Some relationships just don’t last. They just aren’t sustainable in the way you hoped. I may have to go through either a serious break up or do some kind of reassessment. There are many swaps and alternatives that I have made over the last four years of my zero-waste journey. Some have failed, like my husband’s stainless razor that he hated, he’s since just stopped shaving all together. Some have been phenomenal, like my soap saver I crocheted! However, there is one thing that I have a love-hate relationship with. Reusable silicone bags. They are by far my least favorite zero waste swap. Let me tell you why.
They don’t always smell clean. No matter how much soap and hot water I use, if there was an onion or cheese in there, they still sometimes stink. Let’s face it. Plastic holds smell. It does. Because it leaches. That’s just what happens. Plain and simple. So, I end up having to wash them twice in that instance.
They’re a pain to hand wash. I have tried sticking them in the dishwasher and they end up either slightly melted or just not washed at all. They end up piling in my sink just glaring at me with good particles and slick edges.
Are Silicone Products Sustainable and Eco-Friendly? Let’s Find Out
What can you do?
Maybe I’m just buying cheap ones. I can’t bring my frugal self to spend 10$ on one silicone bag. I may just eliminate them all together and only use them for meat and cheese products. Because no, I am not a plant based person any more. I am not a cow with four stomachs to break down all that leafy intake. Don’t even get me started on tofu.
I’ll continue to use them and hate to wash them. Reusable silicone bags may be my least favorite zero waste swap but they work. They reduce single use plastic.
For now, thank you for sticking this one out. I had to share that these may not be a great ‘zero waste option’ if you’re like me. It may be beeswax wraps. Or old school Pyrex. Glass is always great.
To leave on a good note, I have some more reviews on ‘zero waste’ swaps coming this year! I have many things planned for life this year: a book of poetry, new baby perhaps, learning to can, blogging more intentionally.
I’m very jazzed up about it all!
In gratitude,
Tayler