Abstract: A vacuum system is provided for selectively removing lightweight low density objects such as loose polystyrene packing material referred to as "peanuts" or "popcorn" from shipping cartons using a very low pressure vacuum which withdraws only the packing material and leaves the packed items in the carton. A low pressure vacuum is created in an elongated cylindrical conduit by directing air pressure from an annular plenum chamber into streams of air flowing through a series of spaced apart holes in a wall of the conduit toward the downstream end of the condudit. The conduit has an intake hose connected to its upstream end and a collection container at its downstream end. The packing material is drawn into the intake hose and through the conduit to the collection container.