Bubble Wrap: Sizes, Types and Where to Buy in Ireland
Bubble wrap is a flexible polyethylene packaging material with regularly spaced, air-filled bubbles that cushion items against knocks, pressure and vibration in transit. It comes in two main bubble sizes (small and large), in roll widths from 300mm to 1500mm, and in standard, anti-static and recycled grades. This guide covers the sizes, the types, which way the bubbles face, how to recycle it in Ireland, and how to buy it in bulk.
What is bubble wrap?
Bubble wrap is a transparent plastic sheet, made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE, recycling code 4), formed into two bonded layers with a grid of trapped air pockets between them. Those pockets act as tiny shock absorbers: when a parcel is dropped or pressed, the air spreads the force instead of letting it reach the item.
It was invented in 1957 by engineers Alfred Fielding and Marc Chavannes, who originally intended it as a textured wallpaper. It found its purpose as protective packaging a few years later, and the design has barely changed since. Today it is the default cushioning material for posting fragile goods, and for this business it is the single most-searched packaging product in Ireland.
What sizes does bubble wrap come in?
Bubble wrap is sold by roll width and length. Widths run from 300mm for small items up to 1500mm for pallets, and the two standard lengths are 50m and 100m. The bubbles themselves come in small (around 10mm across) and large (around 25 to 32mm across). Match the roll width to your most common parcel, and keep one small-bubble and one large-bubble roll for the rest.
| Roll width | Common lengths | Bubble | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300mm | 50m, 100m | Small | Mugs, glasses, jewellery, small parcels |
| 500mm | 50m, 100m | Small or large | General posting and e-commerce orders |
| 750mm | 50m, 100m | Small or large | Larger boxes, framed prints, electronics |
| 1000mm | 50m, 100m | Small or large | Appliances, furniture, void fill |
| 1200-1500mm | 50m, 100m | Large | Pallets and bulky, lightweight goods |
Not sure how many metres a roll gives you per parcel? Our companion guide on bubble wrap roll sizes and how much you actually need works through the maths for common order volumes.
Small vs large bubble wrap: which should you use?
Use small-bubble wrap to wrap items directly, where it protects surfaces and cushions light knocks in a thin, neat layer. Use large-bubble wrap to fill the space around an item inside a box, where the bigger air pockets absorb heavier impacts and stop contents shifting. Most businesses keep both: small bubble for wrapping, large bubble for void fill.
| Small bubble (~10mm) | Large bubble (~25-32mm) | |
|---|---|---|
| Cushioning | Surface scratches and light knocks | Heavier impacts and void fill |
| Best for | Wrapping items directly: glassware, electronics, ceramics | Filling gaps around items, large or light goods |
| Material used | More wraps for thick protection | One layer fills far more space |
| Storage | More compact on the roll | Bulkier per metre |
For a deeper look at protection levels, see small vs large bubble wrap: which protects best.
What types of bubble wrap are there?
Beyond standard clear bubble wrap there are several grades for specific jobs: anti-static for electronics, biodegradable or recycled for eco-conscious brands, self-cling and adhesive versions that wrap without tape, foam-backed for delicate surfaces, and ready-made bubble bags for single items. Choosing the right grade saves both damage and cost.
| Type | What it is | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (clear) | General-purpose polyethylene bubble wrap | Most posting and packing jobs |
| Anti-static (pink) | Treated to dissipate static charge | Circuit boards, drives, electrical goods |
| Biodegradable / recycled | Recycled-content or degradable film | Eco-conscious and plastic-reduction brands |
| Self-cling / adhesive | Clings to itself or has an adhesive edge | Fast wrapping without tape |
| Foam-backed | Bubble layer plus a soft foam face | Polished or scratch-sensitive surfaces |
| Bubble bags / pouches | Pre-made bubble-lined envelopes | Single items and mail order |
Reducing plastic? Compare the greener options in eco alternatives to bubble wrap, or browse our eco parcel protection range. For single items, a padded jiffy bag is often quicker than wrap and tape.
Which way does bubble wrap go, bubbles in or out?
The bubbles should face inward, against the item you are protecting. With the bubbles touching the object, the air pockets sit between the item and the outside world and cushion it directly, and the flat side faces out so the bubbles are less likely to snag and burst. Wrap so the bubble side is always the side touching the goods.
What is bubble wrap used for?
Bubble wrap is the go-to cushioning layer wherever something needs to survive a journey. The most common uses are:
- Posting fragile items: glassware, ceramics, ornaments and bottles, wrapped before they go in a box.
- E-commerce orders: a quick wrap protects products and reduces returns and damage claims.
- Electronics: anti-static bubble wrap for anything with a circuit board.
- Moving house: plates, picture frames, mirrors and lamps.
- Void fill: large-bubble wrap stops contents shifting inside a part-empty box.
- Short-term insulation: a reused sheet on a greenhouse, window or outdoor tap.
Wrapping something valuable? Follow our step-by-step on how to pack fragile items for posting, and pair the wrap with a right-sized box from our cardboard box sizes and grades guide.
How much bubble wrap do I need?
As a rough guide, a 100m roll of 500mm bubble wrap wraps roughly 150 to 250 small parcels, depending on how many layers you use. For a busy shop or online store, one or two 100m bulk rolls a month is typical; for occasional posting, a 50m roll lasts months. Buying the larger roll always lowers the cost per metre.
For exact figures by parcel type and order volume, see bubble wrap roll sizes: how much do you actually need.
Is bubble wrap recyclable in Ireland?
Yes. Bubble wrap is a soft plastic, and since 2021 clean, dry soft plastics are accepted in the household recycling bin in Ireland. Remove any tape and labels, keep it dry, and put it in loose rather than bagged. Rules can vary by collector and bring-bank, so check MyWaste.ie or your local authority if you are unsure.
Irish disposal tip: bubble wrap should never go in the brown (compost) bin, because it is plastic, not organic. Flatten it to save bin space, and reuse it a few times first. Full detail is in our guide to whether bubble wrap can be recycled in Ireland.
Bubble wrap alternatives
If you are cutting plastic or want a kerbside-recyclable option your customers can bin easily, there are paper-based choices that protect almost as well:
- Corrugated paper rolls: wrap and interleave fragile items; see corrugated paper rolls.
- Honeycomb paper wrap: a paper alternative that expands to cushion like bubble wrap.
- Air pillows and void fill: fast for filling space in larger boxes.
- Shredded or scrunched kraft paper: simple, cheap void fill.
Weigh them up in eco alternatives to bubble wrap, or browse the full parcel protection range. Shipping on pallets instead? See pallet wrap vs shrink wrap.
Where to buy bubble wrap in Ireland
Shop4Rolls supplies bubble wrap to shops, cafés, online sellers and warehouses across Ireland at trade prices, with free delivery on qualifying orders from our Cavan warehouse. You can buy small or large bubble, in single rolls or bulk, and have it on its way the same working day.
Buy bubble wrap by the roll or by the box
Small and large bubble, 300mm to 1500mm wide, at wholesale prices with fast Irish delivery.
You will usually want two more things to finish the job: packaging tape to seal the wrap and the box, and a right-sized cardboard box to post it in. New to packing orders? Start with our retail and e-commerce packaging guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is bubble wrap biodegradable?
Standard bubble wrap is made from polyethylene, which is not biodegradable. It is recyclable as a soft plastic, and biodegradable and recycled-content versions are available if compostability or lower-carbon packaging matters for your business.
Can you recycle bubble wrap with soft plastics in Ireland?
Yes. Since 2021, clean and dry soft plastics, including bubble wrap, are accepted in the household recycling bin in Ireland. Put it in loose rather than bagged, make sure it is free of tape and labels, and check MyWaste.ie if your collector has different rules.
Does anti-static bubble wrap really protect electronics?
Anti-static bubble wrap, usually pink, stops the build-up of static electricity that can damage circuit boards, drives and other sensitive electronics. For most electrical goods it is worth the small extra cost; standard bubble wrap can discharge static into the components it is meant to protect.
Can bubble wrap be used as insulation?
Bubble wrap traps air, so it gives a little short-term insulation on windows, greenhouses and pipes, and people do reuse it that way. It is not a substitute for proper building insulation, and it is designed first as a protective packaging material.
Is bubble wrap waterproof?
Bubble wrap is water-resistant rather than waterproof. The polyethylene film repels splashes and damp, which helps protect items in transit, but it does not form a sealed barrier, so use a poly mailer or taped outer box if a parcel needs to stay fully dry.
Can you reuse bubble wrap?
Yes, bubble wrap can be reused many times as long as the bubbles are still inflated. Store it flat or loosely rolled, away from heat and sharp edges, and reuse it for posting or storage before recycling it once the bubbles have burst.