Last Updated on March 29, 2024
You’ve probably heard of silicone before: It’s in houseware, sealants, and medical devices. Think silicone baking molds, silicone utensil sets, etc.
But what exactly is it? And is silicone plastic? Not exactly.
First, it’s important to note silicone is a synthetic material, made from a combination of silica (sand) and oxygen (more on this later). The silicone-making process is complex and energy intensive, which contributes to emissions.
Silicone’s environmental footprint is worth discussing because it relies on non-renewable hydrocarbons for production and has challenges in recycling and biodegradability.
However, in terms of how silicone compares to plastic on an environmental impact scale, it is a better substitute. Here’s everything you need to know about silicone and if you should use it.
how is silicone made?
Silicone is made by extracting silicon from silica and passing it through hydrocarbons. It’s then mixed with other chemicals to create silicone.
However, to fully understand this process, it’s important to get the terminology right. Here’s a step-by-step break down:
silica
Silica is the raw material used to make silicone resins, aka sand. Beach sand is practically pure silica, as is quartz.
silicon
This is the base element that makes up silica, but silicon is not generally found in nature in this elemental form. It is made by heating silica at very high 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 are bonded together into polymers to form the backbone of the final silicone resin.
is silicone the same as plastic?
Silicone is not the same as plastic, but it is similar. Technically, silicone could be considered part of the rubber family.
However, silicone is something of a hybrid between a synthetic rubber and a synthetic plastic polymer. Silicone can be used to make malleable rubber-like items, hard resins, and spreadable fluids.
In a similar way to plastic, it can be shaped or formed and softened or hardened into practically anything.
However, here are its distinct differences from plastic:
- More temperature resistant and durable
- Has a low reactivity with chemicals
- Highly gas permeable, making it useful for medical or industrial applications
- Easy-to-clean, non-stick, and non-staining
is silicone recyclable?
Silicone shares another trait with plastic: It’s hard to recycle.
Silicone has a low recycling rate. This is because most silicone is not recyclable through your local municipal recycling program (though you should always double check). While silicone is technically recyclable, you would likely have to take it to a specialized private recycling facility.
Even then, silicone would likely be downcycled into oil used as lubricant for industrial machines. Like plastic, it can never be the same thing twice.
However, it’s worth noting there are some brands, like Stasher bag, that utilize silicone and have a recycling program in place.
does silicone give off microplastics?
Though silicone is technically a plastic polymer, its durable molecular structure keeps it from shedding microplastics in the way that common plastics do.
That said, silicone can still break apart into small pieces and enter our waterways.
To make it last as long as possible, be mindful of using it around sharp objects, like the blades of a food processor or sharp knife.
is silicone environmentally friendly?
Silicone isn’t the most environmentally friendly material to choose from, but it’s better than plastic. Just be mindful that producing silicone uses hydrocarbons derived from petroleum, which is a fossil fuel and non-renewable resource.
However, unlike plastic, silicone items don’t tend to be made into single-use items. For example, silicone baking sheets, molds, and utensils can be reused for years.
Stasher bags are a great example of this: One Stasher bag keeps 260 single-use plastic bags out of oceans per year. Plus, they’re durable, easy to use, and safe for the dishwasher, microwave, and oven (up to 425°F).
Here are some ways to lessen silicone’s environmental impact:
- Buy secondhand silicone items at local thrift stores, or Facebook marketplace
- Only get it if you plan to use it for years to come
- Only wash it when you need to, and when you do, use the dishwasher to save energy and water
- Look for high quality, food grade or medical grade silicone that does not contain any fillers
- Find a new home for gently used silicone, if you’re ready to get rid of yours
is silicone safer than plastic for food?
Silicone is a safer alternative to house food than plastic, as long as it’s food-grade silicone. I personally love using Stasher bags (which are made from food-grade silicone) to pop my popcorn in the microwave!
However, it’s important to note silicone is not completely chemically unreactive and can potentially release toxic chemicals over time.
Here’s some research that’s been conducted on silicone:
- One study tested the release of siloxanes from silicone nipples and bakeware into milk, baby formula and a simulant solution of water and alcohol. After 72 hours in the alcohol solution, several siloxanes were detected.
- Another study found siloxanes being released from silicone bakeware, with leaching increasing as the food fat content increased (such as using oils).
- The effects of common siloxanes shown in animal studies could lead to impaired fertility and potential carcinogenicity.
However, this doesn’t mean you have to toss out all your silicone items right now: Not enough research has been done to fully understand the health effects of using silicone.
That said, you may want to bake in something other than silicone if you have the option.
Though it is worth noting silicone cookware is likely safer than traditional non-stick varieties using Teflon coatings. If it’s a choice between the two, use silicone. Glass, ceramic, and stainless steel bakeware are best.
RELATED: 6 Best Non-Toxic Bakeware Sets For a Eco-Friendly Kitchen
Silicone items like spatulas, pot holders, etc. appear safe given the small amount of contact they make with food. Just don’t melt them! Wooden cooking utensils are also another alternative.
Natural rubber can be a good alternative for things like bottle nipples and soothers, if there is no risk of rubber allergy. More silicone alternatives are listed below.
alternatives to silicone
If you’d prefer not to use silicone, here are some sustainable silicone alternatives to consider. But remember: Using what you have will always be the most eco conscious choice, so only purchase new items if you really need them or can’t find them secondhand.
beeswax wraps
Instead of silicone lids for your bowls, try beeswax wraps. These are compostable at the end of their life. You just use the warmth of your hands to secure them into place.
unbleached parchment paper
You can use these to line baking sheets. I recommend If You Care’s parchment paper, as it’s fully compostable at the end of its life.
jars
Use upcycled glass jars to store leftovers, or even freeze food in. These also make great containers for on the go snacks or lunches.
plates
Place leftovers in a bowl and cover it with a plate. This is one of my favorites because it’s so simple!
wooden utensils
Opt for wooden cooking utensils where you can, like wooden spoons, ladles, spatulas, slotted spoons, and rice scoops.
glass storage containers
Try choosing glass snapware to store leftovers in. You can also freeze food in these, as well as heat up food in the microwave (just remove the lid first).
kitchen towels
Instead of potholders that often contain silicone, you could try using cotton kitchen towels – when folded they are heat resistant and multipurpose. Professional cooks prefer them!
So, is silicone plastic? Not quite, but it is a synthetic material.
What are your thoughts? Do you keep silicone products in your kitchen? Let me know in the comments!
The post Is Silicone Plastic? Here’s What You Need to Know appeared first on Going Zero Waste.
Green Living
Classic Sustainability In Your Ear: The Ocean River Institute’s Natural Lawn Challenge for Climate Action
Turn back the clock with this classic interview that will get you ready for Spring yard care planning. A lawn may be beautiful but it can take a heavy toll on the environment, accounting for between 30% and 60% of residential water use in the United States. Rob Moir, Ph.D., is president and executive director of the Ocean River Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts. ORI works with residential lawn owners to heal damaged ecosystems by restoring coastal areas to lessen the destructive impacts of climate change. The benefits of a natural lawn reach far beyond reduced local water pollution, eliminating chemicals that can contribute to cancers, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and other cellular diseases. Natural lawns are also better for local pollinators and store much more carbon than heavily fertilized lawns. If you considered removing your lawn to play a part in the battle against climate change, this interview may change your mind — a healthy lawn is a powerful carbon sink.
The Ocean River Institute is recruiting Massachusetts communities, town by town, to take a pledge to follow natural lawn practices in the Healthy Soils for Climate Restoration Challenge. You don’t need to live in Massachusetts to participate and learn about the alternatives to the traditional, chemical-intensive lawn practices that use Roundup, a source of glyphosates that kills soil-dwelling fungi and local pollinators, and fast-acting nitrogen fertilizers. You can learn more about the Ocean River Institute at www.oceanriver.org.
Rob has contributed many articles about climate change and the history of environmental change since this interview, including:
- Finding a Northwest Passage to the Sea
- Turning the Tide—How Land and Water Shape Our Climate Future
- Learning from Captain Scoresby’s Ten-gallon Fir-Cask
- Earth Savvy?
- Let the Ground Keep Falling Rainwater
- The Sultans of Swag Versus Looking at Clouds from Both Sides Now
- Subscribe to Sustainability in Your Ear on iTunes and Apple Podcasts.
- Follow Sustainability in Your Ear on Spreaker, iHeartRadio, or YouTube
Editor’s Note: This episode originally aired on May 30, 2022.
The post Classic Sustainability In Your Ear: The Ocean River Institute’s Natural Lawn Challenge for Climate Action appeared first on Earth911.
https://earth911.com/podcast/earth911-podcast-the-ocean-river-institutes-natural-lawn-challenge-for-climate-action/
Choosing your perfect gown can be one of the most exciting decisions for your special day, but for the eco fashionista, it can be a challenge to find a dress that fits your values and style — but these brands have exceptional sustainable wedding dresses you’ll swoon over!
Using earth-minded materials like hemp, cruelty-free peace silk, deadstock recycled fabrics and vintage lace, and producing consciously, either in small batches or handcrafting each individual piece made-to-order, the brands below meet high standards for transparency, ecological sustainability, and fair labor.
[For more sustainable wedding dresses, check out this guide to secondhand wedding dress sites!]
Note that the guide contains affiliate links. As always, we only feature brands that meet strict criteria for sustainability we love, that we think you’ll love too!
1. Christy Dawn
Dreamy dress brand Christy Dawn does not disappoint with their romantic bridal collection! Each piece is more swoon-worthy than the next.
Their three sustainable bridal gowns are made from regenerative silk charmeuse —sourced through BOMBYX, an innovative silk producer using best practices — and colored in a beautiful pearl silk with non-toxic dyes. Each dress is ethically cut and sewn by makers in Los Angeles earning living wages, as with the rest of Christy Dawn’s collections.
The Britta Dress and Fitzgerald Dress are 1920s inspired while the Athena Dress is a more modern (but equally romantic) option. All of these dresses are made-to-order with an estimated timeline of 4 weeks.
Conscious Qualities: Regenerative silk and organic non-toxic dyes, ethically made-to-order in Los Angeles
Price Range: $2,500 – $3,000
Size Range: XS – XL
2. Pure Magnolia
Blending the traditional with the modern, Pure Magnolia designs classic-inspired sustainable wedding dresses with contemporary touches. And each dress is made in their Canadian studio by seamstresses earning fair wages from eco-fabrics, such as organic cotton and hemp silk.
The brand sources recycled fabrics whenever possible as well, and recycles their scrap fabric through FABCYCLE.
Conscious Qualities: Eco-friendly fabrics, locally and fairly made, recycles scrap fabrics
Price Range: $845 – $3,300 CAD
Size Range: 0 – 28
3. Lost in Paris
Lost in Paris crafts each of their creatively designed bohemian-inspired gowns ethically in their Sydney, Australia studio. Unconventional yet undeniably striking, Lost in Paris’ dresses are made from vintage lace and cotton.
Investing in a dress from Lost in Paris is seamless — the brand offers at-home sample try-ons, offers train and sleeve adjustments on several styles, ships their dresses worldwide for free, and even accepts returns. Oh, and, if one of their ready-made sizes doesn’t work for you, you can get a dress designed to your measurements.
Conscious Qualities: Made-to-order model, uses vintage lace, locally made
Price Range: $950 – $3900 AUD
Size Range: XXS – XXL + custom sizing options
For More Slow Fashion Content:
4. Wear Your Love
Wear Your Love creates feminine, effortless dresses in their Northern California studio that are — in contrast to the majority of wedding dresses on the market — actually comfortable! The brand’s free-spirited designs are made with soft, earth-minded fabrics like organic cotton and each dress is made to order for each bride to their exact measurements.
There are also customizations available for each eco-friendly wedding dress such as train or no train, skirt or sleeve linings, back coverage, skirt style, and more.
Conscious Qualities: Eco-friendly fabrics, made-to-order model, locally and transparently made
Price Range: $680 – $1,700
Size Range: N/A; dresses are made to your measurements
5. Larimeloom
Based in Reggio Emilia, Italy, Larimeloom crafts exceptional custom-made dresses by hand in their atelier. The brand creates comfortable minimalist dresses from durable natural fabrics and colors them with natural or non-toxic dyes.
Larimeloom has also implemented zero waste design techniques, cutting their patterns strategically in order to minimize fabric waste.
Conscious Qualities: Made-to-order model, zero-waste designs, natural fabrics and dyes
Price Range: 650€ – 2,650€
Size Range: XS – XL
6. Sister Organics
Sourcing quality earth-friendly natural fabrics like organic hemp and cotton, Sister Organics creates classic, eco-friendly wedding dresses for UK-based brides.
Each dress is made to order in England, so you can select a pre-defined size, customize the length of a size, or get an entirely different dress made for your measurements.
Conscious Qualities: Eco-friendly fabrics, made-to-order model
Price Range: £125 – £390
Size Range: XXS – XXL + custom sizing
7. Indiebride London
Indiebride’s vintage-inspired sustainable wedding dresses are delicate and romantic yet free-spirited, offering a unique collection for the bride that wants to skip the conventional wedding gown and choose a piece that fits their individual style.
The brand’s conscious wedding dresses are handmade in London using majority natural fibers and can be altered or customized to your specifications.
Conscious Qualities: Made-to-order model, uses many natural fabrics, locally made
Price Range: £1,200 – £1,700
Size Range: 8 – 16 (UK sizes)
More Resources For Your Eco Wedding:
10 Secondhand Wedding Dress Sites for the Eco Bride
7 Ethical Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement and Wedding Rings
17 Brands with Conscious Dresses (great options for bridesmaid dresses in here!)
The post 7 Best Sustainable Wedding Dresses for Your Special Day appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.
Get organized in style with the beautiful sustainable dressers, wardrobes, and armoires from these furniture companies using responsibly-sourced FSC-Certified wood or upcycled wood.
Note that this guide includes affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you choose to make a purchase through these links.
What Makes A Dresser Sustainable?
As with anything in sustainability, there are various approaches that can make something “sustainable”.
Secondhand
With over 12 million tons (or 24 billion pounds) of furniture getting wasted each year in the United States alone, it’s definitely a great idea to look used when possible!
Secondhand not only helps divert furniture from the landfill, but reduces the need to extract new materials, whether that’s metal, wood, cotton, or increasingly, petroleum for synthetic fabrics and plastic.
Here’s where to look for secondhand dressers:
- Garage sales and estate sales (check EstateSales.net!)
- Facebook Marketplace
- OfferUp
- AptDeco
Responsibly Sourced Wood
Most storage furniture, like dressers, are made from wood (or engineered wood). While wood is a natural material, deforestation is a significant driver of climate change.
So, look for domestic or certified sustainably-sourced wood when purchasing wooden furniture. The largest most common certification is FSC, which stands for Forest Stewardship Council.
Even better is if you can find furniture made from reclaimed wood! This is basically upcycled wood that is being repurposed. This reclaimed wood can come from old barns, ships, factories, warehouses, or even wine barrels.
Non-Toxic Finishes
Unfortunately, many wood finishes contain harmful petroleum- and chemical-based solvents which can emit VOCs, or volatile organic compounds. While the toxicity is most severe during application and does reduce with time, the chemicals can build up in your home, so you may feel most comfortable minimizing risk of VOCs.
Why does this matter? Well, the EPA reports that indoor air can be 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor air — largely due to what we bring into our homes, from furniture to household cleaners.
Look for low-VOC finishes, water-based finishes, or natural oil finishes like linseed oil.
Where to Find Sustainably Made Dressers
I’ve done the grunt work for you and curated furniture brands with sustainable dressers, armoires, and wardrobes below!
1. Urban Natural
Highlights: Sustainably-Sourced Woods,
Price Range: $1,245 – $9,000+
For a one-stop shop for sustainable storage furniture, look no further than Urban Natural. The retailer has a stunning selection of timeless sustainable dressers (including non-toxic dressers for nurseries) made with responsibly sourced wood and several with non-toxic finishes too.
Urban Natural’s workshop partners use materials like solid oak, cherry, maple, and walnut — and many of the brands prioritize local sourcing as well.
2. Avocado
Highlights: Reclaimed or FSC-Certified Wood, GREENGUARD Gold Certified, Zero VOC Finish
Price Range: $1,939 – $3,999
Avocado’s sustainable dressers are made in Los Angeles in their own FSC-certified woodshop. Beautifully designed with a timeless mid-century modern or Scandinavian-inspired aesthetic, Avocado’s dressers are also built to last. Each dresser is made with either responsibly sourced FSC-Certified wood or reclaimed wood. Most of the company’s non-toxic bedroom furniture is also finished with a non-toxic zero-VOC finish to you can sleep easy.
3. Thuma
Highlights: Upcycled Solid Wood, GREENGUARD Gold Certified, Modular
Price Range: $1,165 – $3,495
Designed for maximum functionality and versatility, Thuma’s sustainable dressers give you endless options. Configure a couple drawers for a nightstand and add on more drawers vertically or horizontally for a full dresser that can fit any space.
The modular setup may be especially useful for families with evolving needs — you can add on more drawers if your needs grow or separate a large dresser into two smaller ones.
4. Medley
Highlights: Non-Toxic, USA Made
Price Range: $4,136
Medley’s sustainable dressers are handmade to order in California. The wide dresser pictured here comes in maple or walnut sourced domestically in the US.
The tops and sides are solid hardwood and FSC-certified, low-VOC CARB 2 compliant hardwood plywood is used in the rest of the dresser. The piece is finished with non-toxic natural beeswax.
5. MasayaCo
Highlights: FSC-Certified Reforested Wood, 1.2 Million Trees Planted
Price Range: $2,295 – $2,395
MasayaCo is committed to responsible sourcing for all of their sustainable storage furniture. Each FSC-Certified piece is made to order by skilled artisans in Nicaragua from 100% solid teak wood that comes from their own reforestation projects. Even more impressive, the company leaves 40% of these projects completely untouched to thrive on its own.
Their stunning credenzas could easily be used as dressers, too.
6. West Elm Sustainably Sourced Collection
Highlights: Non-Toxic and Responsibly-Sourced Options
Price Range: $879 – $2499
West Elm is a large retailer with options for more eco-friendly dressers. Among their selection, you can curate by filters such as GREENGUARD Gold Certified, crafted in Fair Trade Certified facilities, made from responsibly-sourced wood, and/or Contract Grade (i.e. high quality + durable).
7. Crate & Barrel FSC-Certified (Honorable Mention)
Price Range: $899 – $2,699
While Crate & Barrel does not have as many sustainability efforts as other large retailers like West Elm, the company has a vast selection of FSC-certified wood storage furniture, including dressers, chests, and full wardrobes or armoires.
You’ll find an array of woods and finishes as well, from weathered rustic natural wood to dark espresso-finished wood.
More Guides Like This:
21 Best Places to Find Sustainable Furniture
8 Gorgeous Sustainable Tables to Gather Around
Best Eco-Friendly and Non-Toxic Sofas to Relax In
The post 7 Sustainable Dressers and Armoires to Store it All Away in Style (2026) appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.
7 Sustainable Dressers and Armoires to Store it All Away in Style (2026)
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