Bye-bye, bubble wrap

—By MH

| Thu Dec. 14, 2000 1:00 AM PST

The onslaught of online shopping options means many folks are getting more of their holiday purchases in the mail, not at the mall. But increased mail means more packaging -- inspiring some online retailers to seek out more environmentally friendly options.

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Water-soluble peanuts, air-filled bags, and shredded office paper are just a few things that are replacing styrofoam and petroleum-based bubble wrap, according to the ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS NETWORK.

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Companies like Patagonia, Norm Thompson, and Amazon.com are finding that the new packaging is not only easier on the environment but also save on shipping and materials cost.

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