Our usage of plastics has skyrocketed in recent decades. In 1950, manufacturers produced 2 million tons of plastic. In 2015 that number increased to 380 million tons. And most of these products are single-use: think grocery bags, straws, and water bottles.
Off the coast of California, a floating garbage patch twice the size of Texas bobs with the movement of the ocean. There are 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic making up that trash island.
If you love to gaze out on the ocean, or enjoy a dip in a gurgling campground stream, then you probably don’t like to see plastic washing up on the shore, or littering the forests in which so many of us love to roam.
There’s a reason we use so much plastic; it’s convenient. And that’s true for travel and camp accessories. But we all have a responsibility to do better for our environment.
Silicone Reusable Containers are the Best Camp Accessory
Aside from the environmental impacts, silicone has a whole host of other benefits for the campground and the kitchen. More and more companies have started making silicone alternatives to traditional containers and utensils because they understand the lasting benefits of this man-made material.
If your camp accessory bin is full of plastic containers, consider replacing them with silicone.
humangear ©
Aside from being much better for the environment, here are a few more attributes that make them our new favorite camp accessory:
Heat-Resistant
Let the silicone cookware sheets, molds, and spatulas speak for themselves. Silicone can withstand temperatures up to 500º F. That means you don’t have to worry about them warping in the heat, or freezing in the cold.
Antimicrobial
Silicone lacks pores, which means bacteria won’t pile up on the lining of your container. This also makes silicone easier to clean, and leaves less to worry about if you can’t reach all the nooks and crannies of your bottle.
Safe to Use
Unlike some plastics (fewer now, thanks to BPA regulations), there are no known health hazards linked to silicone products. Many plastic manufacturers remain unwilling to release which chemicals are used in the making of their containers.
Long Lasting
Silicone products are built to last. While a plastic alternative may last a year or two before warping, developing scratches, or cracking, silicone containers will retain their shape and integrity for decades. That means you can use your silicone containers for years of camping, then pass them on to the next generation.
Stain-Resistant
After a few days of turmeric infused curry, a plastic container will never look the same. However, silicone resists stains and looks clean for the duration of its life. Go ahead, be adventurous. Pack a silicone container with Thai Red Curry sauce or marinara.
Our Favorite Silicone Reusable Container: humangear
humangear ©
GoToobs from humangear are our silicone travel bottles of choice. They hold everything from sunscreen to olive oil or even toothpaste. Seriously, the uses of the GoToob are endless. I’ve used mine for everything from shampoo to lotion to pesto! You can feel good about bringing these to the wild places you love.
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