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 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.

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 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 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: 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 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 for placement in a shipping container to hold an item includes a thermally insulating pad shaped to be positioned in a cavity of a rectangular prism shipping container to be adjacent to and cover one or more of a floor, four side walls and cover of the container while leaving an interior space to receive the item. The thermally insulating pad includes a compostable panel that holds together as a single unit and is formed primarily of starch, and compostable or recyclable film forming a pocket and surrounding the panel to prevent water from reaching the panel within the pocket. The film is secured to the panel along a portion but not all of the opposite surfaces of the compostable panel.

Abstract: A thermal insulation article for placement in a shipping container to hold an item includes a thermally insulating pad shaped to be positioned in a cavity of a rectangular prism shipping container to be adjacent to and cover one or more of a floor, four side walls and cover of the container while leaving an interior space to receive the item. The thermally insulating pad includes a compostable panel that holds together as a single unit and is formed primarily of starch, the panel providing a rectangular plate dimensioned to substantially span whichever of the floor, plurality of side walls or cover that the rectangular plate is adjacent, and a compostable or recyclable water-proof polymer film forming a pocket and surrounding the panel with the panel slidable within the pocket.

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 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: 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: 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 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 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.