What To Do With Old Tupperware (Do This!)
Most older homeowners enjoy a single shared experience, and that experience is having way too many Tupperware containers stowed away in their houses. Even today, so many people use these plastic containers to store groceries and everything in between.
Even once you need to stop using Tupperware to store food items, you can still use them in and around your home for alternative purposes such as storage for nonfood items, containers for composting, and more. If you’d rather just be rid of them, you can recycle them to mitigate the impact on the environment.
Technically speaking, Tupperware can last forever. However, that doesn’t technically mean you should use it for food forever.
What to Do with Old Tupperware Products
Tupperware is essentially plastic, so it does not ever decompose. This means it can have a terrible impact on the environment when disposed of incorrectly. Fortunately, the end of your Tupperware’s food storage days does not mean it has to end up in a landfill. There are plenty of different things you can do with your Tupperware containers.
Alternative Uses
Even if your containers should no longer hold food, they can still be used for other purposes around your home, car, yard, and more. This is a great solution because you’ll avoid having a negative impact on the environment by putting more plastic into it. Some common alternative uses for Tupperware containers include…
- Storage for nonfood items
- Homemade bird bath
- Makeshift first aid kit
…and more!
Composting Containers
One thing we didn’t mention in the section above is you can also use old Tupperware containers for composting. Typically, you’ll need a rather large bin for the actual composting process, which you most likely don’t have in your kitchen. However, you can use these smaller ones to transfer materials into that big bin. These materials include:
- Fruit and vegetable scraps
- Coffee grounds
- Eggshells
- Grass and plant clippings
- Wood and bark chips
- Shredded newspaper
- Straw
- Sawdust
…and more!
Recycle
If local regulations allow it, recycle your old Tupperware products. The good news is most recycling programs do accept these plastic types. However, local recycling facilities may not accept them with all your other items in the recycling bin. This is why it’s best to check with local facilities to confirm.
The best way to recycle Tupperware is to keep the lid attached and keep all those plastic products together. This will help with sorting at the recycling plant.
When to Stop Using Tupperware for Food Storage
Since Tupperware can basically last forever, it can be hard to know when to stop using them. Fortunately, there are some signs to help you decide when it’s time to finally say goodbye. Let’s take a closer look, so you can figure out when to replace them.
10+ Years Old
If your Tupperware containers are over 10 years old, you should stop using them for food storage. We’ve only really started learning about the dangers of bisphenol-A (BPA) and phthalates within the last 10 years.
Tupperware used to contain both these chemicals, which can leach into food. Since then, they have removed them, but it still could pose a risk if you have very old containers. If you’re not sure, air on the side of caution and stop using them anyway.
Missing or Broken Lids
Tupperware is an ideal container for food storage due to their airtight covers. Without a replacement lid, the container will be rendered useless as far as keeping your food fresh goes. Every now and then, go through all your containers and make sure they all have matching lids. Any containers without one should go.
Bad Odors
Depending on what you put it your Tupperware containers, it’s easy for them to begin smelling or develop stains. At that point, it can be nearly impossible to get rid of both the odor and the stain. If the smell persists after putting the plastic containers in your dishwasher a few times, put it in the recycling bin.
Weird Texture
If the inside of your Tupperware container starts to develop an odd texture, you should immediately get rid of it. Disrupted surfaces can increase the risk of harmful toxins leaching into your food, and it’s definitely not worth it.
Sustainable Alternatives for Tupperware
Even though Tupperware lasts a long time, you’ll eventually come to a point where you will part with them. When that time comes, it’s better to be getting rid of more sustainable materials instead of plastic. Here are a few of the best options.
Glass Containers
There are a wide range of glass products out there that are freezer-safe and offer an airtight seal, including bowls and canning jars. These products are affordable, convenient, and recyclable, too.
Silicone Bags and Containers
Silicone containers and resealable bags are very versatile, making them a great choice for a wide range of food items. Moreover, you can recycle these multiple times and have peace of mind knowing they are highly durable and more eco-friendly than plastic, too.
Steel Containers
These reusable and leak-proof containers are made from food-grade steel that will not deteriorate over time. Plus, these containers are virtually impossible to dent or break, so you’ll have them for a very long time.
Cloth Food Sacks
If you are looking for an alternative for storing dry foods, cloth food sacks are a great alternative. You can either buy these or make them yourself. Either way, they are very sustainable and recyclable, too.
Beeswax Wraps
These wraps are made from beeswax, cotton, jojoba oil, and tree resin. Rather than using plastic containers, wrap your food in these to keep everything fresh. If ever you need to get rid of these wraps, you can rest easy knowing their 100% biodegradable and compostable.
Related Questions
What makes plastic last long?
Plastic is not an organic material, so no natural organisms can break them down. Plus, the chemical bonds in these plastic materials are not familiar to bacteria in nature. Most plastics are made with polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is nearly indestructible. The only thing that can break plastic down is UV light, but it takes a very long time.
What type of plastic can you not recycle?
Materials made with polystyrene or PVC (polyvinyl chloride) are nonrecyclable. This is because they are known for releasing toxic chemicals during the recycling process. These items are actually better off going in a landfill. While it is worse for the environment, it won’t risk human health.
How can you make sure a plastic container does not have BPA?
To check if a product has BPA, locate the recycling symbol on the container. Inside that little triangle, there will be a number that indicates what type of plastic in the container. These numbers range from one to seven. Items with the number 1, 2, 4, and 5 typically do not contain BPA. Numbers 3, 6, and 7 usually do.
Final Thoughts on Your Old Tupperware
Tupperware is a useful product to have in your home, but there are many healthy and sustainable alternatives, too. When it comes time to stop using your Tupperware containers for food items, you can still use them around the house for storage purposes, composting, and more.
Ready to get be rid of your Tupperware once and for all? Thankfully, you are able to recycle Tupperware once you’re completely done with it. Just be sure to reach out to your local recycling facilities to make sure you do it the right way.
I am a copywriter and editor based in the Las Vegas area with nearly a decade of experience under my belt writing landing pages, cost guides, blog posts, newsletters, case studies, and social media content. I have a degree in Strategic Communication and experience working in both the account and creative spheres. My goal is to always be discovering new interests and bettering myself as a writer and editor along the way.
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