THE GREENWASHING OF SILICONE
This is going to sound crazy, especially coming from someone who makes a living selling a silicone product, but I’ve got to be honest. I’m not a great fan of silicone and I’ll tell you why.
As someone who has gone right down the rabbit hole of silicone manufacturing I can tell you a thing or two about this very ‘now’ product. Just like plastic was the mega-rave of the modern world post-1950 and so silicone is today, and while it contains natural elements it is a far reach to call it a natural product. It is not biodegradable and it will sit there alongside plastic in a landfill for hundreds + years. However, in fairness to silicone it will not off-gas and leach nasties into the soil when doing so but who cares right?...the planet doesn’t want it there and so neither do we.
I’ve seen manufacturers and business owners tell people that it is natural because it is made from sand, just sand?…well sort of sand. It’s actually silica AND a whole bunch of chemical processes and polymers. This is what makes something like gritty, sandy silica into a soft, malleable but strong product that can be used for countless applications. So everyone loved silicone and when a lot of people like the same thing there is a rapid market demand for it, where there is demand you get undesirables trying to make a quick buck while the excitement lasts and hello greenwashing (ahem.. cough..lying).
Silicone is no more natural and good for you because it has sand in it than lollies are good for you because they are made of sugar …sugar being natural right?
Anyway, the point I might be badly making is that all silicone is not created equal. The number of additives, chemicals and compositions that can be added or taken out are endless. Which is why some silicone bakeware smells funny when heated. Personally, I wouldn’t let a silicone anything come near my food unless it was certified safe. Unless I trusted the manufacturers or company and could see some sort of certification to ensure that the silicone is safe. Unfortunately, there is no standard for silicone manufacturers to abide by so it comes down to integrity and transparency. If you’re not sure ask! Ask to see the test results if you want? If they have them then it shouldn’t be a problem ...right?
Also, ask them what can you do with your silicone product once you’re finished with it. If they say to put it in the bin or in your recycling then you should walk the other way and not spend a cent on them. There is currently no curbside silicone recycling available in Australia. We had so much trouble trying to find a recycler for our silicone wraps. But we did and so can offer everyone who purchases our product our Return2Recycle program where you just fill out the form and we will send a postage-paid envelope to you to send your wrap back to us and can even offer a discounted wrap in the exchange in case you found yourself short a wrap but didn’t want to foot the bill for a whole new pack.
I still believe in my product but only because I had to do some very hard miles to make sure that it is safe for me, my family, my customers and the planet. My wish is that every business was made responsible for the product they produce, its effect on people and the environment while it is in use and after its usefulness has come to an end. This, I feel, would create one of the biggest and most dramatic shifts in manufacturing and consumerism and ultimately to the environment that bears the burden of all our mistakes. In the meantime, please support the business that are trying to raise the bar, that are acting from a need to do the right thing when there is no legislation in place telling them they have to.
Support those ones and take those others to account and keep demanding that they do better...and stop telling fibs.