To think putting raw meat packaging in dishwasher is crazy?!!

[DrSeuss84]

We went to stay with family this Christmas. Whilst emptying the dishwasher I noticed an empty bacon packet and mentioned it thinking it had just fallen in by accident. Turns out no…. They put all plastic packets including from raw meat through dishwasher before recycling it. Is that thing?! Is it just me that thinks it is a huge Health hazard? On one occasion I opened it and there were three empty packets up with all the cups. Im really interested to know what other people think.

I think it's really weird to go to that effort before you chuck something in the recycling, but not because of health hazard reasons! Surely you put boards or dishes in the dishwasher that have touched raw meat, how is it any different?

Scientifically I don’t know if it’s fine or not, this might be enough to kill the germs but I also think it’s grim and not something I would do. But then I don’t take recycling too seriously.

It's not a health hazard. Just weird.

That’s bonkers. I rinse meat and fish packaging before binning it so it doesn’t stink while it’s in the kitchen bin, but dishwasher is seriously OTT.

It's an odd thing to do (why not just rinse them?), but I can't see it being a health hazard. No different from washing a dish/ board which had raw meat on?

I do this, why is it any different to putting the board you've cut the raw chicken or whatever on?? I just chuck any recycling that needs washing on top of all the actual washing up, done it for years and no one ever ill

I just rinse mine off, bit weird putting it in the dishwasher.

No different to putting a chopping board you've cut raw meat on into the dishwasher in terms of hygiene surely? The heat of the dishwasher will kill any germs.

How do you clean chopping boards and knives you have used with raw meat out of interest? It's absolutely no different to that and it's very hot soapy water.

Where do they live that they can recycle meat packaging? I think it’s a lot of effort to go to and would question whether the packaging is actually recyclable anyway but wouldn’t particularly worry from a hygiene perspective. Presumably they put all the crockery/ utensils that touched the raw meat in the dishwasher too anyway? And a dishwasher tends to wash on a high temperature - far higher than family member could wash her hands at after touching the meat!

I would consider it a wired and unnecessary thing to do, and a waste of space in the dishwasher, but not a health hazard. I put knives/chopping boards etc that have been in contact with raw meat in the washer, so this is not different.

Having said that, I do often rinse items before putting them in the re-cycling.

Batshit

Unnecessary yes but i don't see how it's a health hazard

I think it’s quite a good idea - saves water, more efficient. I imagine all the bugs are killed by 45 mins of scorching dishwasher steam but might be wrong

It is important to wash plastic containers before recycling.

www.derbyshire.gov.uk/environment/rubbish-waste/waste-myth-buster-information/waste-and-recycling-myths-busted.aspx#:~:text=Myth%203%3A%20Rinsing%20out%20recyclables,other%20recyclables%20from%20being%20contaminated.

I've always done this. Assumed everyone did

More hygienic than a quick rinse

Detergent and heat will kill bacteria so not health hazard but a bit weird.

It's going in the recycling bin anyway and the bin men wear gloves.

Why is it a health hazard?

There is a serious lack of critical thinking by the germaphobes on MN. The knee jerk is always “ugh disgusting / terrifying”.

Unusual but not a health hazard.

I put dirty cans, glass and plastics for recycling through the dishawasher. It needs to be washed up before recycling, and I have no greater desire to handwash recycling than I have to handwash cutlery and crockery. The dishwasher runs at a high enough temperature to kill all germs.

You are supposed to rinse recycling but it's never occurred to me to put it in the dishwasher.
Not a health hazard though. How could it be? Even if the heat didn't make it hygienic, what do you think detergent is for?

Kind of defeats the environmental point of recycling if they are wasting electricity and water washing it.

A rinse in the sink will suffice

Putting packing in the dishwasher also saves on the water otherwise used rinsing it by hand. Win-win.

Maybe it is just me but any boards or plates I’ve used for raw meat, especially chicken, I wash first before putting in the dishwasher. Maybe I’m on my own in that though.