Single use Purell packets

[dirtbag]

Just got a box of these, 125 packets for $18. Maybe not the cheapest way to go, but as far as weight and size and convenience.  Each packet weighs 2 grams and they are so so small. You just hold the pack in your hand, and fold it in half and it gushes out a nice amount of purell to sanitize your hands. This works great for my toilet kit as I use a bidet. So along with the compression wipes, my kit is very minimal and ever so lightweight, while packing down to the smallest size possible.  

[Bonzo]

Not bad!  About how many packets are you carrying, per day?

[Ken Thompson]

99% waste. That’s a lot of packaging.

[dirtbag]

Well just got them today. I plan on carrying 2 per day, average. If I go on an overnighter then I will just bring 2.

[Bonzo]

That’s featherweight for sure.  I’ll have to pick up some of those for when I don’t want to carry my little mini-bottle.

[Rex Sanders]

Good news – you can help Jeff B return to space even sooner: Purell SINGLES, 125 Count on Amazon

Planning a long thru hike? Purell SINGLES, 500 Count on Amazon

Or you can buy them from many other sources. Be sure to carry the trash out.

— Rex

[dirtbag]

Damn Amazon!!

Definitely carry out the trash.. The good news for me and everyone else is.. I am Not leaving behind or burrying any TP anymore!!!!

[Bonzo]

That’s why I like my little refillable bottle.  I think it’s a 2-oz. travel size from Target.  I’ve had it for a few years, now, and whenever it gets low I just refill it from the bulk dispenser at work.  Surprisingly, the cap held up really well; when it finally died I replaced it with an identical cap from a larger and heavier bottle that someone was throwing away, and I’m good for another couple of years.  I like the packets, though; that’s a good size to throw in the daily/overnight kit, for when I honestly don’t need 2 oz. of sanitizer.

[J-L]

Smaller bottles can be found at Litesmith. There’s a good 1 oz bottle. Even dropper bottles work. That’s a lot of packaging waste for 1 use of hand sanitizer.

[dirtbag]

Not gonna debate or argue about the packaging waste.. like I said. I do my part, i leave no trace where ever I go and I definitely do not leave any toilet paper behind.. burried or not. If I camp at an established camp site,  I always leave that site cleaner and more natural looking then when I got there..

[Bonzo]

Sometimes, a single-use packet is preferable.  I carry most of my common medications repackaged in small plastic bags with a small notecard in each, telling me what they are, the dosage, and other relevant info…but I always carry a single-use packet of certain common medications in case I need to give some to someone else on the trail.  I’ve found that the majority of people prefer to receive something from a factory-labeled package, rather than just trusting that what they’re being given is legit.  I would absolutely use these for that reason, if no other…and, as stated, for when I don’t want to carry my larger bottle.  This being said: I do like the 1-oz. Nalgene bottle on Litesmith’s site, but I don’t need to replace my long-suffering Target bottle yet…and I can always underfill it if need be.

Also, for an unrelated packaging-waste example that I just have to share because it makes Amazon look even worse than normal…and because I’m feeling petty and nitpicky today:

We just ordered a new vacuum to replace the 30 year-old model that my mother handed down to us years ago, and which we’ve somehow kept running all this time (RIP Electrolux).  Points awarded to Amazon for getting us the new vacuum overnight, but points seriously retracted for the packaging.  There were THREE separate boxes outside of the actual product box itself; one from the manufacturer that was a legit “this is going through the mail, so let’s protect it” padded shipping box, and then two more completely unnecessary boxes outside of that, the last of which was over twice the size of the original shipping box.  It was like a set of rectilinear matryoshkas…and there was no packing material in any of the extra boxes: everything was just rattling around inside of the largest box.  Best of all,  there was an address label – with our address on it – on each of the three shipping boxes: I guess Amazon just kept re-boxing and re-labeling until the package hit our doorstep.  Thankfully we have legit carboard recycling in our area, but: really, Amazon?  Really?

Derail concluded.  I’m off to suck up some bunny fur: it’s shedding season.

[Paul S]

Glad the gelled alcohol works for you dirtbag! Although the alcohol gels are effective, I personally can’t get past the feeling of the residue that purell and other alcohol gels leave on my hands. Just for the sake of other ideas for alcohol-based hand sanitizers: My wife and I bring a liquid alcohol spray (made by “EO”). It leaves little to no residue. We use it before we eat, and after we relieve ourselves. It probably weighs a bit more than a few single use purell’s.

[Brad W]

I am trying to limit the amount of trash created. Reuse small dispenser and fill from larger.

[dirtbag]

Or burn it

[Rex Sanders]

I love the smell of burning napalm Purell packets in the morning. Smells like… victory.

 

[dirtbag]

[dirtbag]

Really though. It I am camping where fires permitted.. though I dont usually make a fire, so therefore I will carry the empty packet or 2 out with rest of my trash.

[Author]

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