Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. In fact, Zip Top containers are made from 100% Platinum Silicone, the most pure Food Grade Silicone available. You can rest easy knowing that Zip Top containers do not contain chemicals or fillers that could leach into your food.

Zip Top containers are 100% platinum-cured silicone ("platinum silicone" for short), the highest grade available that passes all U.S. and European safety standards. It is food safe, microwave safe, freezer safe, and dishwasher safe. Other products may claim that their product is "food safe" but unless it is pure platinum silicone, you should be cautious of how it can be safely used.

Traditional plastic containers are petroleum based and can contain harmful chemicals. Because Zip Top is made from 100% platinum silicone, it is free of BPA, lead, phthalates and PVC. It is also hypoallergenic.

Zip Top containers are built to last and can potentially be used thousands of times replacing disposable plastic bags and containers which will reduce waste.

Yes, silicone can be recycled but there is not a recycling programme currently for this in New Zealand through council collection. We are continuing to look at ways in which Zip Top in New Zealand can offer recycling in an efficient and environmental way.

All Zip Top containers are made in the United States of America, ensuring quality standards are strictly adhered to. 

Yes, Zip Top containers are completely freezer safe. Our thick silicone will not get brittle from freezing it frequently. Note: watch the fill line to make sure there is room for liquid expansion.

Yes! They were designed for the dishwasher, so all Zip Top containers have large rounded corners for easy cleaning. Most importantly, all Zip Top containers stay open for better cleaning and drying! They are safe in the top or bottom rack.

Yes! Zip Top containers are completely microwave safe. And because they do not contain any plastics, they will not leach harmful chemicals when used in a microwave.  If you leave the zipper partially or completely closed during heating, be careful when opening the zipper due to accumulated steam.

Most foods will not stain your Zip Top containers. There are a few foods, however, which can stain pure silicone such as tomato sauce, curries, watermelon, cooked carrots and other red/orange foods. Try rubbing with a baking soda and water mixture and let it sit for 4 hours. Rinse well and then wash as usual.

Food grade silicone is nonporous which inhibits bacterial growth and odours. However, some foods or dishwasher detergents can make your Zip Top retain an odour.

For dishwasher detergents, it is best to choose dishwasher soap or detergents that do not contain essential oils, antibacterial agents or moisturisers. Gentler, more natural dishwasher soap/detergents work best to clean Zip Top containers, especially ones that are scent free. 

For food odours, try rubbing with a baking soda and water mixture and let it sit for 4 hours. Rinse well and then wash as usual.

Zip Top containers seal differently than a traditional single-use plastic zippered bag which have tiny, hard, flat plastic zippers. Zip Top containers have large, soft, rounded zippers that flex. Because of this, your containers may, at times, leak a small amount of air if squeezed. In addition, once sealed, because of the pull of the wide, rounded opening, air will sometimes want to seep back in. If so, the small amount of air in your Zip Top will act like air trapped in a typical lidded container.

Zip Top containers are designed to hold liquids upright in a kitchen environment. This is why every container says on the back to “keep liquids upright" (which is simple since all Zip Top containers stand up due to their sturdy flat bases).  When kept upright, Zip Top containers are completely leak proof.  Zip Top containers were never designed, for instance, to fill with water and hold upside down or for taking liquids on the go.

Zip Top containers are not designed for taking liquids on the go. Just like you would typically not take soup in a plastic zippered bag in your backpack, Zip Top containers are designed to hold liquids in a kitchen environment. This is why every container says on the back to “keep liquids upright” (which is simple since all Zip Top containers stand up due to their sturdy flat bases). 

Zip Top containers are wonderful for on the go leftovers, sandwiches, dry snacks, veggies, fruit, nuts, etc.

In general, no. From our internal testing as well as our personal use over the past year, we have been thrilled with how well the seals hold during typical scenarios such as being knocked over. Because of the flexibility of silicone, they are durable and malleable when sealed. However, as stated in this FAQ, we recommend liquids be kept upright to be safe.

We do not recommend completely submerging Zip Top containers in water for sous vide or other applications. Due to the flexible zipper seal, some water may, at times, seep into a fully submerged bag. However, Zip Top containers are great for steaming and cooking where the zipper seal may fully or partially be left open while heating.

Zip Top containers are made from 100% platinum silicone, the highest grade of silicone available. This is the same material from which medical devices are made and is the safest food grade possible. It is also the most expensive silicone to produce. 

The silicone we use to manufacture Zip Top containers is made in the USA where we can ensure its purity.  No other silicone zipper containers can make this claim. Many of the silicone products seen online or in stores are made outside of the United States from lower grade silicones. These silicones often have fillers or impurities that can make them unsafe or unsuitable for food contact. Even companies advertising "food grade" are often shipping substandard silicone.

To make matters worse, many of the sites purporting to sell zipper containers at significant discounts are selling unsafe counterfeit knock-offs.  Some of these sites are only trying to capture your credit cards and never ship any product. We address these counterfeit sites in this article.

When you consider the thousands of single-use plastic bags that one Zip Top container can replace, along with all of the health and environmental benefits that plastic-free, 100% platinum silicone offers, we think that Zip Top containers represent a great value for the price.

Yes, orders over $75 qualify for free shipping. Please see Shipping Information for further details.

Details on returns and refunds can be found here.

Exchanges

We only replace or refund defective or damaged Goods. Please order carefully as we are unable to exchange or refund items if you change your mind or if you have ordered incorrectly. If you would like to view the Zip Top containers in person before purchasing, we suggest visiting one of our wonderful stockists across the country.

Damaged items

If the Goods have been damaged in transit, please contact us within 3 days of receiving your order and we’ll sort it out for you.

Order Cancellations

You may cancel your online order for the Goods only if we have not already dispatched it. A refund will be made to the same credit card that you made your original purchase with.

If you have any further concerns or comments, please email us on info@ziptop.co.nz.

Orders for in-stock items typically take 5 days or less to ship from the time your order is picked in our warehouse*.

For further details please consult your confirmation email or see our Shipping Information.
*Orders may take longer for rural delivery or when there is an unexpected delay with the courier.

You can use our handy locator to find a store near you.

Store selections are sometimes limited so we suggest you call to discuss the item you wish to purchase prior to making the trip.

We would love to discuss your store and the possibilities of partnering to sell Zip Top to your customers. Please send information about your shop to info@ziptop.co.nz and we will contact you shortly.