Your hunt for ways to reduce waste and recycle your trash can seem overwhelming.
Thankfully, there are a lot of things you can do to help reduce your trash and impact on the environment. Tupperware can be one such source.
You can recycling your Tupperware by going through the different stages of Benn’s Recycling Program. So, can you recycle tupperware?
Yes, you can recycle your tupperware containers! They are made of polyethylene-terephthalate (PET) and are recyclable in many communities in the U.S.
If you’ve purchased your tupperware recently, it probably had a recycling label on it indicating whether or not it was recyclable in your town.
However, if you’re unsure about whether your tupperware can be recycled, take a look at the following list of common household items and how they can be recycled.
Can You Recycle Tupperware?
Contents
Tupperware goods may either be recycled using plastic recycling in your town or dropped off with your local Goodwill Center.
Off-brand plastic and rubber food storage items are usually made of recyclable polyethylene-terephthalate (PET) plastic which can be collected with other plastic bottles and jugs curbside at curbside pick-up.
Rubbermaid storage containers are made of an acrylic plastic which is recyclable but differs from PET plastics.
It is generally considered safe to recycle these containers with other hard plastic items.
Many, but not all, recycle centers accept both hard plastic containers and soft plastic food containers such as plastic wraps and baggies.
How Long Does Tupperware Last?
Tupperware, in my household, was usually used once and discarded. Since the material is somewhat brittle, it was usually scratched or dented and would be replaced rather soon.
However, many people have reported that their Tupperware lasts a very long time and lasts several generations.
Some of their lids are used on containers that haven’t been touched in over 30 years. So it seems that the lifespan of your tupperware depends on what you do with it and how well your household manages it.
People have been known to take Tupperware containers to a third world country and leave them in junkyards.
It never decomposes since it is always sealed and would therefore be a good item for these people to use instead of clay or tin cans.
When is Your Tupperware Considered Old?
We find ourselves utilizing Tupperware or plastic storage containers for the storage of food.
You’ll want to replace a plastic container if it develops cracks, leaks or mold is visible.
If your product is leaking from cracks or the container is severely cracked and leaking, you’ll want to replace it since food can come into contact with the cracks and contaminate the food inside the container.
Because it may leak dangerous chemicals into your food, you’ll want to also avoid consuming your food from cracked containers.
When the lids of plastic storage containers break, you can usually just pop the lid in it’s original position and secure it by placing something on top like a heavy book or saucer and it should.
Make it a point to regularly check your plastic storage containers for cracks or chemical leakage so you don’t end up consuming contaminated food.
It’s stained and old; it’s just an ugly color.
If you find a strange odor or stickiness in your plastic storage container, you may want to replace it immediately.
Strange texture with cooked food can be caused by a build up of mineral deposits or a chemical reaction with the plastic itself.
It’s a warning that the plastic container may be leaking chemicals or breaking down chemically which will contaminate your food.
When you don’t use plastic storage containers on a regular basis, you may have a hard time finding use for them later, so it’s advisable to organize your plastic containers as soon as you get them so you can find them when you need them later.
When it comes to storing your plastic food containers, it helps if you keep them clean by washing them by hand with warm soapy water and a soft sponge.
You most likely dislike seeing your Tupperware cracked and stained, but old Tupperware should also be avoided because it’s contaminated and can harm your health.
What Can You Do with Old Tupperware?
Return it to the manufacturer
Tupperware may also contain harmful chemicals which are harmful for your health due to the manufacture process used to make the plastic and the glue used to keep the food from leaking out.
All you have to do now to clean the surface a bit is to use a biodegradable degreaser such as vinegar, lemon juice or dish washing liquid and then rinse well.
You must, as usual, check the manufacturer’s guidelines for using this type of cleaner on your plastic container.
Remember to include your jar lids in the dishwasher because it’s this lid which comes into contact with food.
Make a Donation to a Local Charity
Tupperware may also be donated to a charity organization if you do not need them anymore, or if they are in good condition.
You should not anticipate to get a refund though because you are only giving the charity the opportunity to use your old containers for food storage or serving.
However, you may be certain to get a receipt from the charity organization so you could get a tax benefit from donating a way unwanted Tupperware.
However, just like you did with the manufacturer, you should only give smaller jars and containers to the charity organization because larger ones may contain dangerous and harmful chemicals.
Sell Them to a Thrift Store
You may always sell them to the nearest thrift store. You can often find local thrift stores looking for donations. Sometimes they may even pay you for your reusable items. Smart shoppers may try to purchase old items at yard sales or second hand stores from garage sales because they can usually be found at a fraction of the new price and can be recycled as well.
This is because it enables you not only to get money for these items but also do your part in preserving the planet and recycling items which can no longer be used.
However, before you go to the secondhand store or try to sell it at a yard sale, you should make sure that the container is in perfect condition and discourages rust and corrosion first.
For example, you should remove the old labels and disinfect them before selling or donating them.
It’s also better to use Tupperware containers without bisphenol A because according to studies, it can cause health problems such as diabetes, cancer, and other health problems.
In addition, make sure not to place food in these containers that you can’t eat anymore because they may accumulate bacteria overtime and be safe in Tupperware only if it is stored properly.
Before traveling to the thrift shop or hoping that someone will buy your used Tupperware, you should first clean them thoroughly to prevent the spread of bacteria or decay.
As a result, make sure not to lose the bins that come with your containers because you might need them to store them properly after cleaning them.
Can You Put Tupperware In the Normal Trash?
You can throw some Tupperware items in the regular trash but not all containers.
However, you should research about their composition first because aluminum is particularly problematic because of its low level of resistance to corrosion and may cause health issues if inhaled or swallowed repeatedly.
Some municipalities and communities may accept plastic containers in the regular trash but they may ask you to pay for garbage pickup services.
Keep in mind that putting Tupperware in the regular trash can also pollute the environment that is harmful especially if there is a current or recent garbage dump in your area and that you may be fined for such violation.
If the Tupperware is disposed of in a landfill, it will only add to the landfill waste, adding to the problem which is already enormous.
This will ultimately contaminate the soil and cause danger to wildlife and groundwater.
It effectively renders the landfill unusable and destroys the ecosystem of the region.
Toxic gases will be released, and the water in the area may become contaminated as well.
Furthermore, if the plastic is not recycled, it will continue to threaten the environment.
Also Read: Can You Recycle Wet Cardboard?
Conclusion
There are a lot of things you can do to reduce the amount of trash you generate and help the environment.
Recycling your tupperware is a simple and easy way to reduce the amount of trash you send to the landfill and reduce your impact on the environment.
If your community doesn’t accept recycling of tupperware containers, you can look into local drop-off centers or look for alternative options such as donating your tupperware to a worthy organization or mailing it off for reuse or repurposing.
