What do you do with the coolpaks that come in your mail order insulin boxes? Those that get the 90 day supply by mail, that is. Do you put them in the trash or does your recycle company take them? I have so many and barely have room for one or 2 in the freezer to reuse in a cooler.
Perhaps this has already been discussed but I didn't find it. I am sure they are not good for the environment but....
Thanks.
We see the blue gel cool packs most commonly and these are non-toxic. You really should be comfortable thinking that your medications are also shipped with totally non-toxic cool packs. The blue gel is most commonly made from water, Propylene Glycol and a non toxic gum to add viscosity. All these ingredients are non-toxic, you shouldn't eat the cool pack, but you could eat one or two safely (I wouldn't).
To properly dispose of them just discard them in the trash, they are not recyclable.
I don't have any blue ones. I have a Polarpack (smallish, reusable, white with black print) and a Nordic Ice Pack (bigger maybe 6x8, reusable, also white plastic container with bright blue print). Neither describes ingredients but both, of course, say not to eat them! I can't imagine anyone even thinking about eating them!
So I guess they go in the landfill. Including the plastic covered foam blocks for protection from shipping damage. I have actually used the big foam blocks for my back in my car seat to give a little extra cushioning on long trips. They work well for that!
I just throw them away. I tried reusing them in coolers and such to keep things cold, but have found that they are not very durable. Most them have pin holes that leak the goo all over the place the first time they melt.
I see they are non-toxic.... how many carbs in a cool-pak? :-)
Tim
That's a great question, Nell! I put mine in the freezer, they are very useful when I need to pack a cooler, and when the power goes out and the refrigerator stops keeping my insulin cold. I have never had one leak. If I don't keep them, I toss them in the trash.
According to my research, the propylene glycol portion of the cool pack should be counted as carbs.
Pitch perfect at my house.
heh
Excellent idea Karen. Last Summer we had a power outage because of a severe summer storm. I was frantic because I worried about keeping my insulin cold. I will keep your idea in mind with the Summer storm season almost upon us.
Hahaha, never thought I would see a question about how many carbs in a cool-pak! Thanks for the chuckle, Tim!
I reuse mine and if I have too many I give them away to friends or relatives. Once they get too used up I throw them in the trash.
This is kind of funny. And guess what else? Not only are the cold paks good for an emergency cooling situation, maybe in an emergency they can also be used to treat a hypo!