Bubble wrap has long been one of the most important packaging materials for the past 60 years. Thanks to its flexible design, its flexibility ensures that you can use it as a protection device for valuables of any size or shape. Even though bubble wrap can protect goods from damage during transport, it is essential to consider its effects on the environment. Is bubble wrap able to be recycled, for instance? In this article, you will find a look at eco-friendly alternatives to bubble wrap and find out if bubble wrap is environmentally friendly.
Bubble Wrap: What Is It?
The product was initially named "Bubble Wrap," and many millions of shipments have been protected with it worldwide since then. The first computers that IBM shipped were expensive, heavy, and bulky. It was difficult to preserve these shipments from damage because the only protection available was paper, sawdust, and horsehair. All of which were unsuitable in a blatant manner. Developed by Sealed Air Corporation in 1957, Bubble Wrap, a trademark still used today, revolutionized the container packaging industry when thin sheets filled with air pockets were invented.
Bubble Wrap is Made of What?
It is important to note that innovation played a significant role in creating the trademarked product. It is not unusual for each bubble wrap sheet to have thousands of tiny air pockets sealed with plastic. To protect your valuables during shipping, a layer of air pockets serves as a protective barrier, shielding them from bumps that are inevitable while sending packages.
Is Bubble Wrap Recyclable?
It is possible to recycle bubble wrap in your ordinary recycling container, just like you do with any other plastic. As a result, it will be collected and delivered to a facility that will recycle it to make clothing and garden furniture. It is worth mentioning that plastic can even last for decades or centuries after it is created, even though it is recyclable and biodegradable.
Bubble wrap is one of the most reliable forms of packaging protection on the market today. It can be used to protect the latest technology as well as fine jewelry. There have been several changes in recent years that have increased the scrutiny of the industry. It wasn't long ago when Amazon, an international online retailer, introduced non-recyclable bubble wrap envelopes. This led to a media uproar in the U.S. Having endured heavy backlash from the public, and they changed their packaging from cardboard and paper to a more sustainable alternative.
Despite that, we remain faced with a problem: due to a lack of recycling and the proliferation of bubble wrap, we contribute to a plastic waste pandemic, a polluting effect on the oceans, and an escalating landfill problem.
Nevertheless, you should make sure that you consider the environmental impact before using oil-based plastics as a package protection material. With every package that you send, you can contribute to saving the planet. There are so many eco-friendly alternatives available that you can choose from, many of which are already made from recycled materials.
