Bubble wrap has been used for a wide range of commercial applications since it was invented in 1957. Generally, it is used to package, or to protect fragile items from destruction during transportation, and even in storage. Bubble wraps offer protection to goods by acting as an adequate cushion against hits and drops.
The enduring popularity of bubble wraps tells us that it is continually in high demand. As a matter of fact, studies show that up to 240,000 miles of bubble wraps are manufactured in the United Kingdom alone, every year.
In this article, we will be looking at the sustainability of bubble wraps, and more importantly, go further to explore the most eco-friendly packaging manufacturing alternatives to bubble wraps. Read on as we break it down.
Is bubble wrap plastic waste?
Yes, bubble wrap is plastic waste. Despite being considered recyclable, bubble wrap is made from low-density polythene (LDPE), hence, is not accepted by most home collection schemes. This is because collection schemes are often restricted to harder plastics like water bottles, types 1 and 2, and other polyethylene terephthalates (PET) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) can easily get stuck inside the large machines of recyclers, causing malfunctions, or/and injuries to operators. This damage can cost the facility time and money, so they try as much as possible not to accept bubble wraps.
What this portends for the ecosystem is that bubble wraps will most likely end up in a landfill, and this takes thousands of years to compost. Therefore, it can be agreed that bubble wrap is plastic waste.
Is there eco-friendly bubble wrap?
There is eco-friendly bubble wrap, and it is made from a combination of starch PLA and PBAT. This bubble wrap is plant-based, and as a result, is compostable. However, this type of eco-friendly bubble wrap is not commonly used, due to how expensive it is to produce the PBAT copolymer.
Generally, traditional bubble wrap is not eco-friendly, since they are made from plastic. In certain instances, you can come across some bubble wraps in the market tagged as “biodegradable,” however, unless a material is 100% plant-based, chances are they are not biodegradable at all, or they were just oxo-biodegradable plastics.
The bubble wraps made from oxo-biodegradable plastic are not eco-friendly, because they contain an additive, which are added to help the plastic break down more easily. In fact, oxo-biodegradable poses more danger to the ecosystem. This is because the process involved in making this plastic is very counterproductive, it contributes to higher levels of micro plastic in the ocean.
Consequently, plant-based bubble wraps can be quite out of reach, due to how expensive they are to produce, while the cheaper conventional bubble wrap, on the other hand is not eco-friendly in any sense. This leaves us with exploring other affordable and sustainable options in bubble wrap alternatives that carry out the same function, and do not pose a threat to our ecosystem.
Eco-Friendly Bubble Wrap Alternative types
Over 90% of the world’s plastic waste ends up in landfills and oceans, and this is a great threat to the Earth’s ecosystem, evident in the prevailing climate change. The looming catastrophe threatened by bubble wraps can be avoided by adopting more eco-friendly alternatives. To cut down on a significant amount of plastic waste, it is recommended to use custom packaging designing in getting the following bubble wrap alternatives:
Corrugated Bubble
Corrugated wraps are fully biodegradable, eco-friendly, and cause no harm to human health. This type of wrap is made from cardboard or paper. Asides being recyclable and compostable, corrugated bubble wraps perfectly serve its primary purpose of protecting and providing a cushion for transported goods.
Note that, while corrugated bubble may not be the best packaging alternative for certain items (such as those made from glass), it can be used to package many other types of products with utmost safety. Therefore, before considering this option, check to ensure that it is suitable for packaging your item.
Can be used to pack:
- large household items
- Furniture
- Electronics, etc.
Beehive Wrap
Assuming the shape of a honeycomb, beehive wrap is a lightweight and eco-friendly alternative to bubble wrap. The primary material used in beehive wrap is recycled paper, and its folded form helps it to maintain a strong structure, despite being very lightweight.
This form of packaging is perfect for shipping and storing heavy, yet fragile items. The high shock absorption of beehive wrap offers an efficient level of protection for goods.
A lot of stakeholders consider the beehive wrap the best pick when it comes to shipping products, this is due to the fact that it is light weighted and also very easy to move around. Beehive wrap is very eco-friendly, sustainable, and durable.
Can be used to pack:
- Glassware
- Artwork
- Ceramics
- Electronics, etc.
Biodegradable Packing Peanuts
Another effective measure is biodegradable packing peanuts, a sustainable alternative to bubble wrap. This type of packing can be used to keep valuable items safe during shipping or in storage. It feels like tender and cushiony noodles that can take up packaging space and help keep your items in good condition.
Unlike bubble wraps, which last years without breaking down and damage the earth, biodegradable packing peanuts are not dangerous to the environment. This kind of packing is made from cornstarch, and it tends to break down right after being used, almost like it vanished into thin air.
One of the most remarkable features of biodegradable packing peanuts is their ability to completely break down. This property sets them apart from plastic bubble wraps, which linger in landfills for centuries. The dissolvability of biodegradable packing peanuts means they create zero toxic waste, significantly reducing their environmental impact.
Biodegradable packing peanuts can be used as compost.y placing these peanuts in flower beds and watering them, you can contribute to the growth of oxygen-producing plants, enriching the environment
Can be used to pack:
- Electronics
- Glassware
- Clothing, etc.
Air pillow
Air pillows are clear bags made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) filled with air to look like small pillows. They are ideal and recommendable for filling empty spaces in packages, as they come in various shapes and forms, ensuring minimal wastes and weight to the package.
When fully inflated, air pillows can create a shielding cushion around the objects in the package, guarding them against bumps, jolts and other vibrations that occur during shipping. They are simple to use and take up minimal warehouse spaces and also come in eco friendly biodegradable options.
Due to the fact that they are designed to be light weighted and not take up much space, air pillows help to lower package weights, reducing their shipping weight.
Air pillows offer better protection for your products than the bubble wrap by completely immobilizing them. They also require less significant storage space since they remain inflated until ready for use.
Can be used to pack:
- Electronics
- Glassware
- Ceramics
- Pharmaceuticals, etc.
Starch Foam
Starch foam is a more eco-friendly bubble wrap alternative, because it composts easily and very fast, almost immediately when no longer in use. This alternative form of wrapping to bubble wraps is highly biodegradable and is an excellent choice for brands and companies aiming for environmental responsibility and sustainability.
Starch form has cellular structure, featuring a dense outer skin, and a less dense interior. Starch foam can be mistaken for polystyrene, and can as well be used to mood shapes of plates and trays.
Foams in general, are a sustainable and reusable packaging material. A major advantage of starch form packing is that it’s durability and eco-friendly features are achieved without compromising on flexibility and customization
Can be used to pack:
- Food
- Electronics
- Pharmaceuticals
- Glassware, etc.
Choose the best alternative to bubble wrap for your goods
Have you decided to stop contributing to the Earth’s destruction, and are looking to adopt a more sustainable mode of packing items? Here are some of the most popular alternatives to bubble wrap, that offer equal durability, more protection, and more sustainability.
- Size of the packaging
When choosing an alternative to bubble wrap for your goods, it is important to bear the size of the item in mind. This is necessary to ensure that it is fitted securely inside the packaging. Always consider the length of the item, its width, and height, as well as any other special features that would require extra fitting. If a wrap is too small, it may not provide adequate protection for a package, and if it is too big, it’s unable to hold the package down securely.
- Requirement for Weight
Another crucial factor to consider when you want to choose the ideal packing material for your goods is weight. Heavy items require a different form of packing from lightweight ones. When selecting packing for heavy goods, go for the durable and robust ones with high weight capacity and shock absorption, it helps to mitigate damage during shipping.
- Shipping Timespan
The shipping timespan is the duration it will take for a product to go from where it is presently, to its next destination. So when choosing an alternative to bubble wrap, it is important to take note of how long the package will spend on the road, this will help you determine what type of protective wrap is best for it. Longer shipping time spans require durable wraps that can protect goods over an extended period of time.
- Content types
Lastly, content types. The type of content being transported is essential in choosing an alternative packing to bubble wrap. You can not just take any kind of packing material, and use it to package a product, certain products require specialized wraps. For instance, wraps with extra cushion and efficient shock absorption are perfect for packing fragile goods like electronics, glassware, and even food.
Key Takeaway
In conclusion, bubble wraps are not entirely eco-friendly, as is usually claimed. This is in part, due to how difficult it is to recycle bubble wraps, and as a result, it has become necessary to abandon old practices and adopt alternative forms of packing. Some of the bubble wrap alternatives you can get from a wraps and printed box packaging manufacturer include biodegradable packing peanuts, beehive wraps, air pillows and starch foams.
