Does anyone know a cost effective way to fill an empty bedroom with 400 cubic feet of Styrofoam packing peanuts?

Damn I'm funny.

I'd really like to avoid paying "retail" for my packaging peanuts. I have to find the manufacturer and buy direct, that or come up with some other material to use.

I originally wanted to use the plastic balls but they are way too expensive. My math may be a bit rusty but I'm basically looking to fill a 10 foot by 10 foot by 4 foot cube and assuming that those plastic balls are 4 inches in diameter I'd need about 30 x 30 = 900 plastic balls to fill a height of 4 inches. The link provided by secondhandnews above sells them in batches of 100 for 10 pounds, which means I'd be paying 90 quid to cover 4 inches of floor. To cover 4 feet (assuming none of the balls settle) I'm looking at over 1000 quid, not counting shipping costs.

I've looked into bubble wrap, and foam sheets and it looks like it would cost anywhere from $500 - several thousand. I've contacted my local recycling center and they don't accept Styrofoam peanuts, they usually direct people to ups or federal express, who will resell them to me but at an even higher price than what I could find online. Contacting local business's like a bookstore is probably the best bet but I'm not sure I could collect enough in the next two weeks. I may have to resort to using balloons although I don't think that would be as much fun.

But, umm, here's some good news: four feet is way too high! I mean, chances are your shortest guests will be between 5'0 and 5'3 -- they'd be practically up to their necks in that stuff. Not to mention that you're putting the drinks table in there -- and surely the average table is well below four feet high?

You can build stonehenge with them, that's what I did at woprk one afternoon.

nabisco, the paper shredder idea has potential. I'm going to look into it, plus it’s easily recyclable. Four feet is probably too high, I'm over 6 feet tall so I was basing it on my height plus I’m assuming whatever material I use would get crushed down some so it would be closer to 3 feet after a few people walk through.

also, star wars figures and toy robots. everywhere. free giveaways, too. much more fun and better memories.

Too bad there isn't a way to get fabric into the form of little three-dimensional balls. Or 4000 zippas for $99!

The peanuts would at least support some weight should someone "choose" to fall over and/or jump off the ladder. Shredded paper really isn't going to do much for you there, I'm afraid. Also, depending on whether you decide to spring for the peanuts, some of them are made of a heavy-duty starch so they melt away when you add water. Bad for spilling drinks on, but easier to dispose of afterwards and less bad feeling related to reselling vs disposing of.

Dammit N, you beat me to it.

I sell books on hamazon for a living and i get packing materials from a chain book store's dumpster from time to time. There's always dozens of 30 gallon bags of peanuts in there. They are sealed in plastic bags so they're not in contact with garbage and would be good for your idea.