Canberra Updates Guidelines for Meat Tray Recycling

After a weekend family gathering, you might find yourself staring at a pile of meat trays. Which ones can go straight into the recycling bin to contribute to environmental sustainability? Which ones must unfortunately end up in landfill? Canberra residents, here’s what you need to know about recycling meat trays.

The Transport and City Services Directorate of Canberra has issued updated guidelines clarifying the rules for recycling meat trays. Not all meat trays are recyclable—the key lies in their plastic identification codes. By understanding these codes, you can easily distinguish between recyclable and non-recyclable trays and do your part for Canberra’s environmental efforts.

In Canberra, rigid plastic meat trays marked with plastic identification codes 1, 2, 3, and 5 are recyclable. These plastic types include:

• 1 (PET or PETE): Polyethylene terephthalate, commonly used for beverage bottles. While less common for meat trays, if you encounter one, it can be safely recycled.
• 2 (HDPE): High-density polyethylene, often found in milk bottles and detergent containers. Some meat trays may also use this material.
• 3 (PVC or V): Polyvinyl chloride, widely used but with relatively poor recyclability. If your meat tray is made of PVC, ensure it goes into the recycling bin.
• 5 (PP): Polypropylene, commonly used for food containers and microwave-safe dishes. Many meat trays are made of PP and are recyclable.

Important note: Before placing these trays in the recycling bin, make sure they are empty, dry, and free of any food residue. Leftover food can contaminate the recycling process and reduce efficiency.

The following types of meat trays cannot be recycled in Canberra and must be disposed of in the general waste bin:

• 4 (LDPE): Low-density polyethylene, often used for plastic bags and cling film. While versatile, it is not currently processed in Canberra’s recycling system.
• 6 (PS): Polystyrene, including expanded polystyrene (commonly known as "styrofoam"), frequently used for disposable cutlery and packaging. Polystyrene meat trays, including foam trays, are not recyclable.
• 7 (OTHER): Other plastics, including mixed or unmarked plastics. Due to their complex composition, they are difficult to sort and recycle and must be discarded in the general waste bin.

Special note: Black plastic meat trays are generally not recyclable because the black pigment interferes with the optical sorting systems at recycling facilities. Even if a black tray is marked with a recyclable code, it is best to dispose of it in the general waste bin.

Beyond the trays themselves, meat packaging often includes other materials that require proper disposal:

• Absorbent pads: Commonly found in meat trays to soak up excess juices, these pads are typically made of non-recyclable materials and must go in the general waste bin.
• Soft plastic film: The thin plastic wrap covering meat for freshness is also non-recyclable and should be discarded with general waste.

Canberra’s Materials Recovery Facility sorts and processes recyclables. Recyclable rigid plastics (codes 1, 2, 3, and 5) are separated, baled, and sent to recycling plants to be transformed into new plastic products. By correctly separating recyclable plastics from non-recyclable waste, residents help reduce landfill waste, conserve resources, and protect the environment.

A: If the code is missing or unclear, dispose of the tray in the general waste bin to avoid contaminating the recycling stream.

A: The code is typically found on the bottom or back of the tray, inside a triangular arrow symbol with a number in the center.

A: Non-recyclable items can disrupt the recycling process, lower efficiency, and may result in an entire batch of recyclables being sent to landfill. Always double-check before recycling.

By following these guidelines, Canberra residents can make more informed decisions about waste disposal, contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable city. It all starts with something as simple as a meat tray.