catching design showcases your green values. Additionally, we encourage you to utilize eco-friendly custom stickers with significantly lower minimum order quantities to help showcase your unique brand.

How can these mailers be reused?

Featuring two adhesive strips, businesses use the upper strip before shipping, and customers use the lower strip for a second seal when making a return or sending out their items to loved ones.

How can these mailers be recycled?

Made with recycled content and thin film recyclable, the outer is #4 LDPE plastic, and the inside is #2 LDPE plastic. A small but growing set of curbside recycling programs accept them; recipients can check with their waste management provider to confirm. However, most curbside programs do not currently accept them because the bags are too thin to be effectively sorted by equipment in most MRFs.

So instead, you can recycle these the same way you would recycle grocery bags, typically by taking them to a grocery store that collects and recycles these plastics. You can use the zip code locator here to find a participating store.

We also have a poly film take-back program for any customers you work with that don’t have access to thin film recycling. We simply ask that individuals stuff these mailers full of poly film before sending them back to help manage the carbon footprint of shipping it back and allow these mailers to serve as vehicles to get even more poly film into the recycling stream.

Our Guide to Thin Film Recycling and How2Recycle® Labeling is designed to help you navigate the nuance of thin film in your packaging.