Bubble wrap is one of those protectors created for a sole purpose that actually has thousands of alternative uses. Traditionally used to protect products within packaging people have invented countless ways to re-use the highly useful material. Whilst some suggested uses for it are ridiculous, such as reducing suicide rates by covering pavements in bubble wrap, some of the more original uses are actually very good. People reuse the material in so many ways, even as insoles for shoes, but these are the most practical alternative uses for the fun and versatile material.
One popular alternative use for it is to line the draws of a refrigerator, especially the draws where fruit and vegetables are kept. This is actually one of the more common alternative uses for bubble wrap as it is still fulfilling its primary function of protection by cushioning. Lining the draw where fruit and vegetables are kept will prevent bruising especially with softer fruits like peaches. An added bonus to lining refrigerator draws with the material is that if you forget you have fruit in the draw and realise the mouldy mess later in the month then it is an easy clean up job.
Another alternative use for it is for decorating and painting. If you want to paint textured patterns onto a wall you would more often than not use a sponge. Bubble wrap however can also give a great textured pattern when painting and surprisingly it does not look as tacky as you may think. One really effective way to use it for painting is to buy bubble bags to apply the paint. You can simply slip a bubble bag onto your hand like a glove and start painting. Using bubble bags will often reduce the mess when applying the paint and if it doesn't at least you can have fun and look a bit silly when you are painting.
As well as decorating using the material many people have started to create works of art using bubble wrap. One artist inserted paint into the individual bubbles of a giant sheet in order to create a macaque style portrait of his wife. Bubble wrap has also been used to create sculptures. One notable sculpture is located in Olympia USA which depicts a man reading a book. The sculpture is almost entirely made from tape and the material and is to scale - it was made using the help of a sixteen year old model.
These are only a small number of the many alternative uses of it however they are some of the more constructive and practical. Bubble wrap is a highly versatile material which if you are imaginative you can use in many situations.
