Q&A for How to Dispose of Dry Ice Safely

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Can you leave dry ice outside?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

You can bring dry ice outside to let it sublimate, but don’t leave it unattended. Keep an eye on it to make sure no people or animals handle it and get ice burns. The dry ice will eventually sublimate completely into CO2 gas, leaving no residue behind.

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Question

Is dry ice dangerous?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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It can be dangerous if you don’t handle it properly. The main danger is that it can cause ice burns or frostbite if you touch it with your bare skin. If you allow it to sublimate in an enclosed space, too much carbon dioxide can build up in the area and make it hard to breathe. It can also cause an explosion if it sublimates in a small, tightly sealed container, like a garbage bag or small cooler.

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Question

How do you dispose of dry ice packs?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Dry ice is not usually put in packaging, like gel ice, since it could explode an airtight plastic bag as it sublimates. If there’s paper wrapped around the dry ice, take it off when you’re ready to dispose of the ice. 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.

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Question

How do I dispose of a plastic bag that contained dry ice?

Williamsm917

Community Answer

Assuming all the dry ice has sublimated (meaning it has turned from a solid into a gas, leaving no more dry ice in the bag), you can recycle it.

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Question

If dry ice was poured down a kitchen sink, what should be done, e.g., should hot water be left running down the sink?

Williamsm917

Community Answer

Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide. The sublimation point (the point at which dry ice changes from a solid to a gas) is -109.3 F. Hot water will help it sublimate faster, but it is not necessary. It should sublimate all on its own.

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How do you get dry ice off a granite countertop?

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Use warm water to slowly slide it off the countertop.

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