Austin Resource Recovery shared a great way to put those home food/cooking delivery service ice packs to a great [re]use.
Veterinarians and the Austin Animal Center could use them to aid in medical or surgical needs. Check your local animal service providers or your local vet. (Originally shared by Austin’s Captain Can to the Zero Waste Block Leaders Facebook group January 14, 2019)
I recommend calling ahead to make sure the facility has space for the number of ice packs, but this is a great alternative to simply disposing of them.
Some ice pack instructions that accompany these delivery services instruct you to pour the goo down your sink. Please don’t do this. It may clog your drain.
You can also always post these in your neighborhood social media groups. I’ve posted before and there have been neighbors interested, but it’s not many.
Near summer camp time, camping trips season, or the start of school may be good times to post if anyone needs these.