Bubble wrap is great for protecting fragile items when you're shipping them, but what do you do with it once you're done with it? Here are a few ways to disposing of bubble wrap without harming the environment.
Bubble wrap and the environment
Bubble wrap can be a suffocation hazard to animals. Small animals can become trapped in the bubbles, and suffocate. Larger animals can become entangled in the bubble wrap, and die. Bubble wrap also poses a threat to the environment itself. It is non-biodegradable, and takes up a lot of space in landfills. This can hinder the natural process of decomposition, and contribute to landfills filling up more quickly.
How much bubble wrap is used?
In the US, an estimated 6.5 million tons of waste is produced each year from bubble wrap. Globally, bubble wrap production totals around 45 million tons a year.
How to recycle bubble wrap?
Bubble wrap can be recycled!
There are a few ways to recycle bubble wrap. You can take it to a recycling center that accepts plastics, or you can post it on a website like Freecycle or Craigslist. Some people also reuse bubble wrap by cutting it down and using it as packing material.
Can you Recycle Bubble Mailers?
Yes, you can recycle bubble mailers! Bubble mailers are made of plastic and paper, so they can be recycled with other plastics and paper products. You can take them to a recycling centre that accepts these materials, or you can post them on a website like Gumtree or Facebook market place. You can also reuse bubble mailers by cutting them down and using them as packing material.
What are some eco-friendly alternatives to bubble wrap?
Here are some eco-friendly alternatives to bubble wrap:
Reusable bags - You can buy reusable bags that are made of fabric or other materials. These bags can be used over and over again, and are a great way to reduce your reliance on bubble wrap. Packing peanuts - Packing peanuts are made of biodegradable materials, so they won't harm the environment. You can reuse them or compost them when you're done with them. Air cushions - Air cushions are made of air and paper, and can be recycled with other paper products. Bubble wrap alternatives - There are many different types of bubble wrap alternatives available on the market. Some are made of biodegradable materials, and some are reusable.
No matter what type of bubble wrap you use, it's important to recycle it or reuse it. Bubble wrap is a hazard to animals and the environment, so we need to be careful with how we dispose of it. You can help by recycling your bubble wrap, or using eco-friendly alternatives. Thanks for doing your part to help the environment!
