The Complete Guide To Stretch Film For Shipping Protection

Suppose the temperatures are still too high in the coolest spot in your warehouse. In that case, you will want to consider implementing climate control protocols such as air conditioning to prevent your stretch film from being compromised by heat.

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If you are storing your films in a warehouse or area exposed to extreme heat, you will want to move your films to a cooler place that will not produce tacky films.

High temperatures may cause your film to melt or become tacky, causing your films to be problematic or unusable.

Suppose you are storing your stretch film in a facility that is subject to high temperatures during summer (or other times based on your location). In that case, you need to be aware of your storage protocols.

Winter Storage Protocols

If you are storing your stretch films during the winter or in a place where the temperature is always cold, you will need to think about how you store your films and make some adjustments to the process.

Extreme cold can cause your stretch films to become brittle or crack. This may result in stretch films becoming unusable or even producing a safety hazard in relation to unstable loads.

If you are storing you films in a warehouse or area exposed to extreme cold, you will want to move your films to a warmer area that will not produce brittle films.

Suppose you do not have a warm enough space to prevent the adverse effects of cold temperatures on your films. In that case, you will want to consider implementing climate controls such as heating systems to control the temperature of your stretch film storage area.

Can You Get Paid To Recycle Stretch Film?

Today, countless consumers demand that companies producing their favorite products "go green." Many companies are trying to source sustainable packaging to meet customer needs.

Additionally, many businesses are trying to source recyclable packaging materials in an attempt to meet consumer's sustainability demands.

One question we often get from customers is, "can you recycle stretch film?"

And the short answer is yes! However, while stretch film is recyclable, you cannot just throw the used film into a single-stream recycling bin.

Most single-stream and municipal recycling centers do not have the proper infrastructure to recycle stretch films.

But, specialized third-party stretch film recycling companies have the required infrastructure to recycle these materials.

And, some of these stretch film recycling companies will actually pay you for larger volumes of properly baled and sorted LLDPE used and waste film.

If you want to learn more about recycling stretch film and getting paid to do it, please reach out to one of our packaging specialists.

They will be able to help you find out if you can recycle your used stretch film and if you qualify to make a profit from doing so.

Should You Automate Your Stretch Wrapping?

Many companies choose to wrap their pallets manually with hand stretch film. And this is a totally acceptable way to wrap pallets.

But, with an ongoing labor shortage, finding good laborers to work in your warehouse is not always easy. And even if you find the labor you need, you could be saving a lot of money by switching to automated stretch wrapping.

With an automated stretch wrapper, you can partially or fully automate your stretch wrapping.

With automated stretch wrapping, you can reduce the number of laborers in your warehouse, increase production speeds, improve safety, reduce film waste and save some serious coin.

But is automated stretch wrapping right for your business?

Depending on the number of laborers you can replace in conjunction with the volume of products you are wrapping, automated stretch wrapping may be able to save you a ton of money.

But how do you know if automated stretch wrapping is proper for you?

If you want to know if an automated stretch wrapper makes sense for your product palletizing and securing requirements, you will want to speak with a packaging expert.

They will help you understand how much a stretch wrapper costs, whether buying or leasing is the right choice, and how much cost savings you can reap from automating your stretch wrapping.

Stretch Wrapper Safety

It should go without saying that when you choose to automate your stretch wrapping, that safety comes first.

Stretch wrappers are a form of industrial equipment that, if operated wrong, can lead to safety hazards. As such, it is imperative to educate yourself about stretch wrapper safety before purchasing, installing, and using an automated stretch wrapper.

Safety concerns that should be studied before implementation include the following items:

• Preventing trip hazards
• Avoiding pinch points
• Avoiding poor load containment
• Reducing the probability of injury

In an effort to provide you with the proper safety advice for automated stretch wrapping, we have compiled this guide to stretch wrapper safety that covers each of the bullet points above.

Problems With Stretch Film

While stretch film is an excellent packaging material for palletizing and securing your loads, it may or may not be the suitable material for your needs.

Depending on what you are attempting to palletize, other materials may be better suited to your requirements (such as strapping).

To ensure transparency about using stretch film, as we suggest here, we need to note the most common problems with stretch film.

Reviewing these items will help you decide if stretch film is the correct packaging material for your business or if you should be using an alternative material such as strapping.

The most common problems with stretch film include:

• Stretch film tearing
• Improper load containment
• Using the wrong type of stretch film
• Using the wrong size of stretch film
• Using the wrong thickness of stretch film

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In order to help you negate all of these issues, we have put together a guide to understanding each of these items.

This guide will help you understand if you can avoid these problems when palletizing your products and will also clarify whether stretch film is the right material for your needs.

Where Can You Buy Stretch Film?

After reading this guide, you should have everything you need to identify the proper type of stretch film for your stretch wrapping needs. But, you are probably wondering, where can you buy stretch film?

When it comes to purchasing stretch films, you have a few different options to choose from. Below, we will review the places where you can buy stretch film.

Online Retailers For Stretch Film

Online retailers are one option for buying stretch films. You can purchase stretch film from online retailers such as Uline, Amazon, or Ali Baba.

Shopping around for stretch film on online retailer's websites such as these may allow you to find the lowest price possible.

But, sellers on these sites often do not provide in-depth information on the materials, nor do they give access to packaging experts who can consult on whether or not you are purchasing the best film for your needs.

Brick And Mortar Retailers For Stretch Film

Your next option for buying stretch film would be brick-and-mortar retailers. You can purchase stretch film from department stores such as Home Depot, Lowes, and similar brick-and-mortar locations.

When buying from a store like this, you can physically and visually inspect the stretch film before you buy it.

And while these stores will have sales associates to help you in your buying process, they often do not have the expertise on stretch film to help you buy the proper material.

Stretch Film Manufacturers

Your next option for purchasing stretch film is to buy direct from a stretch film manufacturer.

This is a popular choice for consumers as stretch film manufacturers are the premier experts on the brands of film that they manufacture.

Sales reps from stretch film manufacturers are some of the top thought leaders and experts on the stretch films that they sell.

The reps can answer any questions you may have about the films they offer and assist you in making a purchase.

With that being said, stretch film manufacturers only sell the brands of film that they make. As such, in many instances, they may try to sell you their brand of film regardless of whether or not it is the best film for your needs.

It is also essential to understand that not all stretch film manufacturing companies will sell directly to consumers. Some manufacturers only sell their films through packaging distributors.

Stretch Film Distributors

Finally, we come to stretch film distributors. This is another popular option for many consumers when looking to buy stretch film for their company.

Stretch film distributors are brand agnostic. This means they source and sell multiple brands of stretch film under one roof.

Because stretch film distributors sell multiple brands of stretch film, their sales professionals will help you buy the correct film for your needs.

Stretch film distributors feature knowledgeable packaging experts who can review several brands of film with you to help identify the perfect film choice for your product, budget, and logistics requirements.

We should point out that Industrial packaging is a stretch film distributor. We offer some of the best brands of stretch film on the market today.

If you are interested in purchasing the stretch film that is most appropriate for your product palletizing needs, feel free to reach out to one of our packaging specialists today!

Free Stretch Film Resources

How To Get Proper Load Containment

Alliance Plastics: Superior Stretch Film

An Exploration Of Stretch Film

22 September 2023

We live in a world that is becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impacts that materials have. Plastic production, use and disposal contribute about 1.8 billion tonnes of carbon emissions annually, so it is no wonder that companies are manufacturing sustainable alternatives to their traditional products. In this article, we will explore the benefits of using a biodegradable film and deep dive into what it means for a plastic material to be environmentally friendly.

What is biodegradable film?

Biodegradable film or wrap is 100% compostable, unlike others of its type. This makes it a real contribution to helping reduce the worldwide issue of plastic waste. Not only does it break down in natural conditions, but it also offers outstanding pallet stability, protecting goods from damage and the elements.

The benefits of biodegradable film

There are a number of benefits of opting for biodegradable wrap when selecting your packaging. These include:

• A reduction in carbon emissions: As the materials used to produce biodegradable film are plant-based, they release far less carbon emissions into the air than plastic.
• Non-toxic: Biodegradable film does not contain harmful by-products or chemicals. As a result, they do not emit or leach toxins during the breakdown process.
• Improved Corporate Social Responsibility and brand image: Consumers and clients are more aware of their impact on the environment and are increasingly taking to platforms such as social media to publicly confront companies that they feel are not taking environmental concerns seriously. Similarly, customers are becoming more invested and more loyal to companies that are making a visible effort to lower their carbon footprint.
• Less pollution: Biodegradable film breaks down naturally and eventually decomposes to be consumed by soil and other natural components. No chemical reaction needs to take place which means a reduction in pollution; contributing to a positive impact on the environment.
• Speed of decomposition: Biodegradable film takes between three to six months to fully decompose which is far quicker than other types of plastic which can take hundreds of years. Additives added during the manufacturing process help to decrease the time that film takes to break down.

How is it made?

Biodegradable film is made using a process that combines eco-friendly materials, including a sustainable polymer resin to produce an environmentally friendly packaging solution.

These materials are combined with renewable sources, such as sugarcane or cornstarch which when blended together with the resin enhance its flexibility and durability.

Through the extrusion and moulding process, the biodegradable polymer is transformed into thin sheets or rolls which can be them used to manufacture a wide array of products ranging from biodegradable pallet wrap to biodegradable postal bags for mailing products in the post.

What is biodegradable film used for?

There are many uses for biodegradable film and these include:

• Pallet wraps: An eco-friendly packaging solution that has gained popularity in recent years due to its positive environmental impact. A biodegradable pallet wrap offers the same level of protection and stability for palletised goods but also aligns with sustainability goals.
• Hygiene products: Biodegradable films are used in products like nappies, sanitary napkins and adult incontinence products. These offer an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional plastic-backed products.
• Consumer electronics: Some electronic manufacturers use biodegradable film in the packaging of their products to reduce plastic waste.
• Agriculture: Biodegradable films can be used in agriculture as mulch films. These films help control weed growth, retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. They can then be ploughed into the soil, where they biodegrade, reducing the need for plastic removal and disposal.

How is biodegradable film broken down?

The term “biodegradable” is defined as “capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms and thereby avoiding pollution”. This means that a biodegradable pallet wrap undergoes a natural decomposition process that is far more beneficial to the environment when compared to traditional pallet films.

The main factors contributing to the natural decomposition of biodegradable products are:

• The materials: Plant-based polymers and compostable plastics allow these sustainable products to be broken down naturally.
• Correct disposal: For something to biodegrade, it needs the right conditions. For most products, the best conditions are found in a landfill. However, the UK has taken huge steps to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill and aims to send no more than 10% of municipal waste to landfills by 2035.
• The natural environment: When exposed to moisture, oxygen or microorganisms in the natural environment, the biodegradable pallet wrap will fall apart and break down over a period of 2-3 years.

Biodegradable, recyclable or compostable?

There are specific, industry-recognised terms and specifications which determine whether a product can be advertised as biodegradable, recyclable or compostable. These are:

Biodegradable

Something that is biodegradable will eventually break down into smaller pieces by natural processes. However, it is often not specified whether a material will take 6 months or 1000 years to decompose. The process of biodegradation generally takes 3-6 months. EN regulations state that biodegradation must take place within a maximum time frame of 6 months.

Recyclable

This refers to a product that can be reused for another purpose or turned into something else by breaking it down to its raw materials. The materials that are used to manufacture the item do not need to be sustainable, as long as the item itself can be repurposed. The EN standard outlines the criteria that packaging must meet to be considered recoverable through material recycling. It also accounts for the ongoing advancements in packaging and recovery technologies and provides guidelines for evaluating compliance with these criteria.

Compostable

Something that is compostable is made from materials that have been certified to break down completely into non-toxic components. These components will not harm the environment because they are disposed of in the right conditions.

It is also worth noting that not all compostable materials are suitable for composting at home. Some require higher levels of water, heat, oxygen and micro-organisms and need industrial composting. Composting at home generally happens at around 25°C whereas industrial compositing takes place at over twice that, at around 58°C.

EN 13432 requires compostable plastics to disintegrate after 12 weeks and completely biodegrade after 6 months.

Let us help you improve your Corporate Social Responsibility with biodegradable polythene solutions

Industrial Polythene offers 50 years of expertise within the polythene packaging industry. We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and offer a range of greener packaging solutions that offer a better environmental impact.

If you would like a free quote or would like to request a free