Ministry, Compass scrub school lunch ‘greenwashing’ recycling claims

Ministry, Compass scrub school lunch ‘greenwashing’ recycling claims
Millions of recyclable aluminium school lunch trays were going to landfill until recently, despite claims to the contrary. (Image: Garth Bray).
Cécile Meier
The Ministry of Education and the School Lunch Collective have quietly scrubbed their websites of false claims and started recycling about half of the school lunch trays delivered daily.The shift comes after BusinessDesk last month revealed millions of aluminium trays were going to landfill, despite public promises they were being recycled.Until mid-June, the ministry’s website stated trays were being picked up from schools and sent to a metal recycling plant. That claim has now been amended to say the trays are being recycled “wher...

More Investigations

Lunch firm flagged for billing and safety issues
Investigations

Lunch firm flagged for billing and safety issues

MoE warned of overcharging and safety lapses before awarding lunch contract.

Cécile Meier 03 Jul 2025
Food scrap U-turn chills waste sector investment
Infrastructure

Food scrap U-turn chills waste sector investment

The Government’s backtrack on the food waste mandate undermines investor confidence.

Cécile Meier 30 Jun 2025
The future of coastal shipping in New Zealand
Infrastructure Blue Highway

The future of coastal shipping in New Zealand

It's greener and usually cheaper, so why isn't domestic coastal shipping thriving?

Oliver Lewis 16 Jun 2025
School lunches: Recycling claims rubbished
Editor's Picks

School lunches: Recycling claims rubbished

Millions of 'recyclable' school lunch trays could be going to landfill.

Cécile Meier 05 Jun 2025