Packing Peanuts Key Terms

Some key terms for packing peanuts

When a recipient opens up a shipped box, they often find a collection of packing peanuts inside. Though some shippers have moved to roll-type packing, packing peanuts are still very popular with many shippers including UPS. But there are a lot of packing peanut designs to choose from when a business is buying them to ship items. Knowing about some of the common key terms for packing peanuts on the market will lead to better informed buyers.

 

Loose fill

The term "loose fill" is a word for all kinds of packing peanuts and other items that provide protection for shipping.
Try: Learn more about loose fill from the Plastic Loose Fill Council, an organization set up to address the problem of using non-biodegradable items for loose fill. Read more to find alternatives and modern standards.

Interlocking packaging pieces

Some packing peanut providers have created interlocking pieces to help deal with shifting and to give more cushioning to a container.
Try: See an example of interlocking I pieces that are also part of a biodegradable catalog at Star Tech.

Packing peanuts re-use

The idea of re-using packing peanuts is something a lot of businesses think about. After all, with environmental issues coming to the fore-front in lots of markets, a re-use program can be a real coup for a company that goes through a lot of packaging.
Try: See more on possible re-use programs, as well as possible drawbacks, at SuperEco.

Figure 8 packing peanuts

Another type of packing peanut design that garners a lot of use is Figure 8 styles. Figure 8 peanuts provide some particular support for shipping items.
Try: See examples of specs on figure 8 peanut designs at ULINE. Learn more about the creation of figure 8 packing peanuts, developed by FP International.

Biodegradable packing peanuts

Some makers have found that corn starch base or other types of biodegradable packing peanuts can provide good packaging cushions and give customers a better environmental alternative. However, some buyers still prefer the original styrofoam.
Try: See more on biodegradable packing peanuts on offer by big vendor Staples, as well as customer reviews about the pros and cons of these progressive choices.

Anti-static

Producers of packing peanuts and other types of packaging have also developed a specific kind of anti-static material. Anti-static packaging is packaging that, through its construction and properties, prevents charges from building up in the container. This protects items like highly fragile electronics.
Try: Learn all about antistatic polyethylene at ATMI Life Sciences and consider it for a type of packing peanuts that don't lead to shocked products.

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