If you buy meat in a grocery store, it likely comes on top of a plastic pad in a plastic container that’s wrapped in plastic. That’s a lot of plastic waste. Can you recycle meat packaging? Not all of it, but let’s look at what you can do.

We know how you feel. Walking through the grocery store can be overwhelming when you are trying to make environmentally conscious choices. Aisle after aisle of plastic-wrapped items and boxes with plastic-wrapped treats inside abound. It can be hard to avoid excess plastic and non-recyclable packaging while picking the best product for your family and the environment.

There are some easy ways to reduce your waste when you shop, like bringing reusable shopping bags. However, it can be hard to know what to do with the packaging of some products you may buy regularly, like the tray of chicken or steak wrapped in plastic.

What Is Meat Packaging Made From?

In most grocery stores, meat packaging consists of three pieces: a plastic tray, an absorbent plastic pad, and clear plastic wrap. Each of these items requires different handling.

TRAY

The meat tray is usually made of polystyrene (PS), which is a type of plastic you may know by the brand name “Styrofoam.” It’s unlikely that you can put it in your curbside bin because the material, although it is recyclable, is not widely recycled.

Absorbent Pad

If you have ever wondered why that chunk of non-edible material is under your packaged meat, you aren’t alone. The absorbent pad has an important job. It not only keeps liquid bacteria at bay but can also keep your meat fresher longer.

The absorbent pad is usually made of silica gel or cellulose coated in plastic. It is not accepted for recycling or composting in the U.S at this time, so you’ll need to dispose of it in the trash.

Unfortunately, a large amount of plastic film wraps the entire meat package. In most locations, you cannot put plastic bags or film in your curbside recycling bin. These thin plastics jam sorting machinery at the recycling facility. Recycling workers must shut down the sorting machines to clear out the plastic film, disrupting operations and endangering the workers.

Because this film has been in contact with raw meat, it is unlikely to be accepted for recycling. To avoid contaminating other recyclable items, dispose of meat-soiled plastic wrap in the garbage.

However, many kinds of plastic bags and film are recyclable if you are willing to take them to a collection location for recycling.