What to fill a parcel with for shipping?

Securing a parcel is quite a challenge – especially if the contents are fragile, delicate or of unusual size. The first thought that comes to mind is to purchase suitable cardboard boxes in which to place the package. However, focusing on the packaging alone will not yield optimal results. You should still stock up on professional parcel fillers. The most important of these are bubble wrap or cut pieces of polystyrene foam. The answer to the question “what to fill a parcel with” is therefore very complex. What is worth knowing about each parcel filler?

Parcel fillers – why shouldn’t you forget about them when packing?

Parcel fillers are a very important part of securing any parcel. They are regarded as essential packaging accessories – on a par with tapes, labels and stretch films. However, they have a different application. Their most important task is to effectively protect the contents against mechanical damage and moisture. Appropriate filling of the parcel ensures high resistance to tearing, shock and crushing – destruction of the parcel during stormy and long transport will no longer be so easy.

Parcel fillers tightly fill the empty spaces (between the edges of the carton and the fragile, fragile, vital contents). The effect will be immediate – the items being transported will not change position, shift or move from side to side. The right parcel filler is a guarantee of excellent protection for every item – from delicate and fragile porcelain tableware to heavy, shock-sensitive electronics. Interestingly, some parcel fillers can be used as a decorative element.

What to fill parcels with? The importance of bubble wrap

A very popular, durable, waterproof bubble wrap (a.k.a. bubble) is a parcel filler for special tasks. In some places it is referred to as bubble wrap. It is suitable for almost any situation – both heavy items and fragile porcelain contents can be well protected with it.

However, bubble wrap has one significant disadvantage, which is doubly important in times of increasing environmental awareness. It cannot be recycled. If you want to combine the two options – strong parcel filler and environmental protection – don’t throw away used bubble wrap. Instead, store it deep and use it another time, when packing your next parcel. Doing so will yield beneficial results. The question “what to fill the parcel with” will become obvious – the best filler, i.e. bubble wrap.

Check here what anti-static bubble bags are used for.

Styrofoam chips as a good parcel filler

Styrofoam chips are another interesting parcel filler. They fill the empty spaces perfectly – in no way inferior to classic bubble wrap. They are made from foamed EPS polystyrene. Polystyrene crisps are distinguished by their flexibility and high resistance to moisture. They are good shock absorbers. They do not deform under pressure (which is unavoidable during transport) – in contrast to floppak and skropak fillers. They are usually dyed yellow.

Parcel fillers are excellent for stabilising the contents of a parcel, absorbing shocks, pressure and compression. Styrofoam chips are mainly used to secure irregularly shaped items. The chips are sold in several hundred litre packs, bags.

If you are still tormented by the question “what to fill the package with” and are not satisfied with the polystyrene chips, consider a similar alternative – “S”-shaped fillers made of a similar material. Such pieces are great for securing fragile and delicate items. They are much stronger and more flexible than polystyrene chips. Styrofoam “S” fillers are used to protect very heavy goods, e.g. small agricultural equipment, engines, gardening tools. They do not absorb water and will therefore prove useful during long sea voyages.

Air cushions – an alternative to loose parcel fillers

AIR1 air cushions (as the name suggests – filled with air) have many advantages. Their outer layer is made of foil or recycled paper (an environmentally friendly solution). They are distinguished by their extreme lightness. They only minimally increase the total weight of the shipment. Their paper version is reusable and recyclable.

Like bubble wrap and polystyrene crisps, air cushions do not fail to fill empty spaces in cardboard boxes. They are good at preventing the contents of a parcel from shifting. They are a parcel filler with great properties:

• do not absorb water,
• provide good cushioning for the packaged items,
• do not spill when the contents are removed from the carton.

Air cushionsas parcel fillers have one significant disadvantage. During transport and when unpacking the product, they can be damaged – due to contact with sharp edges. The conclusion is simple – air cushions are not suitable for securing sharp objects, e.g. glass, metal sheets, gardening tools, knives.

What to fill the parcel with? How about wrapping paper?

Plain brown wrapping paper can be a great way of protecting any parcel. Much depends on its grammage (thickness). The colour of these parcel fillings does not come from nowhere – they are made from recycled paper, which can later be recycled again. This is a very environmentally friendly option – just like the air cushions.

Packing paper is excellent at dampening impacts and protects fragile items relatively well. It can be used not only as a parcel filler, but also to cover the contents of a cardboard box.

Lightweight parcel filler – flopak

Flopak is a special parcel filler that takes the shape of a “figure eight”. This parcel filler is made from extruded polystyrene. Flopak is characterised by its flexibility and lightness. It does not crumble and is environmentally friendly.

The biggest disadvantage is its low elasticity, a feature that plays a big part in filling parcels. Another disadvantage is the relatively high price – compared to other parcel fillers. Flopak is mainly used to secure smaller products such as glass, porcelain, telephones, cameras, small consumer electronics.

What do I fill the parcel with? Biodegradable Flopak

If you are looking for an environmentally friendly filler for your parcels, reach for skropak. It owes its unique properties to being made from plant-based materials. It is a completely biodegradable parcel filler. It can be disposed of, e.g. by dissolving it in water (soaking it in the bath or basin, throwing it down the toilet).

Skropak is distinguished by its anti-static properties, low price, lightness, durability. It is used in many industries, e.g. computer, electronics, cosmetics.

SizzlePak – decorative packet fillers

SizzlePak are special, unique parcel fillers. They take the form of narrow pieces of anti-static kraft paper. The distinctive – often colourful – material is cut into a zigzag pattern, so that it successfully absorbs any vibrations. This is the most visually appealing filling in the pack. This product is the positive answer to the question “can fillers be ecological and decorative at the same time“.

Ecological parcel fillers – RAJA’s flagship offer

In the RAJA shop you can find many parcel fillers – from the less ecological bubble wrap to the decorative SizzlePak. Most of the products are purely environmentally friendly. At RAJA, great importance is placed on caring for the environment. Among the assortment there is no shortage of corrugated cardboard boxes (with different weights, layers). Are you looking for cardboard boxes for shipping or fillers? Check out the RAJA homepage! We invite you to make a purchase.