Tupperware lids can be recyclable, but it depends on the plastic type (usually #5 PP or #1 PET) and your local council's rules, as small plastic items are often too small for sorters; check for the number in the chasing arrows symbol, rinse them, and always verify with your local council for specific instructions, as some prefer lids left on bottles, while others want them removed, and small lids often go to general waste unless attached to a larger container.
FAQs • Can Tupperware containers and specifically, the lids, Can Tupperware containers and specifically, the lids, be recycled? All plastic containers and lids that have the symbol of the chasing arrow on them and are numbered 1-7, and are not black, may be recycled.
Surprising items you shouldn't put in your curbside recycling include plastic bags, shredded paper, Styrofoam, greasy pizza boxes, coffee cups with plastic lining, batteries, clothes hangers, and ceramics/Pyrex, as they contaminate batches or jam machinery. Soft plastics, soiled paper, and small items like bottle caps are also common culprits that belong in the trash or special drop-offs, not the regular bin.
You can use them for nuts/bolts/beads storage. If you have a shelf you can attach the lids to the bottom with screws then you fill them up and screw them under the shelf. Could hold reusable bags, or cat treats. Decorated as you see fit.
Remove all lids from containers and bottles and place in your kerbside rubbish, including flat lids from products like ice cream and margarine. If you would like to recycle plastic lids, you can make use of the Caps and Lids Recycling Scheme, which is operated by the Packaging Forum.
Soda bottle lids are usually made of plastic #5 (or polypropylene) that has a lower recycling commodity market value than the bottles. So leaving a lid on a bottle can actually make it harder for a recycler to properly sort them into different types of plastic and fetch a competitive price.
Non-recyclable items
Using 40-year-old Tupperware for food is generally not recommended due to potential health risks from chemicals like BPA, lead, or arsenic (used as colorants in older items) and physical degradation (cracks, scratches) that harbors bacteria, so it's best to repurpose it for non-food storage or display. While vintage Tupperware is durable, it wasn't designed for modern dishwashers or microwaves and can leach toxins, especially when heated or damaged, making glass or newer, BPA-free containers better food storage choices.
Clean and Dry: Ensure all lids are free from food, drink, or chemical residues. Remove any paper inserts commonly found inside bottle lids. Sort by Plastic Type: Identify the recycling code on the lid, typically #2 (HDPE) or #4 (LDPE). These types are commonly accepted by specialized recycling programs.
A bottle cap which is separate from a bottle is too small to be sorted in a materials recovery facility and will probably end up as trash for landfill or incineration. Please empty your bottles, replace the caps, and deposit them in a recycling bin. Another way to recycle caps is through the “Preserve Gimme 5” program.
Ziploc® Paper Bags are recyclable through standard municipal recycling collection (i.e., blue bin). Look for the How2Recycle® label on your Ziploc® packaging for more details.
Now, toothpaste tubes are made from the same material as milk bottles using high-density polyethylene. This means all tubes, sold nationwide, are now technically 100% recyclable and can be recycled into a range of new items, from garden furniture and plastic piping to bleach bottles.
Normally, plastic items can take up to 1000 years to decompose in landfills.
Invest in a drawer divider or separate bins to keep your lids and containers sorted. You can stack containers by size and stand lids vertically in a bin. This way, you'll always know where your lids are and can grab them easily!
Non-recyclable bags and film, including snack wrappers, cellophane, coffee bags, and prepared food pouches should be disposed of in the trash.
While there is no set timeframe for replacing plastic food containers, experts say they should be tossed out when they show visible wear, chips, cracks, or signs of stains and odors.
Tubes: If your Colgate toothpaste has the recyclable tube symbol, you can visit Australasian Recycling Label website to see if you can recycle it through your local council's recycling program. If your council doesn't accept it, don't worry—you can still recycle your tube through TerraCycle.
Books can be put in your general household waste bin for disposal. They cannot be placed in the purple-lidded recycling bin as the paper in some books has a high level of eucalyptus and makes it difficult to recycle. In addition, the glue or string used to bind books is also not recyclable.
Grease contamination is the main issue, as oils interfere with the pulping process and can compromise entire batches of recycled paper. You can recycle clean portions of a pizza box by tearing off grease-free sections and placing them in your recycling bin while composting or discarding soiled parts.
Tupperware's direct-selling model eventually became a bane for the company. According to its bankruptcy filing, consumers now prefer making purchases in stores or online, and only a small share buy via the direct-selling model. Still, in 2023 some 90% of Tupperware's sales were from direct sales.
Old Tupperware should be thrown out if it shows signs of damage, has persistent stains and odours, is made with BPA, or is no longer functional. Containers with cracks, chips, scratches, or warping, can harbour bacteria and may leach chemicals into food.
At Tupperware®, we take great pride in the quality, design, and durability of our products. That's why most of our items are protected by a Limited Lifetime Warranty, a reflection of our long-standing commitment to excellence.
Yes, bras can be recycled at some out of home recycling points.
Squeezable plastic tubes that contain products such as toothpaste or hand cream can also be recycled, but please make sure they are empty by squeezing out as much as possible.
Should I rinse my plastic bottle before I put it in the bin? Yes, but it isn't required. Residue left in the bottles can contaminate other plastic and can prevent your bottle and others from being fully recycled into a new product.