A surgical stapler uses a sheath 1 to protect a handle assembly 80 made of paper pulp products or other eco-friendly material. The sheath includes seams 3 and grip tabs 2 and encloses the handle assembly while the handle assembly is attached to a staple mechanism housing 15. After surgical use or exposure to biohazards, the grip tabs 2 of the sheath may be pulled, uncovering the handle assembly, separating the handle assembly from the staple mechanism housing and allowing the protected handle assembly to be dropped into clean bin container for eco-friendly recycling. The handle assembly and components of the staple mechanism housing are designed to account for the decreased material strength of the recyclable handle assembly. After use, the fouled sheath and staple mechanism housing are disposed in traditional methods.
