Silicone vs. Plastic: Which Is Really Better?

Many people think silicone is a good alternative to plastic. I thought so too! I read environmental websites that call silicone, “a healthier choice than plastic” or “beneficial because of its exceptional temperature resistance”. But is it really better than plastic?

Silicon is found naturally in the Earth, but it’s hard to get. That’s why silicone products are usually made from something easier to find—silica, which is found in beach sand and quartz. But turning silica into silicon isn’t the end of the process. To make silicone (the stuff used in kitchen tools, baby products, and more), silicon has to be mixed with chemicals made from fossil fuels. So even though silicone starts with something natural, it ends up being a man-made material.

What is silicone?

Silicone is made from a mix of natural and man-made materials. It starts with silica, found in sand, but it’s turned into silicone through a process that uses a lot of energy and chemicals that come from fossil fuels like oil and gas. So even though it comes from nature, it’s not natural by the time it becomes a silicone product.

Silicone vs. plastic: What’s the difference?

Silicone doesn’t break down the same way plastic does. It doesn’t break into tiny microplastics, but it also doesn’t fully biodegrade or compost. That means it sticks around in landfills for a long time, just like plastic.

Is it safe?

Energy use and cost of silicone vs. plastic

Silicone takes a lot more energy to make than plastic. That’s because turning sand into silicon requires high heat, special equipment, and plenty of electricity. Producing plastic usually takes about 2–4 kWh per kilogram (kg). In comparison, silicon production takes about 11–13 kWh per kg. This is one of the reasons why silicone products tend to be come with a higher price tag—and not everyone can afford that. So while silicone can be a better choice in the long run, it costs more up front.

Can we recycle it?

Most cities don’t have a good way to recycle silicone. Even though some companies offer take-back programs, it’s hard to know if those items are really being reused or just thrown away.

What’s the better choice between silicone and plastic?

Using silicone might be better than plastic in some cases, especially if you use it over and over again. But the best choice is still to reduce how much stuff we use in the first place—and to pick reusable products made from materials like glass, stainless steel, wood, or fabric that are safer for people and the planet.

I get it—trying to do the right thing for the planet isn’t always easy. I’m still learning new stuff all the time. Sometimes I think I’m making a good choice, and later I find out it wasn’t the best after all. But that’s okay. What matters is that we keep trying and think about the kind of world we want to leave for our kids and grandkids.

If you want to learn more, read my posts about plastic recycling and the 7 types of plastic pollution. I also like to check out Beyond Plastics to keep up on the latest information!