Getting rid of plastic Tupperware is largely driven by health concerns, degradation, and hygiene. Older plastics often leach harmful chemicals (like BPA and phthalates) into food, and scratched or warped containers harbor bacteria. Additionally, everyday wear releases microplastics into your meals.
You do not need to throw away all your plastic containers immediately, but you should stop using them for heating food and replace old or scratched containers.
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.
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.
Any time a plastic food storage container becomes scratched or cracked, stained, punctured, begins to smell, loses a lid or the lid no longer fits securely, or becomes textured – it's time to throw it out.
Silicone is more durable than plastic. It won't shatter like glass or ceramic, and it handles extreme heat changes and microwave use without warping or sparking, unlike thin steel. Its softness also makes it safe for kids. Choose FDA or LFGB-certified food-grade silicone, with LFGB being the safest.
Yes, research indicates that Ziploc-style polyethylene and polypropylene bags can release microplastics and nanoplastics into your food. While the manufacturer maintains its products' safety, scientific studies have shown that exposing these bags to temperature extremes accelerates the breakdown of the plastic surface.
Anything That's Wet or Damp. You probably know where we're going with this one. "Anything wet or damp is not great to store in a plastic bin with a lid, as this will trap moisture and create mold," Hord says. Let damp or wet items dry out before storing them, or opt for a breathable storage bin material.
Yes, Tupperware replaces old, broken, or defective items under their Limited Lifetime Warranty, though the process has shifted primarily to digital vouchers instead of direct physical replacements.
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.
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Once opened, store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place — you can keep it in the fridge or freezer to prolong the shelf life, but the pantry works totally fine if space is at a premium. Refined flour is unlikely to spoil, but discard if it smells or looks musty or has any signs of mold or bugs.
Yes, silicone is generally considered safer than traditional plastic for food storage. It is highly durable, non-toxic, and does not contain harmful chemicals like BPA, BPS, phthalates, or PVC found in many conventional plastics.
Ziploc-brand bags and other sandwich bags can be recycled with other types of film plastic, including shopping bags, dry-cleaning bags and produce bags. The best place to find recycling centers for these products is your local grocery store. Many retailers offer bins right inside the door that collect film.
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.
However, because Tupperware plastic containers hold up so well, you may still have some pre-2010 pieces in your cabinets. If you inherited Tupperware from your mother, bought your own before 2010, or picked up a few vintage pieces at a thrift shop, it's time to let them go.
Iconic American container brand, Tupperware, has returned to South Africa under a new name, TuppAfrica.
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, Tupperware is no longer made in the USA. In early 2025, the company officially closed its last remaining American manufacturing plant in Hemingway, South Carolina. All production for the U.S. and Canadian markets has shifted to their existing plant in Lerma, Mexico.
Yes, scientific studies and recent class-action lawsuits indicate that Ziploc-style bags release microplastics and nanoplastics. The breakdown is heavily accelerated by extreme temperatures (freezing or microwaving) and continuous wear.
Contain – Place sweaters in plastic containers or sealed plastic bags. These are best to keep bugs out. Though, do consider where you'll store your containers. Plastic might be best for a storage unit, basement or attic.
It's hard to avoid microplastics entirely, but knowing where the highest levels come from can help you limit your exposure.
Vitamins C and E are antioxidants that can help counter the negative effects of microplastics. Filtered water helps your body flush out microplastics. High-fiber diets help your body get rid of plastic in your waste by promoting bowel movements.
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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.