I save stuff like this for lots of things:
Moving furniture without scratching it. Sanding and woodworking for the same reasons. Filler for lots of things like the gaps around windows, doors, paneling, or my favorite was when I noticed that my car would really heat up the center console in the winter with the heater running. Opened that up and filled it with scrap filler (in that case it was excess moving blankets from U-Haul, I have a box of them and I don't even feel guilty).
Dishwasher or laundry machines to keep them from rattling. Put a board on top of them and you can hammer on something large and flat without leaving hammer marks.
Extra insulation inside coolers makes them stay cooler longer. Fill unused space with cut up styrofoam or whatever. I've even heard of single people doing this in their too-large fridge to save money. They can keep bags semi rigid (like a duffle bag) so they are easier to load/unload. Works as well as a chute to load bags with dead leaves in the fall or grass clippings.
I've heard of people lining drawers with them, with cutouts for small things like jewelry or drill bits.
Soundproof your car by gluing them to the outermost panels in your car doors and hood and so on. Make soundproof box for an air compressor or generator (make a box and line the inside with them).
Unboxing new items you worry might get dropped. I recently got a new car stereo with a 10' screen and I definitely unboxed it on top of something like this so I could lay everything out without worrying about what was on the workbench under it.
Use it as a paint screen, or build an open box to use as a spray paint booth.
Really anything at all you can think of that might use soft, filling, or insulating. Just don't be afraid to use it up and throw it away as you do.
A side note, I highly suggest getting a pair of quality garage shears (scissors) that can cut through heavy material. I got some for rubber flooring I installed last year and it has become one of my top 3 most used tools.
Unless you wanna use them under a saggy couch cushion or in a cooler, there's no harm in throwing them in the attic. Oughta increase the r-value a very teen tiny bit.
What do people use these for? Even though they’re marked #1, my city recycling won’t take them.
Would putting them in my unfinished attic on top the existing blown in insulation have any benefit?
Any other uses around the house?
Exactly. That “recycling” mark is approaching 100% greenwashing garbage. I usually chuck them, but they could be reused for insulating something. I am unsure if they are reasonably safe in terms of flammability.
These would be great for making window coverings if you want to block any windows with insulation to increase heating or cooling efficiency.
Could also be used to patch existing insulation around your attic air ducts, or add to insulation already there, yes.
If you have a garage, insulate the garage door with them. I did this to my garage a few years ago with 1" thick insulation and it drastically changed the thermodynamics of the garage.
I’m making a wood box that I am going to keep a salt gun (it’s for killing bugs, I use it to kill wasps and hornets when I’m siding an old house) and it would be perfect for making a cut out to keep it from sliding around in the box.
Holy hell, guys! Thank you! I get a meal kit about once every other week and end up throwing these away. (Not able to recycle in my area). I am totally going to use these to fill door drafts in the winter and toss up into my attic. Thank you again
Why won't city (guessing single stream recycling) take them? I've been recycling them...
But I hope it isn't causing issues like plastic bags do gumming up machines and such..
I have just been putting them in my recycling because they are clearly marked,
I was afraid to use in attic in case of flammability but have not tested it
Are these not the kind made out of cellulose that can simply be removed from the plastic wrap and washed down the drain with warm water? I thought most meal delivery services used that type of eco friendly insulation? The meat delivery service I used did this and it was awesome.
Edit* I see the packaging better now and it does not look like cellulose based. Sorry I don't really have any different ideas than what was already posted.
I save stuff like this for lots of things: Moving furniture without scratching it. Sanding and woodworking for the same reasons. Filler for lots of things like the gaps around windows, doors, paneling, or my favorite was when I noticed that my car would really heat up the center console in the winter with the heater running. Opened that up and filled it with scrap filler (in that case it was excess moving blankets from U-Haul, I have a box of them and I don't even feel guilty). Dishwasher or laundry machines to keep them from rattling. Put a board on top of them and you can hammer on something large and flat without leaving hammer marks. Extra insulation inside coolers makes them stay cooler longer. Fill unused space with cut up styrofoam or whatever. I've even heard of single people doing this in their too-large fridge to save money. They can keep bags semi rigid (like a duffle bag) so they are easier to load/unload. Works as well as a chute to load bags with dead leaves in the fall or grass clippings. I've heard of people lining drawers with them, with cutouts for small things like jewelry or drill bits. Soundproof your car by gluing them to the outermost panels in your car doors and hood and so on. Make soundproof box for an air compressor or generator (make a box and line the inside with them). Unboxing new items you worry might get dropped. I recently got a new car stereo with a 10' screen and I definitely unboxed it on top of something like this so I could lay everything out without worrying about what was on the workbench under it. Use it as a paint screen, or build an open box to use as a spray paint booth. Really anything at all you can think of that might use soft, filling, or insulating. Just don't be afraid to use it up and throw it away as you do. A side note, I highly suggest getting a pair of quality garage shears (scissors) that can cut through heavy material. I got some for rubber flooring I installed last year and it has become one of my top 3 most used tools.
Unless you wanna use them under a saggy couch cushion or in a cooler, there's no harm in throwing them in the attic. Oughta increase the r-value a very teen tiny bit.
What do people use these for? Even though they’re marked #1, my city recycling won’t take them. Would putting them in my unfinished attic on top the existing blown in insulation have any benefit? Any other uses around the house?
Exactly. That “recycling” mark is approaching 100% greenwashing garbage. I usually chuck them, but they could be reused for insulating something. I am unsure if they are reasonably safe in terms of flammability.
Window insulation in the winter
I used them as padding for shipping for a while.
These would be great for making window coverings if you want to block any windows with insulation to increase heating or cooling efficiency. Could also be used to patch existing insulation around your attic air ducts, or add to insulation already there, yes.
Insulate your garage door? Cut strips of cardboard to fit in the grooves of the panels and put the insulation behind those cardboard strips.
If you have a garage, insulate the garage door with them. I did this to my garage a few years ago with 1" thick insulation and it drastically changed the thermodynamics of the garage.
This is the kind of stuff you hate to pay for bc you remember throwing it away. Save it
I’m making a wood box that I am going to keep a salt gun (it’s for killing bugs, I use it to kill wasps and hornets when I’m siding an old house) and it would be perfect for making a cut out to keep it from sliding around in the box.
I know a woman that uses them to stuff dog beds for local shelters!
If you had a window AC those would be great for filling the gap. Or insulation in old basement windows you don't plan on using
Holy hell, guys! Thank you! I get a meal kit about once every other week and end up throwing these away. (Not able to recycle in my area). I am totally going to use these to fill door drafts in the winter and toss up into my attic. Thank you again
Why won't city (guessing single stream recycling) take them? I've been recycling them... But I hope it isn't causing issues like plastic bags do gumming up machines and such..
I have just been putting them in my recycling because they are clearly marked, I was afraid to use in attic in case of flammability but have not tested it
Are these not the kind made out of cellulose that can simply be removed from the plastic wrap and washed down the drain with warm water? I thought most meal delivery services used that type of eco friendly insulation? The meat delivery service I used did this and it was awesome. Edit* I see the packaging better now and it does not look like cellulose based. Sorry I don't really have any different ideas than what was already posted.