How to Responsibly Dispose of Frozen Food Trays

A plate of fried chicken for lunch.

Frozen food trays are commonly made of plastic, specifically polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polypropylene (PP). While these trays are recyclable, it's important to check with your local recycling facility to see if they accept these types of plastics.

If your recycling facility does not accept frozen food trays, you can reuse them in a variety of ways. They can be great for organizing small items in drawers or used as paint trays for arts and crafts projects.

However, if the frozen food tray is heavily contaminated with food residue or grease, it is considered a safety risk and should be disposed of in the trash. It's important to rinse or wipe off any food residue before recycling or disposing of the tray.