EXHIBIT 32.1 - SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002, SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION

I, Richard L. Wambold, certify that:

(1)  the Form 10-Q of Pactiv Corporation for the period ended June 30, 2003 (the
     "Report") fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section
     15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and
(2)  the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material
     respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Pactiv
     Corporation for the period then ended.


/s/ RICHARD L. WAMBOLD
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Richard L. Wambold
Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer


August 14, 2003
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Date











This certification accompanies this report pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and shall not, except to the extent required by the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, be deemed filed by the Company for purposes of
Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. A signed original
of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the
Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and
Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.