a cushioned shipping assembly includes a carton and foam inserts to support a product shipped by a supplier , which elements are successively returned by an end user to be re - used in the same or other shipping assembly , while various components are recycled as they become spent . in some embodiments , the carton collapses to a diminished size for return . a resource center re - routes or refurbishes the components , recycling aged or spent pieces . preferably polyolefin foams , olefin - based adhesives and coatings , and wood fiber - based corrugated material make up the cushioned system , and one component is compatible with recycling processes of others . on - premises pelletizing of reclaimed polymer provides a more efficient , environmentally clean system . spent inserts of identified polymer may be diverted to users of specifc resins .