How to recycle your freeze-dried pouch?

In the occasion of World Recycling Day, which has been held every March 18th since 2018, you can find in this article all the tips and ideas from the Lyo team on how to reuse your pouches once your meals are finished. Indeed, with climate change, it is becoming increasingly important to be mindful of what we consume and to try to reuse our belongings as much as possible. This is precisely the purpose of this global day: to raise awareness about the challenges of recycling and encourage the implementation of the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. It highlights more responsible consumption with better habits, while reducing waste and reusing items to enable more efficient recycling.

Use it as a hot water bottle by filling it with hot water 

Whether you decide to explore the world in summer or winter, it's always better to have a hot water bottle on hand in case the weather turns bad, or just for those of us who feel the cold more. If you don’t have the space to bring something useful to help keep you warm, that’s no longer a problem!

In fact, today, almost all freeze-dried food brands offer resealable pouches. We still recommend being careful when opening one for your meal so you don’t remove the resealable tab, leaving you without a way to close the pouch later. Once you’ve passed this step, it’s easy to create your own hot water bottle: heat some water once your pouch is empty, pour it into the pouch, and there you go, you’re all set!

An emergency container for storing water 

During a trip in the middle of nowhere, it's crucial to always have enough water (whether potable or not) on hand to be prepared for any problems or potential situations. Unfortunately, this resource can quickly run low during your various outings depending on your planned activities. Once emptied, freeze-dried bags can help you store water easily.

However, be cautious, as it can be risky to take this bag with you if you're planning on doing physical activities that might cause you to move around a lot, as the water could leak through the resealable flap and wet the rest of your belongings. Still, it’s a good idea for emergencies or when you want to keep extra water close by while camping, ensuring you have enough on hand. Just be sure to clean your bags thoroughly to avoid imparting any flavor to the water.

Using it as a water bowl for your dog

Yes, let's not forget our pets. Depending on your travels, a water bowl for your dog can take up space. Just like for us, you can easily use freeze-dried bags to hydrate your pet! This is a great way to save space while being practical.

Using it as a container for your meals after cleaning it

If you're lacking plates or bowls during your expeditions, simply have some freeze-dried or sterilized bags nearby. Cut 5 or 6 cm above the base of your bag to reuse it as dishware after thoroughly cleaning it. Not only will this save you space, prevent breakage, and help you avoid the need for extra gear, but it will also save you money since you won’t need to buy additional items!

Using it as a trash bag

Some of you may already be familiar with this trick, but a little reminder never hurts. You can reuse your freeze-dried and sterilized bags as a resealable trash bag if you don't have a way to dispose of your waste, but still want to avoid unpleasant odors. It will also allow you to group everything that needs to be thrown away in one place, making your life easier!

Using it as a waste bag

The sixth tip, and certainly not the least: use your bags as waste bags. If you've ever traveled in bad weather or found yourself in a place so cold that you didn't even want to leave your tent at night to relieve yourself, then this idea will be very useful. No more need to motivate yourself to leave your shelter or tent—your empty freeze-dried bag could become your best friend in such conditions.

Use it as an ice pack to treat injuriess

If you’re traveling in cold countries and are surrounded by snow, don’t hesitate to use your bag as an ice pack to treat injuries. Even though it’s always important to carry a first aid kit when going on an expedition, there may be a few items missing that could come in handy, and the ice pack is one of them! It’s easy to use—simply fill your bag with snow and apply it to the injured area.

To replace the stakes of your tent when the ground is too soft or hard 

If you're unable to secure your tent with stakes in the snow, or in an area where the ground is too soft or, conversely, too hard, know that freeze-dried bags can completely replace your stakes. By adding snow or dirt, for example, simply make a small hole below the zipper in your bag, tie it to a string from your tent, and bury it. This will solve your problem and keep you from being bothered.

In conclusion

Who would have thought that an empty freeze-dried bag could offer so much on your travels? This list is not exhaustive, but it should help you gain practicality and save space when preparing your gear for your trips.