Materials

Traditional synthetic packing materials used in art transport, such as polyethylene foams, polystyrene, bubble wrap and Tyvek, are petroleum-derived plastics and generally not curbside recyclable in Berlin and the majority of single-use plastic packing materials that we toss into the Gelbe Tonne are incinerated instead of recycled. Berlin also does not currently have facilities that accept so-called “compostable” plastics and these plastics end up either in the landfill, where the conditions do not facilitate the composting process, or incinerated. While many green alternatives to plastic packing materials exist on the market, these materials are not typically archival and their suitability as packing materials in art transport depends greatly on the materials comprising the artwork, as well as the mode and length of transport. 

 

Rethinking packing techniques to reduce the need for single-use plastic materials is the best practice in minimizing the amount of synthetic waste we produce as galleries, artists, and art production studios. When the use of plastic packaging is unavoidable, refer to the GCC packaging page to learn about tips and tricks to keep these materials in use for as long as possible. 

 

The following resources are meant to assist in determining a variety of less environmentally impactful packing solutions and are not intended as direct recommendations or product endorsements. Try to purchase products that are manufactured and distributed locally to reduce the carbon emissions from transport. When in doubt about the suitability of a packing material for an artwork, contact a conservator or experienced art handler. General guidelines to reduce your carbon footprint and synthetic waste in art transport can be found on the GCC packaging page, as well via Ki Culture.
 

 

Material reuse / resource sharing platforms



Carbon footprint and environmental impact of materials

 

Gloves

 

Natural wall paints

 

Paper and printing

 

Reusable packaging materials

  • Tyvek alternative: PelTek - 100% polypropylene 
    Tyvek is produced by DuPont, which is among the top 100 polluting companies in the world. If the use of Tyvek is unavoidable, try to keep Tyvek in use for as long as possible by wiping the surface with a moist cloth or washing it in cold water by hand. When Tyvek reaches the end of its working life, it can be collected in min. 50 kg batches and sent to a recycling facility in Bad Sobernheim.
  • Artbags – reusable, sealable bags for use as dust covers and mild impact protection for transport and storage
  • Non-padded
  • Padded
  • Moving blankets – mild impact and scratch protection for objects and framed works during short-term transport 

 

Non-archival, curbside recyclable/compostable packing materials derived from renewable raw resources

  • Plastic-free packing materials (tape, paper cushions, paper bubble wrap) from companies whose products are produced within Germany/Europe. The location of the distributers and suppliers varies among the individual products. 
  • Biobiene
  • Ratioform

 

Corner protection - lightweight, curbside recyclable

Corrugated cardboard /honeycomb cardboard - lightweight, curbside recyclable

 https://www.thimm.de/produkte-dienstleistungen/produkte/produkt-detail/nachhaltige-wellenart-thimm-t-welle-525/ 

https://kartonfritze.de/wellpappzuschnitte-nach-fefco-0110.html

https://de-pack.de/coll/ripplex-verpackung/galerie

 

Cellulose foam – this product is not yet in production - the company is seeking out pilot partners

Non-archival, “compostable” bioplastics
DIN/EN 13432 certified compostable plastics require very specific conditions to compost, i.e. high temperatures and high pressure in an industrial compost facility. While BVG uses industrial compost facilities for the treatment of biomass, they do not accept “compostable” plastics or bioplastics. These plastics are additionally not recyclable, but have lower carbon footprint than petrochemical plastics. Bioplastics are NOT archival and intended for short-term transport only. 

 

Wood pulp-based films – industrially compostable (not supported in Berlin) with some varieties that are home compostable 

NatureFlexTM

 

Plant starch and lactic acid based plastics (PLA) – these non-recyclable materials break down under industrial compost conditions only (not supported in Berlin) and are not intended for home compost.  

Films/wraps - PLA

 

Foam/bubble wrap alternative – PLA 

  • https://www.ratioform.de/Fuellen-Polstern-Schuetzen/Schuetzen/Schaumpolster-und-Schaumpads/FIBI-Polstermatte-terra/

  

Archival packing materials / curbside recyclable – These curbside recyclable paper productsare acid-free or buffered to maintain a neutral pH over time and can be used for both transport and in controlled storage environments.  

 

Archival packing materials with recycled content