One of the best things about moving to an Austin apartment is getting to play with the bubble wrap. It can be a real mood-lightener when packing starts to become stressful. If you appreciate the simple pleasure of popping bubble wrap, check out some of these interesting facts and unique ways to use your bubble wrap packaging.
Bubble Wrap History and Facts
- Believe it or not, bubble wrap was created accidentally when two engineers, Alfred Fielding and Marc Chavannes, were trying to create an easy-to-clean plastic wallpaper.
- Bubble wrap appreciation day is the 4th Monday of January.
- The phrase “bubble wrap” is a name trademarked by the Sealed Air Corporation which makes bubble wrap supplies.
- The Sealed Air corporation sponsors a contest for children in grades 5 through 8 to create an invention that incorporates bubble wrap.
Bubble Wrap Packing Tips
Bubble wrap comes in many different forms. You can find rolls or sheets as well as envelopes lined with it. The bubbles also come in different sizes to wrap different-sized objects.
Pack electronics in anti-static bubble wrap to prevent static from building up which can damage some electronic chips or items.
Make sure you have about 2 inches of padding between your item and the walls of the packing box. You may also want to fill the extra space around your item with packing peanuts or additional bubble wrap.
Re-Use Bubble Wrap
Some bubble wrap is biodegradable, but to keep bubble wrap from becoming useless, resist the urge to pop it and keep it for reuse later. It’s hard to resist, but it will be one step to reducing waste. Some ways to reuse bubble wrap include:
- Wrap plants on your balcony or patio to insulate and protect them from the cold and frost.
- Insulate windows in your garage or attic during colder months.
- Place it in the bottom of the produce drawer in the fridge to protect fruits and vegetables from bruising.
- For birthdays and the holiday season, reuse bubble wrap to ship or wrap fragile items.
- For picnics on warm days, wrap foods that must stay cool in bubble wrap and then place them in a cooler to keep them extra chilly.
Bubble Wrap Extras
If you don’t have any bubble wrap or you don’t want to waste it, you can pop it on the internet. If you’re feeling a little frustrated, check out the Virtual Bubble Wrap site and pop now. The site also provides bubble wrap etiquette and common methods for popping bubble wrap.
Another cool gadget that allows you to simulate the popping of bubble wrap is a key chain called Punchi Punchi. Just push the bubbles and the same sensation and sound is created. Since the bubbles never run out, it’s like having an endless amount of free bubble wrap.
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