Most Tupperware is imprinted with the number five, representing polypropylene, generally a food safe plastic. Unfortunately, most hard plastics coded in the “five” category are not usually accepted through curbside recycling, but you can recycle your Tupperware this way.
Polypropylene, recycling number 5, is an FDA-approved food contact plastic that's generally used for single-serve items like yogurt cups, cream cheese containers, and syrup packets. Because of its high melting point, it can withstand the extreme temperatures of the microwave and dishwasher.
All of the plastic food containers that we examined in our kitchen were branded with the number 5, which means they're made of PP, or polypropylene. That's a cloudy plastic generally considered to be food safe. If you're curious about the other numbers, which range from 1 to 7, Tupperware has a handy chart.
Plastic, including Tupperware
Single-use plastics like those used for yogurt, cottage cheese and other foods should never be microwaved. The same rule applies to plastic to-go containers that don't clearly state that it is microwave-safe. Similarly, do not use cracked, old or discolored plastic containers.
According to National Geographic's The Green Guide, plastics #2, #4 and #5 are the safest for repeatedly storing your food. If you reuse items made from plastics #1, #3, #6 and #7 (some Tupperware products are made from #7), you run the risk of having toxic chemicals leach into the contents.
If any of your containers have a #3, #6, or #7, those should be disposed of because they are considered high-risk plastics. If you're going to use one of the safer plastics, it's best not to store acidic or greasy foods in them.
Can Tupperware containers and specifically, the lids, be recycled? All plastic containers and lids that have the symbol of the chasing arrow on them and are numbered 1-7, and are not black, may be recycled.
Old Tupperware, especially those over a decade old, might contain hazardous chemicals like cadmium, lead, and arsenic. These can leach into your food, posing significant health risks. Vintage Tupperware products are particularly concerning due to the potential leaching of additional harmful substances.
If the container has a #5 on it, it is made from polypropylene, PP, so it is generally considered microwave safe. Smart Set Pro and ProView are perfect for microwave applications. CPET, #1 is safe for the microwave. These containers are usually used for oven ready applications like our meal solutions and bakery trays.
Our food containers and beverage products are safe to use for pouring boiled water into them. Boiling water poured into our product cools very rapidly, and this should not damage or warp the container. Helpful? Thank you for your feedback!
Plastic #5 - PP (Polypropylene)
Used in production of most yogurt containers, some pancake syrup bottles, and bottle caps. Can be recycled into plastic lumber, bins, car battery cases, brooms, and ice scrapers.
The squiggly lines on your Tupperware mean that it is safe to put in the microwave.
Plastic #5 (Polypropylene) Put in Recycling Cart/Bin. Containers are OK. You can put plastic #5 containers in your recycling. If a container once held food, empty and scrape the container as well as you can before recycling it.
Polystyrene, black plastics, #3 PVC and #7 PC plastics are the most toxic and hardest to recycle, and as a mission-based recycler, Eco-Cycle supports shifting products to be made from more recyclable, less toxic plastics including #1 PET, #2 HDPE, and #5 PP.
There are different types of plastic containers that are labeled with a 1, 2, or 5, these are considered BPA-Free. Plastic products stamped with a 7 indicate a possibility that BPA was used to make the product.
Since Tupperware is such a popular brand of plastic food storage containers, it is not surprising how many people have questioned whether Tupperware material contains BPA. Tupperware officially states that since 2010, they have not sold items containing BPA.
Plastic containers come with a food-grade rating on the bottom that ranges from 1 to 7. This gives consumers an idea of how safe they are for storing their food. Plastic grades 2, 4, and 5 are the safest for food storage. Using these plastics to store food will prevent accidental toxin ingestion.
As a general rule of thumb, plastic containers should not be microwaved. The amount of risk associated with heating plastic varies depending on the type of plastic, but in order to avoid all possible negative repercussions on one's health, it's best to reheat in glass or ceramic as much as possible.
While there is no set timeframe for replacing plastic food containers, experts say they should be tossed out when they show visible wear, chips, cracks, or signs of stains and odors. In place of plastic containers, experts recommend opting for glass or stainless steel instead.
LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY
In the event of a product's failure to meet the foregoing warranty, Tupperware, at its election, will either replace the affected product with a like or similar product or provide a credit toward future purchases of Tupperware® brand products.
International container brand Tupperware will exit South Africa at the end of 2024. As reported by Newzroom Afrika and Business Day, the food storage company will cease operations in South Africa and other markets by the end of 2024 as part of the company's larger liquidation and restructuring strategy.
Look at its colors: pieces from the 1940s and '50s are white or pastel, while later items are saturated in bright hues. Each of the storage canisters in the Servalier line, which nested within one another in graduated sizes, came with a decorative flower emblem on its smudge-proof textured exterior.
Ziploc®-brand containers are quoted to have a 5-10 year lifespan, but a good rule of thumb is to assume all older Tupperware is not safe, especially if you don't remember how long you've had it.
Well, you should know that reusing a container that has stored food with mold is a mistake in terms of food safety and poses risks to your health that you should not overlook.