Why You Should Be Using Biodegradable Void-Fill

Using paper to protect your packages is just as effective as using non-biodegradable void fill.

Making your packages 100% eco-friendly used to be a tricky task, but Packaging Supplies have got everything you need to make your shipments super sustainable. While all these eco-friendly packaging supplies are great for the environment, do they protect your packages? 

Why Do You Need Void-fill Packaging?

Unless you have custom packaging that’s made-to-measure for each of your products, you’re going to need something to protect your items during transit. This is especially important for breakable items that hold a lot of value, but no matter what you’re shipping, the last thing you want is unhappy customers who want to return damaged items. Not only will this cost your business time and money sending out replacements, but it also harms your reputation as a reliable company. 

This is where void fill packaging comes in handy. As the name suggests, void-fill reduces the space between your product and the packaging that it ships in, preventing damage during the shipping process. With various types of void-fill packaging available, what’s the best kind of packaging for you?

How to Choose Void-fill Packaging

Void-fill can make up around half of the packaging you use if you have oddly shaped or breakable products, so it’s important to find a cost-effective and sustainable solution that’ll protect your products and the environment. So what are your void-filling options, and why should you use biodegradable void-fillers?

Polystyrene Packaging: Not Recyclable or Biodegradable

Polystyrene isn’t biodegradable, nor is it recyclable, so it doesn’t make a viable void-fill solution. The polystyrene packing chips that were popular twenty years ago don’t come close to meeting the needs of modern businesses, and there are calls to ban polystyrene chips altogether.

Besides, polystyrene chips are tiny, so you’ll end up using an awful lot of them to provide even the most basic protection for your shipments. Not only that, but your customers will have to battle through a sea of non-recyclable polystyrene just to get to their eagerly anticipated product — which will make your brand’s unboxing experience one to forget. So what are the other options?

Bubble Wrap Packaging: Not Recyclable or Biodegradable

Some companies opt to use air-filled packaging designed to provide your packages with protection from the elements using pockets of air. Much of it follows the same principles as widely non-recyclable bubble wrap, so of course, this kind of void-filler comes with more than a few drawbacks. 

One small puncture and your package could be toast, leaving you to foot the bill for replacement products for your disappointed customers. Plus, once air-filled packaging has been popped, it’s not much use to anyone — though it might provide some limited entertainment during the popping process. For this reason, air-filled packaging doesn’t cut the mustard for the vast majority of eco-conscious businesses. So is there a better alternative?

Paper Void-Fill Packaging: Recyclable and Biodegradable

Finally, we have paper void-fill, a biodegradable packaging protection option that won’t leave your package or the planet in tatters. It’s simple, versatile and 100% eco-friendly, so you don’t have to feel guilty about using it to protect your products. Just don’t go overboard, as consumers hate over-packed products.

At Packaging Supplies, we’ve got several kinds of biodegradable, compostable and recyclable void-fill for all your packaging needs:

• EcoNutz — An ideal substitute for polystyrene packaging chips, these paper nuts are the perfect size for medium-sized parcels. They’re inexpensive and 100% eco-friendly.
• PuffPack — If you’ve been using bubble wrap, our PuffPack makes the perfect eco-friendly alternative. It’s engineered to obtain a 50% better yield than flat paper, meaning you can easily reduce your shipping costs and preserve the planet’s resources with one sustainable shipping solution.
• NestPack — Inspired by nature, this void-filler creates a nest around your product, preventing it from moving during transit and keeping it secure until it reaches its destination.
• Coloured tissue paper — Putting the “fun” back into “functional packaging”, we stock tissue paper in pink, blue and green to give your packages a bit more flair.
• Kraft Paper Sheets — Add a little more presentability to your packages with eco-friendly Kraft paper that you can use in a variety of ways to protect your precious items.
• News Offcuts — This acid-free paper is shiny on one side, making it a highly versatile solution for anything from fish and chips to breakable glasses and mugs.

Why Should You Use Biodegradable Void-Fill?

Not only does biodegradable void-fill have improved functionality over its non-biodegradable rivals, but it also works out a lot cheaper in the long run. With more sanctions introduced on non-environmentally friendly products all the time — whether that’s a ban on plastic straws and stirrers or the European plastic packaging tax — your business can get ahead of the curve and make a strong statement with your new eco-packaging. 

With so many options, there’s more opportunity than ever to package your products and protect the environment. Ditch the plastic, get rid of the polystyrene and look forward to a greener future thanks to planet-friendly void-fill.

Check out our eco-friendly void-fill solutions and get free next-day delivery on orders placed before 1pm. With no minimum order value, you can make your business more sustainable for less.