Tupperware set to cease operating in Australia, with global business reduced from 70 countries to eight

Tupperware is set to cease operations in Australia, following the sale of the global business after it filed for bankruptcy.

The business, known the world over for its plastic food storage containers, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September after years of falling popularity and financial troubles.

Chapter 11 bankruptcy allows companies to solve their financial problems by restructuring.

The US business was founded in 1942 by Earl Tupper in Massachusetts — though the company is now based in Florida — and began operating in Australia in the 1960s.

“We’ve been told that the new owners ... are not proceeding with Tupperware in Australia,” Tupperware consultant Maria told 2GB on Monday.

“They’re only keeping eight countries open out of 70, and unfortunately Australia is not one of them.

“We don’t know a final date for Australia as yet.

“We’ve been told we’ll be paid all our commission and what we’re owed.

“But that’s all we know thus far. ‘The business will no longer trade in Australia’. That’s what we’ve been told.

“It is (disappointing) ... I’m fine, but some of these women have made it their career and they’re the ones that I feel sorry for.

“But the writing has been on the wall for us oldies. I’ve been in Tupperware for 15 years. The writing has been on the wall for I’d say maybe four years.”

Tupperware was once a household name, but has become less popular with younger consumers in contrast with some of its competitors — though many still refer to all food plastic containers as Tupperware.

The business first rang the alarm bells in April 2023, when it disclosed in a regulatory filing that it could go out of business.

The company said at the time that, if it didn’t find more cash, it would no longer be able to fund its operations.

Tupperware found that lifeline four months later, when it reached a deal with its creditors to reduce its interest payment obligations by $US150 million. It also secured $US21 million in new financing, an extension on the deadline for paying back about $US348 million in debt and a reduction in the amount of debt it owed by about $US55 million.

However, the company’s finances still declined following the deal.

Tupperware shuttered its South Carolina plant this year, which was its only US plant, resulting in 148 layoffs, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act filing.

Tupperware Australia has been contacted for comment by 7NEWS.com.au.