Vintage Tupperware from the 1940s–1970s is highly collectible, with rare pieces and mint-condition sets ranging from $20 to $200+. The most valuable items feature mid-century pastel colors, original "Starburst" or "Handolier" designs, or are complete matching sets without scratches or cracks.
Yes, old Tupperware can be worth money. While most standard, individual pieces usually sell for $5 to $20, complete sets or rare items from the 1940s and 1950s can easily fetch between $50 to $200 depending on their condition and rarity.
To tell if Tupperware is vintage, check the bottom of the container for the exact brand logo, specific color palettes, and a two-part mold code. Vintage items typically date from the 1940s through the 1990s, and are highly prized by collectors.
Vintage Tupperware Price Guide: General Value Range
Full sets in difficult-to-find colors can sell for hundreds of dollars. Complete line sets can sell between about $50 to $75. Salt and pepper shaker set may sell for about $50 up to about $200, depending on their condition.
No, it is not safe or recommended to use 30-year-old (circa 1996) Tupperware for food. Containers this old significantly degrade the safety of your food due to the presence of BPA, risk of toxic heavy metals, and material breakdown.
Yes, you should throw out or repurpose old Tupperware. Experts recommend tossing plastic food containers if they are cracked, deeply scratched, warped from the microwave, stained, or retain odors, as these signs indicate degraded plastic that can leach chemicals or harbor bacteria.
Yes, many pieces of vintage Tupperware (particularly from the 1970s and 1980s) have tested positive for toxic heavy metals, including lead, arsenic, mercury, and cadmium. These metals were historically used as pigments for coloring.
The average price for a reliable used 20 ft container typically falls between $1,500 and $3,000 (Source: Industry Price Analysis).
Recycle. 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).
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If your old Tupperware is damaged, stained, or missing lids, keep it out of the landfill. You can mail old containers (any brand) to specialized recycling programs, use them as clever household organizers, or check if authentic vintage pieces qualify for a replacement warranty.
Recycling Symbols
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.
Simply look at the bottom of the container and you will see a number surrounded by the sign for recycling. Anything with the number 7 is made of polycarbonate (the category that includes BPA), so those shouldn't be reused. Numbers 2, 4, and 5 are indicators that the plastic container is safe for reuse.
The most sought-after vintage items span several key categories driven by nostalgia, craftsmanship, and rarity. Top-tier collectibles include Mid-Century Modern (MCM) and Art Deco furniture, luxury designer luggage and apparel (e.g., vintage Louis Vuitton trunks), and rare pop culture memorabilia like vintage trading cards and unopened toys.
Vintage 1980s toys can be worth anywhere from $50 to thousands of dollars. The highest-valued items are almost exclusively unopened, mint-condition action figures from major media franchises like Star Wars, Transformers, G.I. Joe, and He-Man, as well as heavily sought-after niche brands.
Right now, the most highly sought-after collectibles are driven by 90s/2000s nostalgia, rarity, and playable art. Top categories include:
Yes, old Tupperware can be worth money. While most standard, individual pieces usually sell for $5 to $20, complete sets or rare items from the 1940s and 1950s can easily fetch between $50 to $200 depending on their condition and rarity.
No, it is not safe or recommended to use 40-year-old Tupperware (from the 1980s) to store food. Older plastics degrade over time, posing significant health risks.
Yes, you should throw out or repurpose old Tupperware. Experts recommend tossing plastic food containers if they are cracked, deeply scratched, warped from the microwave, stained, or retain odors, as these signs indicate degraded plastic that can leach chemicals or harbor bacteria.
A 20ft shipping container looks like a large, heavy-duty rectangular metal box with corrugated steel walls, a wooden floor, and double swinging doors on one end. It is identical in design to the standard 40ft containers you see on semi-trucks or cargo ships, just half the length.
In South Africa, container sizes and prices range from R20,000 to R35,000 for a used 6m container and R50,000 to R75,000 for a new one.
Used (cargo-worthy) 20ft units are significantly cheaper than new ones, making them an excellent choice for budget-conscious buyers. As long as they're well maintained, used containers are durable and weather-resistant. The best part is that they're easily and widely available in the market.
No, using 1970s Tupperware for food is generally not recommended. While it is highly collectible, vintage plastic poses several health and structural risks:
To date Tupperware, look for the brand stamp and mold number on the bottom of the container. Because Tupperware doesn’t publish a public database of part numbers, you can determine a piece's era by analyzing its color palette, font style, logo, and physical texture.
Though Tupperware is often considered to be food safe, you shouldn't automatically assume so. Your storage containers will have the symbol of a fork and wine glass engraved into the plastic if it actually is safe to store your meals in.