Final Up to date on March 29, 2024

You’ve most likely heard of silicone earlier than: It’s in houseware, sealants, and medical units. Assume silicone baking molds, silicone utensil units, and so forth.  

However what precisely is it? And is silicone plastic? Not precisely. 

First, it’s necessary to notice silicone is an artificial materials, created from a mixture of silica (sand) and oxygen (extra on this later). The silicone-making course of is advanced and power intensive, which contributes to emissions. 

Silicone’s environmental footprint is price discussing as a result of it depends on non-renewable hydrocarbons for manufacturing and has challenges in recycling and biodegradability.   

Nonetheless, by way of how silicone compares to plastic on an environmental influence scale, it’s a higher substitute. Right here’s every little thing it’s good to find out about silicone and should you ought to use it. 

how is silicone made? 

Silicone is made by extracting silicon from silica and passing it by hydrocarbons. It’s then combined with different chemical substances to create silicone. 

Nonetheless, to completely perceive this course of, it’s necessary to get the terminology proper. Right here’s a step-by-step break down: 

silica 

Silica is the uncooked materials used to make silicone resins, aka sand. Seashore sand is virtually pure silica, as is quartz. 

silicon 

That is the bottom factor that makes up silica, however silicon isn’t usually present in nature on this elemental kind. It’s made by heating silica at very excessive temperatures with carbon in an industrial furnace. 

silicone

The silicon is then reacted with fossil gas–derived hydrocarbons to create the siloxane monomers (alternating silicon + oxygen atoms) that are bonded collectively into polymers to kind the spine of the ultimate silicone resin.  

is silicone the identical as plastic? 

Silicone isn’t the identical as plastic, however it’s comparable. Technically, silicone could possibly be thought-about a part of the rubber household. 

Nonetheless, silicone is one thing of a hybrid between a artificial rubber and an artificial plastic polymer. Silicone can be utilized to make malleable rubber-like gadgets, laborious resins, and spreadable fluids. 

In an identical approach to plastic, it may be formed or shaped and softened or hardened into virtually something.

Nonetheless, listed below are its distinct variations from plastic: 

• Extra temperature resistant and sturdy  
• Has a low reactivity with chemical substances 
• Extremely fuel permeable, making it helpful for medical or industrial purposes 
• Straightforward-to-clean, non-stick, and non-staining 

is silicone recyclable? 

Silicone shares one other trait with plastic: It’s laborious to recycle.

Silicone has a low recycling fee. It’s because most silicone isn’t recyclable by your native municipal recycling program (although it is best to all the time double examine). Whereas silicone is technically recyclable, you’ll probably must take it to a specialised personal recycling facility. 

Even then, silicone would probably be downcycled into oil used as lubricant for industrial machines. Like plastic, it may by no means be the identical factor twice. 

Nonetheless, it’s price noting there are some manufacturers, like Stasher bag, that make the most of silicone and have a recycling program in place.  

does silicone give off microplastics? 

Although silicone is technically a plastic polymer, its sturdy molecular construction retains it from shedding microplastics in the way in which that widespread plastics do.  

That stated, silicone can nonetheless break aside into small items and enter our waterways. 

To make it final so long as attainable, be aware of utilizing it round sharp objects, just like the blades of a meals processor or sharp knife.  

is silicone environmentally pleasant? 

Silicone isn’t essentially the most environmentally pleasant materials to select from, nevertheless it’s higher than plastic. Simply be aware that producing silicone makes use of hydrocarbons derived from petroleum, which is a fossil gas and non-renewable useful resource. 

Nonetheless, not like plastic, silicone gadgets don’t are typically made into single-use gadgets. For instance, silicone baking sheets, molds, and utensils may be reused for years.  

Stasher baggage are an important instance of this: One Stasher bag retains 260 single-use plastic baggage out of oceans per yr. Plus, they’re sturdy, simple to make use of, and secure for the dishwasher, microwave, and oven (as much as 425°F). 

Listed here are some methods to minimize silicone’s environmental influence: 

• Purchase secondhand silicone gadgets at native thrift shops, or Fb market 
• Solely get it should you plan to make use of it for years to come back 
• Solely wash it when it’s good to, and if you do, use the dishwasher to save lots of power and water 
• Look for prime quality, meals grade or medical grade silicone that doesn’t comprise any fillers 
• Discover a new dwelling for gently used silicone, should you’re able to do away with yours 

is silicone safer than plastic for meals? 

Silicone is a safer different to deal with meals than plastic, so long as it’s food-grade silicone. I personally love utilizing Stasher baggage (that are created from food-grade silicone) to pop my popcorn within the microwave!

Nonetheless, it’s necessary to notice silicone isn’t fully chemically unreactive and may probably launch poisonous chemical substances over time.  

Right here’s some analysis that’s been performed on silicone:

• One examine examined the discharge of siloxanes from silicone nipples and bakeware into milk, child system and a simulant answer of water and alcohol. After 72 hours within the alcohol answer, a number of siloxanes had been detected.  
• One other examine discovered siloxanes being launched from silicone bakeware, with leaching rising because the meals fats content material elevated (resembling utilizing oils). 
• The consequences of widespread siloxanes proven in animal research might result in impaired fertility and potential carcinogenicity.

Nonetheless, this doesn’t imply you need to toss out all of your silicone gadgets proper now: Not sufficient analysis has been achieved to completely perceive the well being results of utilizing silicone.

That stated, you could need to bake in one thing apart from silicone if in case you have the choice.

Although it’s price noting silicone cookware is probably going safer than conventional non-stick varieties utilizing Teflon coatings. If it’s a alternative between the 2, use silicone. Glass, ceramic, and stainless-steel bakeware are greatest.

RELATED: 6 Finest Non-Poisonous Bakeware Units For a Eco-Pleasant Kitchen

Silicone gadgets like spatulas, pot holders, and so forth. seem secure given the small quantity of contact they make with meals. Simply don’t soften them! Wood cooking utensils are additionally one other different.

Pure rubber could be a good different for issues like bottle nipples and soothers, if there isn’t a danger of rubber allergy. Extra silicone alternate options are listed beneath.

alternate options to silicone 

For those who’d choose to not use silicone, listed below are some sustainable silicone alternate options to contemplate. However bear in mind: Utilizing what you have got will all the time be essentially the most eco aware alternative, so solely buy new gadgets if you actually need them or can’t discover them secondhand. 

beeswax wraps 

As a substitute of silicone lids on your bowls, attempt beeswax wraps. These are compostable on the finish of their life. You simply use the heat of your fingers to safe them into place.  

unbleached parchment paper 

You should utilize these to line baking sheets. I like to recommend If You Care’s parchment paper, because it’s absolutely compostable on the finish of its life.

jars 

Use upcycled glass jars to retailer leftovers, and even freeze meals in. These additionally make nice containers for on the go snacks or lunches.  

plates 

Place leftovers in a bowl and canopy it with a plate. That is certainly one of my favorites as a result of it’s so easy! 

picket utensils 

Go for picket cooking utensils the place you may, like picket spoons, ladles, spatulas, slotted spoons, and rice scoops. 

glass storage containers 

Attempt selecting glass snapware to retailer leftovers in. You can even freeze meals in these, in addition to warmth up meals within the microwave (simply take away the lid first). 

kitchen towels 

As a substitute of potholders that usually comprise silicone, you might attempt utilizing cotton kitchen towels – when folded they’re warmth resistant and multipurpose. Skilled cooks choose them! 

So, is silicone plastic? Not fairly, however it’s a artificial materials.

What are your ideas? Do you retain silicone merchandise in your kitchen? Let me know within the feedback!