I found another use for styrofoam meat trays! I needed a nice surface to put a hot pizza on that wouldn't heat up the counter top.
These are invaluable for all kinds of things, but a hot pad was the one I thought was the most useful at the time. They are also great for under planters, draining bacon and sausage on with a paper towel or two, spoon and utensil rests when making multiple meals, and so much more.
N-JOY!
Source: My own need to keep the counters safe and clean.
Do not ever use those trays. You can get salmonella poisoning. If you want to recycle Styrofoam trays use the ones that you get veggies or other food products in instead. Please throw away the meat trays. I know it is hard for us green people but we do have to think about our health as well as the health of others around us. Peace!
Ok everyone. I get it. You don't want to use these trays for food. However, most of the things I was suggesting was non food, and I am not that afraid of meat that was on three layers of plastic and just put in the tray that morning.
I did suggest many things that they can be used for and if you notice, they are upside down. The bottoms can't be dangerous can they?
I put on here that I use an art sponge for an exfoliater, and one person sent in a response that was literally 21 paragraphs long!
I don't even know how this all got started, as I didn't request anything. But, I hope if anyone else responds, it's with some "NONE FOOD" ideas, please. Poor But Proud
I treat my two cats, Mr Muffin Man and Klein Katjie, to joghurt once a week. I use the styrofoam trays from vegetables and fruit for this and then just throw them away. But trays that had raw meat on them? I just throw them sway once I've used the meat; too afraid of bacteria.
You may want to think twice about using styrofoam for any food you may consume that is hot or otherwise heated. I have a friend who is a MD and she highly advises not using styrofoam for anything that causes the styrofoam to get hot, as it leaches out toxins when heated and has been questioned to have health concerns. I never use styrofoam to heat anything in the microwave.
I like your ideas, PoorButProud :-) As for using the meat trays for pizza cooling or other hot food items resting on them, it seems to me the bacteria issue is easily rectified by placing foil on it first ;-) It's hard to tell in the picture but it appears the original cardboard round is under the pizza and I think that would probably be safe, too :-)
My son is a meat cutter and he says do not reuse them trays for food even after you wash and bleach them. If you feel you need to use them ask your local meat cutter if you can buy some new ones.
I have talked to several butchers about reusing the plastic meat trays and they all told me the same thing, do not use for anything. The bacteria will remain in these containers even if you bleach them out.
This pages has been archived 3 times. You can view older posts and feedback below.
Request: Uses for Styrofoam Meat Trays (05/29/2009)
I have saved several different colors and sizes of foam meat trays. They have been washed and bleached. Does anyone know of any crafts for kids that these could be used for?
Login using the form on the top of the page to post feedback (if you are a registered user). If you have not yet registered, click here to do so. It's FREE!.
Archives:
Request: Uses for Styrofoam Meat Trays
Archived on 05/29/2009
I have saved several different colors and sizes of foam meat trays. They have been washed and bleached. Does anyone know of any crafts for kids that these could be used for? I have a four-year-old grandson and would love to find a fun craft for him to make.
Mara from Anchorage, AK
Feedback:
RE: Uses for Foam Meat Trays
I usually find most of my craft ideas from familyfun.com, parenting.com, nickjr.com, crayola.com, about.com, beliefnet.com, and lots more. Those usually have ideas for styro foam or any thing that we would usually toss out or recycle.
I usually let my kids put paint in them, saves my dishes. Also you can cut out the center and make really cool picture frames. :) Good luck and have fun. (06/07/2007)
By Jessica From INDIANA
RE: Uses for Foam Meat Trays >STAMPS
I saw on a craft show they made stamps to stamp ink with using the meat trays. You can either cut the foam into simple shapes like hearts and stars etc or cut out a rectangle and then using a pencil create a design. Seemed like they either glued an empty thread bobbin to the back or made a handle loop with masking tape to help pick up with.
Ideas for reusing styrofoam trays that come with many cuts of meat. Post your ideas!
Feedback:
Re-use Styrofoam Meat Trays
I save and re-use the styrofoam meat trays for holding a lot of my homemade candy, cookies and goodies, as gifts. Also great for Bake Sales.
I wash the trays in hot water, to which it have added a SMALL amount of Clorox and dish soap.
Rinse thoroughly and let air dry for a day. Store in large plastic bag securely closed, until needed for use. Re-rinse and dry before use.
I wrap the tray entirely with aluminum foil. Arrange the homemade goodies on them. Wrap the entire package with plastic wrap.
Cut a pretty picture from greeting card, scotch tape it to top, add a bow and gift tag.
Makes a very pretty, sturdy, free tray for your home made gifts.(10/31/2004)
By Gladys
RE: Uses for Styrofoam Meat Trays
If you use the air dry cycle, you can wash them in the dishwasher. No worries about lurking bacteria! (10/31/2004)
RE: Uses for Styrofoam Meat Trays
I wash the trays and use them for drying flower seeds, as saucers for small potted plants ( and large), as trays, and for drying herbs. (10/31/2004)
By seeyude
RE: Uses for Styrofoam Meat Trays
I have a friend that paints a lot. She uses the meat trays as her palette. (11/02/2004)
By jeangnme46
RE: Uses for Styrofoam Meat Trays
RE: Uses for Styrofoam Meat Trays
After you wash them, they can be used just like shrinky dinks. A low oven and a watchful eye turns out some pretty neat ideas. Ornaments, keychain and bracelet danglers, even gift tags. Just be sure and watch them! Plus they come in all colors. (11/04/2004)
By Paula
RE: Uses for Styrofoam Meat Trays
I stapled foam trays to the inside of our dog's house one winter. It was sooo warm! He was full-grown, so he didn't chew on them. BTW, then I stapled overlapping denim squares to the inside of the doorway, and heavy plastic to the outside to keep out rain and snow. He loved it! (08/23/2005)
Neat, although I just want to recycle mine. Does anyone know of a place that accepts styrofoam trays that have #2 on the back? I would be willing to mail them somewhere. (07/07/2007)
By Abby
RE: Uses for Styrofoam Meat Trays
Hello. There is machine known as Styromelt that is in use in Europe. It is call the TP Series Recycling Machine in the States. It takes used uncleaned styrofoam and reduces it down by 95%. The end product is sterile an valuable. In Europe, the steel industry is using the biproduct for fuel as it burns hotter and much cleaner than coal. TP Machines are too large for personal home use but perfect for industrial, stadiums, malls, fast food, or retailers who use and throw away large amounts of styrofoam. For more info: www.teampeace.com or http://web.mac.com/tpii. Naturally I believe that every city council should have machines for use in their municipality. (10/08/2007)
If you have too many for you to use - most preschools would love to have your surplus for art projects for the children. Thanks. (05/11/2008)
By Theresa
RE: Uses for Styrofoam Meat Trays
I use meat trays to hold parts, screws, nuts, washers, etc. When I'm repairing appliances so they don't get lost or mixed up with other projects that are in progress. (03/21/2009)
I'm looking for interesting uses for everyday objects like foam meat trays.
Gloria from California
Answers:
RE: Uses for Foam Meat Trays
I've been told to be careful reusing styrofoam meat trays -- they could hold in bacteria and be passed on. Better to be safe, and throw the meat trays out and save the ones from pastries and baked goods instead. (10/12/2005)
Insulation... you check to see if you have cold air coming in around your outside wall electric light switches and electric plugins, if there is air coming in, you take the cleaned and dry meat trays and cut a piece that will fit the electric switch plate or the plugin plate and place it behind it to seal out the cold air. This will help save on your heating bill. (10/12/2005)
By Suzq
RE: Uses for Foam Meat Trays
My kids used to use clean and dry trays to make Christmas tree decorations. (10/12/2005)
By suzq
RE: Uses for Foam Meat Trays
I have used mine for snack trays just like you do paper plates. I always clean them in water and bleach before it use them and have never had any problems. (10/13/2005)
By COOKIEPOM
RE: Uses for Foam Meat Trays
I used to do a lot of decorative tole painting and I used the foam trays as palettes for my paints. I could put quite a few colors on one tray and then all I had to do for clean up was to throw them away. (10/13/2005)
By Margaret
RE: Uses for Foam Meat Trays
Use them to go under seedling trays in the spring that way if your trays leek there is no mess, that came from me mother in law. (10/13/2005)
RE: Uses for Foam Meat Trays
Teachers usually love these trays, they use them for painting projects, sorting small items for crafts, math, whatever. Classroom teachers as well as art teachers might appreciate a donation. Be sure they are washed well & bleached. I put mine through the dishwasher if I need to reuse them for such things. Better yet is the tip of saving trays from veggies & pastries only. (10/13/2005)
Find some that are the right size & put them in the bottom of your refrigerator's drawers. If you have anything in the drawer that leaks you might be able to lift out just the tray instead of removing the entire drawer to clean the mess. (10/13/2005)
You can make dimensional pictures: Make several photocopies of your picture. Cut out sections of foreground, mid ground, background. Glue pieces of foam tray between the layers of your picture to add dimension. Frame the result. (10/28/2005)
I found another use for styrofoam meat trays! I needed a nice surface to put a hot pizza on that wouldn't heat up the counter top.
