48979 (2025). Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan to the Associate Minister of Education

Written Question

Published date: 23 Oct 2025

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	48979 (2025)
Question asked:	08 Oct 2025
Member asking:	Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan
Portfolio:	Associate Minister of Education
Minister replying:	Hon David Seymour
Answer received:	19 Oct 2025
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_48979_2025
Document guid:	214d61a8-55fd-4341-9e8b-a915739facce

48979 (2025). Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan to the Associate Minister of Education: What actions, if any, has the Ministry of Education taken regarding recycling of aluminium trays used in the School Lunch Collectives meals?

Hon David Seymour: I am advised by the Ministry of Education (the Ministry) that the School Lunch Collective (SLC) has engaged a commercial recycling facility that invested in new machinery to efficiently separate food waste from the aluminium trays so they can start recycling these. We expect the recycling of trays at this facility to start on Monday 20 October, following the final commissioning and testing of the new machinery this week. Aluminium trays are one of the most sustainable packaging options as they are highly recyclable and durable. Food waste separated from the aluminium trays is transferred to be processed into organic fertiliser. The Ministry’s Service Agreement with the SLC outlines a preference for sustainable and recycling solutions for the delivery and distribution of lunches where possible. This is also my response to written parliamentary question 48980 (2025).