<PAGE>   1

                                                                      EXHIBIT 24

                               PACTIV CORPORATION

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

     The undersigned does hereby appoint Richard L. Wambold and James V.
Faulkner, Jr., and each of them, severally, as his true and lawful attorneys, or
attorney, to execute in his name, place and stead, the Pactiv Corporation Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 and any and all
amendments to said Annual Report on Form 10-K, and instruments necessary or
incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have the power to act
hereunder and shall have full power and authority to do and perform, in the name
and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act
whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to
all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, the
undersigned hereby ratifying and approving the acts of said attorneys and each
of them.

     IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this
27th day of March 2000.

                                                     /s/ MARK ANDREWS
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                     Mark Andrews
<PAGE>   2

                               PACTIV CORPORATION

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

     The undersigned does hereby appoint Richard L. Wambold and James V.
Faulkner, Jr., and each of them, severally, as his true and lawful attorneys, or
attorney, to execute in his name, place and stead, the Pactiv Corporation Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 and any and all
amendments to said Annual Report on Form 10-K, and instruments necessary or
incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have the power to act
hereunder and shall have full power and authority to do and perform, in the name
and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act
whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to
all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, the
undersigned hereby ratifying and approving the acts of said attorneys and each
of them.

     IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this
27th day of March 2000.

                                                     /s/ LARRY D. BRADY
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                     Larry D. Brady
<PAGE>   3

                               PACTIV CORPORATION

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

     The undersigned does hereby appoint Richard L. Wambold and James V.
Faulkner, Jr., and each of them, severally, as his true and lawful attorneys, or
attorney, to execute in his name, place and stead, the Pactiv Corporation Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 and any and all
amendments to said Annual Report on Form 10-K, and instruments necessary or
incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have the power to act
hereunder and shall have full power and authority to do and perform, in the name
and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act
whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to
all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, the
undersigned hereby ratifying and approving the acts of said attorneys and each
of them.

     IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this
27th day of March 2000.

                                                     /s/ ROBERT J. DARNALL
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                     Robert J. Darnall
<PAGE>   4

                               PACTIV CORPORATION

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

     The undersigned does hereby appoint Richard L. Wambold and James V.
Faulkner, Jr., and each of them, severally, as her true and lawful attorneys, or
attorney, to execute in her name, place and stead, the Pactiv Corporation Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 and any and all
amendments to said Annual Report on Form 10-K, and instruments necessary or
incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have the power to act
hereunder and shall have full power and authority to do and perform, in the name
and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act
whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to
all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, the
undersigned hereby ratifying and approving the acts of said attorneys and each
of them.

     IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this
27th day of March 2000.

                                                     /s/ MARY R. (NINA)
                                                     HENDERSON
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                     Mary R. (Nina) Henderson
<PAGE>   5

                               PACTIV CORPORATION

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

     The undersigned does hereby appoint Richard L. Wambold and James V.
Faulkner, Jr., and each of them, severally, as his true and lawful attorneys, or
attorney, to execute in his name, place and stead, the Pactiv Corporation Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 and any and all
amendments to said Annual Report on Form 10-K, and instruments necessary or
incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have the power to act
hereunder and shall have full power and authority to do and perform, in the name
and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act
whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to
all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, the
undersigned hereby ratifying and approving the acts of said attorneys and each
of them.

     IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this
27th day of March 2000.

                                                     /s/ ROGER B. PORTER
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                     Roger B. Porter
<PAGE>   6

                               PACTIV CORPORATION

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

     The undersigned does hereby appoint Richard L. Wambold and James V.
Faulkner, Jr., and each of them, severally, as his true and lawful attorneys, or
attorney, to execute in his name, place and stead, the Pactiv Corporation Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 and any and all
amendments to said Annual Report on Form 10-K, and instruments necessary or
incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have the power to act
hereunder and shall have full power and authority to do and perform, in the name
and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act
whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to
all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, the
undersigned hereby ratifying and approving the acts of said attorneys and each
of them.

     IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this
27th day of March 2000.

                                                     /s/ PAUL T. STECKO
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                     Paul T. Stecko