Air Cushioning & Void Fill

Air cushioning is a protective packaging solution that uses air-filled materials, like bubble wrap or air cushions, to protect items during shipping.

Void fill prevents items from shifting in the box, while cushioning absorbs impact to protect the contents.

Common materials include air cushions, also known as air pillows, packing peanuts or loose fill, foam and crumpled paper.

Most air cushioning materials are recyclable but are not yet collected kerbside nationally in the UK. However, they can be recycled with bags at supermarkets.

You can buy air cushioning made from recycled content, which helps to divert waste back into the supply chain.

Yes, air pillows can often be reused multiple times, as long as they remain intact and inflated.

The right amount of void fill should eliminate all empty space in the package without overfilling.

Air cushioning is best for lightweight to moderately heavy items. Heavier items might require denser cushioning materials.

Air cushioning is lightweight and can help to reduce the overall package weight, potentially reducing the cost to ship products.

Yes, air cushioning is ideal for fragile items as it provides a soft buffer against impact.

An air pillow machine or an air cushioning system is needed to inflate and seal air pillows on-site.  There is a wide range to choose from, depending on the needs of your business. For example, it may be dependant on the amount of space you have available and the number of packs shipped each day. 

Yes, one air cushioning machine can service multiple packing stations. This is often done by positioning the machine centrally and using tubing or a distribution system to deliver the inflated air cushions to different stations as needed. This setup can enhance efficiency and reduce the need for multiple machines, making it a cost-effective solution for high-volume operations.

An air cushion hopper is a storage bin or container used to hold pre-inflated air cushions that are ready for use in packaging. The hopper is typically connected to an air cushioning machine, which inflates the cushions and feeds them into the hopper. From the hopper, the air cushions can be easily accessed and dispensed by packing station workers as needed. This system allows for efficient distribution and reduces the time spent inflating cushions on demand during peak packing periods.