What can I recycle?

We constantly review our packaging and have worked hard to get it to where it is now!

Thank you for taking the time to care about this!

The greatest part of your environmental footprint in relation to the food you eat is down to what you choose to eat and if it is wasted. As a result packaging plays a really important role in keeping this fresh (and we play a big role in eliminating your waste by pre-measuring everything).

We have worked hard here to make sure the packaging choices are the most responsible & effective solution so please make sure you use, reuse, recycle and dispose of each as follows and in line with your local options.

The Big Brown Box

If you live in Dublin you can return this by giving it to our delivery drivers (or recycle it if you are outside of the Pale). If you are really careful when opening it and the box is in good when returned to us we can potentially give it a second life.

Ideas for reuse: If you have children, let their creativity go wild! Hours of entertainment, please share any funny pictures on instagram we get a laugh out of it. If you are fortunate enough to have a more peaceful house then why not use it to make sure all of the junk you never use in your attic or garage is neatly arranged and stackable. Clear out some of your wardrobe into the box and if you don’t miss those items donate them to your local charity store or clothes bank.

Upcycled Denim Liner

Please return it if possible. These will be sanitised, re-lined and then given another use. If you live in Dublin, you can simply return this to our drivers. If you live outside of Dublin we ask you to save 5 of these and we will arrange a collection. This massively improves our footprint even further! It has been upcycled from offcuts from the garment industry. By giving this another life we have reduced the impact of your next pair of jeans!

If you aren’t able to return it: Repurpose the outer liner as a bin liner or place it in your recycling bin. The insulation inside can be used to plump up your cushions on your couch or pets bed or simply pop it into your black bin – all of this material was destined to go in this direction, by upcycling and giving it another life we’ve eliminated the need to have processed virgin material and have reduced the environmental impact of the garment industry.

Ice Gel Packs

Please return it if possible. If you live in Dublin, you can simply return this to our drivers. If you live outside of Dublin we ask you to save 5 of these and we will arrange a collection. We will sanitise it and give it a second life if it is kept in good condition. You can also empty the gel down your sink (it is non-toxic) and put the pack in your recycle bin.

Ideas for reuse: These are super useful to help keep a packed picnic or lunch cool. These have so many use cases from keeping some wine chilled to helping you with the dreaded task of defrosting your freezer!

Learn more about DropChef packaging return initiative

Please return your box, denim liner and ice gel packs. These will be sanitised, re-lined and then given another use!

DropChef Packing Return Initiative Cycle Infographic

How do I return my packaging?

  • Dublin Area

    For customers in the Greater Dublin Area we will try to pick it up with your next delivery. Many of our customers simply leave last week’s box out for us when we deliver to them each week.

  • Nationwide

    For all other customers please save up 5 weeks of denim liner and ice gel packs, put them into 1 box, and then email us at [email protected] to arrange the return of the packaging.

Compostable DropChef Bags

How cool are these! They even have a DropChef logo on them. Please put these in your compost bin, these are made for industrial composting where their big pile of goodness reaches a warmer temperature than a compost pile of grass at the bottom of your garden.

Ideas for reuse: dog poo bags (genius, I know), treats, sandwich bag (when you get a big one).

Snack Lab Packaging

Compostable box and snack bags. As much as we love our Snack Labs we love this compostable box more! The perfect carrier of our delicious treats to help curb those cravings.

Ideas for reuse: Lunch boxes, storing those extra crackers in our presses or a arts and crafts box.

Not sure if an item is compostable?

Learn more from this composting guide by the Composting Association of Ireland, Cré

Learn more
DropChef Food Box

Brown Bags and Cans

Brown paper bag: Straight into the recycling bin if you have no other use for it. Here it will likely be made into a new brown paper bag in future.

Cans: Make sure you rinse & recycle these!

Ideas for reuse the paper bags: lunch bag, compost bag in kitchen, cut out small holes and use it as a mask when robbing a bank.

Plastic Bags

We don’t use/try not to use these too often. They can be placed in your recycling bin.

Ideas for reuse: Traveling soon? Use these when going through security for your liquids. Or to keep those Barrys tea bags fresh.

Little Portion Pots

Wash out any trace of food and put in your recycle bin.

Ideas for reuse: Wash these out in your dishwasher and then keep a good few stacked for use later, if you are ever making up a flavored butter or a sauce they are great for storing, as they seal so well they are great for keeping all foods fresh.

What does not go into the recycling bin?

Find out more from REPAK, an Irish organization that focuses on sustainability

Find out more