Plastic has quietly taken over our homes. It’s in our lunch containers, our freezers, our kids’ snacks… and for years, no one really questioned it. It was cheap, convenient, and everywhere.

But now? People are starting to look a little closer. What is it made of? What happens when we heat it? Where does it actually end up. And that’s when silicone starts getting a lot of attention.

So… is silicone better than plastic for your health, your kitchen and the planet? The short answer: yes, but only when it’s the right silicone.

Let’s break it down.

Key Takeaways

• Silicone and plastic may look similar, but they behave very differently.
• Plastic is made from fossil fuels, while silicone comes from silica (sand).
• Silicone handles heat better and is more stable.
• Plastic can release chemicals and break down into microplastics.
• Silicone lasts longer, reducing waste over time

Is silicone safe for food?

Yes, high-quality food-grade silicone (especially LFGB certified) is considered safe for food use. It does not contain BPA, phthalates or petroleum-based chemicals and remains stable under heat.

Top 5 Differences Between Plastic and Silicone

1. What It's Made Of

This is where the differences start. While both are man-made, they come from completely different sources.

Silicone is made from silica (found in sand), combined with oxygen, carbon and hydrogen to create a flexible, durable material.

Plastic is made from fossil fuels like oil and gas, and contains over 16,000 chemicals. 

2. Heat resistance

You often see me freeze my silicone food pouches and use my silicone baking mats in the oven. Here is why that is safe to do.

Put your science hat on for 2 seconds (or skip this section hahaha). Silicone is made of silicon and oxygen atoms. These bonds are incredibly strong due to the high electronegativity of oxygen. This strong structure makes it highly resistant to breaking down under heat. So you will see that most good quality silicone is great to freeze and can stand up to 220 degrees.

What about plastic? Well, most plastics rely on carbon-carbon bonds.These bonds are weaker than siloxane bonds, making them more susceptible to breaking down when exposed to high temperatures. This breakdown can lead to melting, warping, and releasing harmful chemicals (including BPA, BPA- alternatives and phthalates).

If there are only two learnings from this blog let it be this: 

1. Please don't microwave plastic. You can learn more about this here and in our blog post here
2. Please swap your plastic baby bottles for glass or silicone baby bottles. You can learn more about his here. and here 

Our LFGB premium silicone pouches can go in the fridge, freezer, microwave, and oven (up to 220 degrees), depending on your storage and reheating needs! More about that LFGB certification below.

3. Durability & Lifespan

Both silicone and plastic are technically “long-lasting.” But in real life they age very differently.

Plastic scratches, stains, warps and often needs replacing. Silicone holds its shape, handles daily use better and lasts significantly longer. That means fewer replacements and less waste over time.

4. Environmental Impact (Microplastics)

One of the main issues with plastic is that it doesn’t disappear.

It breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces (microplastics and nanoplastics), which end up in our environment and food systems. This happens through sunlight, friction, heat and everyday use.

Silicone doesn’t behave this way. It doesn’t fragment into microplastics, which is a huge difference when we talk about long-term environmental impact.

Ever heard of micro-silicone? Me neither!

5. End of life & Recycling

Plastic is often marketed as recyclable, but in Australia, only about 13% is actually recycled properly. The rest ends up in landfill.

Silicone isn’t perfect here either. It doesn’t go in your kerbside bin. But it lasts much longer, which already reduces waste significantly.

And when your Go For Zero silicone products do reach the end of their life, you can send it back to us so we can make sure it gets recycled through specialised programs like TerraCycle.

The Difference Between FDA vs LFGB Certified Silicone

Before you go replacing everything, there’s one important thing to know: not all silicone is high-quality.

During the manufacturing process, chemicals can be added to modify the silica and produce different and cheaper products. While food-grade silicone is generally the safest, there are two different systems used to ensure this: 

1. FDA, standing for Food & Drug Administration, is used in Australia and the USA. This system has a specific set of safety standards that products must pass in regards to food contamination and health problems. 
2. The other system is called LFGB and represents the Foods, Consumer Goods and Feedstuffs Code. This code is required for products sold in Germany and France.This testing is the strictest and most difficult to pass. As a result, these products are considered the best quality and are often more expensive. 

That’s why certifications matter.

Here at Go For Zero, we take pride in our Go For Zero-branded silicone products as they are all LFGB certified. We take your health and our planet seriously and want to ensure you only have the best of the best for your family. 

So… What Should You Choose?

If you’re comparing silicone vs plastic, here’s the simple answer:

• If you’re heating food → choose silicone or glass
• If you want something long-lasting → choose silicone
• If you want to reduce waste → choose silicone

Plastic might still exist in your home, and that’s okay. But when it comes time to replace things, choosing better materials makes a real difference.

Where to Start (Without Overthinking It)

Start with what you use most. Our favourite beginner swaps are

1. Silicone food pouches
2. Baking mats
3. Lunch containers
4. Reusable stretch lids
5. Snack and sandwich bags

These swaps are simple, practical and make the biggest impact.

The Silicone Solution

When it comes to the silicone vs. plastic debate, there’s simply no competition. This is why we say no to plastic and yes to silicone, glass, and aluminium at Go For Zero.

We’re not about perfection. We’re about helping you make better choices, one swap at a time. Because what you use every day matters more than you think.

Want to upgrade your kitchen and home goods and start your sustainable silicone collection? Check out our premium certified silicone products and ditch plastics for good.

With love,
Ellie x

 

Is Silicone Better Than Plastic?

1. Is silicone safer than plastic?

Yes, high-quality, food-grade silicone (especially LFGB certified) is safer than plastic.
Silicone contains no BPA, phthalates, or petroleum, and it stays stable under the heat listed in the instructions. Plastic can leach chemicals when heated, scratched, or exposed to wear.

2. What is silicone made of?

Silicone is made by heating silica (from sand) and combining it with oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen to form a strong, temperature-resistant material. Unlike plastic, it does not come from fossil fuels.

3. How is plastic made?

Around 98% of plastic comes from fossil fuels like oil, gas, or coal. It’s refined, processed, and often contains additives that can leach during heating.

4. Is silicone temperature-safe?

Yes. High-quality silicone can handle freezing to high-heat cooking (up to 220°C) without breaking down.
This makes it safe for freezers, ovens, microwaves, and dishwashers—as long as the silicone is fully certified.

5. Can plastic go in the microwave?

No. Avoid microwaving plastic! Heat can weaken plastic bonds and release chemicals like BPA, BPS, BP alternatives, and phthalates, especially in older or scratched containers.

6. Why does silicone last longer?

Silicone withstands heat, cold, and everyday wear far better than plastic.
It doesn’t warp, crack, degrade, or leach, which makes it cost-effective and long-lasting.

7. Does silicone break down into microplastics?

No. Silicone does not fragment into microplastics. Plastic, however, breaks down into micro- and nano-plastics through sunlight, friction, and heat, contributing to pollution and health risks.

8. Is silicone recyclable?

Yes, but not through kerbside recycling. Silicone requires specialty recycling, such as TerraCycle. Go For Zero accepts old silicone Go For Zero products for proper recycling.

9. Is silicone better for the environment?

Yes. Silicone is more durable, contains no petroleum, and does not create microplastics. Plastic production relies on fossil fuels and has a very low true recycling rate (~13% in Australia).

10. What is the difference between FDA and LFGB certified silicone?

• FDA certification (Australia/USA): Meets basic food-contact safety standards.
• LFGB certification (EU): Stricter and cleaner testing. Ensures silicone contains no fillers and is the safest available. LFGB-certified silicone = premium quality.

All Go For Zero silicone products are LFGB certified.

11. Can I use silicone for baby bottles or kids’ food?

Yes. Silicone is a safer alternative to plastic for infants and children, especially under heat. For the safest option, choose LFGB silicone or glass.

12. What makes LFGB silicone worth the price?

LFGB silicone:

• Contains no fillers
• Withstands higher temperatures
  
• Is more durable
• Passes the strictest safety tests in the world

This ensures it won’t release chemicals, warp, or degrade.

13. How do I know if silicone is high-quality?

Look for:

• LFGB certification
• Non-sticky, smooth feel
• No white fillers when stretched
• Heat rating up to 220°C
• Trusted brands that disclose testing

If the price seems unusually low, fillers may be present.

14. Is silicone a sustainable alternative to plastic?

Yes. Silicone lasts longer, avoids fossil-fuel additives, and doesn’t create microplastics.
Pairing silicone with reuse systems and proper end-of-life recycling makes it a significantly more sustainable choice.

15. What are the best silicone products to start with?

Top beginner swaps:

• Silicone food pouches
• Baking mats
• Lunch containers
• Reusable stretch lids
• Snack and sandwich bags
  

All Go For Zero silicone is LFGB-certified, durable, and TerraCycle-recyclable.