Foam - The Best Eco-friendly Packaging Material
Sustainability is high on the agenda for consumers and organisations. With the UK government recently pledging to eliminate plastic waste by 2042, eco-friendly packaging is now considered a business necessity, rather than a ’nice to have’ afterthought. The war on plastic - particularly against packaging - must be at the top of every organisation’s agenda, regardless of the sector in which they operate.
Individuals and businesses of all types are investigating sustainable packaging materials alternatives, particularly in the form of paper and other biodegradable materials. However, in the packaging industry, pliable plastic materials such as bubble wrap are still frequently seen as the only option to protect delicate goods. However, these cushioning materials derived from plastic are in fact poor insulators with a short lifespan - particularly when exposed to sunlight and other rigorous usage that gradually weakens their structure.
Foam on the other hand is a highly durable and adaptable eco-friendly packaging material and can be tailor made to fit many universal applications. From die-cut bespoke foam suitable for flight cases, gift boxes and camera case inserts, to acoustic foam and waterproof Polyethylene packaging sheets, foam is the environmentally friendly packaging material that is both reusable and sustainable. Its strength is unparalleled, with closed-cell foam for example, possessing a sealed-cell structure that enables its rigid, buoyant and waterproof qualities. More so, the key benefit of foam is that it achieves this durable, eco-friendly status without compromising on its ability to be customised and hence make it one of the best green packaging materials.
However, the benefits of foam also extend beyond its physical qualities and material make-up. Unlike many types of plastic which are unable to be recycled or repurposed, foam can easily be given a new lease of life once it is no longer required for its original purpose. At eFoam, we take pride in ensuring that our foam byproducts (e.g. offcuts and remnants from cutting polyurethane foam to size) do not go to waste. In fact, it is through our sustainable initiatives that the wider UK population benefit from the recycling of packaging in more ways than they may realise.
eFoam recycles 100% of waste foam material back into reconstituted foam, subsequently providing durable yet environmentally friendly packaging material for pub seating, gym mats, public transport seating and so on. Unlike plastic, which weakens and loses durability each time it is recycled, foam can be reconstituted into a firm and resilient product through a process that compacts and bonds excess foam cuttings together. The end product achieves the same strength and durability of a virgin foam material and achieves an equally as long lifespan.
Our goal to be the UK’s most sustainable foam supplier also takes shape in our initiatives to reduce emissions from our production processes. Unlike poorer quality foams, all products from eFoam do not contain Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) or Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) - both of which are pervasive pollutants that detrimentally affect both human health and the global environment. As sustainability is a prevalent issue that must be tackled by all, we take great pride in obtaining all our materials from sustainable sources and by working exclusively with companies who follow strict Green Environmental Policies.
At eFoam, environmental causes and ethical production methods are at our core, and we strongly believe that our customers can help us all make a meaningful difference through their choice of packaging.
