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About Those Air Cushions in Amazon Packages

theatlantic.com

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Re: About Those Air Cushions in Amazon Packages

#31

Post by joezydeco »

r00fus wrote: post #20
justinator wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

the last package peanuts I seem to remember finding in a package were disposable by putting them in compost, which seems like an advantage over plastic bags.

They're a nightmare if you have babies/pets and don't clear out your packing materials quickly - I keep my boxes and materials until I validate the item's functional. Disposable peanuts are made from corn/rice so humans/pets can eat them, but it's unknown if they're easily digestible in large quantities and anecdotes about pets hurling them up are out there. I prefer the air-packs, yes it's plastic (my recycler accep…

I ate one of the peanuts on a dare a long time ago, wouldn't do it again.

Whatever is on there as a preservative or pet/child deterrent (or possibly both) made me nauseous for hours afterward.

Re: About Those Air Cushions in Amazon Packages

#32

Post by kurthr »

r00fus wrote: post #20
justinator wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

the last package peanuts I seem to remember finding in a package were disposable by putting them in compost, which seems like an advantage over plastic bags.

They're a nightmare if you have babies/pets and don't clear out your packing materials quickly - I keep my boxes and materials until I validate the item's functional. Disposable peanuts are made from corn/rice so humans/pets can eat them, but it's unknown if they're easily digestible in large quantities and anecdotes about pets hurling them up are out there. I prefer the air-packs, yes it's plastic (my recycler accep…

Even if you don't have babies/pets, but keep those recyclable peanuts around... you soon will in the form of roaches, moths, and mice. They grow up so quick!

Re: About Those Air Cushions in Amazon Packages

#34

Post by jlarocco »

I don't really care what they use, as long as they use something!

A few months ago they shipped me a camera lens, external hard drive, and some other smaller products in a giant box with no padding whatsoever. The lens and hard drive boxes had plenty of styrofoam, so fortunately nothing was damaged, but I made sure to complain.

Re: About Those Air Cushions in Amazon Packages

#35

Post by cossatot »

Dylan16807 wrote: post #25
ianai wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It seems silly to use something with finite supply for something so simple to substitute.

It's not that simple. We can turn corn into petrochemicals if the relative prices change enough.

We routinely turn petrochemicals into corn, so it's nice to occasionally return the favor.

(https://store.extension.iastate.edu/Product/Energy-consumpti...)

Re: About Those Air Cushions in Amazon Packages

#36

Post by anexprogrammer »

greglindahl wrote: post #22
krapp wrote: post #17

I had to package and tape boxes at an Amazon fulfillment center over peak season one day. One of the "problems" I found with the process is the system tells you the size of box to use. You're not allowed to use a smaller size, even if it would work, only that size or larger. It also tends to overestimate the size of the item, so many boxes wind up with a lot more empty space than would be necessary, and more packing.…

UPS wants 2 inches of space between the product and the outer box... keeps real damage from happening if the outer box is slightly punctured by something. https://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/ship/packaging/g...

That's sensible. What isn't is the often vast oversize of Amazon packaging. Like sending one hard drive in a 2cu ft box with lots of packaging. There's now lots of scope for the item to move around so the single item inevitably ends up in a corner against the outer box.

Amazon never seem to actually bubble wrap anything any more - which has led to damage more than once. Neither the string of air pockets, as in the article, or paper is as effective as they rarely use enough to prevent movement.

Here in the UK Amazon seems to have switched solely to paper inner packaging. Environmentally I prefer this.

Re: About Those Air Cushions in Amazon Packages

#37

Post by chipperyman573 »

tw04 wrote: post #24
WalterBright wrote: post #23

I loathe styrofoam, it's messy and hard to get rid of. The air bags are a huge improvement. Just stab them with a knife, and they take up no space in the garbage.

OMG this, especially in dry climates. I HATE packing peanuts with a passion.

What's so bad about them specifically in dry climates?

Re: About Those Air Cushions in Amazon Packages

#39

Post by ryukafalz »

chipperyman573 wrote: post #37
tw04 wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

OMG this, especially in dry climates. I HATE packing peanuts with a passion.

What's so bad about them specifically in dry climates?

Probably their tendency to stick to anything and everything when static electricity is involved.
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