If you regularly ship packages to clients, it’s important your products arrive safely and in one piece. You might not be able to control who transports or delivers your goods, but you can take preventive measures to keep the materials safe.

Some businesses invest in custom boxes for shipments, but that can be expensive in the long run. Fortunately, there are various cost-effective alternatives in the form of packing fillers. In this blog, we’d like to highlight three of the most common: packing peanuts, kraft paper and bubble wrap.

Packing peanuts. Packing peanuts are made from styrofoam and other padded materials. They prevent items from moving around during transit and offer protection from damage caused by drops or other types of impact.

• Pros: Packing peanuts are one of the most affordable packing materials available. They come in different sizes, too, so it’s relatively easy to protect shipments of all sizes, including those in large boxes. What’s more, packing peanuts are lightweight, allowing for easier transport and lower shipping costs.
• Cons: Packing peanuts are messy and aren’t environmentally friendly, though there are recyclable alternatives now available. In addition, some consumers have a negative association with peanuts and think they’re cheap.

Kraft paper. Brown kraft paper looks very similar to construction or butcher paper. It’s often wadded up and shoved into boxes to fill any additional space. By surrounding a fragile shipment with kraft paper, you can significantly reduce the risk of interior or exterior damage.

• Pros: Kraft paper is incredibly affordable and can be found almost anywhere. It’s also recyclable, so your clients can feel good about doing their part to help the environment.
• Cons: In order for kraft paper to adequately prevent damage, it must be packed with care. Training your employees on the proper technique can be time-consuming and costly, but it’s absolutely worth it. If you’re unsure where to start, watch this video.

Bubble wrap. Bubble wrap is made of plastic and is designed for shipping fragile items. Because the padding consists of air bubbles, it’s relatively cheap and doesn’t cost much to ship.

• Pros: Bubble wrap is sturdy and long-lasting. Plus, it’s recyclable, so you can use it over and over again.
• Cons: Most types of bubble wrap aren’t biodegradable, so using it adds pollution to landfills. In some cases, it’s also difficult to work with, especially if you need to send something that’s oversized.

As you can see, different types of packing materials offer various benefits and downsides. If you have any questions or need help making the right selection, reach out at any time. Visit our website or call (801) 201-1520 today.