Meal Kit Packaging Special Instructions Place in Recycling Container Cardboard Box and Paper – the cardboard box your meals are shipped in, cardboard dividers, paper trays, and recipe cards are recyclable Place in Trash Container Ice Packs Are Garbage – Gel from ice packs will clog drains, so never pour them out. Be sure to toss ice packs in the garbage. Contact the company to see if they have a take back program. Plastic Bags Are Plastic Film – Clean, dry plastic bags can be recycled separately with other plastic film. If you are not planning on taking plastic bags to a dedicated plastic film recycling location, then please place them in the trash container. Plastic Clamshells, Bottles and Jars – If these types of containers are smaller than four inches wide, toss them in the garbage. These containers are too small to be processed properly in most recycling facilities. If larger than three inches, check the container’s resin code — a number between 1 and 7 — and follow disposal instructions for that type of plastic. Insulating Materials – If your kit comes with insulating materials, disposal depends on the material. Paper or cardboard insulators go in recycling. Plastic insulating material, such as foam or metallic bubble wrap, goes in the garbage. Consider DonationIf the ice pack and insulating materials are still usable, consider donating to organizations that distribute food to those in need. Visit Athens’ Material Reuse page for ideas. Ways to Reduce Cook at Home Once you’ve gotten the hang of making a few meals, keep the recipe cards and cook at home. You’ll create less waste and save money! Ways to Reuse Reuse Ice Packs Keep the ice packs from your meal kits to reuse at home. They work great for short trips with a cooler and can also be used on sore muscles. Reuse Reflective Bubble Wrap Keep reflective bubble wrap for shipping or storing fragile items. Upcycle Plastic Containers Have a bunch of non-recyclable plastic containers from your meal kits lying around? Check out these ways to upcycle them.