Is silicone really as sustainable as we think it is?
Lately, a few customers have been asking me my thoughts on silicone while they’re browsing Vessel’s selection of plastic-free food storage. It seems that there has been some discourse going around as to whether or not silicone is actually as sustainable as we think it is. Their questions range from: ‘Is silicone the next plastic?’ and ‘Should I get rid of my silicone?’ to ‘If silicone isn’t safe, what are we left with?’
My take is this: Use what you have until it reaches the end of its lifespan. Then, make an informed decision about what works for your household. In my opinion, this is the most sustainable mindset.
Because my sneaking suspicion is that this new mindset shift away from silicone is consumerism and capitalism dressed up in a hefty coat of greenwashing.
Why? Because if you’re suddenly wanting to donate all your stasher bags because they’ve been acquired by SC Johnson (yes, that really happened – and that’s also why you won’t see stasher bags in Vessel…) then you’re probably also going to be in the market for NEW FOOD STORAGE! ($$$) And glass and metal food storage that is plastic and silicone-free costs a pretty penny to be sure.
Why are people hating on silicone?
The issues that people are bringing up are the facts that silicone:
- Takes a long time to biodegrade
- Has an energy-intensive manufacturing footprint
- Is not recyclable
- May leach nano particles during use
In my eyes, most of these points actually make it a strong contender when selecting a material to use instead of single use plastics. The fact that it takes a long time to biodegrade means that you'll be able to use your silicone storage bags for years to come!
Plus, all new materials require energy to create and have a carbon footprint associated with that. What is the alternative? Cease production of all new materials? If you can get the oil companies to agree to that, I will cheer! lol.
The fact that it is not curbside recyclable is also a good thing from where I'm standing. We need to get away from this disposable mentality. Recycling is great and very much needed in our communities, but we should each individually be seeking to be less reliant on recycling goods and instead strive to buy things package free where possible and use reusables when we can.
And as for the last point about leeching nano particles, I haven't been able to find any scientific articles to report this! I'm not saying it's untrue, but what I am saying is that a claim like this doesn't necessarily mean we should toss out our reusable silicone wrap for good. (Remember how we said earlier that it takes a very long time to biodegrade and can't be recycled? Yeah keep that ish in use as long as you can, baby.)
Should I get rid of my silicone bags?
If you have the budget to start adding some more high quality food storage pieces to your kitchen, amazing. I love that for you. Maybe it affords you some room to not microwave your plastic or silicone if you’re afraid of microplastics and nano particles being released during the heating process. But the thing is, I will never advocate for a clean sweep of materials in favor of a new fad just because a TikTok told you silicone isn’t as bulletproof as we think it is.
The net positive in that scenario doesn’t outweigh the damage. Sending countless silicone food wraps and bags to the landfill seems like a terrible idea. And if you’ve ever been in my shop, you’ve probably heard me say that I’m not anti-plastic! Whatttt? A zero waste store owner who doesn’t HATE plastic? (Don’t get me wrong, I definitely hate how dependent on plastic we are as a society.) I will never judge you for bringing plastic in to refill. In fact, I will give you a proverbial gold star and applaud you for helping to keep it out of the landfill for as long as possible. By reusing your plastic tupperware and bags even just ONE TIME you can cut their carbon footprint in half.
Is Silicone Still Safe?
The short answer here? Yes, high-quality, food grade and medical grade silicone is safe. It is a nonporous, body safe material. It doesn’t release microplastics (it's not made with plastic!) when heated, and doesn’t retain odor. All these qualities make it a strong choice for anything from menstrual cups to food storage. It doesn’t leach chemicals and it is resistant to high temperatures.
That’s why you’re able to toss your silicone baggies and wraps in the dishwasher, but when you toss your plastic takeout lids in, they come out warped and semi-melted. :(
Silicone is also nontoxic. This means that it doesn’t react with other food or liquids and doesn’t contain BPA, phthalates, or other “forever chemicals”. Silicone is also approved by the FDA as safe for contact with food and the body.
But what even is Silicone?
A lot of us use silicone without ever questioning what it even is. Is it rubber? Is it latex? Is it something else? Yes, it’s something else!
The silicone that we use in food storage and body products is a stretchy, elastic material made out of the silicon (a natural element) and oxygen. This compound is a resilient, stretchy material and is easy to clean due to its resistance to heat. These qualities make it a strong choice for use in the home.
Is silicone eco friendly?
Whether you’re looking for a sustainable alternative to saran wrap, or a reusable container for taking your lunch to the office, my choice is still silicone! In my book, it’s the strongest alternative to plastic we have out there.
In my household, my goal is always to use what I have until it is worn out or damaged, and then upgrade to something sturdy and healthy. And from what I can tell, silicone utensils, containers, and wraps still fit that bill. As always, I am open to feedback if you run across an article with new information! So what’s your take? Will you still be using your silicone containers?
If you haven’t experienced silicone reusables yet, be sure to stop in to Vessel Refills in Escondido, CA. I’d be happy to show you what options we have in-stock and explain what I use them for. And if you have any questions about any of our products, be sure to reach out. I love answering the nittiest and grittiest of questions! There’s no such thing as a silly question when it comes to sustainability and environmentalism. Go team!