Why we should switch to PLA (corn starch plastic)

PLA comes from fermented corn starch and is widely known for being a more environmentally-friendly alternative to the usual petroleum-based plastics. It’s easy to understand how much we need it when we think about how many countries have banned plastic bags altogether – China, South Africa, Ireland, the list goes on.

These plastic bags don’t decompose when they end up in landfills, so they contribute to the huge levels of the so-called “white pollution” which seems to be taking over the world. Corn starch plastic is manufactured by fermenting corn or other raw materials to produce lactic acid, which is then polymerized.

The contribution PLA makes to the environment is not to be underestimated: this type of plastic is biodegradable and because of that it reduces CO₂, not to mention it doesn’t contain any toxins. To produce it, 65% less energy is needed than to produce regular plastic and it also creates much less greenhouse emissions.

PLA has many applications – it’s already being used for automobile interiors, but it’s most common use is for packaging of food and cosmetics. Many businesses are reporting that they’ve received positive feedback from their consumers when switching to corn starch packaging. It’s not that surprising: as human beings, we can only benefit from keeping our environment safe and we should applaud everyone who’s contributing to this.

Trust us: switching to PLA packaging or using it in any other way in your business will make a small difference for the environment, and a big difference for your company! Plus, you get to feel good for being part of something big: a movement by environmentally conscious organizations who want to do better for the world we live in. Try our biodegradable bags or cups today.