As the name would imply, “bubble on demand” is essentially un-inflated bubble packaging you inflate on an as needed basis. The benefits of this type of packaging material are enormous when you consider the cost of transporting and storing “pre-inflated” or ready to use flowable materials such as foam peanuts, pre-formed paper products or even [...]

A quick look at today’s headlines or the nearest gas pump confirms oil prices are on a steep rise, which ultimately impacts natural gas and plastic resin prices as well as everything we buy or use that contains plastic. Experts tell us there is no end in sight, so as we see plastic packaging going [...]

As a substantial U.S. Postal Service rate increase goes into effect on April 17, many in the mailing and fulfillment industry are seeking ways to help minimize the increase, or better yet, reduce costs. Packaging can be an important component in that effort and will either help or hurt your bottom line. Here are a [...]

Now that we’ve covered what usually causes under filled boxes and what mistakes are made in an effort to solve the problem, let’s get into the solutions The #1 Most Common, Correct Solution Please note that the list of ineffective solutions for under filled boxes provided in part one of this post does not include [...]

This year our plan is to continue being one of the best sources for practical sustainable packaging information on the Internet. We have also decided to at least monthly provide basic solutions that can benefit packagers whether they are green minded or not. In other words, providing answers to the problems we most commonly encounter [...]

Our Eco Flex molded pulp product is unique because it does so many things well, making it one of the most versatile green packaging products we offer. It is ideal for void fill, as well as blocking and bracing, and it is a stock product. In other words, no expensive dies or tools required. Molded [...]

Recently I wrote a post for Green Biz where I shared my perspective on the state of green at Pack Expo and I mentioned a specific manufacturer with what I thought was an excellent new product. I am pleased to announce that new product is now available from Salazar Packaging and Globe Guard products. The [...]

In the first part of this series, I described five general types of void fill – Loose fill materials Industrial papers Flexible foams and bubble material Expandable foam Inflatable air pillows Now let’s look at the qualities you may need from your void fill material, and see how the various options stack up. Surface protection. [...]

The best thing about void fill is there are so many options. The worst thing about void fill is … there are so many options. Selecting the right void fill material is difficult — keeping a few things in mind will help you make the right decision. Void fill can be broken down into several [...]

Some types of secondary packaging material are far worse for the environment than others. One of the worst, in our opinion, is the old standby for void fill, polystyrene loose fill. Folks who use this material because of its (perceived) low cost and (real) speed, are, well … ecoblivious. Polystyrene is recyclable, but not easily [...]