As more people become aware of the effect of plastic on our health and our planet, the demand for silicone kitchen and home products is rapidly increasing. 

But is silicone really better for you than the plastic alternative? The short answer is, YES! That is - the right silicone. 

Whether you are looking for a sustainable way to save leftovers, line your baking trays, or carry lunches to work and school, you'll need to know the benefits of silicone vs plastic.  

So, what is silicone, and how does it differ from plastic? Read along to discover the top 5 differences between plastic and silicone. 

Top 5 Differences Between Plastic and Silicone

1. How it's made

Silicone is a human-engineered material created by heating silica (naturally found in the earth's crust). With the help of oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen, the silica forms a malleable substance that performs incredibly well in diverse temperatures.

While the process of creating silicone is obviously much more scientific than this simple explanation, the result is a cost-effective product free from BPA, phthalates, and petroleum.

What about plastic? 98% of plastic is made from over 13,000 chemicals sourced from fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are a broad term for non-renewable energy, such as coal, gas, and oil. Did you know plastic is made from the same material we fuel our cars with? It just goes through a different refining process. Gross.

2. Temperature resistant

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 never, ever microwave plastic. Pretty please. 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. Long-lasting

Both silicone and plastic are long-lasting (Tupperware containers, anyone?). However, because silicone can withstand cold and heat much better than plastic, silicone wins the race saving you money and keeping rubbish out of our landfills.

4. Better for the planet

One of the main issues with plastic is that it deteriorates into smaller pieces until it cannot be seen with the naked eye, also called micro or nano plastics.

Sunlight and friction are some of the leading causes of plastic deterioration. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun weakens the plastic's molecular bonds, making it brittle. Additionally, friction from activities such as washing and scrubbing plastic containers can release tiny plastic particles into the environment.

Ever heard of micro-silicone? Me neither!

5. End of life

Every manufacturer who packages their product in plastic heavily promotes recycling. But don’t be fooled, only about 13% of plastic in Australia is truly recycled. That means that almost 90% of the plastic you pop in your recycling bin ends up in landfills (not great).

What about silicone? While your silicone products will last much longer than any plastic alternative, they can’t go in your kerbside recycling bin. When it comes time to let them go, instead you can send your old and retired Go For Zero silicone products back to us to be recycled with TerraCycle. TerraCycle is a company that collects hard-to-recycle goods and turns them back into usable products.

The Difference Between FDA vs LFGB Certified Silicone

Before you go out and fill your cupboards with silicone products, it’s important to recognise that not every silicone is made equally. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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

 

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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.