Loose Fill Alternatives – The Packaging Doctor

Loose Fill Alternatives – The Packaging Doctor

By Carl Board • Monday 22nd September 2014

One of the most significant trends in the packaging industry today is the search for effective alternatives to traditional loose fill materials. Loose fill has long been a popular choice due to its low cost, biodegradable options, and ability to easily fill even the smallest gaps, offering excellent protection during shipping by absorbing shocks.

Packaging Doctor

However, despite its advantages, loose fill can be messy, difficult to store, and time-consuming to use compared to products like air pillows, paper, or bubble wrap. In some cases, businesses may prefer loose fill or lack the resources to adopt automated systems. But there’s another important concern: traditional loose fill is often made from polystyrene, which is highly flammable and can pose a serious fire hazard when stored in large quantities in warehouses.

In this post, I’ll share what I suggested to Phil, who was looking for a safer alternative to his current loose fill solution—and how it helped ease his concerns about potential fire risks.

Dear Doctor,

I need some advice. I currently use a lot of loose fill for packaging, but I'm worried about the safety of storing it in my warehouse. My space is limited, and I’m afraid that if there were a fire, the loose fill could make things worse because it's so flammable. What can I do to reduce this risk?

Thanks, Phil

Hi Phil,

Thanks for reaching out. It’s always important to think beyond just cost and quantity when choosing packaging solutions. You also need to consider storage space, ease of use, and, most importantly, health and safety in your workplace.

To help reduce the fire risk in your warehouse, I would recommend switching to Vermiculite loose fill chips instead of polystyrene. Vermiculite is a natural mineral-based material that’s lightweight, non-flammable, and completely fiber-free. It’s also highly absorbent, making it ideal for filling voids around your products.

What makes Vermiculite especially beneficial is that it’s fireproof, which means it won’t contribute to the spread of a fire. Plus, it’s safe for packing hazardous goods, adding an extra layer of security for your business.

I hope this helps you feel more confident about your packaging choices. If you have any more questions, feel free to reach out.

Best wishes,
The Packaging Doctor

Note: All the packaging problems our doctor receives are real queries from customers or non-customers.

If you have a packaging problem that needs diagnosing, get in touch on Twitter @kitepackaging or email us directly.

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