How to Dispose of Dry Ice Safely

How to dispose of dry ice is easy once you know it does not melt; it sublimates, turning straight from solid into carbon dioxide gas. The right method is to let it warm up in a well-ventilated place until it is gone. The dangers come from cold burns, pressure buildup in sealed containers, and carbon dioxide gas building up in small, enclosed spaces.

The safe method

1. Wear insulated gloves or use tongs. Dry ice is about -109°F (-78.5°C) and can cause frostbite-like burns.
2. Leave it in its foam cooler or a cardboard box with the lid loosely closed or cracked.
3. Place it in a well-ventilated area, such as outdoors, a porch, or an open garage, out of reach of children and pets.
4. Let it sublimate. A few pounds typically disappear within a day, depending on size, temperature, and insulation.

What not to do

• Do not seal dry ice in a jar, bottle, cooler with a latched lid, or other airtight container. Gas pressure can cause it to burst.
• Do not put it in a sink, toilet, or drain. The extreme cold can damage pipes and fixtures.
• Do not throw it in the trash, a dumpster, or a trash chute, where gas can build up or someone could be burned.
• Do not leave it in a closed car or small room, where carbon dioxide can accumulate.
• Do not touch it with bare skin or put it in your mouth.

Speeding it up

Breaking dry ice into smaller pieces or placing it outdoors in a warmer, sunny spot increases surface area and speeds sublimation. Pouring room-temperature water over it in a bucket outdoors also speeds it up and creates fog, but keep the area ventilated.

Carbon dioxide safety

Carbon dioxide is heavier than air and can collect in low spots like basements and car footwells. In confined spaces, it can displace oxygen and cause headaches, dizziness, or worse. If you feel lightheaded around dry ice, move to fresh air.

Transporting dry ice

If you must drive with dry ice, keep a window cracked and limit the amount in the passenger area. Shipping regulations limit dry ice quantities in packages; follow carrier rules.

The cooler and packaging

Foam shipping coolers are not accepted in most curbside recycling, though some mail-in or drop-off foam recyclers take clean expanded polystyrene. Cardboard boxes are recyclable once dry. Reusable gel packs are covered in our guide to ice packs.

How to dispose of dry ice FAQ

Can I throw dry ice in the trash?

No. Let it sublimate in a ventilated area instead.

Can I put dry ice in the sink?

No. The extreme cold can damage pipes and fixtures.

How long does dry ice take to disappear?

A few pounds often sublimate within about a day, depending on size and conditions.

Is dry ice dangerous in a car?

It can release carbon dioxide in an enclosed space. Keep windows cracked and limit amounts.

What happens if dry ice is sealed in a container?

Pressure from the gas can make the container burst.

The bottom line

How to dispose of dry ice: wear gloves, leave it in a loosely closed cooler in a well-ventilated area away from kids and pets, and let it sublimate. Never seal it, pour it down a drain, or put it in the trash, and avoid confined spaces where carbon dioxide can build up.