Packing Peanuts-a waste

Dude is shipping me some stuff in carpet backing foam.Guy runs one of these "we auction everything" places and lot's of time the kitchen sink will not come to him withb a box.He swears by it's "protective powers"

Packing peanuts are good for packing with certain types of
items and/or as a low weight filler. However, as Sean has
already pointed out, heavy items such as amps should ALWAYS
the double boxed. The ideal is having the inner box packed
with foam that tightly fits the amp or electronic unit and
the box it is packed in. Then the outer box is tightly
packed with peanuts and or bubble wrap. Packed that way,
the inner box will not move around much at all.
And by the way - anyplace that packs a heavy item such
as an amp by merely packing it up in a single box with
peanuts doesn't know a thing about packaging.

Here is my method: 1)Purchase a new box that is about 4 inches larger in all dimensions than the original. 2)Purchase from Home Depot, one package of 16" X 48" sheets of insulating styrofoam. Cut these sheets to size, in order to line the inside of the new box on all sides. 3)After you line the box, pour about 3 inches of peanuts on the bottom, and then place the original box inside. Pour more peanuts in, pushing them down the sides, and finally topping off. 4)Put your styrofoam "lid" on, and then seal the box.

It takes some time to do this; but to me, avoiding the hassle that would be involved with a damaged package is worth it.

Instead of peanuts I have used popcorn with good success.
cheers, Steve