Bubble wrap is the most well-known form of protective packaging. Not only is it easy to use, but is lightweight and shockproof as well, ensuring the ultimate safety for the most fragile of items.

The unfortunate side of this plastic bubbly packaging is how it ends up in landfills at the end of the day, further polluting the environment and contributing to the climate change crisis.

The great news is that nowadays there are cost-effective alternatives to plastic bubble wrap such as biodegradable bubble wrap, which means packaging your fragile items is possible, without costing the environment!

Is bubble wrap biodegradable?

It is estimated that 240,000 miles worth of bubble wrap is used annually, with a market value of 10.73 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. Traditional plastic bubble wrap isn’t biodegradable or compostable, taking 10 to 1,000 years to fully decompose naturally in a landfill.

One of the main ingredients in bubble wrap is polyethene, which is derived from polyolefin resin, one of the most commonly used plastics in the world. This plastic-based resin is the main ingredient preventing bubble wrap from being recycled, composted or breaking down.

Biodegradable bubble wrap bags

Another cost-effective packaging solution for fragile items is biodegradable plastic bubble wrap bags. Think envelope, but with a padded lining, suitable for packaging up anything from jewellery, to glassware. This option would be best suited for smaller items such as jewellery pieces or glassware. The downside is that the bags won’t cater to larger size items, and so for those big pieces it would be worth considering an eco-friendly alternative to bubble wraps such as biodegradable tissue paper, Kraft paper or biodegradable packing peanuts. Most of these types of packaging are made up of 100% recycled materials and make for a good substitute.

Biodegradable bubble wrap manufacturers

The rise of businesses showing interest to incorporate sustainable practices has inevitably resulted in the interest of manufacturers to explore and offer more sustainable protective packaging & shipping options. An increasingly popular eco-friendly packaging option to traditional bubble wrap is biodegradable bubble wrap!

Biodegradable bubble wrap is a sustainable solution to traditional plastic-based bubble wrap, taking just 180 days to start decomposing when placed in a compost bin.

Biodegradable bubble wrap rolls

With the concern for our environment and the rise in CO2 emissions, it is safe to say that eco-friendly packaging will be the trend that is here to stay.

Evolooption offers packaging solutions and packaging supplies, catering to a range of industries. Their alternative to the usual plastic bubble wrap is plant-based bubble wrap rolls, which are more environmentally friendly than the current traditional PE plastic ones. Not only is this sustainable bubble wrap solution cost-effective, but is flexible, strong, and suitable for packaging fragile items of various shapes and sizes. It also feels and pops just like the usual bubble wrap, without costing our environment.

Made up of corn starch PLA and PBAT, Evolooption biodegradable bubble wrap can be completely degraded within 90-180 days. It’s lightweight which will help cut down on shipping costs too.

Compostable doesn’t mean you lose the pop in your bubble!