You’ve perhaps heard of silicone sooner than: It’s in houseware, sealants, and medical devices. Assume silicone baking molds, silicone utensil models, and so forth.
Nevertheless what exactly is it? And is silicone plastic? Not exactly.
First, it’s needed to note silicone is a synthetic supplies, created from a combination of silica (sand) and oxygen (additional on this later). The silicone-making course of is sophisticated and vitality intensive, which contributes to emissions.
Silicone’s environmental footprint is worth discussing on account of it is dependent upon non-renewable hydrocarbons for manufacturing and has challenges in recycling and biodegradability.
Nonetheless, relating to how silicone compares to plastic on an environmental have an effect on scale, it is a greater substitute. Proper right here’s each factor it is important find out about silicone and for many who ought to make use of it.
how is silicone made?
Silicone is made by extracting silicon from silica and passing it by means of hydrocarbons. It’s then blended with totally different chemical substances to create silicone.
Nonetheless, to completely 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 nearly pure silica, as is quartz.
silicon
That’s the backside ingredient that makes up silica, nonetheless silicon is simply not normally current in nature on this elemental kind. It is made by heating silica at very extreme temperatures with carbon in an industrial furnace.
silicone
The silicon is then reacted with fossil gasoline–derived hydrocarbons to create the siloxane monomers (alternating silicon + oxygen atoms) which can be bonded collectively into polymers to kind the backbone of the last word silicone resin.
is silicone the similar as plastic?
Silicone is simply not the similar as plastic, nonetheless it is comparable. Technically, silicone might probably be considered part of the rubber family.
Nonetheless, silicone is one factor of a hybrid between a synthetic rubber and a synthetic plastic polymer. Silicone might be utilized to make malleable rubber-like devices, onerous resins, and spreadable fluids.
In an identical answer to plastic, it could be shaped or original and softened or hardened into nearly one thing.
Nonetheless, listed under are its distinct variations from plastic:
- Additional temperature resistant and durable
- Has a low reactivity with chemical substances
- 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 onerous to recycle.
Silicone has a low recycling price. It is as a result of most silicone is simply not recyclable by means of your native municipal recycling program (though you have to always double check). Whereas silicone is technically recyclable, you’d in all probability must take it to a specialised private recycling facility.
Even then, silicone would in all probability be downcycled into oil used as lubricant for industrial machines. Like plastic, it could probably certainly not be the similar issue twice.
Nonetheless, it’s worth noting there are some producers, like Stasher bag, that profit from silicone and have a recycling program in place.
does silicone give off microplastics?
Though silicone is technically a plastic polymer, its sturdy molecular development retains it from shedding microplastics in the way in which by which that frequent plastics do.
That talked about, silicone can nonetheless break apart into small objects and enter our waterways.
To make it last as long as doable, 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 primarily essentially the most environmentally nice supplies to pick out from, however it certainly’s greater than plastic. Merely remember that producing silicone makes use of hydrocarbons derived from petroleum, which is a fossil gasoline and non-renewable helpful useful resource.
Nonetheless, in distinction to plastic, silicone devices don’t are normally made into single-use devices. As an illustration, silicone baking sheets, molds, and utensils will probably be reused for years.
Stasher baggage are a implausible occasion of this: One Stasher bag retains 260 single-use plastic baggage out of oceans per 12 months. Plus, they’re sturdy, easy to utilize, and guarded for the dishwasher, microwave, and oven (as a lot as 425°F).
Listed below are some strategies to reduce silicone’s environmental have an effect on:
- Buy secondhand silicone devices at native thrift retailers, or Fb market
- Solely get it for many who plan to utilize it for years to return again
- Solely wash it when it is important, and whilst you do, use the dishwasher to save lots of a lot of vitality and water
- Search for top of the range, meals grade or medical grade silicone that does not comprise any fillers
- Uncover a brand new home for gently used silicone, for many who’re in a position to eliminate yours
is silicone safer than plastic for meals?
Silicone is a safer varied to accommodate meals than plastic, as long as it’s food-grade silicone. I personally love using Stasher baggage (which can be created from food-grade silicone) to pop my popcorn inside the microwave!
Nonetheless, it’s needed to note silicone is simply not completely chemically unreactive and may in all probability launch toxic chemical substances 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, baby elements and a simulant decision of water and alcohol. After 72 hours inside the alcohol decision, quite a few siloxanes have 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 (akin to using oils).
- The results of frequent siloxanes confirmed in animal analysis may end in impaired fertility and potential carcinogenicity.
Nonetheless, this doesn’t indicate it is vital to toss out your whole silicone devices correct now: Not adequate evaluation has been executed to completely understand the properly being outcomes of using silicone.
That talked about, likelihood is you will must bake in a single factor apart from silicone if in case you’ve got the selection.
Though it is worth noting silicone cookware might be going safer than standard non-stick varieties using Teflon coatings. If it’s a variety between the two, use silicone. Glass, ceramic, and stainless-steel bakeware are best.
RELATED: 6 Most interesting Non-Toxic Bakeware Items For a Eco-Nice Kitchen
Silicone devices like spatulas, pot holders, and so forth. appear protected given the small amount of contact they make with meals. Merely don’t soften them! Picket cooking utensils are moreover one different varied.
Pure rubber is normally a superb varied for points like bottle nipples and soothers, if there is no such thing as a such factor as a menace of rubber allergy. Additional silicone choices are listed underneath.
choices to silicone
In case you’d need to not use silicone, listed under are some sustainable silicone choices to ponder. Nevertheless keep in mind: Using what you may need will always be primarily essentially the most eco acutely conscious choice, so solely purchase new devices when you actually need them or can’t uncover them secondhand.
beeswax wraps
In its place of silicone lids to your bowls, try beeswax wraps. These are compostable on the end of their life. You merely use the warmth of your arms to protected them into place.
unbleached parchment paper
You should use these to line baking sheets. I wish to advocate If You Care’s parchment paper, as 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 one amongst my favorites on account of it’s really easy!
wooden utensils
Go for wooden cooking utensils the place you probably can, like wooden spoons, ladles, spatulas, slotted spoons, and rice scoops.
glass storage containers
Attempt deciding on glass snapware to retailer leftovers in. You may additionally freeze meals in these, along with heat up meals inside the microwave (merely take away the lid first).
kitchen towels
In its place of potholders that normally comprise silicone, you’d try using cotton kitchen towels – when folded they’re heat resistant and multipurpose. Expert cooks need 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 inside the suggestions!