The Big Bag Comeback: Clever Ways to Up-cycle Your Freeze-Dried Meal Pouches

Freeze-Dried Food Packaging That Goes the Distance (Again and Again)

Here at Campers Pantry, we’re fuelled by real food, remote places… and a real desire to reduce our environmental footprint. Our freeze-dried meals get you to the summit, but what about the packet they came in?

Let’s talk freeze-dried food packaging, recycling realities, and how you can up-cycle your used meal pouches into trail-ready tools, home hacks, and eco-friendly gear.

Why Can’t I Just Recycle It?

Great question.

Freeze-dried food is basically a sponge—it loves to soak up oxygen and moisture (which would ruin your meal). To protect the food inside, our pouches need to be:

• Oxygen-proof

• Moisture-proof

• Light-proof

This triple barrier means we use a three-layer foil pouch (often called mylar or metallised film). While it’s amazing at protecting your food for years, it’s not kerbside recyclable. Yet.

We’re in talks with TerraCycle—one of the only systems in the world that recycles this kind of pouch—but until we grow a little more, we need your help to get creative with re-use.

8 Genius Ways to Up-cycle Your Campers Pantry Pouches

You’ve eaten the meal, licked the spoon… now what?

Here are some legendary up-cycling ideas from our team and trail community:

🌱 1. Seedling Starters

Fold flat, punch drainage holes in the bottom, and plant your herbs or veggies. Bonus: they’re waterproof and portable.

🪱 2. Worm Farm Scrap Holder

Stash kitchen scraps under the sink—no smell, no mess. Perfect for worm farms and compost champions.

🗑 3. Trail Trash Bag

Pack out what you pack in. The oxygen barrier locks in stink and seals out leaks. A must-have for responsible hikers.

🔥 4. Firestarter Tinder Pack

Fill a pouch with dry twigs, bark, and kindling. Keep in your 4WD or hiking kit. Makes fire lighting a breeze—even with flint and steel.

💧 5. DIY Dry Bag

Caught in the rain or crossing a creek? These pouches are watertight. Stash your phone, matches or snacks for a makeshift dry bag.

🍲 6. Trail Meal Kit

Reuse the pouch to pre-pack dry ingredients for a DIY backcountry meal. Pour straight into boiling water and you’re good to go.

🎣 7. Fishing Bait Pouch

Salted pilchards? No problem. Use your old pouch to store bait—no leaks, no stink in your pack. Ideal for off-grid anglers.

🐶 8. Ultralight Dog Bowl

Cut the pouch in half, split the corners to widen the base, and boom—portable dog water bowl under 10g. Fido will love you.

👉 Pro tip: Wash and dry the pouch thoroughly before reuse!

The Road to Recyclable Packaging

We’re actively exploring next-gen food pouches that offer the same shelf life without the landfill guilt. Technology is catching up, and oxygen/light barriers are becoming more advanced—and more sustainable.

We’re not there yet, but we’re on the trail.

Until then, up-cycling is your best bet—and honestly, a pretty fun one too.

Got Your Own Hack?

Tag us with your up-cycling ideas on Instagram @camperspantry or shoot us an email. If we feature your idea, we might even send you a treat 🏕️.

Together, we can keep the wilderness wild, the planet clean, and your gear bag smarter than ever.

Adventure on. Waste less.
– AJ & The Campers Pantry Crew