Biodegradable Packing material

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Biodegradable Packing material

1760 points posted to Environment by ewagnerjr2000 04/19/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

When I received my 32" lcd screen it had an extremely large amount of Styrofoam. Dell is working to be environmentally friendly, maybe they should consider a better packing material at least one that will biodegrade.

ewagnerjr2000 04/19/07	Something that would fit in my trash can at least
premcv 04/19/07	Hmm... sensible idea! And I thought they coudl fit into those large trash cans!
delltech 04/23/07	Great idea but I'm not sure if there is a biodegradable material that will provide the protection that the styrofoam has at a reasonable price. EarthShell sold biodegradable packing peanuts but I think they eventually went out of business. There is still hope: http://seedmagazine.com/news/2006/03/solving_the_styrofoam_situatio.php However, people tend to forget how much time, money and research went into products like plastics, styrofoam, etc. because they have been around for so long, but that same amount of time, research and money, if not more will be required to come up with biodegradable substitutes.
wendymark 07/31/07	Merged Idea originally posted 06/07/07 Another idea for packaging It is wonderful that you have reduced the amount of packaging you use. The next step is to find biodegradable or recycle-able replacements. Find alternatives. For example, there are companies who use real popcorn instead of styrofoam peanuts. Dell could use GreenCell foam or something like it--GreenCell is naturally biodegradable foam and is anti-static. See http://www.ktmindustries.com/greencell/info.html for more info. (This sounds like a great product, but there may be others like it.) (It's also interesting that if you google these words: recyclable product packaging, you see many of your competitors on the very first page of results.)
endolith 07/31/07	Merged Comment originally posted 06/10/07 Digi-key uses brown recycled paper stuff instead of styrofoam peanuts.
endolith 07/31/07	Merged Comment originally posted 06/12/07 Here it is: http://www.geami.com/
coppcar 07/31/07	Merged Comment originally posted 06/27/07 Please consider dropping the foam entirely and just use recyclable formed cardboard to protect the PC and monitor. It really disturbs me to throw many cubic yards of styrofoam into the landfill.
larry58 07/31/07	Merged Idea originally posted 06/05/07 Change the packing materials! I would propose that, instead of using styofoam or even MORE cardboard, Dell shold take the lead by using ONLY packing materials made from 100% recycled newspaper or pulp. A simple Google search yielded as least ONE US supplier providing such materials. An added touch would be to include an envelope of seeds in every package sent. Hope this helps the cause, Larry
dell_admin10 08/01/07	Changed status to UNDER REVIEW.
biograde 08/01/07	Merged Idea originally posted 06/06/07 Biobased plastics Dell should consider making as much of their components and packaging out of (partly) renewable and/or biodegradable parts. Plastics made out of renewable resources, such as Natureworks' Poly Lactic Acid, BASF's Ecoflex or compounds of these materials (FKuR's Bio-Flex) have now comparable physical characteristics as existing petroleum based plastics, such as PS, ABS, PE, etc. They will only start to degrade and compost in industrial composting facilities, so the components made out of these materials will last as long as the computer will last. As for packaging, most bioplastics are antistatic, and will be a perfect replacement for all sorts of plastic films, foils and bags. More information can be obtained from: www.fkur.com.
jorge 08/01/07	Merged Comment originally posted 06/07/07 As it is people eat at their computers, now we can use our computers to eat! Nice one.
nboyle 11/16/07	A company called Sonoco makes these paperboard posts. They are typically used in packaging for appliances. I think they can be made into a shape more suitable for computers and provide the shock protection and stacking ability necessary to get them to our end users without damage. It would take some R&D on their end to determine if it would work, but I think it might. Paperboard is a greener choice than the Styrofoam Dell currently uses. As a consumer, I would be willing to pay a few extra dollars just to even have the option of choosing Green packing materials. Ideally, however, Dell could lead Corporate America by providing this as a packaging standard.
phubert 11/16/07	@dell_admin1 - I'd be interested in seeing a discussion on Direct2Dell regarding the viability of such alternatives: * strength (and shock-cushioning/crush-resistance characteristics) * cost Styrofoam (take out boxes, too) surely is a sore spot in recycling. ONE packaging alternative certainly would NOT be good for the take-out boxes (melts in water), but might work for packaging.
premcv 11/16/07	Does dell have any alternatives to Styrofoam? Most of the Dells I've seen have styrofoam, in them. Are there any alternatives? Nboyle above states about Sonoco, but any other alternatives?
phubert 11/16/07	oh, and of course add 'ease of fabrication'
nboyle Mar 14	Merged Idea originally posted 11/16/07 Green Packing Materials As a consumer, I feel guilty whenever I receive a package with styrofoam packaging. There's nothing I can do with it but throw it away knowing it's going to take up space in a landfill. As part of Dell's GREEN strategy and initiatives, I'd like to see Dell provide at least the option for customers to choose green packaging materials when ordering from Dell. Ideally, I'd like to see Dell move completely away from styrofoam packaging to truly provide an environmental example in Corporate America!!
premcv Mar 14	Merged Comment originally posted 11/16/07 Duplicate of: http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/66035
phubert Mar 14	Merged Comment originally posted 11/16/07 I voted for that one, too... and commented there. nboyle might want to consider asking to merge this one....
sugarbear Mar 14	Merged Comment originally posted 11/16/07 it`s a good idea.
phubert Mar 14	Merged Comment originally posted 11/16/07 done
nboyle Mar 14	Merged Comment originally posted 11/16/07 sorry for the duplicate... I saw the other one and didn't think this one had posted. I will request a merge. Thanks!
premcv Mar 14	Merged Comment originally posted 11/16/07 Good.! @phubert: done? ...? Did i miss something?
phubert Mar 14	Merged Comment originally posted 11/16/07 yes, but don't worry about it... :)
premcv Mar 14	Merged Comment originally posted 11/16/07 Oh, well! No problem!
todd_d Apr 23	ewagnerjr, Great idea. I will pass this on to the folks who handle packaging. Stay tuned to Direct2Dell for updates on the packaging front. We have done quite a bit to green our packaging, but there is still plenty to be done. We rely on ideas like yours to let us know what we should do next. thank you, Todd Dwyer Dell Community Liaison - Environment
riddle80 Jul 8	You should check out a company in Nashville called Puffy Stuff for green packaging. They make biodegradable packing peanuts that are cheaper than styrofoam. They work great for electronics too as they're static free and protect well. They can double as a snack for your customers too! You could also look into recycled boxes as there is many choices for that.

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