There are many types of packaging available to protect goods in transit or in storage. Shredded paper, plastic, cardboard boxes of different gauges, shredded cardboard, plastic boxes, insulating  Plastic is cheap, light and easy to manufacture, and are therefore a cheap alternative to cardboard.  Plastic is also the most difficult to dispose of  and are a problem in  landfill sites as they are bulky and decompose slowly.  Cardboard is available in sheets, boxes and as corrugated cardboard, all of which are more environmentally friendly than plastic, and easily disposed of.   Packaging known as brick carton is basically a bespoke cardboard box with plastic and paper aluminium which was developed to keep milk and juice fresh.  Again, the problem is with recycling, as the materials do not decompose easily.

Selecting the right packaging for an item can be the difference in whether it arrives at its destination intact.  Cardboard boxes were introduced in 1817 and replaced wooden crates in that they were more economical to manufacture, store and dispose of.  Much of the packaging used in the domestic situation today is made of cardboard.  When we are moving house, the first thing we do is source a selection of cardboard boxes of different sizes.  Nowadays boxes are made of corrugated fibreboard to give strength and stability without adding weight and volume. Double walled boxes are also available.

Bubble wrap is also a favourite for packaging and also provides a source of fun – when the item has been unwrapped, many enjoyable hours can be spent popping the bubbles.  Fragile items are often wrapped in bubble wrap and then placed carefully in a cardboard box.