What is Void Fill?
When shipping product in a box, often some sort of material is needed to protect it while it is in transit. There are many materials that can be used to accomplish this task. Choosing the correct fill or material is important for the application and should align with the shipper’s processes.
Peanuts
Peanuts have been around for years and in my opinion are a fair void fill. Peanuts have lost their popularity over the years to better options. These peanuts are made from plastic injected with air during the manufacturing process. They tend to be an annoyance to the shipper and the receiver because the blow around the environment and stick to things. They are also not environmentally friendly yet there are some that are made of wheat or corn starch. The biodegradable version will do the job but if they get wet, they dissolve, and they weigh more than traditional peanuts. The increased weight drives up shipping cost over time. The biggest down side to peanuts is also that they take up valuable space to store.
Paper
Paper is a great void fill with many benefits. It can be shredded, crinkled manually or by machine, used as a wrap around breakable items and is easier to deal with on the receiving end. If you want a green solution, paper is the best route. Most paper void fill is made up of 100% recycled fibers. Paper void fill is most popular in rolls or sheets ranging in weight/thickness and color (kraft, newsprint).
Air Pillows
Air Pillows are gaining in popularity fast because they are lower cost, easier to store and are excellent void fill. The down side to pillows is the need for a machine that will pump air into them and heat seal them and pre-perforated. Many suppliers will work deals on the machines (sometimes free) with a contract to buy the bags/fill from them. The machines are typically small not taking up much room but need an air compressor. Light weight bins or hoppers are frequently used to store pre-made pillows for easier access.
Bubble
Oh, the famous bubble wrap, hours of fun of popping. Bubble wrap or pouches have been around for many years and are a great void fill. It is losing its popularity because of the space need to store it (rolls) and it isn’t the greenest product on the market. The sizes of the bubbles are manufactured in a variety of size for small to larger applications. When storing one must be careful to store it in an environment where the pouches or rolls are not bumped or crushed. Flat bubbles do not protect product.
Tissue Paper
Tissue paper is not a great void fill. It is use more for the presentation of the product rather than the overall protection. Tissue paper is great in those applications where its more important for the product to remain clean, such as clothing.
Foam
Foam is a great void fill but is used in very specific applications. Foam can be made of Styrofoam or a plastic material. Foam is supplied in a variety of thicknesses, lengths and widths. Foam can be custom made for product. Foam is more expensive and is not intended for your every-day random product shipments. Foam can also come in a compressed form. Sealed Air manufactures a variety of pouches that contain a foam that when activated can expand inside of the pouch and form itself around a delicate product for an exact fit.
Make sure when suggesting or considering the different types of void fill you consider space to store, weight, cost, environment and time need to use.