<PAGE>
                                                                      EXHIBIT 24


                               PACTIV CORPORATION

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

     The undersigned does hereby appoint James V. Faulkner, Jr., as his true and
lawful attorney, to execute in his name, place and stead, the Pactiv Corporation
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 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.  Such attorney shall have the power to act hereunder and
shall have full power and authority to do and perform, in the name 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 attorney.

     IN TESTIMONY THEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this
19th day of March, 2003.



                                                          /s/ Larry D. Brady
                                                        ------------------------
                                                              Larry D. Brady
<PAGE>



                               PACTIV CORPORATION

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

     The undersigned does hereby appoint James V. Faulkner, Jr., as his true and
lawful attorney, to execute in his name, place and stead, the Pactiv Corporation
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 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.  Such attorney shall have the power to act hereunder and
shall have full power and authority to do and perform, in the name 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 attorney.

     IN TESTIMONY THEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this
19th day of March, 2003.



                                                       /s/ Robert J. Darnall
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                           Robert J. Darnall
<PAGE>

                               PACTIV CORPORATION

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

     The undersigned does hereby appoint James V. Faulkner, Jr., as his true and
lawful attorney, to execute in his name, place and stead, the Pactiv Corporation
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 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.  Such attorney shall have the power to act hereunder and
shall have full power and authority to do and perform, in the name 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 attorney.

     IN TESTIMONY THEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this
19th day of March, 2003.



                                                       /s/ Mary R. Henderson
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                           Mary R. Henderson
<PAGE>



                               PACTIV CORPORATION

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

     The undersigned does hereby appoint James V. Faulkner, Jr., as his true and
lawful attorney, to execute in his name, place and stead, the Pactiv Corporation
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 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.  Such attorney shall have the power to act hereunder and
shall have full power and authority to do and perform, in the name 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 attorney.

     IN TESTIMONY THEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this
19th day of March, 2003.



                                                       /s/ Roger B. Porter
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                           Roger B. Porter
<PAGE>



                               PACTIV CORPORATION

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

     The undersigned does hereby appoint James V. Faulkner, Jr., as his true and
lawful attorney, to execute in his name, place and stead, the Pactiv Corporation
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 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.  Such attorney shall have the power to act hereunder and
shall have full power and authority to do and perform, in the name 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 attorney.

     IN TESTIMONY THEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this
19th day of March, 2003.



                                                       /s/ Paul T. Stecko
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                           Paul T. Stecko
<PAGE>



                               PACTIV CORPORATION

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

     The undersigned does hereby appoint James V. Faulkner, Jr., as his true and
lawful attorney, to execute in his name, place and stead, the Pactiv Corporation
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 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.  Such attorney shall have the power to act hereunder and
shall have full power and authority to do and perform, in the name 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 attorney.

     IN TESTIMONY THEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this
19th day of March, 2003.



                                                       /s/ Norman H. Wesley
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                           Norman H. Wesley