Green Packaging Material

In the past few years of the housing crisis, more and more Americans have become transient whether it is from losing a home, or first time buyers moving into one. Moving one’s personal belongings can produce huge amounts of used packaging supplies such as Styrofoam, bubble wrap, and foam peanuts. It is estimated by the Environmental Protection Agency that over 30% of municipal waste is made up of containers and packaging. While they can be reused, they can’t be recycled. Not to mention, they take incredible amounts of energy to make which also produces more carbon and consumes large amounts of petroleum in the process.

Lately there’s a new wave of earth friendly or green packaging material on the horizon. Among these products are packing peanuts made from a biodegradable corn starch resin that is actually run through the same extruder that produces the regular packing peanuts. These new Starch based peanuts can actually be dissolved in water!

Sometimes heavier products and appliances are shipped using molded Styrofoam corners and bumpers. Now, there’s a company that actually produces these from molded mushroom roots. It takes less energy to make and is completely biodegradable. Another new product is biodegradable bubble wrap using a special formula that breaks down in the landfill faster that standard polyethylene bubble wrap. Holding all of this together in the box could be a new packing tape that is produced using the rubber tree, which of course is biodegradable too.

Overall, the best way around this issue would be a little forethought to your process of moving. Packing breakables with the same towels and clothing that you’re shipping in another box simply eliminates the need for packing material right there! Also, used newspapers and shredded junk mail are still great alternatives to buying material. Very few people look forward to moving, but a little planning can go a long way for the environment and our future.

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