Neither to pack nor to exploit: if you save bubble wrap you have a treasure that can save you money this summer 2025

Shopping without leaving home is no longer just a convenience: it's a habit that the pandemic has boosted and is now fully established.

In 2023, digital commerce in Spain moved more than €99.2 billion , representing a 16% increase compared to the previous year. At the same time, the number of people opting for online shopping also grew, reaching 30 million buyers , according to the National Observatory of Technology and Society (ONTSI) in its report " Online Shopping in Spain. 2024 Edition."

The trend presented in this report is more than evident: in less than a decade, e-commerce has increased its volume sixfold, rising from 16.3 billion in 2014 to well over 99 billion in 2023. This sustained rise confirms that the digital storefront has ceased to be an alternative and has become the new everyday shopping center.

It's no secret that this increase in online shopping means companies are spending a lot of money on packaging, including cardboard and a less visible but equally important element: bubble wrap.

There are everyday objects that we use without thinking... until we discover they hold a world of possibilities . This is the case with this "addictive" bubble wrap, which many enjoy popping as a stress-relieving pastime.

This plastic is much more than just cute packaging: it's a household joker with more lives than a cat. What began in 1957 as a failed attempt at decorative paper eventually became a packaging staple.

moving and flower pots

According to Simapack experts, its creators, Marc Chavannes and Alfred Fielding, never imagined that their invention—flexible, waterproof, and almost indestructible—would end up helping so much with moving, but also in many other everyday aspects.

Because yes, its uses aren't limited to wrapping fragile objects: it also serves, for example, something very useful this summer: protecting your plants and preventing you from having to invest in new ones when you return from vacation.

AN INVISIBLE SHIELD FOR YOUR GARDEN

When the heat hits, plants suffer... and that's where this honeycomb film becomes an unlikely hero. Placed on the soil or surrounding pots, it forms a thermal barrier that retains moisture and reduces evaporation, preventing your plants from going thirsty. Just be careful not to place it directly on the leaves: in direct sunlight, its magnifying effect could damage them more than protect them.

WHEN THE COLD ARRIVES, IT TRANSFORMS INTO A THERMAL BLANKET

In winter, bubble wrap also has its uses. In this case, it doubles as a shelter. Simply wrap it around stems, branches, or pots and it acts as insulation, retaining the heat accumulated during the day. Lightweight, manageable, and reusable, it's a star resource in many greenhouses... and it can also be used on your terrace or balcony.

AS INSULATION

Did you know you can stick it on glass to reinforce thermal insulation and save on heating? Or that it acts as sound insulation on thin doors and walls? In the kitchen, it protects dishes, keeps bags in shape when stored, and even helps prevent certain foods from getting squashed in the refrigerator.

Crafts? Yeah, too. You can paint on it, stamp it with textures, or even use it to decorate with chocolate.