The Rise of Silicone Recycling: How to Keep Your Old Wristbands Out of the Landfill

Silicone is now a common material found in many households, used in a wide range of products from kitchen tools to medical devices. While its durability helps reduce single-use plastics, recycling silicone can be a challenge due to its unique properties. However, with the growing demand for sustainable practices, more options for silicone recycling are now available to consumers.

Understanding Silicone Recycling

Silicone is a type of rubber made from a combination of silicon extracted from quartz and fossil-fuel hydrocarbons. This process creates a polymer that is incredibly durable and almost indestructible. While silicone can be recycled, it cannot be placed in regular recycling bins due to its composition. As the global silicone market continues to grow, finding ways to recycle silicone products has become increasingly important.

Mail-In Recycling Programs

Several companies now offer mail-in recycling programs for silicone products:

GoSili (Any Food-Grade Silicone Brand)

GoSili provides a free recycling program for silicone products from any brand. Clean silicone items can be shipped to Xpert Fulfillment in Michigan. Participants will receive a discount code for their next GoSili purchase after sending in their items.

Stasher Bags

Stasher partners with TerraCycle to offer free recycling for its silicone storage bags. Worn-out Stasher bags can be sent in to be recycled into materials for playground surfaces and other products.

Ziploc Endurables

Ziploc’s Endurables silicone pouches and containers can be recycled through TerraCycle’s program. Participants can earn TerraCycle points that can be donated to schools and nonprofits.

Pura Stainless

Pura accepts silicone parts from their bottles and accessories for recycling through ECO USA.

Simple Ecology

Simple Ecology recycles its own silicone products, such as baking mats and lids. Damaged items can be recycled by contacting Simple Ecology directly.

The Growing Industry of Silicone Recycling

As the demand for silicone products increases, the recycling industry is expanding as well. In 2018, ECO USA opened a large-scale silicone recycling plant in West Virginia, processing over 8,000 metric tons of silicone annually. The plant breaks down silicone into polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), which is used to create new products with a significantly lower carbon footprint. Companies like Dow and Circusil LLC have also opened commercial silicone recycling facilities, indicating a growing interest in silicone recycling.

A recent study published in Science described a new recycling process that can turn almost any silicone polymer back into chlorosilanes, used in making new silicone. This process could revolutionize silicone recycling, allowing the material to be reused indefinitely with the same quality as new material.

What to Do with Old Wristbands

Old silicone wristbands from charity campaigns can also be recycled through programs like GoSili’s take-back program. These wristbands must be made entirely of silicone with no plastic inserts or metal parts. Reusing silicone products creatively, such as using wristbands as jar lid grips or garden ties, can also help extend their lifespan.

While recycling options for silicone products are still limited, the industry is evolving to meet the demand for sustainable practices. By choosing brands that offer recycling programs for their silicone products, consumers can contribute to a more circular economy and reduce waste in landfills.

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