The Plastic vs Paper Bubble Wrap Debate
Protecting items during transit is always at the top of the priority list for businesses. With the recent surge in online ordering trends – due to the pandemic and newfound ease of eCommerce shopping – it has never been more important than now to ensure that products arrive at a customer’s location in perfect condition. When it comes to providing support to stock, plastic bubble wrap has always been a favourite amongst companies. However, with the new plastic tax and increased care for the environment from consumers, businesses have had to introduce more environmentally friendly alternatives into their warehouses. This has started a debate over whether paper bubble wrap is as effective as traditional bubble wrap. In this blog, we will explain the advantages of both materials, and perhaps inform you of why you – if you haven’t already – should make the switch to the less harmful protective packaging.
The Benefits of Traditional Bubble Wrap
Plastic bubble wrap is one of the most well-renowned names within the protective packaging sector. Each roll of bubble wrap is a plastic sheet with raised pockets of air placed across the material. The sizes of these air bubbles can range from small, fingernail-sized dimples to much more substantial, golf ball-sized pockets. The reason why bubble wrap is so popular is that it is a reliable and trustworthy form of protection for a wide variety of items. From shoes to fragile objects, glassware and crockery, bubble wrap is the number one choice for safeguarding.
Without the obvious disadvantages of using this form of support involving the lowering of your business’s eco-credentials and reputation with customers, bubble wrap is a very handy solution for ensuring all goods arrive safely at their destination. Some of these include:
- It is inexpensive – Bubble wrap is a low-cost form of protective packaging that is available in a variety of designs including rolls, sheets, and bags – compared to other bespoke solutions such as foam packaging.
- Easily mouldable around any item – The material is incredibly flexible and can be shaped to completely protect even the most odd-shaped items during shipment.
- It is convenient and offers unparalleled safety. One of the main benefits of buying bubble wrap is that you can often find the exact roll width, length, or sheet size that you need to provide the perfect cushioning effect specific to your needs and requirements. The other favourable aspect of bubble wrap is that for years it has provided incomparable safety to even the most delicate items. The air bubbles absorb shocks and vibrations during transportation, so even during the most turbulent journeys or any mishandling from employees throughout transit, you can rely on all items to stay protected and in one piece. Alongside this ultra-cushioning, bubble wrap will prevent any chipping or scratching of products from occurring.
- Bubble wrap is lightweight – Due to the material being filled with air, it is a very light material meaning that it will not significantly change shipment costs. It will not add any further weight to the parcels, so will keep transit prices as low as possible and not cause an alteration in how the cartons are transported.
What is Paper Bubble Wrap?
Paper bubble wrap is a form of protective packaging that has been created to replace plastic bubble wrap. This is so businesses can care for the environment better and customers don’t have to feel guilty when receiving their shopping due to it no longer being smothered in polythene that would just add to the already over-polluted Earth. Paper bubble wrap is made from 100% recycled paper, it is available in rolls and sheets to adhere to a variety of needs. The material is indented with a bubble or honeycomb shape pattern to provide cushioning and protection to all items being shipped, the same way that traditional bubble wrap would.
Why you Should Use Eco-Friendly Protective Packaging
Plastic and paper bubble wrap share a lot of the same qualities such as both being lightweight, cost-effective, and highly protective. Yet, to convince industries to transition from using plastic bubble wrap to paper, there have to be further benefits, some of these factors include:
- Being eco-friendly – As previously mentioned within this blog, paper bubble wrap is the environmentally sound option when choosing protective packaging. The material can be easily recycled, and it biodegrades incredibly quickly. It also does not consume too much energy during the manufacturing process, mixing this low-energy production with its lightweight properties means it can be formed and transported with minimal carbon dioxide usage.
- Efficiently wraps items – This bubble wrap alternative is very flexible and due to this can mould around a range of items and not leave gaps of space within the parcel. With the wrapping being able to closely cover stock, it provides perfect protection against dirt, dust and scratches. It allows your items to be extremely secure during transit, with the paper bubble wrap forming a snug layer of protection around the products even when dealing with irregular-shaped items.
- Compact and space-efficient – Paper wrap is easier to store and takes up a lot less space within warehouses than bubble wrap. When sold in rolls, each one usually measures 250 meters, paper bubble wrap can also be used with a dispenser from the nearest convenient space. This means the paper bubble wrap can be set up at packing stations without getting in the way and will improve the productivity of the workspace.
- Impresses customers – The environment is a new factor taken into consideration by consumers as climate change has become a huge concern amongst the World’s population. Customers will often choose a more expensive or slower-delivering brand if they show that they have an eco-friendly ethos. One way of showing your company’s interest in the ecosystem is by using environmentally sound packaging products. Introducing paper protective packaging into your warehouse will impress customers, entice a new consumer base and improve the reputation of your brand.
Traditional plastic bubble wrap has always been a reliable material for protecting items during transit. As the development of paper protective packing has improved, you can now support the same range of objects with a more eco-friendly source. From cosmetics, furniture, plates or dishes to glass mirrors, pictures and bottles, you can rely on paper to provide cushioning for items during delivery – preventing breakage, scratches and chips! To find out more useful tips from BiGDUG, click here. or to shop our protective packaging range and explore packing paper options, simply go to our Protective Packaging page!
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