A few thoughts: 1. I’m one of the people who requested a video on silicone, so thank-you for this. 2. Great info provided, lots of detail, much appreciated. 3. My silicone baking mats have seen a lot use and are now kinda oily. ????? i keep using them, but this is a bit concerning. 4. Canadian sewing teacher here... would love to see videos on hemp and bamboo. 5. Love that silver necklace... it’s from your retro days... very cool to see it making a comeback. Thanks Gittemary, always appreciate your research, your charm, and your energy.
May I ask how long have you used the silicone mat? I’m considering purchasing one because I bake a lot. Parchment paper and foil just aren’t that reusable.
Polly Chen hey! I’m not OP but I’ve had mine for over 2 years, I use it at least twice a week and mine is still going strong. It gets discolored but that doesn’t take away from its use. To get mine to not be oily I just scrub it with a rag and soap and water. I suppose a bit of baking soda and water could take away extra oily-ness
@@pollychen1735 Absolutely... I have 3 silicone mats, and like you I wanted to move away from using foil and parchment paper. Some of the things I use mine for include making “Indian Spiced Roasted Chickpeas” which requires 400F temperature. I also use mine for general baking (cookies, etc), roasting root veggies, and also for doing “Marinated Tofu Planks” (and plain baked tofu). They all work great and are still going strong. I would not trade them for anything, and I will not go back to foil or parchment paper. My original one I got as a Christmas present about two years ago. It is slightly smaller, very rubbery, brick red coloured, has one smooth side & one textured side, and has no brand name on it. It has become a bit discoloured with use, has not gotten oily, and it can take heat up to 446F. I have used it a tonne, and I believe it was relatively inexpensive. The other two are exactly the same. They are made by Browne Foodservice. They were $23CAD (Canadian Dollars) each. The main baking section in the middle has a fine white mesh grid sandwiched in between 2 layers of clear silicone, and they have a brick red silicone border around the outside. They have gotten a wee bit oily with use (and I wash/scrub them by hand in hot water with regular dish soap), but I don’t think this oilyness is a major problem. These ones are different from my original one as they are not as rubbery feeling, they are more slick feeling and are the same on both sides. They, too, can withstand heat up to 446F. I have never used any of mine at temps above 400F. As it is with all reusables, there is an initial outlay of money, but I highly recommend the silicone baking mats. Nothing ever sticks and you are not using a disposable liner. If you decide to purchase one, I recommend that you know the size of your baking tray because my silicone mats are different sizes and, for sure, you want them to fit your baking sheets. I hope this info is helpful. Have a great day and enjoy your baking.
@@marleenjones407 Hi Marleen... I think I have seen you in the comments section over on Immy’s videos. I, too, love my silicone baking mats!! They get the “used look”, but no problem... what’s a little discolouration going to harm? This is a good tip that you have provided above - using a bit of baking soda & water might cut the oily feeling on the silicone mats. I may give this a try, but I guess the slightly oily feeling is not really a problem. In fact, maybe it is helpful at reducing stickage. See ya around and happy baking to you.
Mary Charlebois how cool! Yes I’m often watching Immy’s videos and recently within the last few month found and watched dozens of gittermary’s! Happy to have a friend to respond to in comments! 😃
I didn't even know silicone was partly sand based, I thought it was fully plastic/petroleum based. Most silicone items I own are for food-safe or body-safe reasons, never again having a spatula melt in the pan.
Can you do videos on what can and cannot go in your compost (such as receipts -- can paper to-go boxes be composted?) and what to do when your town ditches municipal recycling? How can you stay sustainable during a pandemic when bulk bins are closed and recycling isn't an option?
Receipts arent recyclable or compostable, the BPA coating is very toxic. Take away boxes/pizza boxes are compostable, but check with your compost boxes guide/the website (for our hot composter it has to be at a different temperature depending on what it is). Paper bags, (not the shiny)especially if you wet them before, should compost fine. Try to buy things you can reuse (e.g. jars as glasses/storage) and see if your city/town has a recycling centre you can bring things to (we have places for fabric, glass and metal). If not, see if you can cut down or share with a family member. That’s all my advice, hope it helped.
i’ve been binge watching your videos and it’s been such an inspiration to me. im 19 and im getting really interested and have been starting small on living sustainably and essentially
Me exactly. You described my situation word for word :) Love the videos and starting to think about how I can incorporate more sustainability into my life
Great and informative video, there are companies here in Norway making Silica using >80% renewable energy (due to our hydro power). As of now, it's little to no premium for their products, but I hope and expect these companies get rewarded in the future while trying to reach 100%.
of all the low waste low impact youtubers i find ur the best at informing us on all the materials its so great thanks Gittemary. also great to have some Europeans on the platform too!
Hi! I'm so glad I found someone like you. We need to protect the planet and think about the choices we make. The video was great! I have a youtube channel about sustainability, and this inspired me! Thankyou so much! *Edit: I subscribed :) Another edit: WOW thankyou for the likes!!
I am loving my stasher bags! I throw them in the washing machine turned inside out & turn on high heat/sanitize to wash them with my towels & rugs, & they look great, just like they did when they were brand new! I expect to use them for many years! & I am raw vegan so I never heat food in them so I feel very safe from chemicals leeching out of them. I use them mostly for organizing small items & freezing fruits for smoothies.
Hello! I’m not informed on the rest of the materials, but I can tell you about cork! Cork in simple terms in wood bark. It is very sustainable because when it is harvested it is already dead tissue, meaning it does not harm the tree and will be grown again.
natural rubber is biodegradable since it's made from plants, so is cork and linen. ceramic and porcelain comes is just clay (earth) they'll go back to earth again and mold into the ground (takes a very long time tho), but ceramic last for thousands of years unless you break them anyway so it's very sustainable.
Elsa Rhae talks off grid living! I think you would enjoy her videos if you enjoy gittermary! Both you tubers are informative, low waste, and a joy to watch!
Thank you very much for researching these sort of topics, I find it really interesting and useful. Thank you also for improving on your chemistry :P It's really challenging to capture all nuances of materials without some science in the mix. :) Just a small comment: in my country (Portugal) glass from packaging (beer bottles, wine bottles and all those wonderful products that come in glass bottles hehehe) is recyclable. However, glassware is not supposed to be thrown in as it is not recyclable and probably contaminates the recyclable glass. So, if you replace plastic containers for glass containers, which I have, you need to be really careful not to break them, otherwise they become generic trash. I don't know whether it is the same in Denmark as far as recycling of glass is concerned. It's not easy being green! :) All the best to you and your channel! :)
Gittemary thanks for this information. I am in the process of designing a product for manufacture in China and is constructed from bamboo and silicone and I wanted a better understanding of this material. Your video hit the right level for me. 5 stars.
Love this video! I went into silicone a little bit in a recent video I did but love all the information you shared! I find it so useful personally and helpful to others to go into the detail of how products are made and what you should consider when thinking about what to buy. I have a few silicone items, and think it can be a good option for certain items, but generally stay away from it in my own ZW home :)
Unfortunately I don't have a clothes thrift shop here but there is a store where they sell old dishware and pots and it is full of glass of all kinds of types. This year we're moving away and if I need any new dishware,that's where I'm going. Thank you for all the time you put it to research all these things
I am a chemical engineer and I am impressed with your knowledge of materials. That being said, it is very difficult to recycle silicone as it is a crosslinked polymer which means it cannot be melted and reprocessed. It could be ground up and used as a filler. Also fossil fuels such as oil and gas are used to produce plastics but they are not plastics themselves. Thanks for your generally informative videos.
You should do a video about throwing used oil in the sink. I know many do that and they don't even know it's very dangerous. I don't throw oil in the sink,I collect it and take it to the special recycling bins.
Really useful thanks! On the availability of recycling, I'd like to hear about barriers to recycling more plastic. I moved to an area with very strict recycling laws, but spotty recycling availability, and my transfer station is really hesitant to introduce new recycling streams.
Great video and many interesting information I didn't know before. Love how much effort you put into your research when making the videos. It's like the "Did you know, that:...." 😀 You're my sustainability queen 👑
Funny, I was just looking at my Stasher bags yesterday and wondered if you had made a video about silicone, then I come today to RUclips and it is the first thing I see, Gittermary you are always on top of everything! I really enjoy this series, they are very informative
Thank you for posting this! This question has been weighing on my mind the past few weeks as I look for plastic food storage replacements. My plastic food storage is making its way over to my gardening materials ...? So I’m in the market for a few new containers. Most glass food storage containers have some kind of plastic lid, or if it’s made of bamboo, there’s still a silicone stopper to make it airtight(ish), but I digress. Thank you for your time and effort that went into this video. You are a wealth of knowledge and I’m so glad to have stumbled upon your platform.
Great video! Just a piece of mind from a life science student here. Your skin is the first boundary for the outside world of harmfull toxics, bacteria etc. So it’s not possible to absorb anything trough the skin into your blood. That’s the whole protection function of the skin, it can only pass when there is damage, like a cut or a wound. It’s only going to the first skin layers. That doesn’t make these products, like silicone in your skincare, any good but just a thing to keep in mind!
I really love your videos! I want to become zero waste, but I don't know how to start. I am a teenager and m'y parents don't really think that it is important. I'll watch your videos until I can start to reduce my wastes. Sorry for the mistakes, I normally speek French. :)
You can adjust your own waste. Disposable cups etc. Using cutlery from home instead of disposable. Hope you find your way. Start small and simple. Anything you can do helps 💕
Thank you so much for this video! When I first saw the Stasher bags popping up in eco friendly stores I was very unsure about them! So thanks for taking your time to create this very informative video, my worries about them have been eased somewhat now :) Still won't be rushing out to buy them though! By the way I love your channel and have been watching your videos for a few months now, keep up your great work! :)
Hello, I really like this series because it helped me to consider the ways that something is produced rather than if it is just biodegradable or not. I'm been trying to figure out a way to bake while avoiding things like silicone or plastic molds but I'm not sure for two reasons: Firstly, I know that some research is going on involving bacteria that eat plastic which makes me wondering if we are reaching a point where plastic is biodegradable. Also, I've been considering switching to stainless steel for new utensils but I'm not sure if it would have a smaller environmental impact. I would like to see a video about the environmental impact of steel. I look forward to future videos in this series. Thank you for caring about the environment and helping make being more environmentally friendly less confusing.
I'm not an expert, but I think the production of Silicon from quartz is very carbon intensive. I think the reaction is SiO2 + C -> Si + C02, So you put in carbon in the form of CO gas and Coal in the furnace and combine it with SiO2 (quartz sand) and you get C02 as a byproduct, and it also takes quite a lot of energy to do this reaction.
Definitely some of the best sustainability content on RUclips! Thank you for your hard work making such great videos. I've been a subscriber for a little while now and you really helped me to get started on my low impact journey ♥️
I ordered some cheaper silicone baggies to replace my ziploc bags. But it does say not dishwasher safe or microwave safe or for sous vide. But is definitely food and freezer safe. I mostly use them for like produce or snacks on the go, or storing non meat and non smelly foods (garlic/onion those go in jars).
Thanks for this topic! I have had questions as to which pronunciation is correct, to whether my Stasher bags are really a good alternative. You’ve answered those and more!
@@aberdeen0107 You can re-use parchment paper to some extent thankfully, especially in baking. I have some in my kitchen drawer that's been through the oven at least 5 times!
thank you so much for this video ! you explained this so well, thank you for all the effort you put in - it's engaging, well-researched, and definitely topical, I've been thinking about reusable containers and bags and there are so many options.. i'm not sure what you've already covered in this series, but some initial thoughts are, stainless steel, cast iron, and ceramic would be interesting
Do you have eco blocks there? Can you make a video about them? Where I live, they are used in construction along with bricks, but I am not sure if they are a good option. I mean, non-recyclable materials are put in and used in something good for the community, but I guess there is a lot not being said. Would love to listen to your inputs on that! I love your work and channel! Thank you for sooooo much!
Is silica a carcinogen at all levels? Dose being the poison etc. Also, after being frustrated in my search for silicone recycling, I found that silicone is inert in landfill. So while it’s not biodegradable, it’s not leaching harmful things into water etc.
Thanks for all the info. I’m so glad about the food safety. I was surprised though to hear you call rayon and lyocell as synthetic, because I‘m quite convinced that both kinds of fabrics can rot which is not the case with polyester or polyamide. And did I miss it or what would you say to all the silicone in cosmetics ending up in the worlds rivers and oceans?
nommh I have answered this a couple of times in the comments, they are synthetics and their ability to biodegrade are not a given, it depends on the quality and the fillers used to make it
I for one don't like silicone particularly. I have 2 silicone spatulas which I use to completely wipe off used oil from pots or when I cook,to make sure I get all the leftovers from the pots. I also have pot covers and a spoon holder. I really don't like the idea of cooking in silicone,even though many of you said it's safe. I am though considering to buy a menstrual cup and I still don't know if to buy it silicone or natural rubber.
Hi Gittemary, I have heard that silicone can be burned and the ashes Composted? I'm not sure which (is any) harmful gases are released during burning. Do you have any info on this? Love your channel x
I just seen someone talk about this. If it is going tk be thrown away then they buy it. Better to recycle or throw away the packaging but eat the food. Wish I could link the video. Wondering what others think :)
tive video as always! It doesn't quiet fit in this series, but i think it would be really interesting to hear what you think about feeding your dog/cat with vegan food :)
I don’t know but it comes to mind that some animals(cats I think?) are not omnivores but carnivores. I’m not sure how it would work out. Interesting question.
It’s animal cruelty. Look at the natural world, animals eat animals. It’s not unethical, people are vegans 99% of the time due to the environmental impacts of agriculture as well as the mistreatment of livestock. Cats are descended from wild cats that eat animals, dogs are descended from wolves that eat animals. Anyone forcing a vegan lifestyle on an animal that’s biological makeup is designed to consume meat is in my opinion contributing to animal cruelty and contradicting their own values.
Im curious and trying to buy some Silicone mats for my mom and dad (trying to slowly get them to low waste), what brand is best and where can I buy them without ordering online?
Silicone is only partially derived from sand. The ‘silicon’ element that is part of the molecular chain is only a part of the polymer. The rest is likely made from fossil-based feedstocks. Silicone is plastic. FYI - so are most plant-based and/or compostable materials that are used in the same applications as traditional fossil-based plastics. New feedstocks are being found to replace the fossil-based ones. Being made from plants does not make something ‘not plastic’. I’m horrified by some of the green-washing around this. Particularly when I see ‘plastic-free’ on materials such as PLA and other industrially compostable plastics!
Thanks for your the work you put into the video. In general I would avoid any argument about something being "natural" or something being better because it is not made from fossil fuels. Consider as an example that steel gets often possessed using a coal even though there is little carbon in the end product. Another example of a case where the argument being natural backfires is the use of paper versus plastic shopping bags. Even if one is not containing any crude oil products and even assume it is not needed for the production it binds a lot of wood as a resource. In the end the idea can turn out to be worse. Here clearly reusable bags are the better option. So better consider all inputs including energy.
I also specified in the beginning of the video that a product being “synthetic” is not in and off itself a bad thing, so this is a POV that has not been left out of the video. I do think however when we talk about energy input and sustainability that disposal should always be a part of the conversation as well. So although I would avoid both paper and plastic bags, there is a clear problem in the fact that plastic releases micro plastic, that it never biodegrades, and that it releases methane when “breaking down” which should always be included in the comparison 🌿
@@Gittemary First of all, I'm not sure if I'm addressing issues or if it's a "design decision" you've made to make your video accessible to a wide audience. It seemed to me that the terms "synthetic" and "natural" were not the same. Maybe it's good to point out that I have a physical/mathematical background that leads me to try to avoid misunderstandings. For example, if I were to mix wood fibres and beeswax into a plastic-like substance, would you consider that as "synthetic" because it does not exist in nature ? Or even the mixing of two minerals that do not exist in mixed form on earth. Is that "synthetic"? Or if you bake them into a brick, if you want them to bond into a "synthetic" material ? If you want chemical bonds, we can imagine that soap made from vegetable oil and ashes is a kind of natural candidate for being "synthetic". What I actually wanted to address is this argument like "it is no longer part of nature" - something at 5:40am. That's kind of a false argument, because something that is synthetic could also play a role in biological systems. Here you have an extreme case, for example: www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2017/04/wax-worms-eat-plastic-polyethylene-trash-pollution-cleanup/. Thanks to evolution ^^! I'm sorry that this becomes a wall of text. For the input thing ... it's just about having something easily comparable because we can measure it. I think it is also important to point out the importance of numbers ! I agree that the whole life cycle is important. Also note that SOME silicone compounds are known to actually decompose. As in the example above, we might find even more surprises. In this sense, probably not every microplastic has the same effect on nature, and one of the main problems is the lack of knowledge about it. There is so much more to say and I can fully understand that you probably do not want to go into a lecture format and lose 90% of people ^^. Finding the right material for a job is one thing that keeps the engineer busy, even if he doesn't consider what happens at the end of the life cycle. The world is damn complicated, so keep making people aware of it ^^! Cheers!
Really enjoying this series - thank you for all the time and research you put into these !!
So amazing all the research that goes into this! I appreciate it a lot p
A few thoughts: 1. I’m one of the people who requested a video on silicone, so thank-you for this. 2. Great info provided, lots of detail, much appreciated. 3. My silicone baking mats have seen a lot use and are now kinda oily. ????? i keep using them, but this is a bit concerning. 4. Canadian sewing teacher here... would love to see videos on hemp and bamboo. 5. Love that silver necklace... it’s from your retro days... very cool to see it making a comeback. Thanks Gittemary, always appreciate your research, your charm, and your energy.
May I ask how long have you used the silicone mat? I’m considering purchasing one because I bake a lot. Parchment paper and foil just aren’t that reusable.
Polly Chen hey! I’m not OP but I’ve had mine for over 2 years, I use it at least twice a week and mine is still going strong. It gets discolored but that doesn’t take away from its use. To get mine to not be oily I just scrub it with a rag and soap and water. I suppose a bit of baking soda and water could take away extra oily-ness
@@pollychen1735 Absolutely... I have 3 silicone mats, and like you I wanted to move away from using foil and parchment paper. Some of the things I use mine for include making “Indian Spiced Roasted Chickpeas” which requires 400F temperature. I also use mine for general baking (cookies, etc), roasting root veggies, and also for doing “Marinated Tofu Planks” (and plain baked tofu). They all work great and are still going strong. I would not trade them for anything, and I will not go back to foil or parchment paper. My original one I got as a Christmas present about two years ago. It is slightly smaller, very rubbery, brick red coloured, has one smooth side & one textured side, and has no brand name on it. It has become a bit discoloured with use, has not gotten oily, and it can take heat up to 446F. I have used it a tonne, and I believe it was relatively inexpensive. The other two are exactly the same. They are made by Browne Foodservice. They were $23CAD (Canadian Dollars) each. The main baking section in the middle has a fine white mesh grid sandwiched in between 2 layers of clear silicone, and they have a brick red silicone border around the outside. They have gotten a wee bit oily with use (and I wash/scrub them by hand in hot water with regular dish soap), but I don’t think this oilyness is a major problem. These ones are different from my original one as they are not as rubbery feeling, they are more slick feeling and are the same on both sides. They, too, can withstand heat up to 446F. I have never used any of mine at temps above 400F. As it is with all reusables, there is an initial outlay of money, but I highly recommend the silicone baking mats. Nothing ever sticks and you are not using a disposable liner. If you decide to purchase one, I recommend that you know the size of your baking tray because my silicone mats are different sizes and, for sure, you want them to fit your baking sheets. I hope this info is helpful. Have a great day and enjoy your baking.
@@marleenjones407 Hi Marleen... I think I have seen you in the comments section over on Immy’s videos. I, too, love my silicone baking mats!! They get the “used look”, but no problem... what’s a little discolouration going to harm? This is a good tip that you have provided above - using a bit of baking soda & water might cut the oily feeling on the silicone mats. I may give this a try, but I guess the slightly oily feeling is not really a problem. In fact, maybe it is helpful at reducing stickage. See ya around and happy baking to you.
Mary Charlebois how cool! Yes I’m often watching Immy’s videos and recently within the last few month found and watched dozens of gittermary’s! Happy to have a friend to respond to in comments! 😃
I didn't even know silicone was partly sand based, I thought it was fully plastic/petroleum based. Most silicone items I own are for food-safe or body-safe reasons, never again having a spatula melt in the pan.
Can you do videos on what can and cannot go in your compost (such as receipts -- can paper to-go boxes be composted?) and what to do when your town ditches municipal recycling? How can you stay sustainable during a pandemic when bulk bins are closed and recycling isn't an option?
Receipts arent recyclable or compostable, the BPA coating is very toxic. Take away boxes/pizza boxes are compostable, but check with your compost boxes guide/the website (for our hot composter it has to be at a different temperature depending on what it is). Paper bags, (not the shiny)especially if you wet them before, should compost fine. Try to buy things you can reuse (e.g. jars as glasses/storage) and see if your city/town has a recycling centre you can bring things to (we have places for fabric, glass and metal). If not, see if you can cut down or share with a family member. That’s all my advice, hope it helped.
i’ve been binge watching your videos and it’s been such an inspiration to me. im 19 and im getting really interested and have been starting small on living sustainably and essentially
Me exactly. You described my situation word for word :) Love the videos and starting to think about how I can incorporate more sustainability into my life
Great and informative video, there are companies here in Norway making Silica using >80% renewable energy (due to our hydro power). As of now, it's little to no premium for their products, but I hope and expect these companies get rewarded in the future while trying to reach 100%.
of all the low waste low impact youtubers i find ur the best at informing us on all the materials its so great thanks Gittemary. also great to have some Europeans on the platform too!
Hi!
I'm so glad I found someone like you. We need to protect the planet and think about the choices we make. The video was great! I have a youtube channel about sustainability, and this inspired me!
Thankyou so much!
*Edit: I subscribed :)
Another edit: WOW thankyou for the likes!!
In my country is mandatory for factories that manufacture glass to use 40% of recycle glass in the production of a new glass
Brilliant! I feel like I would know if this were the case in Canada.
I am loving my stasher bags! I throw them in the washing machine turned inside out & turn on high heat/sanitize to wash them with my towels & rugs, & they look great, just like they did when they were brand new! I expect to use them for many years! & I am raw vegan so I never heat food in them so I feel very safe from chemicals leeching out of them. I use them mostly for organizing small items & freezing fruits for smoothies.
Can you do stainless steel or iron base items? Or...
rubber
cork
linen
Ceramic/porcelain
Hello! I’m not informed on the rest of the materials, but I can tell you about cork! Cork in simple terms in wood bark. It is very sustainable because when it is harvested it is already dead tissue, meaning it does not harm the tree and will be grown again.
natural rubber is biodegradable since it's made from plants, so is cork and linen. ceramic and porcelain comes is just clay (earth) they'll go back to earth again and mold into the ground (takes a very long time tho), but ceramic last for thousands of years unless you break them anyway so it's very sustainable.
That plant. Is going. To fall.
Great video, even better gravity anomaly wherever that shelf is sitting
Thank you, I was thinking about this recently, because I didn't know where this "common knowledge" came from, that silicone is better than plastic.
It would be cool if you could talk about off grid living.
Elsa Rhae talks off grid living! I think you would enjoy her videos if you enjoy gittermary! Both you tubers are informative, low waste, and a joy to watch!
@@marleenjones407 thank you for the recommendation
GITTERMARY! I absolutely LOVE this series! The actually resources we are using is where our waste starts, so thank you for educating us!
Thanks for leaving the script! I read way faster than you could talk. Very thoughtful.
Thanks for researching
Thank you very much for researching these sort of topics, I find it really interesting and useful. Thank you also for improving on your chemistry :P It's really challenging to capture all nuances of materials without some science in the mix. :)
Just a small comment: in my country (Portugal) glass from packaging (beer bottles, wine bottles and all those wonderful products that come in glass bottles hehehe) is recyclable. However, glassware is not supposed to be thrown in as it is not recyclable and probably contaminates the recyclable glass. So, if you replace plastic containers for glass containers, which I have, you need to be really careful not to break them, otherwise they become generic trash.
I don't know whether it is the same in Denmark as far as recycling of glass is concerned.
It's not easy being green! :)
All the best to you and your channel! :)
Now we need Gittemary to make a video of the differences in glassware and glass bottles and why glassware isn't recyclable
Very useful! Now I'm going to terrorize anyone using Styrofoam containers in my work cafeteria
😂🤣🤣 I fully support you in this!!!
Styrofoam is so terrible, it boggles my mind whenever I see it still being used.
@@naomimay82 Thanks 😄
Gittemary thanks for this information. I am in the process of designing a product for manufacture in China and is constructed from bamboo and silicone and I wanted a better understanding of this material. Your video hit the right level for me. 5 stars.
I love this series! It's so informative. I would love to see one on hemp like hemp clothing and it's use in beauty products like lotions and such.
Love this video! I went into silicone a little bit in a recent video I did but love all the information you shared! I find it so useful personally and helpful to others to go into the detail of how products are made and what you should consider when thinking about what to buy. I have a few silicone items, and think it can be a good option for certain items, but generally stay away from it in my own ZW home :)
Unfortunately I don't have a clothes thrift shop here but there is a store where they sell old dishware and pots and it is full of glass of all kinds of types. This year we're moving away and if I need any new dishware,that's where I'm going. Thank you for all the time you put it to research all these things
I am a chemical engineer and I am impressed with your knowledge of materials. That being said, it is very difficult to recycle silicone as it is a crosslinked polymer which means it cannot be melted and reprocessed. It could be ground up and used as a filler. Also fossil fuels such as oil and gas are used to produce plastics but they are not plastics themselves. Thanks for your generally informative videos.
it's amazing that you put the script online. thank you so much!
You should do a video about throwing used oil in the sink. I know many do that and they don't even know it's very dangerous.
I don't throw oil in the sink,I collect it and take it to the special recycling bins.
would love a video on bamboo! like is a bamboo toothbrush made in china better than a plastic toothbrush made locally?
This is incredible! I have never come across a series so honest and informative. Thank you so much for educating people on this
I had no idea it takes 1 million yrs for GLASS to break down! That made feel a bit sad 😢
Really useful thanks! On the availability of recycling, I'd like to hear about barriers to recycling more plastic. I moved to an area with very strict recycling laws, but spotty recycling availability, and my transfer station is really hesitant to introduce new recycling streams.
You've really inspired me to start my sustainable journey and document my progress on RUclips ❤
I love your necklace, it is very beautiful. Thank you for these informative videos. I find them very interesting and informative.
Oh my dog!!!! Thank you so much for this video. Partner and I just started doing some research lately, your video comes at a perfect time!!!!
Thank you, this is something I have wondered about, so it is really helpful to have so much information in an easy to understand form!
For sustainability, how do silicone baking mats compare to good old fashioned greasing a baking sheet?
This series is amazing! I’m showing all these videos to my skeptical roommate haha
I just wanted to let you know how helpful I find this series to be. Thank you for doing the research and sharing!
Great video and many interesting information I didn't know before. Love how much effort you put into your research when making the videos. It's like the "Did you know, that:...." 😀 You're my sustainability queen 👑
Funny, I was just looking at my Stasher bags yesterday and wondered if you had made a video about silicone, then I come today to RUclips and it is the first thing I see, Gittermary you are always on top of everything! I really enjoy this series, they are very informative
This was really interesting. I had no clue I knew so little about silicone!
Thank you for posting this! This question has been weighing on my mind the past few weeks as I look for plastic food storage replacements. My plastic food storage is making its way over to my gardening materials ...? So I’m in the market for a few new containers. Most glass food storage containers have some kind of plastic lid, or if it’s made of bamboo, there’s still a silicone stopper to make it airtight(ish), but I digress. Thank you for your time and effort that went into this video. You are a wealth of knowledge and I’m so glad to have stumbled upon your platform.
Your video was informative and educational. Thanks
Great video! Just a piece of mind from a life science student here. Your skin is the first boundary for the outside world of harmfull toxics, bacteria etc. So it’s not possible to absorb anything trough the skin into your blood. That’s the whole protection function of the skin, it can only pass when there is damage, like a cut or a wound. It’s only going to the first skin layers. That doesn’t make these products, like silicone in your skincare, any good but just a thing to keep in mind!
I really love your videos! I want to become zero waste, but I don't know how to start. I am a teenager and m'y parents don't really think that it is important. I'll watch your videos until I can start to reduce my wastes. Sorry for the mistakes, I normally speek French. :)
You can adjust your own waste. Disposable cups etc. Using cutlery from home instead of disposable. Hope you find your way. Start small and simple. Anything you can do helps 💕
I really appreciate all the research you do. Thank you so much for taking these complex issues and condensing them down.
Thank you so much for this video! When I first saw the Stasher bags popping up in eco friendly stores I was very unsure about them! So thanks for taking your time to create this very informative video, my worries about them have been eased somewhat now :) Still won't be rushing out to buy them though!
By the way I love your channel and have been watching your videos for a few months now, keep up your great work! :)
Hello,
I really like this series because it helped me to consider the ways that something is produced rather than if it is just biodegradable or not. I'm been trying to figure out a way to bake while avoiding things like silicone or plastic molds but I'm not sure for two reasons: Firstly, I know that some research is going on involving bacteria that eat plastic which makes me wondering if we are reaching a point where plastic is biodegradable. Also, I've been considering switching to stainless steel for new utensils but I'm not sure if it would have a smaller environmental impact. I would like to see a video about the environmental impact of steel. I look forward to future videos in this series. Thank you for caring about the environment and helping make being more environmentally friendly less confusing.
I'm not an expert, but I think the production of Silicon from quartz is very carbon intensive. I think the reaction is SiO2 + C -> Si + C02, So you put in carbon in the form of CO gas and Coal in the furnace and combine it with SiO2 (quartz sand) and you get C02 as a byproduct, and it also takes quite a lot of energy to do this reaction.
Thank you for these very informative videos! Please keep making this kind of videos!
Thank you!!! This is such a needed educational conversation!
Definitely some of the best sustainability content on RUclips! Thank you for your hard work making such great videos. I've been a subscriber for a little while now and you really helped me to get started on my low impact journey ♥️
Awesome series and super informative. I always had my Doubts about Silicon s and thank you for clarifying it for me.
i love your honesty
Thank you for all the information, you make it easy to learn and understand the topics!
I ordered some cheaper silicone baggies to replace my ziploc bags. But it does say not dishwasher safe or microwave safe or for sous vide. But is definitely food and freezer safe. I mostly use them for like produce or snacks on the go, or storing non meat and non smelly foods (garlic/onion those go in jars).
Thanks for this topic! I have had questions as to which pronunciation is correct, to whether my Stasher bags are really a good alternative. You’ve answered those and more!
Thank you for these videos. They are incredibly informative 🙂
Gittemary, is parchment paper eco friendly?? Thank you for sharing your time/knowledge- It certainly helps!! ;-)
Generally speaking anything that’s single use is not eco friendly
@@aberdeen0107 You can re-use parchment paper to some extent thankfully, especially in baking. I have some in my kitchen drawer that's been through the oven at least 5 times!
I feel weird! I've never showed up this early for anything 😂
Super informative. Thank you!
thank you so much for this video ! you explained this so well, thank you for all the effort you put in - it's engaging, well-researched, and definitely topical, I've been thinking about reusable containers and bags and there are so many options.. i'm not sure what you've already covered in this series, but some initial thoughts are, stainless steel, cast iron, and ceramic would be interesting
This is a fantastic video! Thank you very much for your work.
Thanks for sharing this! 💚 more people should be aware of this
Love you Gittemary (platonically)
I love this kind of videos, thanks so much!
Very good review of silicone. Thank you.
Opdateret hudpleje + makeup rutine?😊 Din hud er så smuk🤗🌸
Jeg elsker de her videoer! Tusind tak for dem. 🙏
I love this series, so interesting! And your choker. :)
Looks like a very sustainable necklace XD
So much information, thanks a lot!!
Thank you, super informative and useful like always!
How about a talk on what sustainability really means?
Do you have eco blocks there? Can you make a video about them? Where I live, they are used in construction along with bricks, but I am not sure if they are a good option. I mean, non-recyclable materials are put in and used in something good for the community, but I guess there is a lot not being said. Would love to listen to your inputs on that! I love your work and channel! Thank you for sooooo much!
O wow, i was just thinking to research that silicone!!
Is silica a carcinogen at all levels? Dose being the poison etc. Also, after being frustrated in my search for silicone recycling, I found that silicone is inert in landfill. So while it’s not biodegradable, it’s not leaching harmful things into water etc.
Thanks for all the info. I’m so glad about the food safety. I was surprised though to hear you call rayon and lyocell as synthetic, because I‘m quite convinced that both kinds of fabrics can rot which is not the case with polyester or polyamide.
And did I miss it or what would you say to all the silicone in cosmetics ending up in the worlds rivers and oceans?
nommh I have answered this a couple of times in the comments, they are synthetics and their ability to biodegrade are not a given, it depends on the quality and the fillers used to make it
Excellent video! Thank you for this! :)
Such a good video! Really informative. Thank you ❤️🌱
Thank you a lot! It was very informative
I for one don't like silicone particularly. I have 2 silicone spatulas which I use to completely wipe off used oil from pots or when I cook,to make sure I get all the leftovers from the pots. I also have pot covers and a spoon holder. I really don't like the idea of cooking in silicone,even though many of you said it's safe.
I am though considering to buy a menstrual cup and I still don't know if to buy it silicone or natural rubber.
Hi Gittemary, I have heard that silicone can be burned and the ashes Composted? I'm not sure which (is any) harmful gases are released during burning. Do you have any info on this?
Love your channel x
My Stasher didn't pass the silicone quality test and i am confused now 🤯
Please talk about buying REDUCED FOOD!! In plastic and stuff. No one ever talked about it! Do we create a demand by buying reduced, or not??
I just seen someone talk about this. If it is going tk be thrown away then they buy it. Better to recycle or throw away the packaging but eat the food. Wish I could link the video. Wondering what others think :)
tive video as always! It doesn't quiet fit in this series, but i think it would be really interesting to hear what you think about feeding your dog/cat with vegan food :)
I don’t know but it comes to mind that some animals(cats I think?) are not omnivores but carnivores. I’m not sure how it would work out. Interesting question.
It’s animal cruelty. Look at the natural world, animals eat animals. It’s not unethical, people are vegans 99% of the time due to the environmental impacts of agriculture as well as the mistreatment of livestock. Cats are descended from wild cats that eat animals, dogs are descended from wolves that eat animals. Anyone forcing a vegan lifestyle on an animal that’s biological makeup is designed to consume meat is in my opinion contributing to animal cruelty and contradicting their own values.
Im curious and trying to buy some Silicone mats for my mom and dad (trying to slowly get them to low waste), what brand is best and where can I buy them without ordering online?
I think silicone is a silly con !
I agree 😂
This pun is everything 😂💚🌿
@@Gittemary Too true!
I was looking into these last night!Cheers 👌How long will the storage bags last?
1.Bamboo
2.Wood
3.Glass
4.Metal/Steel
5.Silicone
LOVE IT!
Good morning
It's morning for me too lol currently 8:45am
Silicone is only partially derived from sand. The ‘silicon’ element that is part of the molecular chain is only a part of the polymer. The rest is likely made from fossil-based feedstocks. Silicone is plastic. FYI - so are most plant-based and/or compostable materials that are used in the same applications as traditional fossil-based plastics. New feedstocks are being found to replace the fossil-based ones. Being made from plants does not make something ‘not plastic’. I’m horrified by some of the green-washing around this. Particularly when I see ‘plastic-free’ on materials such as PLA and other industrially compostable plastics!
Thank you!!
on lauren singer’s (trash is for tossers) shop, it says that if u burn silicone, the ashes can be composted 🤔 does anyone know about this?
I was going to say bamboo! Woo!
Thanks for your the work you put into the video. In general I would avoid any argument about something being "natural" or something being better because it is not made from fossil fuels. Consider as an example that steel gets often possessed using a coal even though there is little carbon in the end product. Another example of a case where the argument being natural backfires is the use of paper versus plastic shopping bags. Even if one is not containing any crude oil products and even assume it is not needed for the production it binds a lot of wood as a resource. In the end the idea can turn out to be worse. Here clearly reusable bags are the better option. So better consider all inputs including energy.
I also specified in the beginning of the video that a product being “synthetic” is not in and off itself a bad thing, so this is a POV that has not been left out of the video. I do think however when we talk about energy input and sustainability that disposal should always be a part of the conversation as well. So although I would avoid both paper and plastic bags, there is a clear problem in the fact that plastic releases micro plastic, that it never biodegrades, and that it releases methane when “breaking down” which should always be included in the comparison 🌿
@@Gittemary First of all, I'm not sure if I'm addressing issues or if it's a "design decision" you've made to make your video accessible to a wide audience. It seemed to me that the terms "synthetic" and "natural" were not the same. Maybe it's good to point out that I have a physical/mathematical background that leads me to try to avoid misunderstandings. For example, if I were to mix wood fibres and beeswax into a plastic-like substance, would you consider that as "synthetic" because it does not exist in nature ? Or even the mixing of two minerals that do not exist in mixed form on earth. Is that "synthetic"? Or if you bake them into a brick, if you want them to bond into a "synthetic" material ? If you want chemical bonds, we can imagine that soap made from vegetable oil and ashes is a kind of natural candidate for being "synthetic". What I actually wanted to address is this argument like "it is no longer part of nature" - something at 5:40am. That's kind of a false argument, because something that is synthetic could also play a role in biological systems. Here you have an extreme case, for example: www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2017/04/wax-worms-eat-plastic-polyethylene-trash-pollution-cleanup/. Thanks to evolution ^^! I'm sorry that this becomes a wall of text. For the input thing ... it's just about having something easily comparable because we can measure it. I think it is also important to point out the importance of numbers ! I agree that the whole life cycle is important. Also note that SOME silicone compounds are known to actually decompose. As in the example above, we might find even more surprises. In this sense, probably not every microplastic has the same effect on nature, and one of the main problems is the lack of knowledge about it. There is so much more to say and I can fully understand that you probably do not want to go into a lecture format and lose 90% of people ^^. Finding the right material for a job is one thing that keeps the engineer busy, even if he doesn't consider what happens at the end of the life cycle. The world is damn complicated, so keep making people aware of it ^^! Cheers!
Great video! How would you rate all of these materials(silicone, aluminum, glass, etc) from worst to best?
I just use baking tray witj nothinh for baking
Meget oplysende! 💚🌿
Good video!
3:46 you meant "receding coastlines", not "reciting coastlines."
She just has a different accent... I'm sure everyone knew what she meant, you're just trying to be difficult🤦🏾♂️