When temperature-sensitive products such as food or medications are shipped, most packagers today rely on polystyrene foam coolers. But the problem with polystyrene is that it is non-biodegradable. So after the product is shipped, the packaging it arrived in can end up in a landfill for hundreds or even thousands of years.
Now a Nebraska company has found a more environmentally friendly alternative: Cotton.
Cotton Provides a Greener Solution
MP Global Products, which is basked in Norfolk, Nebraska, has developed a new type of thermal packaging that uses recycled cotton fibers that are packed into recyclable poly film and provides the same quality of insulation as all polystyrene insulation. But it is completely biodegradable, something that is becoming increasingly important to manufacturers and consumers.
The packaging currently is being used on a number of different shipping products, including thermal envelopes, box liners, pie and cakes packaging, chilled wine containers, and even thermal pallet covers.
Discourages Bacterial Growth
The cotton-based packaging materials are treated with anti-microbials to protect against cross contamination and are reversible. One side is perforated towick away condensation from thawing gel packs. The other has a solid heavier film that is ideal for use with dry ice. Some of the packages designed to be used with frozen gel packs even contain a sealable pouch that helps keeps its contents secure.
They also take up less space than polystyrene coolers, so shippers can fit more packages per pallet, according to a company product sheet. Plus they can be customized to fit any size package.
Shippers Can Customize Package Sizes, Thickness
Roger Borman, national sales manager for MP Global Products, said the biggest benefit is that shipper can specify the thickness of the cotton-based thermal packaging materials so they can provide optimal insulation at the lowest possible cost.
“Typically, the thicker the insulation, the higher the R-value, or resistance to heat gain or loss,” Borman said. “Depending on how long an item will be in transit, shippers can choose various thicknesses to achieve their required R-value.”:
The cotton packaging comes with both solid and perforated poly film. The liner’s cotton insulation is made of super-absorbent fibers that help contain moisture either from unwanted condensation or accidental spills.
Can Be Thrown Away without Guilt
Another benefit is that they can be thrown away with ordinary household trash and will break down within one year, reducing guilt about the harming the environment.
“The package’s recipient doesn’t have to figure out where to store the foam coolers until they can dispose of them, or find a special recycling center,” Borgman said. “Our products ensure a positive customer experience.”
Cotton also provides a softer cushion than polystyrene, which means less damage to products during the bumps and bruises package absorb when traveling through the shipping process.