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Before deciding what to do with old Tupperware, a crucial step is to assess its safety. The Tupperware brand eliminated BPA from its products in 2010, which raises concerns about how long you've had your containers. Vintage Tupperware could potentially leach heavy metals such as cadmium and lead into your food, rendering it unsafe. Microwaving any plastic, including BPA-free options, can allow chemicals to leach into your food, so it’s best to avoid heating food in plastic containers altogether.
Signs of deterioration, such as scratches, chips, or severe staining, can compromise the structural integrity of the Tupperware, leading to potential contamination.