Ask Wirecutter: Is It Okay to Reuse Plastic Takeout Containers?
Before we get into some of the thornier issues, one of my biggest annoyances about takeout storage containers — like the ones with the black plastic bottoms and clear plastic tops, or the taller plastic deli containers — is that they don’t have standardized manufacturing specifications. That means you end up sorting through a scattered pile of lids and bottoms that don’t quite fit together.
Beyond that, the discourse around plastic can be a bit scary and confusing. Though the risk of exposure to harmful chemicals from black plastic kitchenware is likely lower than initial panic suggested, there are many reasons people are looking to reduce their use of plastic and microplastics — and there is good reason to reduce it with leftovers in particular.
“While reusing plastic to cut back on waste is admirable, Wirecutter doesn’t recommend reusing plastic takeout containers for food,” says editor Katie Okamoto, who covers sustainability for Wirecutter.
That’s because their materials aren’t made for repeat use and may be particularly prone to shedding microplastics and related chemicals, especially when heated up. Just what microplastic exposure means for our health is still being studied, but if you’re trying to lower your potential exposure to microplastics and plastic chemicals, we don’t recommend using plastic for long-term food storage or heating food in plastic.
For food safety reasons, leftovers should be consumed within three or four days, and they can be frozen if you need an extension on that timeline. So if you’re going to use those plastic containers, we’d suggest that your friends take them home and then decant the food into another container for use during the leftover storage window.
If you feel guilty about the stacks of takeout containers piling up, we highly endorse finding other ways to reuse them around the home that don’t involve food, like organizing craft supplies. You can also check with your local recycling system to see if they are accepted.
