If you’ve got a drawer, or like my mom, an entire kitchen full of old Tupperware that you’re not sure what to do with, don’t worry…you’re not alone!
Barely a day goes by without at least one email popping into my inbox from some conscientious eco legend wanting advice on what to do with old Tupperware.
So, I’ve called upon my decades of helping mom declutter (and detoxify) her ’vintage’ kitchenware and years of doing the same for readers via email to put together this article.
From upcycling projects to recycling options (and everything in between), it distills everything I know about Tupperware into practical, easily actionable, eco-friendly advice.
Try to think back to when you got your Tupperware. The Tupperware® brand didn’t nix BPA until 2010, and truly vintage Tupperware may even leach heavy metals like cadmium, lead, and arsenic into stored food.
A Brief History of Tupperware
Tupperware is a brand name first created in the 1940s by Earl Tupper.
He was a plastics engineer who wanted to create an airtight food container (using plastic) that used as little material as possible and could be produced cheaply.
The first product he invented was the ’burp’ lidded Wonderbowl, which was sealed with a gasket around the rim. It was an instant hit with homemakers, and sales were soon booming.
The popularity of Tupperware grew in the 1950s and 1960s when a direct sales model was adopted where people could host get-togethers at home to demonstrate the products and sell them to others.
Nowadays, the term Tupperware is commonly used to refer to any food-safe storage container that is freezer and microwave-safe.
Can Tupperware Go Bad?
It doesn’t go bad as such. However, acidic foods like tomatoes and garlic can make your containers stained and stinky.
Too much heat can also make it brittle and cracked. Knowing when to replace your containers is key to healthy food storage.
Is Tupperware safe
FAQ
How do I know if my Tupperware is safe to use?
When should you throw out old Tupperware?
Is 40 year old Tupperware safe?
Is there lead and arsenic in vintage Tupperware?
Is old Tupperware safe for food storage?
While it’s perfect for storing food, Tupperware is primarily made of plastic, which can sometimes be harmful. Recently I started doing some research to figure out if it was still safe to use some of our older pieces. Keep reading to find out if old Tupperware is safe for food storage and how to get the most out of your Tupperware!
Is Tupperware reusable?
Given the brand’s prospects, you might be wondering how long your stash of its food storage containers is safe to use — especially if it’s vintage. Figuring out the answer to that question for any type of reusable plastic food storage products — not just Tupperware — often comes down to understanding what they’re made of.
Does Tupperware go bad?
The same thing will happen if you expose them to flames, break, get scratched, or if the lids no longer serve their purpose. Tupperware does not go bad over time, but if we do not take care of it, it will not help us store or enjoy our food. Instead, it will ruin it or threaten our health. Can you recycle plastic storage containers?
Can you throw old Tupperware into the trash?
Tossing old Tupperware into the trash should be avoided whenever possible. It’ll sit in a landfill (for potentially hundreds of years), slowly breaking down and leaching toxins into the earth. Generally speaking, you can recycle plastic storage containers in most recycling programs (you just need to know what type of plastic it’s made from).