Getting rid of food trays the right way is less about a single rule and more about understanding the material they’re made from. Tossing the wrong tray in the recycling bin can contaminate an entire batch of otherwise good materials, sending it all to the landfill. The most responsible path involves a two-step process: first, identifying the tray type, and second, following the specific disposal guidelines for your local waste management facility. Since rules vary dramatically by municipality, a quick check on your local council’s website is the most crucial step you can take.
Let’s break down the most common types of trays you’ll encounter and how to handle them.
Plastic Food Trays (PET, PP, PS)
Plastic trays are ubiquitous, but they’re not all created equal. The key to recycling them is the resin identification code, the number inside the triangular chasing arrows symbol. However, it’s vital to remember that this symbol indicates the type of plastic, not that it’s universally recyclable. Your local facility ultimately decides what it can accept.
#1 PETE or PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate): Commonly used for clear clam-shell containers, like those for berries or salads. These are widely accepted in curbside recycling programs, but they must be clean and dry. A quick rinse to remove food residue is essential. Grease or food contamination can ruin a batch of recyclable plastic.
#5 PP (Polypropylene): Often used for yogurt pots, margarine tubs, and some microwaveable meal trays. Polypropylene is becoming more commonly accepted, but you must verify with your local program. It’s a durable plastic that is highly recyclable when properly sorted.
#6 PS (Polystyrene): This includes both rigid trays (like those for meat or bakery items) and foam packaging, commonly known as Styrofoam. Polystyrene foam is rarely accepted in curbside recycling due to its low density and tendency to break apart. Some regions have specific drop-off locations for foam recycling. Rigid PS trays have a slightly better chance, but checking locally is non-negotiable.
Here’s a quick-reference table for plastic trays:
| Plastic Code | Common Uses | Curbside Recyclable? | Key Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 (PET/PETE) | Clear clam-shell containers, beverage bottles | Widely Accepted | Rinse clean; remove labels if easy. |
| #5 (PP) | Yogurt pots, margarine tubs, deli trays | Increasingly Accepted | Always check local guidelines; ensure clean. |
| #6 (PS) | Foam meat trays, egg cartons, disposable cups | Rarely Accepted | Typically must go in landfill trash unless a specific drop-off exists. |
Paper and Cardboard Trays
Paper-based trays, like those for fast-food or frozen meals, seem straightforward, but the devil is in the details. The recyclability hinges on whether they have a plastic or wax coating to prevent grease and moisture from soaking through.
Uncoated Cardboard Trays: Plain, uncoated cardboard trays (like some bakery trays) can usually be recycled with other paper products. They should be free of major food contamination. A few crumbs are okay, but if it’s soaked with grease or cheese, it’s better to compost it (if you have access) or dispose of it in the trash.
Plastic-Coated (Polyethylene) Trays: Many takeaway trays have a thin layer of plastic to make them sturdy and leak-proof. This coating makes them difficult to recycle in standard paper mills. The Disposable Takeaway Box is a good example of a product where material composition is key; if it’s a coated paperboard, recycling becomes complex. Try the tear test: if you can tear the tray easily and see paper fibers, it might be recyclable. If it’s hard to tear and you see a shiny plastic layer, it likely belongs in the general waste bin unless your municipality specifies otherwise.
Wax-Coated Trays: Sometimes confused with plastic, a wax coating (often used for fruit and vegetable boxes) is typically compostable industrially. However, it is not recyclable. Again, local rules apply—some composting programs accept them.
Aluminum and Steel Trays
Metal trays are recycling superstars. Aluminum, in particular, can be recycled infinitely without losing quality, and the process saves around 95% of the energy required to make new aluminum from raw materials.
Aluminum Trays: Commonly used for ready-made meals, pie plates, and takeaway dishes. These are almost always welcome in curbside recycling. Give them a quick scrape or rinse to remove large food particles. You don’t need to spotless, but removing major residue helps the recycling process.
Steel Trays: Often used for biscuit tins or deeper food trays. Steel is magnetic, which makes it easy to separate at recycling facilities. It is also highly recyclable. A simple test is to see if a magnet sticks to it. If it does, it’s likely steel and can go in your recycling bin.
The key for all metal trays is to ensure they are empty and relatively clean. A small amount of food residue is often tolerated by the high-heat recycling process, but large chunks of food can cause problems.
Compostable and Bioplastic Trays
This category is the most confusing for consumers. Terms like “biodegradable,” “compostable,” and “plant-based” are often used interchangeably but have very different meanings.
Certified Compostable Trays (e.g., bearing the BPI or OK Compost logo): These trays are designed to break down in a commercial composting facility, which provides specific conditions of heat, moisture, and microbes. They do not break down effectively in a home compost pile and should never be placed in the recycling bin, as they contaminate the plastic or paper recycling streams. If you don’t have access to a commercial composting service (often provided through municipal green bins), these trays must go in the general waste.
Bioplastic Trays (like PLA – Polylactic Acid): Made from corn starch or sugarcane, these look like conventional plastic but are not recyclable with #1 or #2 plastics. They require industrial composting. Placing them in the recycling bin creates significant problems at the sorting facility.
The rule of thumb here is: unless you are certain your community has a commercial composting program that accepts these items, treat them as general waste. Well-intentioned recycling of these materials often does more harm than good.
Actionable Steps for Responsible Disposal
To make this practical, here is a step-by-step guide you can follow every time you need to dispose of a food tray:
1. Identify the Material: Look for any printed symbols or codes. Is it plastic (check the number), plain cardboard, shiny cardboard, or metal?
2. Clean It: Scrape out any leftover food. A quick rinse with water is ideal for plastic and metal. For cardboard, if it’s heavily soiled with grease or food, it may not be recyclable.
3. Check Local Rules: This is the most critical step. Waste management is hyper-local. Use your city or town’s website to find their recycling guide. What they accept can change based on their processing technology and market demand for recycled materials.
4. When in Doubt, Throw It Out: The “wish-cycling” phenomenon—tossing something in the bin hoping it will be recycled—is a major contributor to recycling contamination. If you are unsure, it is more responsible to put the item in the general waste bin. Contamination can lead to an entire truckload of recyclables being rejected and sent to the landfill.