As part of our Sustainability Commitment, we try our best to prioritize eco-friendly materials in our product designs. Some of our products incorporate silicone. While not the most eco-friendly material we use, there are some distinct advantages that led us to choose silicone over petroleum-based plastic options.
Silicone starts with silica (SiO₂) extracted from sand or quartz, which undergoes a process of high heat and chemical reactions to produce siloxane molecules, which are polymerized into oils, gums, resins, and rubbers. We use the rubbery one!
Silicone is a soft and flexible material that is considered chemically stable, making it nontoxic, noncarcinogenic, and hypoallergenic. This makes it the perfect option for next-to-skin products like the Maker's Keep wristband, since it is comfortably pliable and will not cause skin irritation. It's flexibility also makes it a great vegan alternative to leather!
Compared to most petroleum-based plastics, silicone is also much more durable. It often has better UV and temperature resistance and more long-term flexibility, making it more likely to withstand years (or decades!) of use without breaking and ending up in a landfill. It also does not shed microplastics like petroleum-based plastics do.
Producing silicone from sand is very energy intensive and usually requires fossil fuels in the heating process, so it often has a higher initial carbon footprint than many petroleum-based plastics. However, silicone often lasts much longer than polyethylene or polypropylene products, which reduces its carbon footprint over time.
While silicone generally does not shed microplastics like other petroleum-based plastics, it is also not biodegradable and is difficult to commercially recycle.
Our Maker’s Keep magnetic bracelet was first designed and manufactured by Julie in 2007. The removable slap-bracelet band has a metal interior and silicone exterior, with 4" (10 cm) ruler markings on the underside.
These flexible silicone bands are a simple way to keep all sorts of items where you need them. They have magnets embedded at each end to cling to themselves or any steel surface.
Brook, M. A., & Chen, Y. (2025). Strategies to improve the sustainability of silicone polymers. Macromolecules, 58(8), 3742–3763. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.5c00179
Polysiloxane. (n.d.). Chemical Compounds. Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved July 16, 2026, from https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/academic-and-educational-journals/polysiloxane
Price, N. (2026, March 18). Silicone vs rubber: Key differences, pros, cons & best uses. Westlab. https://www.westlab.com/blog/silicone-vs-rubber-quick-answer
Bains, P., & Kaur, S. (2023). Silicone in dermatology: An update. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, 16(1), 14–20. https://doi.org/10.4103/JCAS.JCAS_204_22
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