Introduction
When you’re shipping products, the material you choose to fill the empty space inside a box can be just as important as the box itself. The wrong choice could mean damaged goods, unhappy customers, and costly returns. The right choice ensures your products arrive safely, presents your brand well, and, increasingly, aligns with your sustainability goals.
For decades, foam peanuts and bubble wrap have been the go-to void fill for many shippers. But in recent years, paper-based void fill has been on the rise, offering a clean, eco-friendly, and surprisingly effective alternative. So, which is better — paper, foam, or bubble wrap? Let’s break it down.
Paper Void Fill: Sustainable Strength
Paper void fill is typically made from kraft paper, newsprint, bogus paper, or other specialty grades. It can be crumpled by hand, dispensed through machines, or folded into specific shapes to provide cushioning and prevent items from shifting during transit.
Why choose paper?
Eco-friendly – Fully recyclable and often made from recycled materials.
Versatile – Available in multiple basis weights to handle light or heavy products.
Professional appearance – Gives packages a neat, branded feel.
Static-free – No clinging to products, unlike foam.
Paper void fill is a great choice for e-commerce, sustainable brands, and most standard product protection needs. It’s especially effective for lightweight but fragile goods like glassware, ceramics, or small electronics.
Foam Peanuts: Lightweight Cushioning
Foam peanuts — whether polystyrene or biodegradable starch — are known for their ability to flow around items, filling awkward spaces and cushioning against impact.
When they work best:
Protecting extremely delicate products
Filling irregularly shaped gaps
Shipping goods that require maximum shock absorption with minimal added weight
However, foam has drawbacks. Polystyrene peanuts are not eco-friendly, they can be messy, and some customers dislike receiving them. Starch-based versions help with sustainability but still carry a “mess factor” when unpacking.
Bubble Wrap: Flexible Protection
Bubble wrap is a familiar sight — sheets of plastic dotted with air-filled bubbles that absorb shock and vibration. It’s a favorite for high-value fragile items, as it combines cushioning and surface protection.
Advantages include:
Outstanding impact protection
Transparency for product visibility
Flexibility to wrap irregular shapes
But bubble wrap is plastic-based, bulky to store, and not always aligned with eco-conscious branding.
Cost, Sustainability, and Customer Experience
From a cost perspective, paper void fill can be competitive — especially when factoring in the brand value of sustainable packaging. Foam and bubble wrap may have an edge for extremely fragile or high-risk shipments, but they often come with higher disposal concerns.
Customers are also paying more attention to what their packages are wrapped in. A clean, recyclable paper presentation can improve unboxing experiences and support brand reputation.
The Bottom Line
If you want a sustainable, recyclable solution that still provides excellent protection for most shipments, paper void fill is a strong choice. Foam and bubble wrap still have their place for high-value, delicate, or unusually shaped products, but paper can handle the majority of shipping needs while supporting your brand’s environmental goals.
For many shippers, the answer isn’t all-or-nothing — it’s a smart mix. Use paper void fill for most packaging and reserve foam or bubble wrap for the most delicate items.