Abstract: A thermal insulation article includes a thermally insulating pad shaped to be positioned in a cavity of a rectangular prism shipping container. The pad includes a solid compostable panel formed primarily of starch and/or plant fiber pulp that holds together as a single unit, and a water-proof or water-resistant film forming a pocket enclosing the panel. The panel includes a first section, a second section, and a third section connecting the first section to the second section, the first and second section each having a central portion and two flaps that extend from the central portion beyond the third section, and wherein the panel is foldable into an open box.

Abstract: A compostable packaging wrap comprising: a strip that is primarily formed of starch and that is flexible such that the strip can be rolled is disclosed. In addition, a compostable or recyclable packaging wrap that includes: a first film that is primarily formed of one or more compostable or recyclable materials; a second film that is primarily formed of one or more compostable or recyclable materials; a plurality of pads, each pad being are surrounded by the first film and the second film and being primarily formed of one or more compostable or recyclable materials is disclosed. The compostable or recyclable packaging wrap is flexible such that the packaging wrap can be rolled.

Abstract: A stackable container includes a solid compostable or recyclable body formed primarily of a plant fiber. The body includes a floor and a plurality of side walls that are coupled to the floor along first common edges. Each side wall is coupled to two adjacent side walls along second common edges to surround an interior space of the container. A top surface of the side walls provides a rim that includes a recess or projection configured to couple the container to a corresponding projection or recess of an overlying container. A bottom surface of the floor includes a recess or projection that is configured to be coupled with a projection or recess of an underlying container.

Abstract: An insulating shipping container includes an exterior box formed of paper defining a cavity and an interior box formed of paper and positioned within said cavity. The interior box defines a product cavity. A compressed mass of compostable insulating plant material of pellet/granular form is received in the cavity and around the interior box. The compressed mass of compostable insulating plant material has a compression ratio of at least 1.25:1 in comparison to a free-flowing loose-filled condition of the pellet/granular form sufficient to provide the compressed mass of compostable insulating plant material with a thermal insulating value (R value) substantially equal to or better than EPS.

Abstract: A thermally insulating packaging to hold an item includes a solid compostable or recyclable shell that is formed primarily of starch, and a bottom cover. The shell includes a floor, a plurality of inner side walls that are coupled to the floor, a rim coupled to the plurality of inner side walls, and a plurality of outer side walls that are couple to the rim. The floor and the plurality of inner side walls define an interior space of the shell to receive the item and an opening to the interior space. The plurality of inner side walls and plurality of outer side walls have a space therebetween that defines a gap. The gap can be an air-filled cavity, or be filled with a compostable or recyclable core material.

Abstract: A thermal insulation article includes a thermally insulating pad shaped to be positioned in a cavity of a rectangular prism shipping container. The pad includes a solid compostable panel formed primarily of starch and/or plant fiber pulp that holds together as a single unit, and a water-proof or water-resistant film forming a pocket enclosing the panel. The panel includes a first section, a second section, and a third section connecting the first section to the second section, the first and second section each having a central portion and two flaps that extend from the central portion beyond the third section, and wherein the panel is foldable into an open box.

Abstract: A thermal insulation article includes a thermally insulating pad shaped to be positioned in a cavity of a rectangular prism shipping container. The pad includes a solid compostable panel formed primarily of starch and/or plant fiber pulp that holds together as a single unit, and a water-proof or water-resistant film forming a pocket enclosing the panel. The panel includes a first section, a second section, and a third section connecting the first section to the second section, the first and second section each having a central portion and two flaps that extend from the central portion beyond the third section, and wherein the panel is foldable into an open box.

Abstract: In one aspect, a shipping container includes a plurality of thermally insulating pads positioned in a cavity in a box. Each pad of the plurality of thermally insulating pads includes a solid compostable panel formed primarily of extruded milled sorghum, the panel providing a rectangular plate, and a compostable water-proof film forming a pocket enclosing the panel. The panel is loose within the pocket. At least one of the plurality of thermally insulating pads includes a multi-section panel including a score across its width in at least one location. The score extends partially but not entirely through the thickness of the multi-section panel. The multi-section panel is folded at a right angle at the score such that the panel provides a plurality of rectangular plates dimensioned to substantially span whichever of the floor, plurality of side walls or cover that the plurality of plates is adjacent.

Abstract: A thermal insulation article for placement in a shipping container to hold an item includes a multi-section thermally insulating pad shaped to be positioned in a cavity of a rectangular prism shipping container. The pad includes a plurality of solid compostable panel sections formed primarily of grain starch, and a water-proof polyethylene film forming a pocket enclosing the plurality of panel sections. Each panel section holds together as a single unit, and each panel section provides a rectangular plate dimensioned to substantially span whichever of the floor, plurality of side walls or cover that the rectangular plate is adjacent. The pad is configured to be foldable at a right angle along a boundary between the panel sections. The film provides both an interior and an exterior surface of the pad where the pad is folded.

Abstract: A tub for a container includes an inner tub and an outer tub, each formed of a solid compostable or recyclable sheet formed primarily of plant fiber. Both the inner tub and the outer tub include a floor, a plurality of side walls that are coupled to the floor along common edges and each coupled to two adjacent side walls along common edges, and a rim provided at a top of the side walls. The rim of the inner tub rests on and is secured to the rim of the outer tub such that the side walls of the inner tub extend downwardly into the space between the side walls outer tub, with the side walls of the outer tub surrounding and spaced apart from the side walls of the inner tub. A volume between the side walls of the inner and outer tub provides a cavity.

Abstract: A stackable container includes a solid compostable or recyclable body formed primarily of a plant fiber. The body includes a floor and a plurality of side walls that are coupled to the floor along first common edges. Each side wall is coupled to two adjacent side walls along second common edges to surround an interior space of the container. A top surface of the side walls provides a rim that includes a recess or projection configured to couple the container to a corresponding projection or recess of an overlying container. A bottom surface of the floor includes a recess or projection that is configured to be coupled with a projection or recess of an underlying container.

Abstract: A thermally insulating packaging to hold an item includes a solid compostable or recyclable shell that is formed primarily of starch, and a bottom cover. The shell includes a floor, a plurality of inner side walls that are coupled to the floor, a rim coupled to the plurality of inner side walls, and a plurality of outer side walls that are couple to the rim. The floor and the plurality of inner side walls define an interior space of the shell to receive the item and an opening to the interior space. The plurality of inner side walls and plurality of outer side walls have a space therebetween that defines a gap. The gap can be an air-filled cavity, or be filled with a compostable or recyclable core material.

Abstract: An improved insulated shipping container including an external or outer corrugated cardboard box, receiving an inner product box centrally disposed therein. Between the inner and outer cardboard boxes are plural strata or layers of insulating pellets compressed or compacted to a selected degree. Compression of the insulating pellets both interlocks these insulating pellets so as to prevent their migration during transit of the shipping container, and substantially reduces the interstitial space or volume that would otherwise exist among the pellets. The bulk insulating value of the pellets is significantly improved. The entire container is biodegradable, and may be composted.

Abstract: A thermally insulating packaging to hold an item includes a solid compostable or recyclable shell that is formed primarily of a plant fiber, and a bottom cover. The shell includes a floor, a plurality of inner side walls that are coupled to the floor, a rim coupled to the plurality of inner side walls, and a plurality of outer side walls that are couple to the rim. The floor and the plurality of inner side walls define an interior space of the shell to receive the item and an opening to the interior space. The plurality of inner side walls and plurality of outer side walls have a space therebetween that defines a gap. The gap can be an air-filled cavity, or be filled with a compostable or recyclable core material.

Abstract: A thermally insulating packaging to hold an item includes a solid compostable or recyclable shell that is formed primarily of a plant fiber, and a bottom cover. The shell includes a floor, a plurality of inner side walls that are coupled to the floor, a rim coupled to the plurality of inner side walls, and a plurality of outer side walls that are couple to the rim. The floor and the plurality of inner side walls define an interior space of the shell to receive the item and an opening to the interior space. The plurality of inner side walls and plurality of outer side walls have a space therebetween that defines a gap. The gap can be an air-filled cavity, or be filled with a compostable or recyclable core material.

Abstract: An envelope has front panel and a back panel, the front panel and the back panel joined along three edges and open along a fourth edge to provide an opening to an interior of the envelope. A foldable flap extends from the front panel to close the opening. The front panel, back panel and flap are formed of a compostable plastic film, and the envelope is configured to be entirely compostable as-is by a recipient.

Abstract: A thermal insulation article for placement in a shipping container to hold an item includes a multi-section thermally insulating pad shaped to be positioned in a cavity of a rectangular prism shipping container. The pad includes a plurality of solid compostable panel sections formed primarily of grain starch, and a water-proof polyethylene film forming a pocket enclosing the plurality of panel sections. Each panel section holds together as a single unit, and each panel section provides a rectangular plate dimensioned to substantially span whichever of the floor, plurality of side walls or cover that the rectangular plate is adjacent. The pad is configured to be foldable at a right angle along a boundary between the panel sections. The film provides both an interior and an exterior surface of the pad where the pad is folded.

Abstract: In one aspect, a shipping container includes a plurality of thermally insulating pads positioned in a cavity in a box. Each pad of the plurality of thermally insulating pads includes a solid compostable panel formed primarily of extruded milled sorghum, the panel providing a rectangular plate, and a compostable water-proof film forming a pocket enclosing the panel. The panel is loose within the pocket. At least one of the plurality of thermally insulating pads includes a multi-section panel including a score across its width in at least one location. The score extends partially but not entirely through the thickness of the multi-section panel. The multi-section panel is folded at a right angle at the score such that the panel provides a plurality of rectangular plates dimensioned to substantially span whichever of the floor, plurality of side walls or cover that the plurality of plates is adjacent.

Abstract: In one aspect, a shipping container includes a plurality of thermally insulating pads positioned in a cavity in a box. Each pad of the plurality of thermally insulating pads includes a solid compostable panel formed primarily of extruded milled sorghum, the panel providing a rectangular plate, and a compostable water-proof film forming a pocket enclosing the panel. The panel is loose within the pocket. At least one of the plurality of thermally insulating pads includes a multi-section panel including a score across its width in at least one location. The score extends partially but not entirely through the thickness of the multi-section panel. The multi-section panel is folded at a right angle at the score such that the panel provides a plurality of rectangular plates dimensioned to substantially span whichever of the floor, plurality of side walls or cover that the plurality of plates is adjacent.