Windowed envelopes are nothing new to direct mail. But today’s versions are both clear and “green.” That’s because you now can send print pieces in envelopes with windows made from a wide variety of sustainable and annually renewable resources, such as plants.

Plastic Suppliers Inc. offers EarthFirst, which is a strong, scratch-resistant film that looks no different from traditional petrochemical-based window envelope patches made from crude oil. Plus, it’s approved by the U.S. Postal Service® MERLIN tests, a bar code examination to make sure it’s readable by the USPS® system’s machines.

EarthFirst film also is compostable (ASTM D6400), meaning it’s accepted at industrial compost facilities and normally breaks down within weeks — making windowed envelopes as easy to recycle as full-paper alternatives.