Whenever moving or shipping packages come to mind, one can’t help but think of how to protect valuables from damage. With so many protective materials available on the market, it is hard to choose what type would suit your application and what standard would you set for that material. If you’re thinking about the hard line cushioning for your delicate articles, it’s probably bubble wrap that you’re looking for.
What is a bubble wrap?
Bubble wrap is a transparent plastic packaging product made us of small circles of air bubbles designed intended to provide protection for fragile items when shipping. It’s a growing industry in shipping and becoming more popular protective material even for large equipment.
Are all bubble wraps the same?
There are several types of bubble wraps designed for specific application. Antistatic-bubble wraps are specially designed to protect electronic components and chips from Electrostatic Discharge and is widely used in computer and electronics industry. Bubble adhesive sticks to surfaces, automotive parts and appliances to protect them from damage. The most common one is the bubble wrap that comes in dispenser box that offers easy usage because of the perforation feature. Bubble air fill systems include air pillow and air bag packaging machines and void-fill system. The machines are designed to blow up materials before they are wrapped around the products and before they are placed in boxes. Bubble mailers are large envelopes containing bubble wrap as an inside protection. This is good for DVDs and other small items. Lastly, there is the laminated bubble wrap made from wood pulp-based paper, which is ideal protection for wooden objects and furniture.
How does it protect fragile items?
While your items are in transit, they may experience shock and if there’s not enough protective cushion provided, these products might be damaged. With your products covered with a bubble wrap, even if there’s movement inside the box, you are assured that your items would seem just like lying on a soft bed. Unlike paper, which was customarily used to provide support, bubble wraps are more durable and thicker thereby providing better safety and security for your products.
Should I consider buying bubble wrap since it’s made from plastic and an environmental hazard?
With the onset of sustainable packaging, which calls for the use of non-harmful and recyclable materials in packaging, finding the right bubble wrap would not be difficult. If you are a more discriminating consumer, there are a lot of brands offering biodegradable bubble wraps. Biodegradable bubble wrap are enhanced with degradable plastic additives that leaves no toxic residue on the product when it oxidizes and after degradation making it safe to the environment.
Prevention is better than cure, so do not hesitate to provide extra protection for your items or products when you ship, deliver or even store them. Bubble wraps could do the job the easiest possible way.
