How to Reduce Waste by Switching to Silicone

With NYC banning styrofoam and plastic bags, and the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change's recent special report, the time is now to step up and do our part to, for lack of a better phrase, reduce - reuse - recycle. I'm not going to pretend to be an expert on the topic, and I'll admit to often making choices based more on convenience and budget than sustainability and carbon footprint. But I need to do better, and thankfully such is the growing mindset out there!

There are simple choices we can all make, that are healthier for us and the planet, and sometimes even for our wallets! And the impact, when we all make these choices, can really add up! Reducing our usage of plastics and single-use items is one of those choices we all need to be focusing on, and I'm happy to share with you why and how silicone can help you do this!

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Hilary Abbot Communications on behalf of GoSili, but all thoughts and opinions are my own and unbiased. This post also contains affiliate links - you won't pay more but this blog will earn a small commission from any sales made.

---

Why Silicone?
According to GoSili, silicone is:

• non-toxic:  free of BPA, BPS, phthlalate, PVC, lead, and petroleum products
• sustainable: 100% plastic free and recyclable at specific facilities (you can ship your products back to GoSili to recycle them for you)
• practical: pretty much indestructible! Also sterilizable, boilable, freezable, microwaveable, unbreakable, dishwasher-safe

---

Ditch the Disposables!!
All those single-use snack bags, beverage containers, straws, and lunch and grocery bags add up to a LOT of waste. Some of them may end up being recycled, but most end up in a landfill or even worse, in the ocean. Did you know there are amazing reusable products out there for just about everything? Glass, stainless steel, bamboo, and silicone are just a few of the more eco-friendly sustainable materials to choose from, and below are a few of our favorite silicone products that can replace common plastics and disposables you're used to using.

---

Silicone Straws
Plastic straws - why oh why are these still being distributed!? According to GoSili, 500 million plastic straws are thrown away every day in the US!! No more, we say!! But that doesn't mean you have to give up straws completely!  These Reusable Silicone Straws by GoSili come in pretty colors, are easy to use and clean, and they fold up nicely, too! Get 1 in a travel case for $2.50 - 2.99 or a 6-pack for $6.95 on Amazon (affiliate link). While you're at it, grab some silicone straw tops (affiliate link) to make any glass, mug, or cup spill proof!

---

Silicone Coffee Cups / Travel Mugs
Sure, walking into the coffee shop and grabbing a to-go cup is easy. Too easy. According to GoSili, 100 billion disposable cups go to land fills each year. Stop the insanity! Bring your own cup, and do it in style! These Reusable 16oz Silicone Coffee Cups / Travel Mugs by GoSili are brilliant - the entire cup and lid are made of silicone, and include an internal stainless steel ring so they won't collapse under your grasp! Amazing, right!? Grab them for $14.95 on Amazon (affiliate link), they're also available in 8oz! Do note they're not spill proof as there is no plug for the little sippy hole. Hey GoSili, there's your next product to work on - the coffee cup plug!

---

Silicone Sippy Cups for Kids
​Want to have a laugh at your toddlers, big kids, or even your spouse trying to figure out how to drink from a cup? Get them a ​12oz Silicone OH! Cup "Drink From Anywhere" Cup by GoSili! At first glance, you can't figure out how to take a sip - there are no holes! But there are actually teeny slits across the entire top ring of the lid (see my image below), hence the "drink from anywhere" part of its name! So, when you tip it back and suck, out comes your drink! But when you flip it over, no spills! It's amazing!! Once you explain it to your kids, they'll pick it up no problem, but first be sure to get their no-explanation first attempt on video!

You can also create a sippy cup out of any glass with these silicone sippy tops (affiliate link)! These are great for throwing in your bag when going to a restaurant with your kids, so you can say "No thanks!!" to those plastic disposable kids cups they usually bring! Be sure to check out our previous review of Siliskin silicone straw tops, spoons, and bibs here, and Silikids silicone placemat here!

---

Silicone Sandwich Bags
OK, no one is more addicted to ziplock baggies than me. But when I sit back and think about how many my family has used, and thrown away, I feel a bit ill. There are better options, maybe not as easy, nothing's as easy as simply using and tossing! But this is why our planet has seen better days. So, who's up for trying some reusable bags!? GoSili has silicone snack and sandwich bags (affiliate link), though they don't seal completely, so you can't put anything too liquidy or with teeny pieces in there. Itzy Ritzy snack bags are another option, with a zipper closure and waterproof lining. I haven't tried either yet but will update this post when I do!

---

Silicone Baby Food Pouches
Single-use baby food pouches are easy to grab and feed little ones on the go, but super wasteful. Not to mention you can't utilize them with homemade baby food. But don't worry, I got you. The answer: Squeasy Gear Silicone Pouches!! We have been using ours for years now, and they still look brand new (except for the 1 that got left in the car with water for 1 week and I couldn't get rid of the mold, so be careful about that!). These aren't just good for baby food though - fill them with yogurt, applesauce, or smoothie and throw them in the lunch box. And because of the removable no-spill insert, they're even great for liquids! They come in 3.5oz, 6oz, & 16oz for $12.99 - $16.99 on Amazon (affiliate link).

---

Some of these products might be tough to find at local retailers, but you can grab them on Amazon here (affiliate links):

---

So, what do you think!? Are you already using some of these silicone products? Have others you love? Any tips for reducing, reusing, recycling!? Shopping at zero waste bulk stores yet? Leave a comment below!!