PET trays: everything you need to know
What is a PET tray?
PET trays are food packaging containers made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the same, fully recyclable plastic that is used in drinks bottles. Strong, lightweight and safe, they provide a practical and circular way to pack fresh products such as cold meats, cheese, fruit, and vegetables.
Food waste: a major environmental challenge
Every year, Europeans waste an estimated 132 kg of food per person (Eurostat, 2022). Packaging has proven to be one of the most important tools in the fight against food waste. In particular, PET trays have demonstrated their ability to extend product shelf life, keeping food fresh for longer and reducing spoilage.
How do PET trays stop food from spoiling?
Food spoilage is caused mainly by oxygen, moisture, and bacteria. PET trays are designed to protect food from all three.
Barrier protection
PET trays act as a shield against oxygen, slowing the oxidation process that causes loss of flavour, colour, and nutrients.
Durability
Extended shelf life
Expert insights: Professor Peter Ragaert on packaging and food spoilage
How does packaging really keep food fresh? In this video, Peter Ragaert, Food Packaging Technology Professor at Ghent University and Director at Pack4Food, explains the science of food packaging – including how trays made of PET plastic preserve freshness and reduce spoilage. Prof. Ragaert explains why packaging needs to be reframed as part of the solution to reducing waste, rather than part of the problem.
Case-study: Reducing meat spoilage with PET trays
PET trays with Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) extend the shelf life of fresh meat from 6 days to 15 days compared with non-barrier alternatives such as polystyrene foam trays.
Extending shelf life by just one day could reduce annual food waste in the UK by 5%.
Source: National Zero Waste Council report (2020)
Which are the benefits of PET trays?
Lightweight
Require less energy to recycle
Produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions than alternatives
In addition to their excellent barrier properties, which help reduce food waste, PET trays also perform well in environmental terms. They are lightweight and have a low melting temperature during recycling, giving them a lower environmental footprint compared with alternatives such as glass or aluminum.
A peer-reviewed LCA analysis found that in 15 of 16 applications – including packaging – plastic products had lower greenhouse gas emissions than non-plastic alternatives (Meng et al., Environ. Sci. & Tech., 2024).
Are PET trays recyclable?
Yes. PET plastic can be recycled multiple times without losing quality. Once recycled, PET food trays can be remade into new trays, reducing the need for virgin material and supporting a circular economy. Each tray carries the “number 1” logo, making it easy to identify and sort for recycling, and helping ensure it re-enters the circular system efficiently.
In 2022, 28% of PET trays were recycled, according to a report by Independent Commodity Intelligence services (ICIS). This shows that we are moving in the right direction and could soon exceed the 30% threshold needed to be considered recycled at scale.
To ensure these trays are designed for circularity, the industry has introduced clear tray design guidelines, along with testing protocols and procedures to make recycling more efficient
“The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) requires that packaging materials are circular by design, recyclable, and reusable. PET meets these criteria.”
In addition, PET is one of the few materials that, once recycled into rPET (recycled PET) can be approved for food-contact use under EU standards. This makes it the perfect material for supporting the EU’s climate and circularity ambitions in packaging.
PET is:
Recyclable
Recycled
Approved for food contact after recycling
Frequently asked questions about PET trays
What are PET trays?
What are PET trays used for?
PET trays are used to package foods such as cold meats, cheese, fruit and vegetables. Their rigid structure protects food during handling and transport, while their transparency makes it easy for customers to see the product clearly.
How do PET trays stop food from spoiling?
PET stops food spoilage by creating a barrier against oxygen and moisture. Many trays are also used with modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) to extend shelf life.
Are PET trays recyclable?
Yes. PET trays are recyclable and can be turned into new trays. Each tray carries the “number 1” logo, making it easy to identify and sort for recycling.
What does PET mean in packaging?
PET stands for polyethylene terephthalate, a safe and widely used plastic. It is valued for being lightweight, shatter-resistant, food-safe, and fully recyclable.