Dear Recyclebank: Where does silicone fall on the eco-friendly spectrum? –Kim S. Dear Kim: First, let’s make sure we are talking about silicone, and not silicon. Silicon (spelled without an “e” at the end) is the fourteenth element on the periodic table and one of the base materials that makes up silica, the most common substance on Earth. Elemental silicon is used to form the base of micro chips, and is also found in bricks, glass, and concrete as silica, and in enamels, pottery, and ceramics as silicate: A classification of minerals formed by mixing silicon, oxygen, and reactive metals. Silicones, on the other hand, are synthetic polymers made of silicon, oxygen, and other elements (usually carbon and hydrogen). Silicones have many uses in a variety of industries and consumer products. They can be found in aerospace and construction adhesives, coatings, and sealants because they can withstand extreme temperatures and absorb stress. They are used in electronics as sealants because they are moisture, salt, and corrosion resistant. They’re used to house electronics like computers, fax machines, phones, and keyboards for the same reasons...