6 Things I Learned About Packaging Procurement (Including Whether Bubble Wrap is Recyclable)

Introduction

I’ve been managing purchasing for a mid-sized company for about five years now. In that time, I’ve learned a few things about packaging procurement—some through research, most through trial and error. This FAQ covers the questions I wish I had answers to when I started.

Common Questions About Packaging & Procurement

1. Is bubble wrap recyclable?

Short answer: Usually, yes, but it depends on your local facility.

Most curbside recycling programs do not accept bubble wrap because the plastic film can jam sorting equipment. The better option is to take it to a drop-off location that handles plastic films—many grocery stores have these bins. I found out the hard way when our office tossed a truckload of bubble wrap into the recycling bin, only to have it rejected. (Source: EPA.gov; verify your local program.)

Basically, it's recyclable, but you have to go out of your way to do it. Not ideal, but workable.

2. How do I choose between different packaging suppliers?

Honestly, most buyers focus on per-unit pricing and completely miss the hidden costs. Setup fees, revision costs, and shipping can add 30-50% to the total. The question everyone asks is 'what’s your best price?' The question they should ask is 'what’s included in that price?'

For example, when we looked at Berry Global for aluminum packaging, their quoted price was higher than a competitor’s. But their quote included setup and design support, which the competitor charged extra for. The total cost was actually lower.

I get why people go with the cheapest option—budgets are real. But the hidden costs add up.

3. What’s the deal with supplier portals? (Like Laddawn or Oracle)

When I took over purchasing in 2020, I inherited a mess of spreadsheets and email orders. Then we moved to a supplier portal system—like the ones you see with Laddawn Berry Global login or Berry Global Oracle login. Switching to an online ordering system cut our turnaround from 5 days to 2 days. The automated process eliminated the data entry errors we used to have.

But it’s not a silver bullet. Setting up the portal took three months, and we had to reconfigure our approval workflows. The numbers said efficiency would improve. My gut said it would be a headache. Turns out, both were right.

4. Should I always go with the most efficient option?

To be fair, efficiency isn’t everything. We had a traditional vendor who could do highly customized packaging that our automated portal couldn’t handle. The automated process saved time for standard orders, but the legacy vendor was better for one-off custom jobs. It’s a trade-off I learned to manage.

So no, new isn’t always better. But the industry is moving toward efficiency. If you’re not thinking about it, you’re probably overpaying or wasting time.

5. Wait, what about tech manuals? (Nikon EM, Samsung DC55E)

Not a packaging question, but since those keywords came up—if you’re a buyer like me, you might need to source printed manuals. A lesson I learned: the same logic applies. For an OEM manual like a Nikon EM manual or a Samsung DC55E manual, you need to verify the sourcing. Those are often specialty items where custom printing is required. Setup fees can be $50-200 for offset, plus plate costs. (Based on pricing from major online printers, January 2025.)

It’s tempting to think you can just compare unit prices. But identical specs from different vendors can result in wildly different outcomes. The ‘always get three quotes’ advice ignores the transaction cost of vendor evaluation and the value of established relationships.

6. Any final advice for packaging procurement?

One thing: prioritize material impact. When I consolidated orders for 400 employees across 3 locations, I started asking about recyclability and compliance. Aluminum packaging from Berry Global, for example, is highly recyclable (infinitely, actually) and avoids some of the plastic waste issues. But that doesn’t mean plastic is bad—it’s about the right material for the product. (Source: PRINTING United Alliance, 2024.)

Don’t hold me to this, but I’ve found that asking ‘can this be recycled’ at the start of a project saves a ton of time later. It’s a question that most buyers don’t ask, but should.