Bubble wrap is reusable as long as most of the bubbles are still full of air.
Even if you don't use the entire roll, you can save it until you need it to store another item. Bubble wrap is a great tool for storing items over the long-term, especially light and easily breakable items like glassware.
Cons of Bubble Wrap
As a plastic product, it is not biodegradable, which impacts the environment. It is not typically a branded material, which misses a chance to personalize the shipping experience. Cutting and taping bubble wrap can be a time-intensive process.
Bubble Wrap Life
Bubble wrap should last between 5 and 7 years on your windows. Please note that as the bubble wrap gets to the end of its insulating life, it may tend to stick to the glass. Accordingly, it's better to replace it at between 4 and 5 years just to be sure.
If placed in a general waste bin and sent to a landfill site, it's estimated that bubble wrap could take between 10 and 1,000 years to decompose naturally. However, bubble wrap can be recycled through a closed-loop recycling process when put in a plastic recycling bin.
Popping bubble wrap helps relax that muscle tension. It reduces stress and anxiety. In fact, studies have shown that, sometimes, the human brain receives feel-good chemicals like dopamine after popping bubble wrap. So that may be why it feels so satisfying!
Make sure your items are completely covered and consider adding another layer or two of wrap around them. A single layer protects the surface of your item from scratches, but multiple layers offer protection against bumps and drops.
The Takeaway: And The Winner Is….
Both! Packing paper is the clear winner for wrapping fragile items and saving you space, and also for protecting surfaces from getting scratched. But bubble wrap wins out in protecting valuables and fragile items from breaking during the moving process.
If you are packing fragile or valuable items that you care about, there is a safe way to use Bubble Wrap®. Enclose or fully wrap the article in acid free tissue (for long-term storage), or unprinted newsprint and then follow with the Bubble Wrap®.
How to Recycle Bubble Wrap. Bubble wrap can be recycled alongside other plastic films, like plastic bags, at designated recycling bins. These bins are typically advertised for plastic bag recycling and can be found at most grocery stores.
The larger the bubble size, the more protection you have against impact damage. That's because there's more air captured in larger bubbles to create a protective layer around your products. 3/16-inch and 1/2-inch bubbles in particular are great for cushioning any medium-weight items you may be shipping.
Small bubble wrap is best for smaller items with more surface area, while large bubble wrap is best for larger items that require more protection. By selecting the right size of bubble wrap, you can save money and ensure that your items arrive at their destination in one piece.
Please use masking tape or painters tape to secure bubble wrap not clear packing tape. Packaging tape should be used on the outside of a box only. Do not use packaging tape to hold bubble wrap or foam together.
Bubble wrap is used by various pre-hospital services around the world to package hypothermic casualties. While bubble wrap is widely available and at a low cost, it is unclear how effective it is when managing hypothermia.
The general rule of thumb is to put in enough packaging material that you can't hear the items shake in the box. However, too much bubble wrap or other materials can strain the top of the box and cause it to burst open during shipping, so be mindful of how much space you'll need to close the box.
One possible explanation is that fidgeting helps release muscle tension caused by stress. In a way, bubble wrap for stress relief helps because popping bubble wrap sheets can help you work off some of your nervous energy so you feel less stressed.
Even though bubble wrap was a breakthrough in the packaging industry and became the most well-known form of protective packaging world-wide, it can be rather damaging to the environment with it being made from plastic materials that are not biodegradable.
If you are in a pinch, bubble wrap is an excellent insulator for summer windows. Simply spray a light mist of water on your windows, and lay bubble wrap against them to act as another layer of glass. The bubble wrap will stick as long as you need, and it works to keep the hot out and the cold in.
Since they are made from similar plastic, bubble wrap can be recycled together with grocery bags, dry cleaning bags, and bread bags. However, this is not always the case. For this reason, you should always check with the local recycling program. You can read through their guidelines for clarity.
If the padded envelope is padded with what looks like shredded newsprint, you can toss the whole thing in your recycling bin. If the envelope is padded with bubble wrap or plastic, the envelope cannot be recycled in your curbside bin. However, the plastic can usually be returned where you would take your plastic bags.