Polypropylene tub
Moderate releasePolypropylene, PP (#5)
The short answer
One of the more thermally stable food plastics, which is why it is used for yogurt and microwave containers. Stability is relative though: PP is still a carbon-chain polymer, and it is usually the format people microwave.
What actually drives release
- Direct contact with the contents across the whole tub
- Heat, when used for reheating
- Abrasion from cutlery and dishwasher cycles when reused
When it gets worse
- Microwaved, whatever the "microwave-safe" label implies
- Reused for hot or oily leftovers
- Scratched or cloudy from repeated dishwashing
Better options
- Glass container
- Stainless steel tin
- Buying the glass-jar version of the product
Where you'll find it
Products scored in this format
Each carries its own exposure score, evidence grade and sources.
Microwave ready-meal tray
CPET or polypropylene tray with a film lid
Grade B · 78%
Tupperware plastic container
Polypropylene or polyethylene tub with a sealing lid
Grade B · 74%
Ziploc plastic container
Polypropylene (#5) tub with a snap-on lid
Grade B · 74%
Yogurt in a plastic pot
Polypropylene or polystyrene pot with a foil lid
Grade C · 60%
Peanut butter in a plastic jar
PET or polypropylene jar with a polypropylene lid
Grade C · 58%
Ice cream in a plastic tub
Polypropylene tub, or paperboard with a polyethylene lining
Grade C · 57%
Infant formula tub
HDPE or composite tub with a plastic scoop
Grade D · 46%
Protein powder in a plastic tub
HDPE or polypropylene tub with a plastic scoop
Grade D · 46%
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Packaging changes the answer more than the brand does. Scan your product with MicroPlastics for a 0–100 exposure score and a lower-plastic version of the same thing.
Scan my productFrequently Asked Questions
Does polypropylene leach microplastics?
What makes polypropylene tub worse?
What should I use instead of polypropylene tub?
Sources
- Earth Action with rePurpose Global (2026). Microplastic migration from food and beverage packaging (reported May 2026). Forbes.
- Qian N, Gao X, Lang X, et al. (2024). Rapid single-particle chemical imaging of nanoplastics by SRS microscopy. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
- Winkler A, Santo N, Ortenzi MA, et al. (2022). Does mechanical stress cause microplastic release from plastic water bottles?. Water Research.
- Hernandez LM, Xu EG, Larsson HCE, et al. (2019). Plastic teabags release billions of microparticles and nanoparticles into tea. Environmental Science & Technology.