By: Ferwa Chevel Khalfan, Founder, Aristos. Follow her on Instagram.
Where do we start on our reasons for loving silicone as a material?
From its durability, usability, convenience, varied range of uses, and most recently, its varied range of color and sizes, as well as trusted brands on the market, it serves as a solution to many gaps in the market, in terms of safety, health and sustainability.
As Plastic-Free-July just passed us, we were given another chance to reflect on what kinds of plastics we use in our daily life.
Whether it’s a reason of sustainability, health, or ideally both, plastic is a material we want to get rid of in our lives, for the most part, if not totally.
From instances out of our control, there are many a times that single use or reusable plastic is in our lives, which means in the instances we can control we do not want to be using it, and with so many economical and fun solutions on the market, we have barely have an excuse not to convert.
Let us refresh our memories on why we want to find alternatives to plastic.
Since everything on this planet is connected, any action has a domino effect.
This means that plastic is in small forms in our food, in our soil, and even in our blood stream.
On a biological level this can cause many problems in our endocrine system. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences notes that plastic is included in the list of EDCs (Endocrine disrupting chemicals). This means our body’s flow of hormones and metabolic activity is affected, especially over time.
On an ecological level, its disrupting our food and flora-and-fauna system and on an environmental, as you might already be aware, it is absolutely horrible in terms of the chemicals, the pollution, the dirt are all a horrible way to treat a planet we call home, and a biological system from which we drink and eat. If you would like to read more, we did a post specifically on plastic food containers here.
While glass, ceramic and stainless steel often present as good options for non-reactive containers and cookware, silicone solves the problem of weight, malleability - as it bends post use for easy transportation and storage - and durability as it cannot break if you or your child drops anything made with silicone!
There are many uses for this material and the ones we love the most are:
- Baking cups and dishes.
- Spatulas for prepping and cooking, this also helps lessen food waste.
- Children’s snack containers.
- Collapsible containers for on-the-go.
- Sandwich and storage bags of different shapes and sizes, a replacement for a familiar concept.
- Baby food storage and ice cube trays.
- Food Covers, a sustainable replacement for plastic saran wrap.
- Baking mats, for baking sheet pans.
- Bibs and Mats, easy clean up.
- Gloves
- Tongs
- Breast Milk Storage
- Straws
As you can see there are so many uses for silicone around the house and for everyday life. As we want to protect ourselves and our families we encourage the use of these products!
In terms of the science behind silicone, according to multiple sources including, Health Canada, Dow Corning - which makes 700 variants of silicone rubber- and the FDA, there are no current known side effects of silicone.
With its ability to withstand different temperatures and different contact surfaces, it does not leach or react with food or other products and does not leach when scrubbed or put under harsh temperatures of everyday use - unlike plastic!
The only ways we would say we do not like silicone is in certain toys.
From bouncy balls to small rubber like toys which can pick up dirt and hair and are often hard to clean! When it comes to toys, we like to stick to wood, cloth, and in certain cases, when can’t be avoided, plastic.
When it comes to plastics, not all are created equal. Again, you find more information about this on this article, however, in short - plastic types 2 or 5 are the ones you want to stick to and look out for, if using.
Considering all this information it's safe, pun intended, to say silicone products are safe and easy to use around the house and in our everyday lifestyle. Silicone products of all kinds can replace, or be added to, certain inventories in our houses for convenience and worry free use!
If you have silicone products you can’t live without, or that have changed things up for you, for the better, we’d love to hear!
To see some of our top picks, check out the links below:
Kitchen:
ModFamily Silicone Food Covers
Baby + Family:
Collapsable containers for on-the-go
Breast Milk Storage Bags + Tray
More Like This:
- 6 Ultimate Baby-led Weaning Essential Tools
- Toxic Metals in Store Bought Baby Food
- 5 Must Have Kitchen Appliances for Baby Food Prep
- Why and What You Should Buy Organic
About the author:
Ferwa Chevel Khalfan believes a balanced way of life is the key to living your optimal life. Living with an informed mind gives you the authority to make decisions that are best for you and your loved ones. While tirelessly asking a thousand questions and looking for answers to everyday queries on lifestyle, Ferwa aims to share what she learns from professionals all over the world, with her audience through ARISTOS; platform. Follow her on Instagram here.
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