Plastic polystyrene packing peanuts (try saying that five times fast) are a pernicious problem. Those white, “S-shaped” pieces of foam contaminate the planet and take hundreds of years to�decompose. Countless companies use them to protect the items they’re shipping, but not Frontier Co-op.

Our packing peanuts are different. Ours are foamless and 100-percent biodegradable. Using starch-based pellets, we puff the peanuts up right here on-site. As a result, we eliminate the need for weekly truck shipments of conventional packing peanuts and that saves us thousands of dollars in fuel costs while reducing our carbon footprint. Let’s put it in perspective: one pallet of starch pellets (made from corn or potatoes) produces enough biodegradable peanuts to fill a 53-foot trailer. Here in the Midwest, manufacturers typically haul that truck from Minneapolis, MN. With our shipping volume, we’d need a full truck shipment at least once a week!

Instead, we ship a truckload of starch pellets twelve times a year to make all the packing peanuts we need. That equates to roughly $78,000 in savings per year!�

We have two goals when it comes to shipping materials: we want to protect the products you buy from us and we want to minimize our impact on the environment. From our recyclable boxes to our all-natural peanuts to the soy-based ink used for printing, we’re proud to say we’re sustainable in every way.

We’ve also asked suppliers not to ship goods to us using polystyrene packing peanuts. You can rest assured knowing each product you order will be packaged with only 100-percent biodegradable material. Shipping sustainably is part of our everyday routine. Do your part by reusing the boxes and shipping peanuts for your own packing needs or otherwise recycle them

when you can. You can even toss them in your compost bin as they dissolve in water.

PACKING PEANUTS:

Forgoing the Foam

Our packing peanuts are starch-based, 100-percent biodegradable pellets we produce on-site.

Plastic polystyrene packing peanuts, also known as Styrofoam peanuts, are a lightweight and inexpensive packing material used to protect fragile items during shipping. They are made from expanded polystyrene foam, a synthetic plastic material that is created by blowing air into molten polystyrene beads.

Polystyrene packing peanuts are typically small and white, and they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They are most commonly used to fill empty spaces in boxes and packages, but they can also be used to cushion delicate items or to prevent them from shifting around during transport.

Polystyrene packing peanuts are effective at protecting items from damage, but they are also a major environmental problem. They are non-biodegradable, meaning that they can take hundreds of years to decompose in landfills. Additionally, they are often made with harmful chemicals that can leach into the soil and water supply.

Despite their environmental impact, polystyrene packing peanuts are still widely used in the shipping and packaging industry. However, there is a growing trend towards using more sustainable packing materials, such as biodegradable packing peanuts, recycled paper, and air pillows.

Here are some tips for disposing of polystyrene packing peanuts responsibly:

• Check with your local recycling center to see if they accept polystyrene packing peanuts. Some recycling centers do accept polystyrene, but others do not.
• If your local recycling center does not accept polystyrene, you can dispose of it in the trash. However, it is important to note that polystyrene packing peanuts will take hundreds of years to decompose in landfills.
• You can also reuse polystyrene packing peanuts to protect items that you are shipping. This is a great way to reduce waste and save money.

If you are concerned about the environmental impact of polystyrene packing peanuts, you can ask retailers and manufacturers to use more sustainable packing materials instead.

Starch-based pellets for packing peanuts, also known as biodegradable packing peanuts, are a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional polystyrene packing peanuts. They are made from renewable resources such as corn starch, wheat starch, or potato starch, and they are completely biodegradable.

Starch-based packing peanuts are just as effective at protecting fragile items during shipping as traditional polystyrene packing peanuts. They are also lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to use.

To use starch-based packing peanuts, simply fill the empty spaces in your box or package with them. You can also use them to cushion delicate items or to prevent them from shifting around during transport.

Starch-based packing peanuts are safe for both people and animals. They are also non-toxic and compostable. This means that they can be disposed of in your backyard compost bin or at a commercial composting facility.

Here are some of the benefits of using starch-based pellets for packing peanuts:

• Environmentally friendly: Starch-based packing peanuts are biodegradable and compostable, so they do not contribute to landfill waste.
• Safe and non-toxic: Starch-based packing peanuts are safe for both people and animals. They are also non-toxic and do not contain any harmful chemicals.
• Versatile: Starch-based packing peanuts can be used to protect a wide variety of items, including fragile electronics, food products, and clothing.
• Easy to use: Starch-based packing peanuts are just as easy to use as traditional polystyrene packing peanuts. Simply fill the empty spaces in your box or package with them to protect your items.

If you are looking for a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional polystyrene packing peanuts, starch-based pellets are a great option.

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