In recent years, global environmental awareness has been continuously rising, and "reducing plastic use" has become a hot topic. From straws, packaging boxes to food containers, plastic products are gradually being replaced by more environmentally friendly materials. Among them, food-grade silicone has become one of the ideal substitutes for plastics due to its excellent performance and sustainability. So, where exactly does silicone rubber become more environmentally friendly than plastic? How does it meet the food contact safety requirements? This article will conduct an in-depth analysis.
Environmental hazards of plastics:
Plastic was once widely used due to its low cost and easy processing, but its environmental cost is huge:
1. Difficult to degrade: Ordinary plastics (such as PP and PE) take hundreds of years to decompose, while microplastics have permeated the soil, ocean and even the human body.
2. Low recycling rate: Only about 9% of plastic worldwide is effectively recycled, with the majority ending up in landfills or incineration, releasing toxic substances.
3. Health risks: Some plastics (such as PVC and PC) may release plasticizers (phthalates) or bisphenol A (BPA), which can affect the endocrine system.
The environmental advantages of food-grade silicone:
Longer service life and reduced waste
Silicone rubber is resistant to high and low temperatures (-60℃ to 250℃), anti-aging, and is not prone to deformation or brittleness. Its service life far exceeds that of plastic products.
For instance, silicone food storage containers can be reused thousands of times, while plastic ones are prone to staining and cracking and need to be replaced frequently.
Non-toxic and safe
Food-grade silicone has passed certifications such as the FDA (USA) and LFGB (EU), and is free of harmful substances such as BPA and plasticizers.
It will not release toxic gases at high temperatures (for example, plastic heating may produce dioxins).
Recyclable and low-carbon production
Silicone rubber waste can be recycled through professional processes and remade into low-demand products (such as industrial gaskets).
The production energy consumption is lower than that of plastics (such as petroleum-based PE), and some silica gel uses bio-based raw materials (such as silica extracted from rice husks).
Question & Answer:
Q: Silicone is more expensive than plastic. Why is it still worth promoting?
A: Although the initial cost of silicone is relatively high, its durability can reduce the long-term usage cost, and its environmental value cannot be measured by price.
Q: How to identify genuine food-grade silicone?
A: Make sure to check the test report (such as FDA, LFGB). High-quality silicone has no pungent smell and turns white ashes when burned (plastic emits black smoke).
Q: Can silicone completely replace plastic?
A: Currently, silicone is more suitable for high-demand scenarios (such as food and medical care), while plastic still holds an advantage in the low-cost disposable field, but the trend of substitution is obvious.