Last week, my human and I sniffed our way through the world of silicones in cosmetics — and what we found wasn’t exactly pretty. Hidden plastics, clogged pores, polluted waterways… definitely not the kind of glow we were after.

But then, over the weekend, something happened. The smell of fresh croissants filled the kitchen (yes, I was supervising), and my human asked a question that made my tail stop wagging:

“Is baking paper actually sustainable?”

To our surprise, the answer led us right back to silicone — but this time, in a much better way.

🌿 The Hidden Waste Behind Baking Paper

Here’s the thing: baking paper, even the unbleached kind, usually has a thin coating of silicone or plastic to make it non-stick. That makes it heat-resistant — but also non-recyclable and non-compostable.

Most of it gets tossed after a single bake. One-use wonders that pile up fast. Even in eco-friendly kitchens, that’s a lot of unnecessary waste.

So while baking paper might look natural, it’s actually one of those sneaky single-use products that keeps finding its way back into our bins.

🍳 Silicone Mats: Durable and Waste-Free

Now here’s where things get interesting. Silicone baking mats — like the famous Silpat — are made from food-grade silicone, a stable, non-toxic material that can handle heat and time like a champ.

Why they’re more sustainable:

• Reusable hundreds of times — no single-use waste

• Easy to clean (even for humans)

• No extra oil or butter needed for non-stick baking

• Can replace both baking paper and aluminium foil

One mat can easily replace hundreds of sheets of baking paper. That’s a lot fewer trees, coatings, and wrappers — and a lot more cookies. 🍪

♻️ But Wait… Isn’t Silicone Plastic?

Good question. Technically, yes — silicone is a synthetic polymer made from silica (sand), mixed with oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen.

The difference is that silicone doesn’t turn into microplastics. It stays stable, even when heated again and again. It’s not biodegradable, but it is long-lasting — and can be recycled through specialized programs when it finally reaches retirement age.

The key? Use it for years. One durable mat beats hundreds of disposable sheets every time.

🔍 Our Investigation: Harder Than It Looked (As Usual)

When we decided to find the most sustainable silicone mats for our Future First community, we thought it would be easy. I mean, how hard can it be to find a simple baking mat?

Turns out… very hard. 🐾

We explored dozens of products, read every detail we could find, and compared materials, certifications, and origins. Some mats looked promising at first, but turned out to have missing information or unclear sourcing. Step by step, we learned what really matters: transparency, quality, and proven safety.

It took time (and quite a few hours of tail-wagging research), but that’s how we finally discovered which mats truly meet our strict Future First sustainability standards — and are proudly made in the EU. 🌍

You’ll now find them proudly sitting in our Sustainable Kitchen Collection, ready to bake, roast, and rise with you.

🌍 Kasper’s Approved EU-Made Picks

“We sniffed, baked, compared, and tested until only the cleanest, safest, longest-lasting mats remained. These four are the real deal — proof that sustainability and croissants can rise together.” 🥐💚

🇩🇪 KRUSTENZAUBER Baking Mat Silicone 
Made in Germany from 100 % platinum-cured, LFGB-certified silicone. Ideal for lifting hot sourdough loaves out of a Dutch oven (my human’s favourite hobby lately). Long-lasting, odor-free, and dishwasher-safe.

🇩🇪 KRUSTENZAUBER Bread Baking Mat
Same great material, double the fun. Perfect for weekend batch baking — or when your human bakes for the neighbours (and you supervise, obviously).

🇮🇹 Decora Micro-Perforated Baking Mat
Made in Italy, this clever mat allows better airflow for a crisp crust. Food-grade, LFGB-compliant, washable, and designed to last.

🇫🇷 Silpat Premium Non-Stick Silicone Baking Mat
The original and still the best. Made in France by Maison Demarle, 100 % platinum-cured silicone. Used by professional bakers and now, eco home bakers like us.

💡 Eco Tip

When your silicone mat finally retires, check if your local recycling centre accepts silicone products — or reuse it under bowls, pet dishes, or plant pots.

Because even small swaps, like skipping baking paper, can help make every kitchen a little kinder to the planet. 🌿