Buy some new ones. Label them with your name and put them in a closed container. Of course, you may end up looking like the bad guy for hogging so much space in the freezer.

I would probably bring a cooler filled with ice and keep it in my office/classroom and take my icetrays home. I like to have ice in my water, too, but wouldn't let something like that raise my blood pressure...a private supply of ice will solve the problem, I would think.

Don't know whether it was ignorance of what ice cube etiquette is or what, but only took one note. I absolutely do NOT mind anyone using the ice, just bugs me (a lot) to find trays or container completely empty. Definitely don't want to lable them as MY ice?!?

I'd stick a lunchbox in the freezer with a big ziplock of ice. bring a new bag of ice as needed.

Put a note on the freezer door.

Think my OP was taken the wrong way? This isn't an issue I'm losing any sleep over. Guess just meant that I was kinda surprised that I even had to resort to leaving a not for adults to realize they should be refilling trays/container?!? Could (unfortunately) understand that a teen would need a "reminder" (threat of grounding?!?) to refill trays?

Mt first thought was that most everyone assumed that filling the trays would be the responsibility of the school's maintenance crew.

There are three faculty break rooms with fridges, into all of which you've put ice cube trays and a plastic container? Sounds like a bit much to me and maybe others think so too?

Why not bring ice from home each day in a bag or other container (that has your name on it), keep it in one fridge and avoid having any future problems.

I agree, it's surprising that adults, especially well educated adults, need to be reminded to refill ice cube trays. But, let's face it, some people are just plain thoughtless!

Have you considered one of the vacuum sealed stainless steel thermal tumblers that are now so popular? To the best of my knowledge, Yeti was the first company to offer them, but they are out-of-sight expensive! Several other brands are available now, though, and they are every bit as good as the Yeti, at an affordable price. Ozark Trail and Mossy Oak are two brands that I know for a fact are just as good as Yeti. They'll keep your ice water ice cold for up to 12 hours, I know for sure, depending on the temperature of the water you refill with, and the surrounding temperature. If you have really cold water available for refills, you will still have ice at the end of the day (or night). And they don't sweat and make a mess, so no coaster is required. Usually they are found in the sporting goods department, but it seems their popularity is causing stores to display the in other areas now, too.

Rusty

I "got" what you were really speaking of. (take off on TP thread)...however, (Personally) I would be concerned about the sanitary issue of having thoughtless people touching my ice cubes. We have insulated coffee or tea pots that we put our supply of ice in,( almost like an ice bucket). That is the way I like my water too....mostly ice.

I know of something that will help you. Get one of those large beverage cups from Walmart, They will keep ice in your glass all day or even overnight. My whole family uses them. The 20 oz is less then $10 well worth it. It also keep your drinks hot.Ozark Trail Tumbler

](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-20-Ounce-Double-Wall-Vacuum-Sealed-Tumbler/49772705)

From personal experience, I can vouch for the awesomeness of the GO Active "Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle with flip straw and sweat-proof rubber grip." You can get a 24-oz size or a 32-oz size, both of which are available in several colors.

We were recently out of town for 3 days / 2 nights. Before we left town on Day 1, I filled one of my 32-oz bottles with ice and water, and the second 32-oz bottle with just ice. We arrived home the evening of Day 3, and that night before I went to bed, the second bottle still had ice in it (as well as ice-cold water).

They're not cheap -- the 24-oz bottle is $22.97 (and has Prime free shipping), and the 32-oz bottle is $24.97 (and has Prime free one-day shipping).

The exterior has a really nice silky-velvet "feel" to it and the colors are really cool.

Jo_Ann, that is the exact cup I was speaking of! I have a 20 oz, other family members have 30 oz, & one on has a couple of Yetis, that he's had for a couple of years. He said he can't tell a bit of difference in the way they work compared to the Yetis.

I haven't tried anything hot in mine yet.

Rusty

I don't like random people fingering my consumables either knowing how filthy most people are these days. And reading your post reminded me of when I worked for the schools. People there were rude. Period. We had a refrigerator and microwave so I'd bring some leftovers or something. Apparently they thought it was for everyone since I'd go to have my lunch and most of it would be gone. And the ones who'd tie up the microwave for 25-30 min cooking a roast or something so nobody else could warm up a sandwich. They wanted us to bring our own coffee mugs and one gal especially thought it must have been for her. And after a kerfuffle over who's paying for coffee and filters I said enough and just brought in my own 4 cup maker and kept it and my mug at my desk. And of course people would help themselves since the community pot would often be empty! People... can't live with 'em, can't stuff 'em in a sack.

As years went on I was ahead of my time. I'd drink water before it became fashionable and before it became the villain it is to some now. I'd carry a small cooler with refreezable ice packs but most of the time I didn't worry if it was cold. And I despise those refrigerators with the stale and moldy water and ice dispensers in them. People would look at me funny when I'd just go to the tap and get some water (after letting it run a good long time). "Don't you want it COLD???" Cold is fine, moldy isn't. And sitting in that plastic tube for days isn't the taste I want.

I understood. I used to keep a 6 pack of cokes and snacks in the fridge at work and during the course of a day, ALL the cokes would disappear and half the snacks. This was in a 4 person clinic. I finally started putting my purchases in paper bags and stapling them shut. I couldn't afford to buy all that every day. Asking nicely only worked for a day or 2

As for ice, I like to rinse out protein drink bottles and fill them with my well water and freeze them. I leave some at my parents' house. Then I peel the paper off and put one giant cube in my big water glass and it melts slowly (I can't stand city water.) No one ever bothers it because they think it's a frozen protein drink.

Place a sign in the lunchroom that pertains to the problem (s) and post it with your name.

MAY I REMIND YOU THAT YOUR MOTHER DOESN'T WORK HERE

If you use something that you know belongs to someone else please ask if first if you feel that you need to have it. If you cannot do that, then replace asap within the hour.

If you make a mess, clean it up. See the first line of this post.

I am sure you would not be pleased to have your lunch, or drinks, or anything else that you put here for your own future, use suddenly got legs and walked away.

Just to make sure you see it

YOUR MOTHER DOES NOT WORK HERE, CLEAN HERE OR COOK HERE FOR YOU, have a little respect for your co workers.

They are saying the Ozark trail is better then the yeti and cheaper too!

Putting up signs with such blunt messages is probably not a good choice for the minor (and personal) ice cube caper that's mentioned. It's easily dealt with using any of the many ideas mentioned.

Pointed sentiments as suggested are rarely well received. Especially when put up by other than a boss or HR manager with responsibility for such things, which I think the ice cube lover is not.

How irritating. I can relate. The ice cube thing is an exact scenario of what happens at my workplace. Also, my drinks and snacks dissappear,even after I write my name on them. The department that I work in has 5 people total. There is one person who is notorious for such behavior,and has no qualms about taking other peoples stuff. He used to drink my bosses drinks out of the fridge. She is a saint. She told him that if he were going to do that,please put some from the case she keeps there into the fridge so she will have some cold ones to drink. He won't even do that. I once put post it's on my drinks with a note that read "these are mine,do not drink" The next time I came in,I found the post it's in the trash and my drinks gone. What sent me over the edge though,was a person came in,and thanked me for the root beer. Apparently,not only was this jerkwad drinking my drinks,he was passing them out to others. The next day I bought some diet sunkist,which he loves to steal the most. I bought the 8 pack of small bottles,opened one of them,poured half of it out,and topped it off with vinegar and orange food coloring. Then I put it in the fridge so it would get nice and cold. He was soooooo mad! But who was he going to complain to? They were clearly labeled with my name,and I'm certainly allowed to tamper with my own drinks. I'm any case,while hilarious and satisfying momentarily,it did nothing to determine him furthur. He still steals food and drink from everyone. He still leaves dirty dishes for weeks until he realizes that no one else is going to wash them for him,and he still uses the ice and doesn't refill the trays.

I'm with Cynic. I worked at a school for many years. Many kids are not very sanitary and of course they touch everything. Then adult teachers and staff touch the same surfaces and unfortunately not all of them wash their hands as frequently as they should.

I understand the frustration of the OP at those who did not refill the trays, but perhaps this issue is a blessing in disguise if it leads to a method that will assure more sanitary and safer methods of cooling her beverages.

It sounds like you just have some co-workers with no manners. Not sure what can be done about that. We used to have problems with people not doing their dishes. One Monday, my boss came in to work and found a huge stack of dirty, stinky dishes. She was furious! She sent out an sharply worded email and now it rarely happens. When someone leaves dishes in the sink after lunch, she pretty much shames the person and they duck their head and get their dishes washed. It works! By the way, everyone loves this boss but they know that this will push her over the edge.

Putting your name on a lunchbox or other container doesn't help. People will eat your food. I put my food in my locker and have for years. Too many people have gone through others' food at work. People put their names on meals and put them in the freezer, gone by lunch or the next time they work.

Where are the wolves that raised these people?