Pubble Wrap is the environmentally responsible replacement for bubble wrap! Made from renewable resources – recycled paper, cornstarch, and other plant-based materials – Pubble Wrap breaks down naturally in composting environments, significantly reducing its environmental footprint. Pubble wrap eliminates the long-term pollution associated with plastic waste and minimizes the impact on marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
Each year 240,000 miles of bubble wrap are produced annually, enough to wrap around the Earth’s equator about 10 times. In the United States alone, more than 235 million pounds of plastic (polyethylene) resin go into the production of bubble wrap each year[1]. Plastic bubble wrap, a ubiquitous material used for packaging, has significant environmental impacts that span its entire lifecycle, from production to disposal. Key impacts include energy use, water use and contamination, greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants, environmental degradation through oil spills and habitat destruction, and ocean pollution. Pubble Wrap eliminates bubble wrap!
Raw Material Impacts
Bubble wrap is primarily made from polyethylene, a type of plastic derived from petroleum. The extraction of petroleum is an energy-intensive process that contributes to environmental degradation. It involves drilling, which can lead to oil spills and habitat destruction, and refining, which releases greenhouse gases and pollutants into the atmosphere. The production of polyethylene itself is also energy-intensive and emits significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change.
Manufacturing Impacts
The manufacturing process of bubble wrap involves extrusion, molding, and cooling. Each step consumes energy and water and can release harmful chemicals into the environment. During extrusion, plastic pellets are melted and formed into thin sheets. These sheets are then molded to create the bubbles that give bubble wrap its cushioning properties. The cooling process often requires large amounts of water, which can become contaminated with chemical residues and require proper treatment before disposal. Pubble Wrap eliminates bubble wrap pollution!
Use and Consumer Impacts
Once produced, bubble wrap is widely used in packaging due to its lightweight and protective properties. However, its widespread use also means that it contributes significantly to the volume of plastic waste generated by consumers. Bubble wrap is often used only once and then discarded, adding to the growing problem of single-use plastics. While it serves its purpose in protecting goods during shipping, the convenience it offers comes at an environmental cost. Pubble Wrap eliminates bubble wrap waste!
Disposal Impacts
The disposal stage is where bubble wrap’s environmental impact becomes most evident. As a type of plastic, bubble wrap is not biodegradable and can persist in the environment for hundreds of years. When discarded, it typically ends up in landfills or, worse, as litter in natural environments. In landfills, plastic waste can take up valuable space and may leach harmful chemicals into the soil and groundwater. When bubble wrap ends up in oceansand other waterways, it contributes to the problem of marine plastic pollution, harming marine life and ecosystems.
Marine animals often mistake plastic debris for food, leading to ingestion and entanglement. This can result in injury, suffocation, and death for various marine species. Moreover, plastics in the ocean break down into microplastics, tiny particles that are ingested by marine organisms and enter the food chain, potentially affecting human health as well. Pubble Wrap eliminates bubble wrap marine pollution!
Recycling Challenges
Although bubble wrap is technically recyclable, it poses challenges for recycling facilities. Its lightweight and flexible nature can cause it to get tangled in the machinery used for sorting and processing recyclables. This not only damages equipment but also makes the recycling process less efficient. As a result, many recycling programs do not accept bubble wrap, leading to its disposal in landfills or incineration, which releases toxic fumes and further contributes to air pollution and climate change. Pubble Wrap eliminates bubble wrap recycling challenges!
Use Pubble!
Pubble Wrap eliminates bubble wrap pollution! Made from renewable resources – recycled paper, cornstarch, and other plant-based materials – Pubble breaks down naturally in composting environments, significantly reducing its environmental footprint. Pubble Wrap eliminates bubble wrap pollution associated with plastic waste and minimizes the impact on marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
Pubble retains the protective properties of conventional bubble wrap, ensuring that goods remain secure during transit. Its production process also tends to be less energy-intensive and produces fewer greenhouse gases, aligning with more sustainable manufacturing practices. By adopting Pubble, businesses and consumers can make a positive contribution to reducing plastic pollution and promoting a more sustainable packaging industry.
Use Pubble Wrap and help eliminate bubble wrap pollution!
[1] https://www.ptonline.com/blog/post/pe-film-market-snapshot-2020-bubble-packaging
