Many have spent much time pondering loose fill packaging materials basics and the effects they have on the environment. Loose fill packaging fills in the space between items and the box they are packed inside. The loose fill prevents the item from moving around and protects it from possible damage during shipping. Several different types of loose fill packaging exist.

The most common image of loose fill packaging is what the industry calls plastic loose fill. Known as cheap packing peanuts, these are among the most popular loose fill packaging options. However, other types of loose fill are available besides industrial peanuts packaging. Loose fill packaging manufacturers have developed new environmentally friendly packaging. When thinking about shipping items from your business, consider the following:

1. What types of items will you ship with the loose fill packaging?

2. How often do you need to ship with loose fill packaging?

3. How concerned are you with the material of your loose fill packaging?

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Learn the facts about plastic loose fill packaging

As mentioned earlier, plastic loose fill packaging, or commonly known as packing peanuts, are the main concern to those who support recycling. These expanded polystyrene peanuts are more than 99% air. They are nontoxic. They are very lightweight and take up to 50% less energy to create than paper loose fill items.

I recommend: Read more information from the Plastic Loose Fill Council. Look at the facts in the article at Green Recycler.

Consider environmentally friendly loose fill packaging options

The newest in environmentally friendly loose fill packaging is made from corn and starch. These Pelaspan-Pac Natural loose fill packaging particles are completely biodegradable. They disintegrate in water and are 100% decomposable. The cornstarch peanuts are in the shape of an 's'. The 's' shape locks together giving even more support to the item. The particles are also lightweight. They are clean, non-static, and come from renewable resources.

I recommend: Springer Link offers a preview of an article concerning corn loose fill packaging. Learn more about loose fill packaging made from corn at Ag Products.

Look into paper loose fill packaging

Paper is also an option for loose fill packaging. Some loose fill packaging manufacturers make colored crinkled paper shreds that are used as loose fill. The paper is one of the most decorative options and customers often find it in gift baskets. This paper resembles the same shredded paper that comes from office and home paper shredders. Other paper loose fill packaging consists of large paper sheets crumbled up and stuffed into the shipping box.

I recommend: Read more about paper loose fill option at Spring Fill. Paper Nuts offers a variety of recycled paper options for packaging.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When thinking about the loose fill packaging materials that you need for your office, always think to recycle first. Save any loose fill packing that comes from items shipped to you. Reuse this packaging to ship your own items.

Industrial peanuts and other loose fill packaging materials are used on a regular basis as filler in boxes shipped around the world. Deciding what type of loose fill will work best for your company doesn't have to be an overwhelming task.

1. List your current shipping needs. Include what gets shipped, where it is shipped and how often.

2. Find loose fill packaging materials that will protect your shipment at a cost that your business can afford.

3. Choose from different styles, textures and materials for loose fill packing.

Once you've narrowed down your needs, think about what is important to your business as far as shipping goes. If you need an inexpensive filler to keep items from shifting in their packages, but aren't too concerned about the product damage, buy cheap packing peanuts. When your product needs a little extra protection, consider an interlocking loose fill or even a static-free material to fill your packages.

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Consider your basic options when it comes to industrial peanuts

Choose from the basic foam, inexpensive packing peanuts for industrial or retail packing. Ship your products with the protection they deserve by finding a loose fill that will cushion and keep your products protected. Look for interlocking shaped peanuts or foam peanuts guaranteed not to break. If your business will be using a lot of loose fill materials you may also want to consider purchasing a loose fill dispenser for easy packing.

I recommend: Fast-Pack offers your basic foam packing peanuts and fill dispensers. Buy Flo-Pak Loosefill, a 100% recycled polystyrene packing peanut in a figure-eight shape. It's unbreakable to protect your product. Buy industrial loose fill packaging and dispensers from Sealed Air. For S-shaped peanuts that interlock easily, try ACH Foam Technologies fill.

Think about the environment when using loose fill packaging materials

Many companies make recycled, biodegradable or earth-friendly packing peanut alternatives. Consider using cornstarch peanuts that can be completely decomposed in water, or find a loose fill material made of 100% biodegradable materials so you and your customers know you won't be harming the earth when you use them. If you want to show your company cares about the earth, join the loose fill recycling group called the Plastic Loose Fill Council.

I recommend: Contact the Peanut Hotline of the Plastic Loose Fill Council to become a member of the group, recycle and reuse polystyrene packing peanuts. Buy PolyCorn Packing Peanuts made of recycled consumer foam. Buy biodegradable cornstarch peanuts from Uline Shipping Supply Specialists.

Find decorative packing materials for retail shipping

Fancy shreds are a great alternative to loose fill packaging for retailers who want to send product that comes looking classy or is specially packaged. Decorative packing usually comes in crinkle or string cut. They can be made of paper, recycled materials or a metallic surface.

I recommend: American Container Concepts Corp. has a large selection of decorative fill for retail uses including a metallic crinkle cut fill. Spring-Fill Industries also offers great decorative packaging materials.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Loose fill packing can be purchased wholesale in large quantities, but it is also available in smaller bag sizes for companies that don't need as much.
• •  Consider purchasing a loose fill packaging dispenser from your supplier to keep the shipping line running smoothly and quickly. Everyone that's ever opened a box full of packing peanuts knows how unruly they can be.

Any time a business has to protect items in transit, loose fill is a popular choice. A diversity of loose fill materials are convenient for filling any size of container to make sure items do not shift excessively as they are en route to recipients. There are a lot of loose fill products to choose from, and knowing about some common key terms will help a business to take a closer look at what is right for shipping their products anywhere around the world.

Action Steps
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Packing peanuts

Packing peanuts are small items, usually made from styrofoam, but sometimes from other materials, that are one of the most common kinds of loose fill packaging material. Packing peanuts are a more versatile alternative to loose fill 'sheets' that are sometimes used to protect products during shipping.

I recommend: See more on packing peanuts at WiseGeek.

Paper loose fill

Paper loose fill products are small-cut from sheets and sold in a bagged or boxed mix that will protect items during transit. Paper loose fill often serves a decorative purpose for holiday shipping or similar projects.

I recommend: See more on paper loose fill materials at Spring Fill.

Biodegradable loose fill

These days, with ecology a looming issue for most businesses, there is a movement toward biodegradable products. This is prominent in the loose fill industry, where biodegradable loose fill made of corn starch is becoming popular.

I recommend: See more on elements of biodegradable loose fill at Sigma Supply.

Recycling loose fill

Another way to use loose fill responsibly is with recycling programs for loose fill materials. Businesses that do not use the biodegradable materials look for ways to reuse packing materials for a better future for the earth.

I recommend: See more on recycling loose fill at the website of the Plastic Loose Fill Council.

Interlocking loose fill

Some loose fill products are made to lock together to provide more packing protection. Businesses can look for popular items, like Scotch Packing Noodles, that have interlocking design.

I recommend: Look for news on types of interlocking loose fill materials at Star Tech. See Scotch Packing Noodles on display at The Green Office.

Anti-static loose fill

Many loose fill products are engineered for anti-static protection. Static charges in loose fill can damage fragile materials like electronics. Businesses should consider the anti-static properties of loose fill options carefully.

I recommend: Get a detailed example of treating loose fill products for an anti-static result at Flo-Pak.