What are packing peanuts?
Packing peanuts have nothing to do with peanuts. They are commonly used plastic peanuts for packing, also called packing popcorn, packing noodles, packaging peanut or foam popcorn, etc. They are just a sort of packing filler the similar size of peanuts or popcorn.
• Styrofoam (polystyrene) packing peanuts
Styrofoam or polystyrene packing peanuts, as the name suggests, are packing peanuts made of plastics. All packing peanuts generally works literally the same way in terms of functions. But they are completely different after disposal. As any other plastic products, styrofoam packing peanuts will cause white pollution and hurt our environments. So styrofoam packing peanuts are phasing out in many countries.
• Eco-friendly packing peanuts
As mentioned above, plastic packing fillers will put our environments in peril if being properly disposed. Eco frienly packing peanuts are increasingly gaining popularity. So far, one of the most common compostable packing peanuts are made of cornstarch. Packing peanuts made from cornstarch or other similar biomaterial are water soluble and biodegradable, and are eco-friendly.
Are biodegradable packing peanuts edible?
Yes, some biodegradable packing peanuts such corn starch foam are edible, as they are made of edible materials. But it's not recommended to eat them. Anyway, they are not meant to act as food, so not necessarily manufactured under food-grade conditions. Besides, some additives or plasticizer agents are usually needed during the production. So better not eat them.
