What is Bubble Wrap?
Bubble wrap is a transparent plastic that is pliable and comprises regularly spaced air-filled bubbles. These bubbles provide cushioning to fragile items and protect them against any external damage caused due to accidental hits, vibrations, or shocks.
Significance of Bubble Wrap in E-commerce Shipping and Delivery
Bubble wrap offers shock-absorbing and damage-resistant protection to sensitive items. Like packing paper, bubble wrap is an indispensable part of e-commerce packaging. Some of its significance are:
- Simple and lightweight – Bubble wrap is extremely simple to use. Furthermore, it is lightweight and won’t significantly increase the weight of the package.
- Versatile – With the availability of bubble wrap in different sizes, this packaging material can be used to wrap cargo of all sizes.
- Reusable- Unlike other types of packaging material, bubble wrap is reusable. Companies can also opt for eco-friendly bubble wraps as a cost-effective measure.
How Bubble Wrap Works
The air-filled bubbles covering a bubble wrap’s surface protect the goods it is wrapped around. This protection is due to the air bubbles absorbing any kind of shock caused due to sudden movements or hits. While multiple layers of bubble wrap provide effective protection against severe shocks, a single layer can be used to provide surface-level protection. Moreover, bubble wrap is flexible to use as it can be wrapped around products irrespective of their size.
Use Case with Bubble Wrap
Bubble wrap is the most commonly used packaging material in the e-commerce industry. Imagine a seller has to ship out three glass bottles. Since glass is a fragile material, they would wrap the bottles with multiple layers of bubble wrap to offer protection.