Methodology
What we count as plastic
Last updated 25 September 2026
For PlasticFreeHome, plastic is any material whose main structural or functional ingredient is a synthetic polymer, or a natural polymer that has been chemically modified — whatever it is made from and whether or not it biodegrades.
We start from the legal definition in the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive (2019/904), which uses the REACH definition of a polymer. We go further in three places where that definition leaves shoppers exposed: coatings and linings, silicone, and "plant-based" plastics. Every score, test and PFH Checked decision on this site uses this page.
What counts as plastic
| Material group | Examples | Counts as plastic? |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional plastics | PE, PP, PET, PS, PVC, ABS, polycarbonate, acrylic, nylon, melamine | Yes |
| Bio-based and compostable plastics | PLA, bio-PE, PHA, cellulose acetate, "bamboo" melamine composites | Yes |
| Silicone | Silicone seals, bakeware, baby teats, lids | Yes — always shown separately |
| Fluoropolymers | PTFE and other non-stick coatings | Yes |
| Coatings, linings and laminates | Polymer-lined paper cups, can linings, laminated cartons, plastic-coated paper | Yes, when in the product or its contact surface |
| Synthetic textiles | Polyester, nylon, acrylic, elastane, microfibre | Yes |
| Synthetic rubbers | SBR, EPDM, neoprene, nitrile | Yes |
| Adhesives, binders and inks | Polymer glues, binders in composites | Yes — flagged as a minor component |
What does not count
- Glass, metals, ceramics and stone.
- Wood, bamboo, cork and other plant materials that have not been chemically modified.
- Paper and card without a polymer coating, lining or laminate.
- Natural fibres: cotton, linen, hemp, wool, silk.
- Natural rubber, including vulcanised natural rubber, when it is not blended with synthetic rubber.
- Regenerated cellulose (viscose, lyocell, cellophane) — we list it, because it is heavily processed, but it is not a plastic under this definition.
- Natural waxes (beeswax, candelilla, carnauba). Paraffin wax is not a polymer, so it is not plastic either, but we name it.
Why silicone counts
Silicone is a synthetic polymer. Many "plastic-free" products use it, and many people are happy to. We count it as plastic so our claims are never misleading, and we always label it silicone separately so you can decide for yourself. A product with silicone in a food-contact part cannot be called plastic-free on this site.
Why "plant-based" plastic still counts
PLA and other bio-based plastics are chemically the same kind of material as fossil plastics: long synthetic polymer chains. Most need industrial composting that UK household collections do not offer. What a plastic is made from does not change what it is.
How we describe products
We apply the definition component by component — body, lid, seal, coating, handle, packaging — and then use three plain tiers:
- Plastic-free — no plastic in any component.
- Plastic-free contact surfaces — nothing touching food, drink or skin is plastic; any plastic elsewhere is listed.
- Contains plastic in contact parts — at least one part that touches food, drink or skin is plastic.
We never use a percentage threshold for contact surfaces. A thin polymer lining is still a polymer lining.
Changes to this definition
This is version 1.0, published 25 September 2026. We will publish every change with its date and reason, and re-score affected products within 30 days.