Closing Updated on March 29, 2024
You’ve perhaps heard of silicone sooner than: It’s in houseware, sealants, and medical devices. Suppose silicone baking molds, silicone utensil models, and plenty of others.
Nevertheless what exactly is it? And is silicone plastic? Not exactly.
First, it’s needed to note silicone is a man-made supplies, constituted of a combination of silica (sand) and oxygen (additional on this later). The silicone-making course of is superior and energy intensive, which contributes to emissions.
Silicone’s environmental footprint is worth discussing on account of it relies on non-renewable hydrocarbons for manufacturing and has challenges in recycling and biodegradability.
Nonetheless, in the case of how silicone compares to plastic on an environmental impression scale, it is a increased substitute. Proper right here’s each half it is worthwhile to seek out out about silicone and in case you ought to make use of it.
how is silicone made?
Silicone is made by extracting silicon from silica and passing it by hydrocarbons. It’s then blended with completely different chemical compounds to create silicone.
Nonetheless, to fully understand this course of, it’s essential to get the terminology correct. Proper right here’s a step-by-step break down:
silica
Silica is the raw supplies used to make silicone resins, aka sand. Seashore sand is just about pure silica, as is quartz.
silicon
That’s the backside facet that makes up silica, nonetheless silicon is not going to be often current in nature on this elemental type. It is made by heating silica at very extreme temperatures with carbon in an industrial furnace.
silicone
The silicon is then reacted with fossil fuel–derived hydrocarbons to create the siloxane monomers (alternating silicon + oxygen atoms) which might be bonded collectively into polymers to type the backbone of the final word silicone resin.
is silicone the similar as plastic?
Silicone is not going to be the similar as plastic, nonetheless it is associated. Technically, silicone could very properly be considered part of the rubber family.
Nonetheless, silicone is one factor of a hybrid between a synthetic rubber and a man-made plastic polymer. Silicone could be utilized to make malleable rubber-like objects, arduous resins, and spreadable fluids.
In a similar approach to plastic, it might be fashioned or formed and softened or hardened into just about one thing.
Nonetheless, listed below are its distinct variations from plastic:
- Further temperature resistant and durable
- Has a low reactivity with chemical compounds
- Extraordinarily gasoline permeable, making it useful for medical or industrial capabilities
- Easy-to-clean, non-stick, and non-staining
is silicone recyclable?
Silicone shares one different trait with plastic: It’s arduous to recycle.
Silicone has a low recycling cost. It is as a result of most silicone is not going to be recyclable by your native municipal recycling program (though you might want to on a regular basis double take a look at). Whereas silicone is technically recyclable, you will in all probability ought to take it to a specialised personal recycling facility.
Even then, silicone would in all probability be downcycled into oil used as lubricant for industrial machines. Like plastic, it might presumably under no circumstances be the similar issue twice.
Nonetheless, it’s worth noting there are some producers, like Stasher bag, that take advantage of silicone and have a recycling program in place.
does silicone give off microplastics?
Though silicone is technically a plastic polymer, its sturdy molecular building retains it from shedding microplastics in the easiest way that widespread plastics do.
That said, silicone can nonetheless break apart into small objects and enter our waterways.
To make it last as long as potential, pay attention to using it spherical sharp objects, similar to the blades of a meals processor or sharp knife.
is silicone environmentally nice?
Silicone isn’t in all probability essentially the most environmentally nice supplies to pick out from, however it’s increased than plastic. Merely bear in mind that producing silicone makes use of hydrocarbons derived from petroleum, which is a fossil fuel and non-renewable helpful useful resource.
Nonetheless, not like plastic, silicone objects don’t are sometimes made into single-use objects. As an illustration, silicone baking sheets, molds, and utensils is perhaps reused for years.
Stasher baggage are an vital occasion of this: One Stasher bag retains 260 single-use plastic baggage out of oceans per yr. Plus, they’re sturdy, easy to utilize, and guarded for the dishwasher, microwave, and oven (as a lot as 425°F).
Listed beneath are some strategies to scale back silicone’s environmental impression:
- Buy secondhand silicone objects at native thrift retailers, or Fb market
- Solely get it in case you propose to utilize it for years to come back again
- Solely wash it when it is worthwhile to, and for those who do, use the dishwasher to avoid wasting a number of energy and water
- Search for high quality, meals grade or medical grade silicone that would not comprise any fillers
- Uncover a brand new dwelling for gently used silicone, in case you’re in a position to eradicate yours
is silicone safer than plastic for meals?
Silicone is a safer numerous to accommodate meals than plastic, as long as it’s food-grade silicone. I personally love using Stasher baggage (which might be constituted of food-grade silicone) to pop my popcorn throughout the microwave!
Nonetheless, it’s needed to note silicone is not going to be totally chemically unreactive and would possibly in all probability launch toxic chemical compounds over time.
Proper right here’s some evaluation that’s been carried out on silicone:
- One study examined the discharge of siloxanes from silicone nipples and bakeware into milk, youngster system and a simulant reply of water and alcohol. After 72 hours throughout the alcohol reply, quite a lot of siloxanes had been detected.
- One different study found siloxanes being launched from silicone bakeware, with leaching rising as a result of the meals fat content material materials elevated (similar to using oils).
- The implications of widespread siloxanes confirmed in animal analysis could lead to impaired fertility and potential carcinogenicity.
Nonetheless, this doesn’t suggest you need to toss out all your silicone objects correct now: Not enough evaluation has been carried out to fully understand the properly being outcomes of using silicone.
That said, you would possibly must bake in a single factor apart from silicone you in all probability have the selection.
Though it is worth noting silicone cookware might be going safer than typical non-stick varieties using Teflon coatings. If it’s a different between the two, use silicone. Glass, ceramic, and stainless-steel bakeware are best.
RELATED: 6 Biggest Non-Toxic Bakeware Models For a Eco-Nice Kitchen
Silicone objects like spatulas, pot holders, and plenty of others. appear protected given the small amount of contact they make with meals. Merely don’t soften them! Picket cooking utensils are moreover one different numerous.
Pure rubber could possibly be a superb numerous for points like bottle nipples and soothers, if there is not a risk of rubber allergy. Further silicone choices are listed beneath.
choices to silicone
Do you have to’d favor to not use silicone, listed below are some sustainable silicone choices to ponder. Nevertheless take note: Using what you may need will on a regular basis be in all probability essentially the most eco acutely conscious different, so solely purchase new objects for those who really need them or can’t uncover them secondhand.
beeswax wraps
In its place of silicone lids in your bowls, attempt beeswax wraps. These are compostable on the end of their life. You merely use the warmth of your arms to secure them into place.
unbleached parchment paper
That you must use these to line baking sheets. I wish to advocate If You Care’s parchment paperas a result of it’s completely compostable on the end of its life.
jars
Use upcycled glass jars to retailer leftovers, and even freeze meals in. These moreover make good containers for on the go snacks or lunches.
plates
Place leftovers in a bowl and cover it with a plate. That’s definitely one in every of my favorites on account of it’s really easy!
wooden utensils
Go for wooden cooking utensils the place you can, like wooden spoons, ladles, spatulas, slotted spoons, and rice scoops.
glass storage containers
Try choosing glass snapware to retailer leftovers in. You’ll be able to even freeze meals in these, along with heat up meals throughout the microwave (merely take away the lid first).
kitchen towels
In its place of potholders that at all times comprise silicone, you would presumably attempt using cotton kitchen towels – when folded they’re heat resistant and multipurpose. Expert cooks favor them!
So, is silicone plastic? Not pretty, nonetheless it is a synthetic supplies.
What are your concepts? Do you keep silicone merchandise in your kitchen? Let me know throughout the suggestions!