Pyrex manufacturer Corning transitioned away from borosilicate glass in the United States starting in the 1950s—and officially finalized the shift across all consumer lines when the brand was sold in 1998—for three main reasons:
Modern Pyrex isn’t as durable because the manufacturer switched the material from highly heat-resistant borosilicate glass to soda-lime glass. This change makes the bakeware much more susceptible to shattering from "thermal shock" (e.g., placing a hot dish on a cold counter).
Yes, you can still buy genuine borosilicate glass Pyrex. However, the availability of the material depends on what type of Pyrex you are buying and where you are shopping:
Neither is strictly "better," as they excel at different things. Borosilicate glass is superior if you need high resistance to extreme temperature changes (thermal shock). Tempered Pyrex is better if you want a dish that resists physical impacts, like accidentally dropping it in the sink.
In the United States, Pyrex manufacturer Corning began phasing out borosilicate glass for soda-lime glass in the late 1940s to 1950s, completing the transition by 1998.
Ans - Borosilicate glass is more resistant to destruction compared to conventional soda-lime glass, notably regarding thermal stress and impact. However, it is not fully unbreakable and can still break if subjected to excessive force or quick temperature shifts.
Pyrex can last a long time. If you have Pyrex that's still in good condition (i.e., no cracks or chips in the glass), don't throw it away. Give it away or donate it to a thrift shop.
It is also used in cookware and kitchenware because of its ability to withstand high temperatures and thermal shock. Bellco, Borcam, Borosil, Duran, Endural, Glassco, Heatex, Kimble, Kimax, Marinex, MG, Pyrex, Refmex, Schott, Simax, Supertek, Suprax, and TN LAB are all brand names for borosilicate glass.
Soda-lime glass is a practical nontoxic option too. Just beware that soda-lime glass may break more easily but is also less expensive. Again, beware that decorative glass—glass with glazes or enamel, is colored, and lead crystal (or crystal)—may leach toxic chemicals or heavy metals.
Yes, you can safely boil water in borosilicate glass because it can withstand extreme temperature changes without cracking, making it ideal for pouring boiling water directly into a borosilicate glass container or bottle.
Borosilicate glass is the ultimate non-toxic choice. It's completely free from harmful chemicals like BPA, lead, or phthalates. No matter how hot or acidic your food gets, this glass stays clean and safe, giving you one less thing to worry about.
NO - Do not use Pyrex® glassware on the stovetop (open flame, electric burner), under the broiler, in a toaster oven, or on a barbecue grill.
The quickest way to identify if your Pyrex is borosilicate is by checking the logo on the bottom of the piece.
Old Pyrex (vintage) is primarily made of borosilicate glass, which is highly resistant to extreme temperature shifts. New Pyrex is made of soda-lime glass. While new soda-lime glass is highly resistant to dropping, it is more likely to shatter from thermal shock than older borosilicate glass.
CorningWare was discontinued in its original form because its manufacturing process—which used a nearly indestructible, heat-shock-resistant ceramic called Pyroceram—became too expensive to produce. Because the cookware was famous for never wearing out, sales eventually slumped, prompting the brand’s owners to pivot to cheaper stoneware.
Pyrex has faced major lawsuits regarding exploding glassware due to a switch in materials and deceptive marketing. The two primary legal issues concern shattered cookware and false "Made in USA" claims.
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.
No, the glass body of Pyrex does not contain or leach microplastics. However, the standard storage lids are made of plastic, meaning they can degrade and release microparticles over time.
The healthiest containers for storing food are glass, stainless steel, and ceramic. These materials are inert, meaning they won't leach harmful chemicals like BPA, phthalates, or PFAS into your meals—even when exposed to heat.
Neither is strictly "better," as they excel at different things. Borosilicate glass is superior if you need high resistance to extreme temperature changes (thermal shock). Tempered Pyrex is better if you want a dish that resists physical impacts, like accidentally dropping it in the sink.
Borosilicate glass is sold under various trade names, including Borosil, Duran, Pyrex, Glassco, Supertek, Suprax, Simax, Bellco, Marinex (Brazil), BSA 60, BSC 51 (by NIPRO), Heatex, Endural, Schott, Refmex, Kimax, Gemstone Well, United Scientific, and MG (India).
No, Anchor Hocking does not use borosilicate glass for their bakeware and food storage products. Instead, they use tempered soda-lime silicate glass, which is formulated for high thermal shock resistance and durability. While historically made with borosilicate, U.S.-manufactured glass bakeware switched to tempered soda-lime over 40 years ago.
The most sought-after vintage Pyrex features unique colors, promotional motifs, and limited-release production runs. Highly prized sets like the 1958 Lucky in Love Lucky in Love, Atomic Eyes Atomic Eyes, and Golden Sunflower Golden Sunflower Daisy routinely command thousands of dollars among collectors.
Specialised Recycling
Bedsheets & Linen in good condition are often collected in door-to-door collection drives and cash for trash events. Items that don't meet their quality standards may be rejected or sent for incineration.
According to some researchers, plastic water bottles could take upwards of 450 years to decompose. That's equivalent to 5,400 months, or 21,600 weeks, or 1,971,000 days just for one single plastic bottle to decompose.