Is Silicone environmentally friendly?
Yes. Silicone is environmentally friendly. Although this isn’t a perfect description for silicone and silicone products, due to the fact though its base ingredient is from Quartz, a naturally abundant resource, its processing requires the use of certain hydrocarbons from non-renewable sources, which may make Silicone non-biodegradable.
However, in comparison to plastics, Silicone is more durable and eco-friendlier than plastic.
Because it is safer than plastic, stronger, more heat resistant, and doesn’t leach chemicals into foods, Silicone is now a popular material for kitchen and bakeware.
Also, because of some functionalities which plastic could not meet, such as being non-sticky, microwave safe, and ease of transferring from the oven to the freezer without melting or cracking, Silicone is now a better household choice for most families, especially in a bid to cut down on the use of plastics.
Some even refer to Silicone as an alternative to plastic or the new plastic without the harmful effects the plastic option brought with it.
What’s more is that Silicone can be made or used as a liquid, as a gel, hard or soft, and even in a rubber form.
It is not limited to one shape and one state. Silicone also inhibits microbial growth, resists the ultraviolet light’s penetration, and has a very high-temperature resistance.
These and several other factors are the convincing reasons why Silicone is considered safe and environmentally friendly to use at homes, restaurants, offices, and every other place.
Is silicone zero waste?
Yes. Silicone is zero waste. This is because Silicone can be used for a long time and recycled for other uses.
If a silicon plate or jar were to crack, it could be reused as jars for plant holders, décor pieces, and others instead of disposing of. Also, regardless of how long it has been used, Silicone can be recycled into other products.
It is one of the primary reasons most people consider the use of Silicone over plastic. And because it contributes little to no waste in the home, it can easily be regarded as zero waste.
What is Silicone made of?
Silicone is made from silica, extracted, and processed industrially by heating silica with carbon in a furnace. Silicone is a rubber or resin formed from silicon.
Because Silicone is a polymer of Silicone in the presence of oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon, it can be made to exist in a liquid, gel, rubber, or rigid form.
Is Silicone terrible for the environment?
No. when it comes to environmental influence, Silicone is more durable and environmentally friendly than plastic.
Unlike plastics, Silicone can endure high-temperature rise or fall without breaking apart at the detriment of the environment.
Since Silicone is partly natural, as it has its primary source from silica, natural sand, it is also considered more ocean-friendly than plastics.
Although Silicone can be viewed as a natural product in terms of resource extraction, but not when the other components of its products are also considered.
In most arguments concerning the safety of use and disposal between Silicone and plastics, Silicone is still the best consumers’ choice because of its convenience of use, ease of cleaning, and reusability over a long period.
Does Silicone biodegrade?
No, Silicone does not biodegrade. However, if disposed of, unlike plastics that break down into microplastics that are harmful to the environment, Silicone may convert into inorganic substances like amorphous silica and vapor.
Also, Silicone is said to be non-toxic to soil living organisms and aquatic life neither does it hazardous to humans and animals alike. And while Silicone is not biodegradable, it is reusable and can also be recycled after a long period of use.
How Long Does Silicone take to decompose?
At the moment, there is no exact figure or duration that tells how long Silicone takes to decompose. But speculations and theories reveal that it takes decades, about 50 to 500 years, for silicone products to finally decompose because it is a mix of natural resources and synthetic, non-renewable oils and gases.
Silicone decomposition also greatly depends on external factors such as the conditions the silicone waste is exposed to.
However, when disposed of, Silicone remains stable, chemically unreactive, and unaffected by extreme temperature or environmental conditions it may be exposed to.
In conclusion,
While Silicone is not the most natural alternative, it has several advantages and edge over the use of plastics in homes and offices, which has made it the preferred choice anytime.
However, a lot of caution is still expected when choosing silicone housewares or cookware to ensure that you choose a safe silicone product.
Not all so-called silicone products are created the same as there are much cheaper inferior silicone copycats in the market today.
If your aim is zero waste and eco-friendly silicone products, ensure you get the best: food and health safe and highly durable silicone wares.
