Great question! Let’s break this down. Silicone is an alternative to plastics that are meant to stay around for a long time. Unlike plastic, which is made from petrochemicals, silicone is made from silica, which is the most abundant mineral on earth. Also unlike plastic, silicone never contains BPA, BPS, or phthalates, nor will it break down into microparticles. This means even if disposed of imperfectly, silicone won’t become hazardous to aquatic environments (or end up being eaten by us). Silicone is far more durable than plastic, allowing it to be around for years of use. However, there is a downside. While silicone is infinitely recyclable, most curbside recycling services don’t collect it and therefore it needs to go to a specialized recycling company. Of course, we hope you hang on to The Shower Cap forever, but we want to help you dispose of it properly when the time comes. See more on this here.