The Truth about bio-Plastic

Plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time, with statistics showing there will be more plastic in the ocean than there are fishes, by volume by 2050, if we don’t replace or avoid plastic in the future. 

But it’s also seen, that worldwide people start to get aware about the problem and search for alternatives who are more eco- friendly but without need to change their lifestyle. 

Bio-plastic – also mostly called PLA – are produced from plants that can break down in the environment fully. They are made from plant material such as renewable resources like cornstarch, sugar cane or even coffee. PLA plastic is obviously a better alternative than its close relative petroleum-based plastic. 

PLA plastic doesn’t contain dangerous substances as BPA and is principally bio-degradable respectively compostable.  

Because many consumers and businesses are not aware of the real facts about PLA straws, here are some information what needs to be considered, that PLA plastic is a true alternative.

PLA bio-plastic straws require the correct disposal conditions.

PLA straws require industrial composting conditions.

In order for PLA straws to compost fully, they require temperatures above 40° C for 10 consecutive days and need to be properly routed to specialized industrial composting to break down.

Many studies show, that PLA straws are difficult to decompose in a normal garden compost. 

And disposing any type of PLA bioplastic or “plant-based” plastic straw in your normal garbage is no different than throwing away a regular plastic straw. It will be burned, or in worst case, they end up in the ocean as well. In the ocean they are still dangerous for marine wildlife even they don’t take that long to decompose. 

At least in Switzerland, you can be fully sure that your straws are not ending in waterways and at the end in the ocean.

Consumers often don’t know the difference.

The issue with PLA bio-plastic straws is that people think they are using an eco-friendly product, which is true, if disposed of correctly. 

The reality is that people often don’t know where to dispose of it correctly and question whether it goes in a general recycling bin, the trash or a plastics recycling bin. The answer is none of the above.
For example, PLA bio-plastic can’t be collected in the same container as PET and not many industrial recycling centers have named collection bins for PLA only.

So if you bring back PLA for correct composting ask your recycling center.

PLA bio-plastic straws are a challenge for recycling operators.

As PLA straws are “fully compostable, it should be forwarded to industrial composting facilities rather than going into the recycling process.

If it’s going into the recycling process, the operators need to consider, that PLA has a lower melting temperature that may causes problems at recycling centers. This means it cannot be recycled with other curbside recycling. 

Restaurants and businesses having to clean and turn tables quickly and need to separate tabletop garbage and recyclable items in the back.
Furthermore, PLA bio-plastic straws must be sort out separately from other recyclables to have them commercially composted. They must also often arrange a pickup or drop off at a commercial composter as it is not done by official.

That’s an additional effort which costs money, but it is definitely the money worth for a more healthy future environment for our children.