Paper

• You can use newspaper and other types of paper can to wrap items that are not as fragile as glass. This material is as green as you can get if you are thinking about the environment and recycling.
  
  

Cushions

• Cushions filled with air are used for laptops, glassware and any other item that needs shock protection. The cushions can be placed on the bottom and on the top of the item to protect it in shipping.
  
  

Bubble Wrap

• Bubble wrap has become popular as a cheap way to ship breakables. The tiny bubbles in the plastic sheeting act as a cushion when shipping items of any type. Bubble wrap can be used for recycling around the home or for reuse in shipping as long as the bubbles are not popped, which is a favorite pastime for kids and some adults. Uses around the home can be for insulating dog houses, making place mats for kids dinner time (easy to clean) or for storing breakables such as Christmas ornaments.
  
  

Peanuts

• Packing peanuts are used for shipping items that are smaller than the box in which they are being shipped. The peanuts fill the box and protect the item. Unfortunately, peanuts have no recycling value except for reshipping. The peanuts are hard to manage because of the static cling factor. They stick to everything.
  
  

Foam

• Soft foam can be used to ship almost anything, including fragile items. Some foam squares have indents, so the item fits inside the pieces for extra protection. A piece of foam is placed on the bottom and top of the item in shipping.
  
  

Warning

• Most packaging materials have limited green value. The paper materials can be recycled easily, but the peanuts, bubble wrap, peanuts and foam should be used for more shipping or for some other project to keep them out of landfills.