Eco Alternatives To Bubble Wrap

Eco alternatives to bubble wrap by application

For wrapping individual products, corrugated cardboard rolls are the most direct like-for-like replacement for bubble wrap. The C flute corrugated structure absorbs impact in the same way as bubble wrap and wraps around products in the same fashion — just recyclable at the kerbside rather than requiring a plastic film drop-off. Packing paper and kraft paper rolls are a lighter, lower-cost option for products that need surface protection rather than heavy cushioning.

For void fill, biodegradable packing peanuts (Eco Flo) fill empty space and cushion against movement in the same way as polystyrene loose fill — but dissolve in water and can be composted rather than going to landfill. Shredded paper and shredded tissue paper are paper-based void fill alternatives that also offer a more attractive presentation finish inside the box.

For wrap-around cushioning at speed, our paper void fill systems — including Geami WrapPak — produce honeycomb paper wrap on demand that cushions and protects in a similar way to bubble wrap, but faster than hand-wrapping and with no plastic involved.

For bottle and fragile item protection, Flexi-Hex® sleeves and bottle boxes replace polystyrene bottle shippers entirely — a direct upgrade in both sustainability and presentation quality.

For paper bubble wrap specifically, our paper bubble wrap range uses a paper honeycomb structure to replicate the cushioning of standard bubble wrap in a fully plastic-free, kerbside-recyclable format.

Is bubble wrap recyclable?

Standard bubble wrap is made from LDPE plastic and can technically be recycled — but only at specialist soft plastic collection points, not in standard household recycling. In practice, the majority ends up in landfill. The alternatives on this page can all go straight into standard paper or cardboard recycling with no preparation needed — a meaningful practical difference for both your operation and your customers.

For more on making the switch to plastic-free protective packaging, see our guide to eco alternatives to bubble wrap. For a broader overview of sustainable packaging choices, our plastic-free packaging guide covers the full picture. Use our recycling locator to find your nearest facility for any packaging material.

Still using bubble wrap for specific applications where you haven't found a suitable alternative? Our full bubble wrap range is available alongside these eco alternatives — all recyclable via LDPE4 soft plastic collection points.