While Pyrex ovenware is a type of glass, it has been specially treated in the manufacturing process to withstand high temperatures, which makes it non-recyclable. Broken or chipped Pyrex should be disposed of carefully in the waste bin.
If you have broken or chipped pyrex ovenware to dispose of, do not recycle it with other glass items. Simply dispose of it carefully in your rubbish bin.
Baking glassware such as Pyrex dishes in usable condition should be donated to local thrift stores or otherwise reused. If unusable they should be thrown away in the trash. They should not be added to curbside recycling. They are made of a different material than glass bottles and jars.
Part of Pyrex's popularity is due to the nostalgia factor. Many collectors love Pyrex simply because it reminds them of childhood.
The price of vintage Pyrex often depends on the object's desirability and condition. While a set of old custard cups may fail to sell for 50 cents, a four-color, four-piece mixing bowl set can cost from $45 to $65.
Decorative patterns are also key to determining the glassware's value. Lucky in Love, a sweet pink and green design, is prized for its rarity and promotional production. Wright notes that Amish Butterprint, Pink Gooseberry, Snowflake Blue, Crazy Daisy and Friendship are also considered valuable in the Pyrex community.
Can Pyrex be recycled? While Pyrex ovenware is a type of glass, it has been specially treated in the manufacturing process to withstand high temperatures, which makes it non-recyclable. Broken or chipped Pyrex should be disposed of carefully in the waste bin.
What Are the Patterns to Look For? The most sought-after pattern of all time is Lucky In Love. This promotional pattern was released in 1959, and very few pieces remain. The cheerful round casserole dish has green shamrocks and pink hearts and is encircled by blades of green grass.
How can you tell if a piece is real vintage Pyrex? The secret is simple—check the logo. If the brand name is in all capital letters, it's vintage Pyrex. If it's all lowercase, it's modern.
Corning divested itself of the Corning Consumer Products Company (now known as Corelle Brands) in 1998 and production of consumer Pyrex products went with it. Its previous licensing of the name to Newell Cookware Europe remained in effect.
Adorned with trippy florals and vibrant colors, Pyrex was very common in the midcentury, but with resurgence of mid-century modern (or “mid mod”) styles, Pyrex is now cool again. According to Food & Wine, 80% of households in the U.S. currently own Pyrex.
The short answer is yes—but there are a few rules you should follow. When using Pyrex or any glass bakeware or cookware, you should avoid extreme temperature changes—very cold dishes shouldn't be placed in a hot oven, and vice versa. Sudden changes in temperature may cause the dishes to shatter or break.
It will have a stamp that can help you date it: 1940s and 1950s - The oldest Pyrex markings should be on the bottom of glass pieces and feature Pyrex in all capital letters inside a circle with CG for Corning Glassworks. A small figure blowing glass is included in some early stamps.
Wrap any sharp edges or pieces in newspaper, place them in a plastic bag, label them as “broken glass,” and throw them away. Broken glass is never recyclable because it's a hazard for sanitation workers to handle it. Glassware and Pyrex can be donated or tossed.
Vintage Pyrex is a hot collector's item, both for looks and functionality.
Make Exceptions For Vintage Pyrex
When it comes to caring for those dear pieces, it's best to do nothing more than wash them by hand with gentle, clear, unscented dish soap and dry them with a soft cloth.
The next time you go to cook dinner in a Pyrex pan, take a look at the labeling. Cookware with lowercase logos are usually made of soda-lime glass and should not be heated up in the oven or microwave to minimize risk of them breaking.
If the logo is in upper case lettering, PYREX, it's most likely made of borosilicate, and thus safer. The lowercase lettering is most likely made of soda-lime glass, so take extra care after any high-heat cooking.
In 1915, the company launched its first Pyrex line (Pyrex combined "pie" and "Nonex") with 12 pieces, including pie plates and a loaf pan. The 8-ounce liquid measuring cup came out 10 years later; early versions had a closed, D-shaped handle and tick marks made out of molded glass.
A highly-coveted pattern, the Atomic Eyes Chip and Dip is the holy grail for some Pyrex collectors. Released in the 1950s, some of the bowls feature a Pyrex stamp while others don't.
Unfortunately when Corning, Inc. sold off the PYREX® trademark it became pyrex® in America and the new company started using Soda-Lime Glass instead of Borosilicate Glass. The company that bought the PYREX® trademark for European use continues to make Borosilicate Glass PYREX.
Pyrex dishes also hide a little secret code: Many contain a three- or four-digit number that corresponds to a specific dish. A series of Mixing Bowls will feature 401 (1.5 pint), 402 (1.5 quart), 403 (2.5 quart), 404 (4 quart). The iconic two-quart green-and-white casserole dish is a 232.
If you have broken pyrex glass, wrap it carefully and put it out with your normal rubbish collection (red bag).
Along with Butterprint, Gooseberry was one of the first patterns debuted on the new “Cinderella Bowls.” Cinderella Bowls were a series of large nested mixing bowls with a handle or spout on each side, which were designed by John Philip Johnson.