There's no rule of thumb about when it's time to discard your old Tupperware, but when the time comes, it's better to give that old plastic container a second chance than to throw it away. Our modern generation is far too quick to toss out anything and everything without first considering if it can be used again.
Plastic food storage containers and lids-such as Tupperware containers-that have the 1 or 2 recycling symbol on the bottom are accepted in almost all local recycling programs, provided they are empty, clean and dry. Recycle with the lid attached. Most recycling programs also accept #5 plastics.
If your Tupperware is old enough, it might even leach harmful chemicals and heavy metals like cadmium, lead, and arsenic into stored food. Suddenly those leftovers don't sound very appetizing… Ziploc®-brand containers have a 5-10 year lifespan, and other plastic containers fall in a similar range.
There's no standard rule of thumb about when it's time to throw out your plastic containers. How long your containers last depends on how well you care for them, and the quality of plastic they're made of. You'll know it's time to toss your containers if they become warped or cracked.
Your mom might have bought those iconic plastic containers for a few dollars, but today, vintage Tupperware items can be worth a lot more than the leftovers they hold. In fact, some classic examples can be worth $100 or more. Many people consider Tupperware one of the biggest inventions of the 20th century.
BPA, as well as arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury, are dangerous substances for humans, so if you've been using vintage Tupperware, the best thing you can do is not use them anymore.
Originally, many Tupperware pieces sold for about $2. However, according to the popular antiquing site Dusty Old Thing, select single items in great condition may sell for up to $60.
The American Cleaning Institute tells us if your plastic food container cannot hold its shape in hot water or the microwave, it should be tossed or recycled. Most transport food containers, or food containers that once contained yogurt, butter or other food product are not always designed to be used to store food in.
Vandenberg said discolouration of a container can signal that a chemical change has occurred in the plastic and that it's time to get rid of your Tupperware. "Usually that is happening because there's lots of little micro-holes or micro-tears," she explained.
Tupperware shall have the right to determine if the item is defective and, at its option, replace it with a similar or equivalent item, or provide credit toward future purchases of Tupperware® brand products. Warranty replacement requires shipping the product to Tupperware at your expense.
PREMIUM PRODUCT WARRANTY
Premium Products carry a limited lifetime warranty against defects in the material or workmanship under normal or household non-commercial use and when used and cared for in accordance with all applicable instructions, for the lifetime of the product.
Made of plastic, Tupperware isn't biodegradable, which means it just sits in a landfill forever. It's also not healthy—studies have found that chemicals in plastics can leach into our food, especially when heated, which can contribute to a laundry list of health issues ranging from cancer to cardiovascular disease.
Tupperware officially states that since 2010, they have not sold items containing BPA. Here's exactly what Tupperware states on its website (accessed on June 28, 2017):
Of all the rules when returning Tupperware however, acknowledging the gesture is probably the most important. “Never let it go unnoticed and return it in whatever shape or form. But if you do decide to fill up the Tupperware, fill it completely because it shows you are full of jeung.”
However, this polypropylene plastic that makes Tupperware so great at storing leftovers does have one big downside. While polypropylene makes a great storage container, it is also quite porous. That might help make it moisture and heat-resistant, but it also means odors can get inside the plastic, according to Hunker.
Tupperware has a lifespan exceeding 10 year if handled carefully, however they can discolor and crack over the years. If you expose the Tupperware container to fire, it can quickly melt and lose shape.
Tupperware in good condition can be donated to selected opportunity shops. Damaged Tupperware can be recycled in your yellow-lidded recycling bin.
Vintage tupperware may contain lead and arsenic in pigments that were used. The degree to which these tupperware containers leach the lead would vary depending on the quality of the tupperware and the things stored in it.
It takes 500-1000 years for plastics to degrade. That's why we created the Plastic Expiry Date Sticker.
Potential: Tupperware keeps refrigerated meat fresh for four to five days and from 6-12 months in the freezer. Tupperware preserves fruits and vegetables for five to six days, with baked goods staying fresh longer than the typical three days.
“Plastic food storage containers should be replaced every six months to one year, depending on usage and wear and tear. Over time, plastic containers can become scratched, stained, or damaged, and that starts to pose a food safety risk, explains Dragomir Markovic, food scientist and founder of Wise Intake.
Harvard Medical School recommends that no food should be reheated in repurposed plastic containers since those to-go boxes and margarine tubs are designed for one-time use (and could potentially leak bad-for-you chemicals when exposed to high heat).
Contact your Tupperware Independent Representative or call Customer Care at 1-800-887-7379. To expedite your call, please locate the mold number on the product prior to contacting.
Bell Tumbler; introduced in 1946
Tupperware products actually had their inception not in the kitchen but on the battlefield; Earl Tupper had worked for DuPont developing the country's first plastics for use in World War II radars.
The most reliable way to check whether an item is BPA-free is to consult the plastic identification code number — usually stamped on the bottom of the container. There are seven categories, where numbers 1 to 6 are free of BPA. This means that only those printed with the number 7 will contain the chemical.