These containers come in all shapes and sizes, but usually consist of a frosted clear-plastic base with a bright, pastel-coloured lid, or an integrated hinged flap in it. The intention of the majority of these containers is to keep food contained inside perfectly fresh while still allowing simple access by removal of the lid ¹   . The companies responsible for producing these containers have diversified into the provision of unbreakable crockery, sturdy cutlery and similar items which are considered disposable and easily replaced² , all of which usually get hidden somewhere at the back of the least accessible cupboard in the house³ in the hope that they will disappear completely or, possibly with time, biodegrade.

Expelling Air

A common attribute amongst these containers is that users are normally compelled, quite beyond reason, to force an expulsion of air when replacing the lid. This is achieved by:

• Firstly, taking the container and pressing the lid firmly into place.

• Then, carefully, taking one edge of the lid and pulling it slightly free of the lip of the container.

• Pressure is then applied with a free hand against the centre of the lid forcing it downwards and displacing a small volume of air within the container.

• Finally, the lid is forced down as quickly as possible⁴ before the whole container is stored away in a cupboard, refrigerator or freezer.

The reason why people who know what they're doing burp plastic containers while closing them is:

• To offset the detrimental effects of fermentation, caused by naturally occurring, airbourne yeast feeding on oxygen within the container.

• To limit the exposure of the content to bacteria and fungus that may result in serious health implications.

Advanced Stacking

Many of the plastic containers are designed to be stacked within a storage space providing a means to economise on the consumption of space for the storage of foodstuffs. Employing the stacking method requires a good deal of forward planning, however, to ensure that digestive biscuits, honey-nut cereals and other commonly required items, are near the top of the pile, while the Orange Marinated Cheese-and-Gherkin Pufflets and Korean savoury unidentified meat-and-vegetable parcels⁵ are left right at the bottom. Not engaging in proper planning normally leads to a disaster-waiting-to-happen effort of lifting the stack three-quarters of the way down with both hands and chin then attempting to extract the required container with a free kneecap or unwilling domestic pet.

One of the most impressive examples of advanced stacking can be seen outside the World Headquarters and Conference Centre of Tupperware, north of Kissimmee, Orlando FL. A statue composed of plastic storage containers, 100-feet tall, erected in November 1999 to celebrate the companies sales success.