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 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 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: 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: 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.