Compostable Plastic
One example of a compostable bioplastic is polylactic acid (PLA). PLA is a Biodegradable plastic →, and it is compostable thermoplastic.
PLA is ….
… derived from renewable resources, usually cornstarch or sugarcane.
… designed to be biodegradable, i.e., it breaks down into natural components under specific conditions.
…compostable in industrial composting facilities, where the required conditions, such as higher temperatures and microbial activity, are present.
… not made to break down in home composting setups or in traditional landfills.
… applied in, e.g. food packaging, disposable cutlery, compostable bags, and disposable service ware. It has properties similar to traditional plastics, making it a versatile alternative.
The issue: Industrial composting facilities for PLA are usually unavailable, which is why PLA is most likely disposed of in our general household waste and thus ends up in a landfill, as single-use virgin plastic does.