National Bubble Wrap Day (also known as National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day) on the last Monday in January recognizes a fascinating piece of invention. Today, bubble wrap's primary purpose is to protect fragile items either in shipping or storage.

But should we be celebrating a product that contributes to the plastic pollution crisis?

At Bombus we are working hard to make sure we do our bit to prevent further damage to our planet.

Last year we swapped all of our bubble wrap to a bio-degradable alternative.

Biodegradable Bubble Wrap is a pliable green material commonly used for packing fragile items. Regularly spaced, protruding air-filled pockets (“bubbles”) provide cushioning for precious or breakable items. It is lightweight and easy to cut and use. It is ideal for many types of items which need protecting.

Biodegradable bubble wrap is an innovative and environmentally friendly protective packaging solution. The product has a totally degradable additive blended into the resin during production to ensure it breaks down quickly in landfill and is absorbed back into the soil with no harmful residues.

• 100% BioDegradable, reduced pollution and greenhouse gases.
• Tear and puncture resistant.
• Environmentally friendly, recyclable and reusable product.
• Non-slip surface, prevents goods from moving in transit.
• Controlled product life reduces landfill waste.
• Bio-bubble wrap has a shelf life of two years.
• Bio-bubble is reusable.
• Bio bubble will breakdown using Biodegradation.

While this is only a small step towards solving the global problem of waste, we are also committed to recycling and reusing packaging as much as possible. When you order from Bombus your gift will be beautifully wrapped, but we often reuse boxes and fillers that have been sent to us in the first place. It may not always be the smartest outerwear for your personalised product, but it is far better for all of us and for our planet.

The best thing we can do, is to reuse. Bio-degradable is a step in the right direction, but it still involves a great deal of energy and resources to create the bubble wrap in the first place. So we are always looking for new and improved ways to protect our bespoke artwork.

In the meantime we have a team of people who are always looking for ways to improve our carbon footprint, reduce waste, and still ensure that your handmade Bombus gift arrives in one piece.

The very next steps at Bombus are underway this week. We are beginning the first phase of an in depth Packaging Review. This process will highlight the areas where we can improve, and minimalise our effect on the environment, even more. We hope that over the course of the next few months the changes we make will mean we are one of the most eco-friendly small businesses in the UK.

We always welcome ideas and input from our customers on how we can improve our carbon footprint.

We will keep all of you updated with our progress!