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.
Contents
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).
You’ll see a recycling number if you examine the bottom of the container (or somewhere on the lid).
Arabella has covered this topic already in her informative recycling symbols article, so I won’t go over old ground here.
If you’re unsure whether or not your local recycling center will accept your items for recycling, give them a call and check. They might have helpful suggestions for other recycling routes if it’s a no.
If you have Tupperware containers that you can’t recycle, don’t toss them in the trash.
Instead, like in my reusable water bottle recycling article, get creative and give your plastic containers a new life.
Some of the ways we reuse old plastic containers in the Miller house include:
Tupperware (and most plastic food storage containers generally) is designed to last a long time.
However, there are times when you have to accept it’s time to retire it and get a replacement.
Tupperware as a brand went fully BPA-free in 2010.
Items made before 2010 could contain BPA.
Bisphenol-A (BPA) has been linked to numerous health issues, but the FDA reports that it’s unlikely to be harmful at the levels it’s present in our daily lives.
I’m personally not happy taking the chance, so avoid BPA wherever possible.
If your food storage containers are stained and stinky (and no amount of scrubbing will clean them), it might be time for a replacement.
If the container (or lid) is warped or damaged, it could cause a leak. This is not ideal for several reasons:
You have a few replacement options once your reusable plastic containers have come to the end of their usable life and you’ve disposed of them responsibly.
If you want to replace your reusable plastic containers with more plastic, ensure that the plastic used is BPA-free.
BPA-free products are usually clearly labeled as so.
However, a good rule of thumb is that if the recycling code is #1, #2, or #5, you can be confident it’s BPA-free.
My favorite storage solution for food leftovers is reusable borosilicate glass containers with air-tight BPA-free plastic lids.
Glass is nonporous, so it won’t stain or smell like plastic.
It’s also hardwearing and won’t split and crack like plastic (just don’t drop it).
Borosilicate glass is freezer, microwave, and oven-safe (just remember to remove any plastic lids before using it in the oven!).
I also like to keep old glass jars (from shop-bought jam, etc.) and use them for storing cupboard staples. They’re handy for taking with you when shopping for dry basics for zero-waste living.
Food-grade stainless steel (the type used in stainless steel water bottles) is also an excellent option for storage containers.
They come in all shapes and sizes and can be used for everything from storing food scraps in the fridge to packing lunch to take on the go.
Just remember that they’re not oven or microwave-safe.
Bamboo is a sustainable resource that’s grown and harvested with minimal impact on the environment.
Bamboo containers are an excellent choice for storing food in your fridge or freezer. They’re BPA-free and won’t look out of place in a traditional or modern kitchen.
Some other eco-friendly food storage options you might want to consider include:
In addition to the seven recycling symbols mentioned earlier, you might also see the following on your reusable plastic containers:
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.
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.
Many plastic containers are officially classed as dishwasher safe on the top rack (meaning they have the dishwashing symbol on the bottom).
However, while many dishwasher detergents claim to be gentle and safe for plastic, the high temperatures and harsh chemicals used in a dishwasher may be too much for your plastic. I’d stick to hot water and eco-friendly dish soap to be safe.
According to the official Tupperware website, “Tupperware® brand products are warranted by Tupperware against chipping, cracking, breaking or peeling under normal non-commercial use for the lifetime of the product.”
Yes, it can be. There have been many reports of vintage Tupperware containing unsafe levels of lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic.
It’s time to stop using that old Tupperware handed down from granny. Keep it in a memory box if it means a lot to you. Or even sell it (there’s quite an active collectors market for some types of vintage Tupperware).
Growing mountains of plastic waste are a global problem.
So, don’t add to the issue by tossing your old Tupperware plastic containers in the trash.
Recycle if possible. Otherwise, get creative and find new ways to use them and keep them out of landfill.
Buying new stuff unnecessarily is not part of the sustainable lifestyle we’re trying to encourage.
However, once your old plastic containers have reached the end of their usable life, consider upping your green credentials and switching away from plastic altogether.
Are you a faithful user of Tupperware products? Do you own a vintage Tupperware container?
Do you recycle Tupperware? Do you use other plastic containers as well as Tupperware? Or have you already made the switch to more sustainable options? Drop me a line and let me know.
