Most of the time liquid soaps like shower gel and shampoo aren’t a problem. Ice Pack. It might seem like a chore at first, but cleaning hair out of the shower drain every time you use it can help you avoid serious clogs. The correct solution is to access the drainage below the shower and install a heat source be it, insulation, heat tape, or a conventional heat source within the shwr. Our Services. According to Eastern Plumbing, adding salt to the water lowers the melting point of ice, meaning you can thaw your pipes that much more rapidly. Local hardware stores tend to have more experienced people than your big box stores, so they may be able to provide advice. Do you have the excess gunk you scooped out. Just get a drain snake and some draino, you don’t need a plumber for a clog unless it’s too far down the line to get to. Do not use corrosive drain cleaners. Learn more about recycling plastic film at www.plasticfilmrecycling.org. I'm sure in the middle of summer you will be fine. The first step is removing the gel from the plastic. If it dissolves, use as instructed. It still does not help with the reusable issue. Most of the time liquid soaps like shower gel and shampoo aren’t a problem. Direct, prolonged ice-on-skin contact can further damage the skin, making your injury worse. Our ice packs are filled with a non-hazardous gel solution made with salt and water. It says the gel inside the bag is water soluble...can it poured into water and, when dissolved, put down the drain? What is my best course of action? I scooped out a lot of the excess gel but they’re still clogged. 4. To be safe, please dispose our gel packs in your normal waste stream. If that fails, try the snake or a plunger. Put some gel into the bucket. If you flush this applesauce-consistency gel down a toilet or sink drain, it will settle to the bottom of your home's main sewer drain pipe, where water flow is much lower than in the pipes directly connecting your sink and toilet. The packs are designed so they will not get hot enough to burn. The fun doesn’t have to end in the kitchen! These linked gel packs can be made in many sizes, and they can also be made with poly or no sweat exteriors. Ice cubes in an unorganized jumble will have many small exterior faces that will together add up to much more total area than the gel pack will, since that will be frozen as a single rectangular solid. It holds and slowly releases not just water but also nutrients and pesticides. Just apply any of these to the cyst and leave on for about ten minutes several times a day. If you have an application that could benefit from using gel packs, contact us today to see how we can help you manage your cold chain. Cut open the side and empty the gel into your waste receptacle. It can go in a trash can (not down the sink; it will clog). To keep food fresh and ensure that medicines such as insulin remain effective, shipments often include ice packs. An ice pack or gel pack is a portable plastic bag filled with water, refrigerant gel, or liquid.To be prepared for use, the pack is first placed in a freezer. The denim insulation is perfect for pet beds. Reusing is an option too! After a little bit of research this is not the best way to dispose of them. Instead, you can use scissors to cut open the ice packs and drain the gel into the trash can. i think my bath tub drain pipe (the pvc trap) is frozen, i.e. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, Press J to jump to the feed. It will take a strong current to move this stuff. Katie suggested opening the pack outside and dumping it in the lawn to evaporate if I wanted to avoid the mess of tossing it in the trash. There its thick viscosity will act like wet mud catching anything else that might float on by and holding it in place, which in turn will catch other things until you have a serious clog in place. Repeat several nights in a row to fully assess the issue. So at least they are not toxic. Learn More. Second, are gel ice packs that can be cut open and poured down the drain or even in your compost. October 14, 2019. You can create homemade ice packs, but unless you can find a long-lasting recipe, the commercial reusable ice packs are still the way to go. It's nontoxic and safe to go down the drain. 1 The fun doesn’t have to end in the kitchen! I can't prove the gel is the culprit (at least not yet), and we'll see what the plumber says, but for now I'd urge caution and not put this stuff down a sink or toilet. The gel will shrink as it dries, making disposal easier reducing the impact on the waste system. Thanks for helping us make your HelloFresh delivery as sustainable as it is delicious. Cold compresses or ice packs can be helpful for helping you with post-surgery recovery, especially when dealing with swelling. Second, are gel ice packs that can be cut open and poured down the drain or even in your compost. Preferably, you can cut the gel pack open and drain into the trash then recycle the film at a local recycling facility. The company recommends not dumping the packs down the sink or the toilet because the gel is thick and may cause plumbing issues. Lunch bag ice packs High-performance 18 degree Fahrenheit using phase change science to achieve 8-10 hour cooling - avoid spoilage so you can eat your lunch! Once you've unboxed your delivery, set aside the cardboard box, insulated liner, and ice packs only. To recycle them completely, cut them open and dispose of the gel, then recycle the exterior packaging with your plastics. Drain safe product being tested and approved safe for drains in the United States and now also in the European Union. Nordic Ice Packs are durable, reusable long-lasting poly gel packs that provide reliable temperature sensitive protection for the safe transport of food, pharmaceuticals and medical products. … So is there a chemical or something that I can put in my drain that will thaw the ice and it must go through standing water. It can go in a trash can (not down the sink; it will clog), but Montgomery said another option is to pour it into a bowl or on a tray. Instead, you can use scissors to cut open the ice packs and drain the gel into the trash can. Recycle and Compost: Crafted from a gel that’s 98% water and 2% non-GMO cotton, and a liner that’s low density polyethylene. Although swelling occurring after surgery is going to disappear within days or weeks, the application of cold or heat compresses is beneficial in speeding up the swelling healing process. Our Nordic Ice® Gel Refrigerant Packs are ideal for anything requiring a durable, long-lasting solution that can be easily disposed of after use. This is actually one of the preferred ways to dispose of it. 3 out of 4 found this helpful. You can make an ice pack using rubbing alcohol or dish soap and a Ziploc bag. drainage space. Infants and toddlers can pull a bag over their heads and suffocate when they are unable to get them off. The gel in freezer gel packs is non-toxic, so should you puncture your pack, or it tears, the gel will do no harm. That leaves recyclable plastic — it can’t go into a curbside can. I did the same thing a while ago. Because our main indoor sewer pipe is pitched only at a slight angle in our basement, this stuff may just be pooling there and we can't get enough water through a 4" diameter pipe to flush it out ourselves. Even though our Polar Packs use a water based solution, the gelatinous matter could aid in plumbing buildup if there is any pre-existing blockage. Answer: According to my information it will clog your drain. We also offer an ice pack return program in select areas. Recycle and Compost: Crafted from a gel that’s 98% water and 2% non-GMO cotton, and a liner that’s low density polyethylene. Edit: everything I can find by googling "Nordic ice disposal" does not recommend disposing the ice packs this way. It could have been partly clogged and the gel was the final straw. This community is about sharing your experiences and meals. It's completely safe. For food items, the gels can give the customer a feeling of quality that wet ice cannot provide. This product is ideal for situations where the packaging requires a flat gel pack because product space is critical. Read through this list of things you should never put down your drain, and then move your trash can a little bit closer to your sink — you're going to be using it a lot more. To alleviate swelling continue to wear your compression garment, drink plenty of fluids and go to the washroom regularly, cut back on sodium intake and and leisurely walk to keep your circulation going. and recyclable plastic; HelloFresh box. I really wish I had been doing that though, believe me. We use cookies on our websites for a number of purposes, including analytics and performance, functionality and advertising. I would be hesitant to start dumping random things down the drain. If so you can test it to see if it will dissolve with really hot water. After that, you’re able to recycle the plastic packaging the ice packs are made out of. I had been just putting them in the freezer but it's getting a bit out of hand. Reuse: Refreeze these and use them again as ice packs. Anyway, I did this in the middle of winter and just ran the hot water for a moment to be sure it didn't solidify in the pipes. I’d really like to avoid spending the money on a plumber. Most grocery stores have collection bins for plastic bags. They make sink plungers! So I was told my a HelloFresh representative when looking into recycling the ice packs and they told me to wash it down the drain and recycle the empty bags. In this video http://www.coolersonsale.com test whether draining the ice melt from the cooler will result in longer ice retention times. They are recyclable, but not in the curbside recycling. This gel will dissolve in water, but it’s not friendly to the pipes in your home. We get asked how to dispose of the gel pack once it is received. This was a costly lesson to learn! Nordic Drain Safe™ offers the same performance as Nordic Cold Chain Solutions' traditional gel packs with the added benefit of being 100% safe for disposal in a household drain. can be placed in the trash. For example, Sun Basket uses an ice pack that is 98% water and 2% non-GMO cotton. First, customers can always reuse the gel packs themselves or can donate them to businesses. Reuse: Refreeze these and use them again as ice packs. Unless you happen to have your own meat locker, that’s wildly impractical. Introducing: Nordic Drain Safe™ Gel Refrigerant Packs. Ice can help reduce the pain and swelling associated with sprains, injuries, and sore muscles. I always thought they said to dump the contents of the ice pack into the garbage and recycle the empty bags. Please dispose of them per regional guidelines, or even save them for a summer picnic! Or thaw and use the gel inside to mulch and water the garden. You can't put bags in there because they bind up all the sorting machines. The highest quality materials ensure safe delivery of needed medicine and pharmaceuticals for doctors and patients. I am over run with Nordic Ice packs from a weekly food delivery service that I use. Check for Larvae. I guess I will just put them up on freecycle. Not a plumber, so this is what I have got. I would be much more cautious about this. Whatever is causing it, it caused raw sewage to back up into the shower. The gel in freezer gel packs is non-toxic, so should you puncture your pack, or it tears, the gel will do no harm. If you can, please tape the box shut with the ice packs and liner inside to make sure nothing gets damaged on the way back to us. Lastly, are the ice packs that are not made of recyclable materials. polyacrylamide (PAM) hydrogels: soluble (linear) and insoluble (cross-linked). The gel will shrink as it dries, Montgomery said, so this added step before disposal reduces the … You can use simple ice cubes wrapped in a clean washcloth, an ice pack, or even a bag of frozen veggies you need to defrost for lunch. Better to toss it in the trash than have a clog! Some people say that it is great at absorbing water but not at releasing it, but this shouldn't be the case. But if you use them adequately, ice packs can help cool down the pain caused by any injury. From my limited chemical understanding, the closer it is to being fully saturated, the easier it should be to pull that … My issue is I don't want to just dump the gel in my trash bag then risk it leaking out everywhere and causing a mess. You will need to turn on your HOT water to wash it down the drain. Use scissors to cut a small corner and empty gel contents into the trash before recycling this #4 plastic pack. They say the product is an environmentally safe starch and can be disposed of ‘down the drain’ so to speak. The water ones can go down the drain and the gel ones you can keep for traveling or anything or you can even donate them/give to friends. You can then use the ice pack as needed. Dry ice is not usually put in packaging, like gel ice, since it could explode an airtight plastic bag as it sublimates. For example, Sun Basket uses an ice pack that is 98% water and 2% non-GMO cotton. 3. I assume it’s from the pressure of the gel pressing down on it, as the drain snake was not sharp or anything, If you have the same problem as me, I would probably recommend addressing it ASAP and not waiting to see if the water goes down. In addition, if you have a septic tank, we would also not recommend that you put down your sink. It might seem like a chore at first, but cleaning hair out of the shower drain every time you use it can help you avoid serious clogs. Then you can recycle the film with other plastics. I'm wondering if using ice will help with swelling. Take careful caution when creating your ice pack, and keep the supplies away from children. If you flush this applesauce-consistency gel down a toilet or sink drain, it will settle to the bottom of your home's main sewer drain pipe, where water flow is much lower than in the pipes directly connecting your sink and toilet. solid ice from the 0 drgree weather, and i was out of town for a couple of days. I was originally saving them to have them pick them up but it was too much of a hassle, so I was told to wash them down with hot water? if not what else can i do? I think Target and a few other stores have them too. Of course, you still need to be cautious when it comes to using them because you can injure yourself if you’re not careful. I usually wash them down the drain and everything is fine, but this week the gel has caused a major clog and nothing will go down either side of my sink. Pharma. its in a crawl space that i can't (or don't want to really bad.) However, if you do experience soap build up in your shower drain, simply pour boiling water down the drain to remove it. Gel packs. In this video, I'll answer a question we get a lot from our customers about whether they can put the gel ice packs directly on their skin. › Questions & Answers Nordic Ice NOR1006 Reusable Long-Lasting Gel Pack, 24 oz. ✌ The gel packs are great for camping, road trips, or even groceries on a hot summer day - Just be sure to freeze them upon arrival. really get to. That leaves recyclable plastic — it can’t go into a curbside can. There are two types of ice packs; gel ones and water ones. We do not recommend putting the gel into your sink because it can further clog the pipes if there is a pre-existing clog. As mail-order prescriptions and home meal delivery services increase in popularity, some people have a new problem: leftover ice packs that keep the packages cold. Learn more about recycling plastic film at www.plasticfilmrecycling.org. Many blithely suggest that customers store old gel packs in their freezers for future use. The ice packs can be recycled, but that requires a little extra work, said Greg Montgomery, national sales director for IntegriTemp, one of the country’s leading "cold chain'' shipping suppliers. If I was going to do it again, I’d remove the p trap and drain all the liquid/gel into a bucket and wash out the p trap until all the gel is gone. This was not a gradual onset issue. They might cause a chemical reaction with the pipes or ice and produce poisonous gases or substances that may result in burns or even blindness if they mistakenly shoot up from the pipes. :(. Thanks for helping us make your HelloFresh delivery as sustainable as it is delicious. If you have known neck issues like a herniated disc or degenerative arthritis, you neck may be more susceptible to injury or flare-ups involving inflammation, therefore, it is wise to have an ice pack that is specifically designed for the neck readily available. The ice pack gel cannot go down my drains because of our septic system. Get in touch with our Customer Care Team to find out if you're eligible These are … Behauptung: Licensed plumbers advise pouring salt down the drain at night. Our Nordic Ice® Linked Gel Packs are food-grade, biodegradable gel packs that feature a gel-like consistency and maintain their shape while freezing. The water ones can go down the drain and the gel ones you can keep for traveling or anything or you can even donate them/give to friends. Related articles. However, if you do experience soap build up in your shower drain, simply pour boiling water down the drain to remove it. For pharmaceutical items, just the fact that gel packs will not contaminate the product makes them a must. Indeed the gel in these gel-pacs are incompatible with the sewer system. I haven't read anything here about using ice, but other sites say not to. If you own a pack that has an especially low freezing point, the gel pack may cause a mild freezer burn. I emptied one of the big ones in the kitchen sink last week and the applesauce like goo took a lot of water to go down and now I appear to have a main (indoor) line clog and am having a plumber out today after a drain auger didn't really encounter anything and the problem persists. Safely made in the US. NEVER put your ice pack directly on your skin. I’ve used the service for a couple years and I called them a long time ago, right after I started, so I don’t know if the composition/etc has changed. Answer: Ice to reduce swelling. 2. The ice packs are made of a water soluble gel. Drain flies frequently lay eggs in the organic material that builds up right at the opening of your drain. Sort by Recommended. Putting any foreign material down the drain seems like a pretty bad idea and I'm surprised they would recommend that. Press J to jump to the feed. If you have known neck issues like a herniated disc or degenerative arthritis, you neck may be more susceptible to injury or flare-ups involving inflammation, therefore, it is wise to have an ice pack that is specifically designed for the neck readily available. The gel is super bad for your pipes as well as the environment if disposed of improperly. You can create homemade ice packs, but unless you can find a long-lasting recipe, the commercial reusable ice packs are still the way to go. Nordic Ice Drain Safe™ can be disposed of down a common household drain, but Nordic Ice recommends reuse of the packs as many times as possible. An ice pack or gel pack is a portable plastic bag filled with water, refrigerant gel, or liquid.To be prepared for use, the pack is first placed in a freezer. Has this happened to anyone before? We don't recommend pouring the gel down the drain in case of temporary clogs. Nordic Ice sells millions of tons for food, medical, and aquarium transport globally. Never take a open flame near a frozen pipe, a number of houses have been lost to that effect. If it dissolves, run hot water down drain until it clears up. This community is not affiliated with the company, HelloFresh. Why Answers (7)ASK A DOCTOR. This means you should not pour the gel down your drains. Patients given ice packs for the first 24 hours after major abdominal surgeries reported less pain and needed fewer narcotic painkillers, according to a new U.S. study. A "snake" for a drain is not real difficult to use, and sometimes local hardware stores will rent one to you. For anyone who comes across this thread searching for a solution: • hot water did not work • drano did not work • the drain snake somehow punctured the pipe and sent water (and gel) everywhere. You should be able to throw it away in the regular trash, but check with your local waste disposal company if you’re not sure. Instead, gently place it in trash bags and have your trash collector take them. It can go in a trash can (not down the sink; it will clog), but Montgomery said another option is to pour it into a bowl or on a tray. They are biodegradable and non-toxic making them ideal for keeping your product cool and safe. 9. Indeed the gel in these gel-pacs are incompatible with the sewer system. If there’s paper wrapped around the dry ice, take it off when you’re ready to dispose of the ice. Most liquid, gel and powder water-soluble household cleaning products can be disposed of down the drain with running water just like when you use them. You will need: 2 Ziploc Freezer Bags Rubbing Alcohol Water Disclaimer: Rubbing Alcohol can be dangerous if consumed in large quantities, and can cause irritation to your eyes. To be safe, please dispose our gel packs in your normal waste stream. Or if liquid plumber may work. Safely made in the US. The packs are designed so they will not get hot enough to burn. The first step is removing the gel from the plastic. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. All Done. VOTED MOST HELPFUL. Water soluble gel (it dissolves in water but is not pipe-friendly, so don’t pour down the drain!) From board-certified doctors and trusted medical professionals . The clog may not only be from the gel. If you have the BioDrain™ gel pack: Made with biodegradable materials, you can safely discard down your kitchen sink. These are the ones you’ll want to hold on to and reuse. At least not one that will leave your house standing when the ice melts. It may not be effective and could cause it to be worse. If your pain or swelling does not clear up on its own, talk to your doctor. How detrimental to my drain is this? Now I’m waiting on a plumber. The best way is to pour it into a bowl or on a tray and let the gel dry. You should store a bag in the freezer overnight. Because the skin in the treated area may be numb temporarily it's not a good idea to apply ice packs as you could inadvertently give yourself frostbite. There are two types of ice packs; gel ones and water ones. Not only does this take care of some of the flies in your drain, but it can give you an indication of how the infestation has grown. Lunch bag ice packs High-performance 18 degree Fahrenheit using phase change science to achieve 8-10 hour cooling - avoid spoilage so you can eat your lunch! The gel will shrink as it dries, making disposal easier reducing the impact on the waste system. It can go in a trash can (not down the sink; it will clog). Once the film has met its life, simply thaw the frozen pack on a water resistant surface, clip the corner, and flush the contents down the sink with water. Fill a bucket with very hot water. TAs the gel packs pile up week after week you’ll have more gel packs than you can use in a lifetime of outings or picnics. Spent $400 to have our plumbing system completely cleaned out this afternoon. Please try your search again later. So the gel pack does not have more pure absorption capacity as water—it is actually less pound for pound since the gelling additives subtract from the amount of water. However, if you keep abusing it and treating it like a landfill, you're going to run into all sorts of disgusting and smelly problems, some of them quite costly. Au contraire. Nordic Ice NOR1006 Reusable Long-Lasting Gel Pack, 24 oz. Author: When the water sufficiently drains out, we can get a flush or two and maybe empty a sink full of water before it happens again. If you own a pack that has an especially low freezing point, the gel pack may cause a mild freezer burn. The Plumbers Response (By Johnny) Charles, I’m afraid there is no magic chemical that you can pour in the drain that will melt through ice. The gel is super bad for your pipes as well as the environment if disposed of improperly. Preferably, you can cut the gel pack open and drain into the trash then recycle the film at a local recycling facility. The best way is to pour it into a bowl or on a tray and let the gel dry. Please dispose of them per regional guidelines, or even save them for a summer picnic! Ice Packs. But if you use them adequately, ice packs can help cool down the pain caused by any injury. Turn on garbage disposal when washing contents down sink. I still have the drains in. Our ice packs are filled with a non-hazardous gel solution made with salt and water. Contact Us . This means you should not pour the gel down your drains. If all else fails, call a plumber. Mix of recycled and virgin fibers; Separator and meal kits. Under NO circumstances should you pour this stuff into your drains. Of course, you still need to be cautious when it comes to using them because you can injure yourself if you’re not careful. Source: Link. Low-density chipboard; Couldn’t find the information you were looking for? Whatever you use for your cold compress, wrap it in a towel or rag before pressing it into the skin. Or thaw and use the gel inside to mulch and water the garden. Even though our Polar Packs use a water based solution, the gelatinous matter could aid in plumbing buildup if there is any pre-existing blockage. The gel in these is not exactly the same as the moisture absorbing gel in diapers or used to amend the soil. Lastly, are the ice packs that are not made of recyclable materials. Thinking Outside the Box . It is not, as the author implies, harmful to the water supply. Was this article helpful? All Done. I was trying to find an easier way to dispose of the ice packs, not knowing the viscosity of the gel inside I poured about half a bag down the drain before realizing and stopping. In the industry, I think it is usually in the form of large crystals as opposed to a hydrated gel like in an ice pack. Get cooking. My freezer can't … The blue apron website suggests to pour empty the contents of the ice packs into the trash, but I stopped reading after the word "pour". This was the recommendation of the ice pack manufacturer. They're like $5 and a different shape than toilet plungers. Ice Pack. Get in touch with our Customer Care Team to find out if you're eligible. by Nordic Ice Customer Questions & Answers Find answers in product info, Q&As, reviews There was a problem completing your request. You can recycle them that way. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Use scissors to cut a small corner and empty gel contents into the trash before recycling this #4 plastic pack.