Igloo has introduced the first-ever biodegradable beverage cooler and it's greater than we could have ever expected. The Recool, which will *officially* launch May 1, is making environmentally unfriendly styrofoam obsolete: It'll keep your drinks cold without wreaking havoc on our planet.
According to Igloo's website, the product is constructed from organic molded pulp (paper!) and alkyl ketene dimer (the binding agent!), and it's extremely functional. The 16-quart cooler can manage up to 75 pounds—yep, that's *a lot* of beer—hold ice for up to 12 hours, and remain water resistant for five days. It's also reusable—just empty it and air dry.
Another perk? You won't have to deal with the same wear and tear of a traditional foam cooler. So it's a win for you and the environment. "It is designed to take some rough and tumble—it won’t chip or break when bumped or dropped like commonly happens with foam coolers, and best of all, no annoying squeaking noises, ever," the site boasts. "It's your silent partner in crime."
While you won't want to abandon your Recool, accidentally leaving it behind won't bare the same repercussions. A rep for the brand told Food & Wine, "When left in the elements or buried it is able to naturally biodegrade on its own."
The "world's first eco-friendly cooler" is already available in REI stores and online at Igloo for $9.95. It will also make its way to retailers nationwide by summer 2019.
