Bubble Wrap (per sqm)

Material Composition Assumptions

Each square meter of bubble wrap consists primarily of low-density polyethylene derived from petroleum feedstock. The material forms a lightweight protective sheet with air-filled pockets that provide cushioning properties. A typical square meter weighs approximately 25 grams and contains nearly 100% LDPE plastic material. The bubble structure maximizes volume while minimizing material usage, though the petroleum-based composition drives significant upstream emissions from fossil fuel extraction and chemical processing.

Manufacturing Geography

China serves as the primary manufacturing region for global bubble wrap production due to established petrochemical infrastructure and plastic processing capabilities. The Chinese electricity grid operates at 555 gCO2e/kWh according to IEA data, contributing to manufacturing emissions through energy-intensive polymer processing. This region dominates production because of integrated supply chains connecting petroleum refineries to polyethylene manufacturers and final packaging converters. The concentration of bubble wrap manufacturing in China reflects broader patterns in plastic packaging production where economies of scale and established chemical industry clusters create competitive advantages.

Regional Variation

Manufacturing Region	Grid Intensity	Estimated CCI Score	Adjustment vs Default
China	555 gCO2e/kWh	52	Baseline
United States	386 gCO2e/kWh	47	-9.6%
Germany	311 gCO2e/kWh	44	-15.4%
India	708 gCO2e/kWh	58	+11.5%
Brazil	87 gCO2e/kWh	38	-26.9%

Provenance Override Guidance

1. Manufacturing facility energy consumption data with renewable electricity certificates or power purchase agreements demonstrating clean energy usage during LDPE processing and bubble wrap converting operations.

2. Upstream supplier documentation for polyethylene resin including production location, feedstock sources, and verified emissions factors for petroleum extraction and chemical processing.

3. Transportation logistics data covering shipping distances and modal split between raw material suppliers, manufacturing facilities, and distribution centers with actual fuel consumption records.

4. End-of-life waste management contracts or regional data showing specific disposal pathways including mechanical recycling rates, energy recovery efficiency, and landfill diversion percentages.

5. Product specifications including exact material thickness, bubble dimensions, and weight per square meter to adjust for variations from standard bubble wrap configurations.

Methodology Notes

• The CCI score represents cradle-to-grave emissions for one square meter of standard bubble wrap including raw material extraction through end-of-life disposal.
• Scope 3 emissions dominate the profile because petroleum extraction, chemical processing, and transportation occur in upstream supply chains beyond direct manufacturing control.
• The functional unit covers protective packaging performance equivalent to standard air-filled LDPE bubble wrap with typical bubble diameter and material thickness.
• Biogenic carbon impacts are excluded since bubble wrap contains no bio-based materials or renewable content in conventional formulations.
• Data gaps exist around regional recycling infrastructure variation and emerging bio-based bubble wrap alternatives that could significantly alter the emissions profile.