Can you put hot food in a plastic container?
You can put hot food in a plastic container, but let it cool slightly first. Never reheat food in plastic in the microwave as this can release toxins into the food.
When should you throw out plastic containers?
Consider replacing plastic containers if they are more than 10 years old, missing a lid, have lingering smells, stains, or visible cracks/damage.
- More than 10 years old
- Missing lid
- Persistent odours
- Stains that won’t come out
- Splits or cracks
Which plastics are food safe?
Use only food-grade plastics for storing food. Some plastics are safe, while others are not.
Safe for food:
- Polyester (PET)
- Natural Grade Nylon 6 & 6.6
- Acetal
- UHMWPE
- Polypropylene
- PVDF
- PEEK/PTFE
Not safe for food:
- Nylons with additives (Oilon or Mos2)
- PVC
- Polystyrene
- Regen (recycled) UHMWPE
- Acrylic
- Polycarbonate
Do plastic containers expire?
Plastic containers can last for years, but once they’re split, cracked, or permanently stained, it’s time to replace them. Ten years is a good maximum lifespan.
How do you dispose of plastic containers?
Most plastic containers can’t go in your regular recycling bin. Search for local recycling skips or centres that accept these items for responsible disposal.
