My family doesn't need these for lunch boxes, but they'd be used daily for bruises, mosquito bites, and for when Mama has the Vapors. Nice!

Interesting idea and great colors, but isn't this a bit wasteful for our modern times? I would love to see other ideas that don't involve cheap disposeables.

Everything is disposable if you dispose of it after you use it. And I personally find it a little classist to toss around this idea of "cheap disposeables." By cheap, you mean what people have to buy who don't have much money? Classy.

In this case, I assume that you would reuse these sponges multiple times (or at least you could, whether or not that's the author's argument). I use those sponges to do dishes, and they last for quite a long time (I haven't bought a new pack of three in over a year), so if you're just soaking and freezing, I think they'd probably last quite a while.

@Biggreenpiano well, I'm glad you read so much into it. Maybe instead you should open a science book and read what plastic does to the Midway Islands. Or maybe caring about wildlife sounds too elistist to you. And while you're at it take a class in microbiology if you think reusing sponges is sanitary. Freezing does slow down the bacteria, but it survives and thaws right back out. Care about yourself and the planet more by *investing* in a dishwasher or a scrub brush (more easily cleaned) and those last about ten times longer than a sponge.

Actually the scrub brush might last something like 50-100 times longer.

Just curious - how is this idea less environmentally friendly than buying those mass-produced ice packs they sell for this purpose at big box stores? Isn't the idea of using something most people already have - like sponges and plastic sandwich bags - better? I get it that you're saying that using sponges to clean dishes isn't as good an option as using, say, a scrub brush, but what about the idea of repurposing those sponges as ice packs (which is what this post is about)?

I think this is a great idea. It repurposes items most of us have in our homes. And if you're worried about bacteria in the sponges, they can be microwaved to kill the bacteria and reused.

@emmi Oh, for Pete's sake! There's absolutely no reason why one can't take this idea and make it "greener." Felted wool or an unbleached cotton rag, dampened and put inside a bag or pouch made of oil cloth, perhaps? And they do sell natural sea sponges, and "greener" sponges made of agave and similar materials. Sheesh.

If, for one, think it's brilliant.

@Quiltfinder well, mass-produced big box store items are exactly the same. It's like people who squeel "I reused my newspaper to wrap gifts!" Well, great now it can't be recycled if it has tape and glitter all over it, we've completely ignored the beginning to end of the paper's actual life cycle (deforestation anyone?) These single-reuse baby steps are going to make zero meaningful difference if we continue to buy pertroleum products and support Big Oil by purchasing plastic wrapped crap.

@RMREZ I suppose if someone has scrap materials already, but I feel like we're missing the point which is ecological impact. Most throw-away material has a beginning to end life cycle. Even cotton requires huge amounts of deforestation. Even recycliing plants create greenhouse gasses. My stainless steel flasks stay freezing cold when filled with liquid and I'd think 5 permanent use ice packs (if made from relatively benign material) that lasts forever would be better than buying sponges again and again. Invest, don't buy.

Oh Sweet Heavens to Betsy... can't anyone have a fun idea anymore without it becoming an environmental debate??? With all the MUCH BIGGER fish to fry (HELLO food industry with all your plastic utensils, foil, and plastic wrap, and hotel industry with all your tiny plastic shampoo bottles, wasted water and detergent surfactants - and on and on and on - not to mention areas of the country that still don't recycle at all) - must we really pick on the busy mother that is simply looking for an easier way to keep her child's lunch cold?
While I definitely value the environmental information being dispensed and I'm all for being more conscious of what we are supporting and ultimately doing to the world we live in, I also think there is a point when these small ideas getting picked apart becomes ridiculous - especially when there is so much waste and blatant LARGE scale environmental abuse happening that makes a much bigger impact. Yes, you will say that every person's choices make a difference and you would be correct - but there are a million products and ways of doing things in every person's life, and I believe that most people do make an effort for the environment where it makes sense for them. But the reality is that very few people are OCD enough to let go of every single convenience that we've all come to rely on, and I'm pretty sure that even the most environmentally aware of us still do things that are environmentally questionable. Do we all make a difference? YES. At times is it a bit much? YES!!!

You know, Emmi, my husband and I are as green as we can be, and strive to do better. But your tone and manner are so off-putting, high and mighty, lecture-some and finger wagging in the face-ish that it took all the restraint I have not to rush out to Big Lots and Walmart and buy a bunch of plastic crapola. Talking down to others does not equal education, motivation is the most important component of education, and your manner motivates not.

@Sarah Rae, thanks for sharing this tip & the link. This method using a new, clean sponge seems better than store-bought ice packs (which are often heavy & eventually leak) or ice cubes.

The sponge is a great idea!

You could even cut the sponges to size to fit the intended container. I have been trying to look for BLUE ICE that would fit my cake carrier and this seems to be the solution!

I tried the dishsoap icepacks and it totally didn't work. The sponge idea sounds much more promising. Thanks!

Oh Emmi, do you not get sarcasm and hyperbole? I wouldn't waste more than the 5 minutes I already have on you, let alone rush out to the aforementioned Big Lots and Walmart.

Cool idea! I'm moving and need ice packs for transporting cold food and for injections, and I was annoyed about having to buy more ice packs - this is perfect!

So many arguments.

Just stop packing lunches. Then you won't need any ice packs and nobody will judge or tell you what to use to make your packed lunch more "green."

Personally, I also find Emmi's tone to be off-putting, regardless of the message (with which I happen to agree). I understood immediately that AB was using sarcasm, but it sounds as if Emmi is too busy trying to prove she's right to actually listen to anyone else. Way to rally for the cause.

@Emmi: As it happens, I just had to throw out an old-school, supposedly endlessly useful and "green" ice pack (the kind that looks like a funny hat, used for aches and pains) because it had sprung a small leak. That means a heavy plastic lid and a fabric sack lined in rubber and attached to a heavy plastic neck have gone into the waste stream. That ice pack had been manufactured in China, shipped to the US by boat and truck, shipped across country to me in a cardboard box. Now, if I had been using this sponge ice pack, the leaking bag could have gone into recycling and the sponge used again for washing or another ice pack. What's your beef?

I'm wondering whether the songs would hold the freeze longer if dish soap were used, or glycerine soap?

@ Emmi, again: What brand of electronic device are you using to post? You might want to look into the detrimental effect desktop computers, laptop commuters, tablets and smart phones have on the planet...and on the humans who break them down to recycle the components. Pitifully poor people in third-world countries break down your discarded devices. Children, too.

I suggest you step back and take a look at your own choices.

@Emmi, the point was that her kid keeps losing ice packs. I think we can agree that trashing a sponge & plastic bag is far better than an ice pack (both environmentally and fiscally).

Sure, the real solution is to teach the kid some responsibility but kids will be kids, and it takes time. This is a stopgap until that day.

A storm in a glass....

First, no one suggested to throw away the sponges/ice-packs after the first use. Please read the linked article before reacting. Carole writes: "As they melt, they will reabsorb the water so just toss them back in the freezer after school!!! "

Second from what I can see in the photo, the sponges shown are actually cellulose sponge. If they are not, you can use them for your own ice-packs and be eco-friendly.

In case no one know the difference, here some explanation:
http://www.cellulosesponge.com/
http://www.torayfinechemicals.com/english/products/kino/kin_003a.html

...and some places where to buy them:
http://www.nextag.com/cellulose-sponge/stores-html
http://www.amazon.com/S-M-Arnold-CELLULOSE-SPONGE/dp/B0002NUO9W

I used to get them for free, pressed down and dried in sticks, from Stanhome but where I live now and in US they don't operate.
Here from another company what they look like, so even the transport is going to be eco-friendly.
http://images.bizrice.com/upload/20120309/Compressed_Cellulose_Sponge.jpg

My, my... Emmi certainly feels quite free to castigate anyone for anything they may say. Maybe a cool damp recycled linen cloth on the forehead might help. Using pure well water, of course...

The idea, by the way, is a grand one. I'd rather have one of these frozen sponge packs next to my food than one of those "who the hell knows what it's made of" blue ice thingies.

I personally think its a brilliant idea. As others have mentioned, it is probably a lot safer than whatever is in those blue gel packs, and much more wound friendly as well.

As far as for those who must worry about how this will destroy the environment somehow: if we started now, it would take a millennium at least in order to correct just what has happened so far, and even then with the changes in pollution from those who will come after us, and those who are so fearful of global warming think we won't last that long anyhow, so how about lighten up and just enjoy life.

We don't have enough time in life to always be led by fear.

very nice idea. I have back injuries that require icing several times a day and use big pakcs. But when I broke a finger a few years ago this would have been a great idea, wrap the sponge around something round freeze it and instant fitted ice pack for the finger- or toe. Cut in shapes this makes cute for kids boo-boos too.

Great post! Both for lunchs AND boo-boos. And hey, it'll definitely save on 'daids [band-aids] which seem to be 'required' by some little people I know & love every time they experience the slightest bump or bruise. I declare peace shall reign in my household again when I refuse to comply! :)

And for the sake of all that is Holy, y'all please stop feeding the demon. Let it starve. Just express your opinions & get on down the road. Don't enable it.

@Emmi, you are not helping the environment very much. Well, maybe you do with your own ecological footprint (and I applaud you for that, although I do not necessarily agree with you on 'investing' in a dishwasher instead of using sponges) but you are absolutely not changing anyone's other behavior with the hostile way you talk. I agree with Francis Fussili, there are bigger fish to fry. Why don't you direct all your energy on that? You could make a difference there.

And oh yeah, before you slam me for not caring about nature. I do care. I have a master degree in environmental sciences.

Love this idea. While it might not be perfect from an environmental standpoint, it's a huge improvement over the blue ice packs. One should be able to reuse these many many times. Trader Joe's sponges are made with vegetable cellulose and are compostable, so other than the plastic bag (which can be reused many times) you've got an earth-friendly solution.

Students at our elementary school are given plastic bags of ice, which invariably leak, for boo boos. I'm going to suggest this to the nurse as it will be less messy, can hold a thicker block of ice, and will likely last longer.