If you’ve ever opened a shoe box, electronics packaging, or snack, you may have encountered a tiny packet filled with silica gel and tossed it in the trash. Those small baggies of moisture-absorbing material keep your products from damage during shipping and storage, but they’re not just trash. These little bags have a surprising number of second-life uses, according to people on Reddit.
Contrary to popular belief, these packets aren’t single-use at all. They’re basically meant to be reused! Silica acts like a sponge and eventually becomes saturated. But you can re-dry it and reuse it. To do so, some users suggest leaving them on a tray in the sun on a dry day or popping them in a low oven.
Silica manufacturer AGM confirms that they can be recharged at 212–266°F, but warns against overheating. That can damage the packets or cause fumes.
There are several clever hacks for reusing the silica gel packets we normally throw away. One community member recommends tucking a packet into storage bins that hold important documents or old photos. Because mildew and moisture can ruin paper and videotapes.
Another uses them in food preservation: after recharging old packets in a dehydrator, they toss them in with dried fruits and veggies to keep them crisp. Gardeners even slip silica packets in with saved seeds, extending their shelf life.
Yet another uses them to keep their cookware from rusting. “I put them in my cabinets to help keep my carbon steel cookware from rusting if I happen to miss a small spot when oiling it after use.”
While silica gel is inexpensive to manufacture, it’s not impact-free. Around 40% of its production cost comes from energy use. Recharging and reusing the packets you already have not only saves money but also helps cut down on the emissions tied to producing new ones.
So next time you’re tempted to toss that little “Do Not Eat” packet, think again.
Why are silica gel packets marked ‘do not eat?’
It’s not recommended you eat silica gel packets, but they’re safe to use in food packaging. That warning is more because they’re a choking hazard to young children. But generally, you shouldn’t be snacking on silica gel beads.
