Is Silicone Plastic? Proper right here’s What You Should Know

Ultimate Updated on March 29, 2024

You’ve most definitely heard of silicone sooner than: It’s in houseware, sealants, and medical devices. Suppose silicone baking molds, silicone utensil items, and so forth.  

Nonetheless what exactly is it? And is silicone plastic? Not exactly. 

First, it’s vital to note silicone is a synthetic supplies, constituted of a combination of silica (sand) and oxygen (further on this later). The silicone-making course of is sophisticated and vitality intensive, which contributes to emissions. 

Silicone’s environmental footprint is value discussing because of it will depend on non-renewable hydrocarbons for manufacturing and has challenges in recycling and biodegradability.   

Nonetheless, in relation to how silicone compares to plastic on an environmental impression scale, it is a increased substitute. Proper right here’s each factor it’s advisable study silicone and for individuals who ought to make use of it. 

how is silicone made? 

Silicone is made by extracting silicon from silica and passing it by the use of hydrocarbons. It’s then blended with totally different chemical substances 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. Seaside sand is nearly pure silica, as is quartz. 

silicon 

That’s the backside part that makes up silica, nonetheless silicon should not be normally current in nature on this elemental sort. 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 are bonded collectively into polymers to sort the backbone of the final word silicone resin.  

is silicone the equivalent as plastic? 

Silicone should not be the equivalent as plastic, nonetheless it is associated. Technically, silicone might very nicely 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 may be utilized to make malleable rubber-like objects, exhausting resins, and spreadable fluids. 

In the identical choice to plastic, it could be fashioned or original and softened or hardened into nearly one thing.

Nonetheless, listed below are its distinct variations from plastic: 

• Further temperature resistant and durable  
• Has a low reactivity with chemical substances 
• Extraordinarily gasoline permeable, making it useful for medical or industrial functions 
• Easy-to-clean, non-stick, and non-staining 

is silicone recyclable? 

Silicone shares one different trait with plastic: It’s exhausting to recycle.

Silicone has a low recycling payment. It’s as a result of most silicone should not be recyclable by the use of your native municipal recycling program (though it’s essential to always double confirm). Whereas silicone is technically recyclable, you’d most likely ought to take it to a specialised private recycling facility. 

Even then, silicone would most likely be downcycled into oil used as lubricant for industrial machines. Like plastic, it could in no way be the equivalent issue twice. 

Nonetheless, it’s value noting there are some producers, like Stasher bag, that benefit from 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 way in which during which that frequent plastics do.  

That talked about, silicone can nonetheless break apart into small gadgets and enter our waterways. 

To make it remaining as long as attainable, take heed to using it spherical sharp objects, identical to the blades of a meals processor or sharp knife.  

is silicone environmentally nice? 

Silicone isn’t most likely essentially the most environmentally nice supplies to pick from, nonetheless it’s increased than plastic. Merely be acutely aware that producing silicone makes use of hydrocarbons derived from petroleum, which is a fossil gasoline and non-renewable helpful useful resource. 

Nonetheless, not like plastic, silicone objects don’t are usually made into single-use objects. For example, silicone baking sheets, molds, and utensils could possibly be reused for years.  

Stasher baggage are an superior 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 safe for the dishwasher, microwave, and oven (as a lot as 425°F). 

Listed under are some strategies to attenuate silicone’s environmental impression: 

• Buy secondhand silicone objects at native thrift outlets, or Fb market 
• Solely get it for individuals who plan to utilize it for years to return 
• Solely wash it when it’s advisable, and when you do, use the dishwasher to keep away from losing vitality and water 
• Search for prime quality, meals grade or medical grade silicone that would not embody any fillers 
• Uncover a brand new dwelling for gently used silicone, for individuals who’re capable of put off 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 are constituted of food-grade silicone) to pop my popcorn throughout the microwave!

Nonetheless, it’s vital to note silicone should not be absolutely chemically unreactive and would possibly doubtlessly launch toxic chemical substances over time.  

Proper right here’s some evaluation that’s been carried out on silicone:

• One look at examined the discharge of siloxanes from silicone nipples and bakeware into milk, baby formulation and a simulant reply of water and alcohol. After 72 hours throughout the alcohol reply, plenty of siloxanes had been detected.  
• One different look at found siloxanes being launched from silicone bakeware, with leaching rising as a result of the meals fat content material materials elevated (much like using oils). 
• The results of frequent siloxanes confirmed in animal analysis might lead to impaired fertility and potential carcinogenicity.

Nonetheless, this doesn’t suggest it’s essential to toss out your whole silicone objects correct now: Not ample evaluation has been completed to fully understand the nicely being outcomes of using silicone.

That talked about, you would possibly want to bake in a single factor aside from silicone if you’ve bought the selection.

Though it is value noting silicone cookware might be going safer than standard non-stick varieties using Teflon coatings. If it’s a range between the two, use silicone. Glass, ceramic, and stainless-steel bakeware are biggest.

RELATED: 6 Biggest Non-Toxic Bakeware Models For a Eco-Nice Kitchen

Silicone objects like spatulas, pot holders, and so forth. appear safe 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 is normally a superb numerous for points like bottle nipples and soothers, if there is not a hazard of rubber allergy. Further silicone alternate choices are listed beneath.

alternate choices to silicone 

In case you occur to’d favor to not use silicone, listed below are some sustainable silicone alternate choices to consider. Nonetheless keep in mind: Using what you’ve got will always be most likely essentially the most eco acutely conscious choice, so solely purchase new objects in case you really want them or can’t uncover them secondhand. 

beeswax wraps 

Instead 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 fingers to secure them into place.  

unbleached parchment paper 

It is advisable to use these to line baking sheets. I prefer to suggest 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 actually one in all my favorites because of it’s really easy! 

picket utensils 

Go for picket cooking utensils the place you can, like picket 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 

Instead of potholders that normally embody silicone, you possibly can 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!