PP (polypropylene) trays are the cost-effective choice for hot and microwave-reheatable food at volume: soups, curries, pasta, sauces and hot ready meals. For Mildura’s food processors and meal producers packing at scale for the Sunraysia region and beyond, PP keeps the per-unit packaging cost down while handling hot fill and reheating. Carewell Group supplies PP ready meal trays to Mildura businesses with national distribution.
Key points
- PP is microwave-safe and suits hot-fill and reheatable food; it is not for conventional-oven use.
- It is the lowest-cost of the common ready-meal tray materials at volume.
- It handles liquid and saucy food well and pairs with heat-seal film or snap lids.
- Carewell can meet all your packaging needs in one place. Talk to our team and we will work to your required minimum order quantity.
What PP is for
PP tolerates hot filling and microwave reheating, so it suits:
- Soups, broths and liquid meals
- Curries, pastas and saucy dishes
- Hot ready meals reheated in a microwave
- High-volume meal-prep and institutional catering where cost per unit matters
For freezer-to-oven meals that need a conventional oven, use CPET. For cold meals, APET is clearer and cheaper.
Choosing a PP tray
- Format: single-compartment bowls for soup and liquid, multi-compartment trays for composed meals.
- Wall and base: heavier gauge for liquid and heavier meals; lighter for dry portions.
- Lidding: heat-seal film for a sealed, leak-resistant, tamper-evident pack; snap lids for reusability.
- Clarity: PP can be clear or opaque; clear shows the product, opaque hides colour variation.
Recycling
PP is plastic number 5. Kerbside acceptance has improved but still varies by council, and food-contaminated trays are less likely to be accepted. A clean, rinsed tray has the best chance. Check local guidance and label accordingly.
Where Carewell fits
Carewell Group supplies PP trays and bowls in a range of formats and sizes, plus APET and CPET trays for cold and freezer-to-oven use, lidding film, and the cartons for distribution, with national distribution into Mildura. Carewell can meet all your packaging needs in one place. Talk to our team about your meal range and volumes and we will work to your required minimum order quantity. Request a quote and samples or call +61 (02) 8760 1491.
Frequently asked questions
Can PP trays go in the microwave?
Yes. PP is microwave-safe. It is not for conventional-oven use; use CPET for that.
Why choose PP over CPET or APET?
PP is the lowest-cost option at volume and handles hot-fill and saucy food well. CPET is for freezer-to-oven; APET is for cold food.
Do PP trays hold liquid without leaking?
With a heat-seal film lid, yes. Choose a heavier gauge for soups and liquid meals.
Are PP trays recyclable?
PP is plastic number 5; kerbside acceptance varies by council and food contamination reduces it. Rinse and check local guidance.
Do you deliver to Mildura?
Yes, with national distribution.
Written by Alif Vasaya, digital and content strategy, Carewell Group. Carewell Group is an Australian packaging, food packaging, tape, industrial safety and 3PL supplier serving Mildura and all of Australia. Last updated 10 September 2026.