How to Safely Handle & Dispose of Dry Ice

When your truLOCAL box arrives, it’s packed with high-quality, locally-sourced meat and seafood - and it’s also packed with dry ice to keep everything frozen until you receive it..

Dry ice is an effective and environmentally-friendly way to keep your food safe in transit. However, because it’s extremely cold and releases carbon dioxide gas, it must be handled carefully when you unpack your box.

Here’s everything you need to know about safely removing and disposing of dry ice from your truLOCAL delivery.

Why does truLOCAL use dry ice?

Dry ice is simply the solid form of carbon dioxide (CO₂). Unlike regular ice, which melts into water, dry ice sublimates - meaning it turns directly from a solid into a gas. This property makes it perfect for shipping frozen products: it keeps your meat and seafood at the proper temperature without soaking your box or food in melted water.

As it sublimates, dry ice leaves no residue behind. But because it’s much colder than regular ice - about -78.5°C (-109.3°F) - it requires careful handling to avoid injury.

Safety precautions when handling dry ice

When you open your truLOCAL box, you may find pieces of dry ice still intact. Before you start removing your products or the dry ice itself, take a moment to review these important safety tips.

1. Do not touch with bare skin

Dry ice is extremely cold and can cause frostbite-like burns on contact. Always use thick gloves, an oven mitt, or a towel when handling it. Even brief skin contact can result in injury, so avoid touching it directly.

2. Never ingest dry ice or put it in food or drinks

Dry ice should never be eaten, chewed, or placed in beverages. It is not safe for consumption in any form, and even a small piece in your mouth can cause serious internal burns. It also releases carbon dioxide gas, which can displace oxygen and create a choking hazard if trapped inside a container like a glass or bottle. Do not use dry ice to chill drinks or food you plan to eat directly.

3. Keep children and pets away

Dry ice can look fascinating to kids and pets - it smokes and “disappears,” which can seem magical. But it’s not a toy, and it can be very dangerous if touched, swallowed, or played with. Always keep the box and dry ice out of reach until it’s fully sublimated.

4. Use in a well-ventilated space

As dry ice sublimates, it releases carbon dioxide gas. While not harmful in the small amount contained in your box, it can displace oxygen in a confined space. Open and leave your box in a well-ventilated area, like your kitchen or another open room. Avoid opening or storing it in a sealed car, closet, or other enclosed space.

5. Place it on a safe surface

If you need to set the dry ice down while you unpack, place it on a heat-resistant surface such as a metal sink, baking sheet, or stone countertop. Avoid placing it on wood, laminate, carpet, or directly on flooring - the intense cold can damage surfaces.

6. Do not seal it in a container

Never put dry ice into a sealed jar, bottle, or plastic bag. As it sublimates into gas, it builds up pressure and can cause the container to burst. Always leave it uncovered in a safe, ventilated spot.

7. Don’t dispose of it in the sink, toilet, or garbage

Dry ice should never be thrown down the drain or into plumbing. The extreme cold can damage pipes and fixtures. Instead, let it sublimate completely in a safe location at room temperature.

8. Let it disappear completely

The simplest way to dispose of dry ice is to do nothing - just leave it in a well-ventilated area on a safe surface, out of reach of children and pets. It will completely sublimate within a few hours. Once it’s gone, you can recycle or dispose of the box and insulation materials as you normally would.

Enjoy your truLOCAL delivery safely!

Your truLOCAL box is designed to deliver premium, frozen meat and seafood to your door in perfect condition, thanks in part to the power of dry ice. With just a few simple precautions - wearing gloves, keeping it out of reach, never ingesting it, and letting it sublimate in a safe space - you can handle and dispose of dry ice confidently and safely.

If you have any questions about your delivery or how to handle the packaging materials, don’t hesitate to reach out to our customer support team.

Thank you for choosing truLOCAL - and happy cooking!

Article by: Steven Tippin

Posted on July 14th, 2025