Questions about PLA

What is PLA?
PLA stands for polylactic acid, or Polylactide, a versatile polymer produced by NatureWorks LLC. PLA is made from lactic acid. Lactic acid is made from dextrose by fermentation. Dextrose is made from starch and starch is made from carbon dioxide and water. Ingeo™ biopolymer is the world's first and only performance plastic made from 100% annually renewable resources. Corn-based Ingeo™ biopolymer offers the cost and performance necessary to compete with traditional petroleum-based materials in the packaging and serviceware markets. Clear and strong like petroleum-based plastic, yet Ingeo™ biopolymer can be commercially composted

What are corn plastics?
Corn plastics are plastics made from PLA (polylactide). PLA is made from corn. Corn plastic products look and feel just like regular plastic, but they are 100% biodegradable and compostable. Corn is a renewable resource which makes corn plastics much more sustainable than regular plastic. Did you know that regular plastic is made from petroleum?

What is the heat tolerance of PLA?
Normal heat tolerance of PLA is 110 degrees (F). Remember to keep these products out of direct sunlight and in a cool, dry place. Tahoe Green cutlery has a heat tolerance of 220 because it is a mix of potato and corn polymer whereas cutlery made of just corn can only withstand 140 degrees, but all other corn plastic food containers and cups can only withstand temperatures of 110 degrees.

How long does PLA take to biodegrade or compost?
PLA is fully compostable and biodegradable. In commercial composting conditions, PLA will compost in approximately 30-45 days. Composting may take longer in a home composting bin.

If I throw PLA in the trash, will it biodegrade in a landfill?
Most landfills are not designed to allow biodegrading of their contents. With that being said, PLA will react in landfills like other organic waste such as food. PLA is fully compostable in a composting facility. In addition, PLA is made from a renewable resource – corn – instead of regular plastic that is made from oil.

Is PLA more or less expensive than regular plastic?
PLA is now becoming competitively priced with PET plastic. For some products, such as cold cups, PLA is less expensive than PET. For other products, PLA is the same or slightly more. Since PLA is made from U.S.-grown corn, you can be confident that your money is going back in the U.S. economy rather than to overseas oil companies.

What products are made out of PLA?
Products include cups, cutlery, food containers, trash bags and more. Everyday new products are being produced and soon enough every plastic product will have a PLA counterpart.

Does PLA contain Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)?
The PLA resin does not contain any GMO. All genetically modified organisms are eliminated during the production process of the PLA resin. Unfortunately, PLA is not produced from GMO-free corn. PLA resin is continuing to explore the possibility of making PLA from GMO-free corn.

Is PLA made from GMO free or organic corn?
Unfortunately, PLA is not produced from GMO-free corn. PLA resin is continuing to explore the possibility of making PLA from GMO-free corn. The resin PLA does not contain any GMO. All genetically modified organisms are eliminated during the production process of the PLA resin.

Can you print my company’s logo on the corn plastic cups?
Yes! Corn cups can be custom printed with your logo. For prices and details on custom printed cups, please contact us at (530) 550-9440