Silicone

Silicone is a synthetic polymer made from silica (silicon dioxide, found in sand) through chemical reactions combining silicon with oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen. It's used extensively for kitchenware (baking mats, spatulas, molds), food storage bags, baby products (pacifiers, bottle nipples, teething toys), medical devices (implants, tubing), sealants and adhesives, personal care products, and electronics.

For those seeking plastic-free living, high-quality silicone is one of the few plastics that is not considered a top priority when avoiding microplastics. Silicone is reasonable compromise for certain applications where natural alternatives don't perform well, or are necessary, but should be still avoided in products marketed towards high-heat applications, such as cooking utensils.

Kitchen Tools: Spatulas, whisks, baking brushes, pot holders, trivets, jar openers

Baking: Baking mats, muffin pans, cake molds, bread pans, cupcake liners

Food Storage: Reusable storage bags, stretch lids, bowl covers, ice cube trays

Baby Products: Pacifiers, bottle nipples, teething toys, bibs, placemats, feeding spoons

Personal Care: Menstrual cups, makeup applicators, facial cleansing brushes, body scrubbers

Microplastic Concerns: Even though silicone is not a typical plastic, it still sheds some microplastics through wear and degradation, particularly from items subject to friction like spatulas and storage bags. These particles are chemically different from petroleum-based microplastics but still represent synthetic contamination.

Chemical Safety: High-quality, pure silicone is generally considered one of the safest synthetic materials. Medical-grade silicone is approved for long-term body implants, indicating relative safety. Silicone is chemically inert - it doesn't react with foods, beverages, or body tissues under normal conditions. However, low-quality silicone may contain fillers (plastic fillers, inert fillers) that defeat the safety benefits.

Certifications to Look For: Medical-grade silicone or food-grade silicone designation. FDA approval for food contact. LFGB certification (European food safety). Platinum-cured silicone (higher quality than peroxide-cured). BPA-free and phthalate-free certification (though pure silicone shouldn't contain these anyway). Pure silicone confirmation (no plastic fillers).