Questions You Should Know about Pla Film

Packaging, particularly plastic, has highlighted our society's throwaway habits. In fact, consumer packaging accounts for 3% of the total waste that ends up in landfills each year.

PLA plastic can offer an environmentally friendly solution for your packaging needs. However, there are concerning reports indicating that it may not be as simple as it seems.

Therefore, our team has closely examined PLA plastic and compiled everything you need to understand about this packaging solution below.

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Understanding PLA Plastic

PLA, or Polylactic Acid, is produced from renewable resources such as corn starch or sugar cane. It serves as a natural polymer aimed at replacing commonly utilized petroleum-derived plastics like PET (polyethylene terephthalate).

This plastic is frequently used in the packaging sector for films and food containers.

Advantages of Using PLA Plastic

It is widely acknowledged that the planet's oil reserves will eventually dwindle. As petroleum-based plastics are sourced from oil, they will become increasingly challenging to obtain and produce. In contrast, PLA can be continually replenished because it is derived from natural materials.

When compared to its petroleum-based counterparts, PLA plastic presents significant ecological benefits. Independent reports indicate that the production of PLA consumes 65% less energy and results in 63% fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

Notably, PLA can naturally decompose in a controlled environment, returning to the earth, thereby qualifying it as a biodegradable and compostable material.

While not all PLA plastic packaging will be processed in composter facilities, it is reassuring to know that incinerating corn-based plastics does not release toxic fumes, unlike PET and other petroleum-based plastics.

Challenges Associated with PLA Plastic

While it’s true that PLA plastics are compostable, don’t be misled into thinking your garden composter will suffice for disposal. Proper disposal of PLA plastics requires sending them to commercial composting facilities that employ highly controlled environments to expedite decomposition. This process can last up to 90 days.

Moreover, producing PLA necessitates considerable quantities of corn. As PLA production intensifies and demand rises, this could impact corn prices in the global market. Many food analysts argue that vital natural resources should prioritize food production rather than packaging materials. With 795 million people suffering from hunger globally, this raises ethical questions about using crops for packaging instead of feeding people.

Furthermore, PLA films can compromise the shelf life of perishable goods. Many overlook the inherent contradiction: while you need a material to degrade over time, you simultaneously want to keep your products fresh.

The shelf life of a PLA film from production to end use can be as short as 6 months. This leaves a narrow window for manufacturing the packaging, packing products, selling, delivering to stores, and consumption. This timeframe poses significant challenges for brands that aspire to export products since PLA may not offer the required protection and longevity.

Is PLA Plastic Suitable for Your Brand?

PLA plastic can be an excellent choice for adopting a more eco-friendly approach to packaging. However, brands must carefully evaluate all advantages and disadvantages before making substantial investments in packaging changes to fulfill vague and short-lived environmental claims.

Clearly, it’s imperative for everyone - consumers, businesses, and regulatory bodies - to tackle our throwaway culture. The effort to produce compostable packaging could ultimately be futile if consumers remain unaware of proper disposal methods. Beautifully made PLA film may still find its way into landfills for the next century.

By investing in more sustainable packaging solutions, companies indicate their commitment to a greener future. Yet, without a solid infrastructure to ensure proper recycling or composting processes, those good intentions could lead to significant waste.

In our sustainability series, make sure to check out our efforts towards sustainability.

For further insights into feasible packaging solutions today, grab a coffee and enjoy our complimentary 'Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Packaging' eBook.

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If you're interested in more details, visit our website at Herofu.

It's widely recognized that packaging, especially plastic, serves as a reflection of our disposability mindset. PLA plastic can be an effective approach to achieving an "environmentally friendly" packaging status. Our team has conducted an in-depth analysis of PLA plastic, and we present key insights you should know.

Defining PLA Plastic

PLA is an abbreviation for polylactic acid. This polymer, derived from renewable resources such as corn starch or sugar cane, is designed to replace commonly used petroleum-based plastics like PET (polyethylene terephthalate).

Packing industries frequently utilize PLA plastics in films and food storage containers.

Benefits of PLA Plastic

It's common knowledge that the world's oil reserves are finite. Since petroleum-derived plastics are sourced from oil, they will become more challenging to obtain and manufacture over time. However, PLA can be consistently renewed due to its origin in natural resources.

PLA offers notable ecological advantages compared to traditional petroleum-based plastics. According to independent studies, producing PLA consumes 65% less energy and releases 63% fewer greenhouse gases.

In a regulated setting, PLA naturally degrades and reintegrates into the environment, distinguishing it as a biodegradable and compostable option.

Challenges to Consider

While PLA is compostable, it may not align with your home composting systems. Instead, proper disposal requires sending PLA to specialized commercial composting facilities. These facilities utilize highly regulated environments to hasten the decomposition process, which may still take up to 90 days.

Massive corn production is essential for creating PLA. An increase in PLA production could influence global corn prices as demand rises.

Concerning Shelf Life

Keep in mind that PLA films may impact the shelf life of perishable items. This poses an inherent contradiction: you need a material that safely decomposes, yet you want your goods to remain as fresh as possible.

The lifespan of PLA film from production to consumer use may average only 6 months. This timeframe encompasses producing packaging, packing goods, selling, delivering to stores, and eventual consumption, posing challenges for brands engaged in exports as PLA lacks the preservation qualities necessary.

Making the Choice

Utilizing PLA plastic can significantly enhance your efforts towards sustainable packaging. Nonetheless, brands must carefully weigh the benefits against the downsides prior to significant commitments to packaging adaptations driven by temporary environmental claims.

Focusing on sustainable packaging options allows businesses to make strides towards ecological responsibility.

If you're seeking more information on practical packaging solutions today, please reach out to us as we are happy to assist you.

Interested in more details on Pla Film? Please feel free to contact us.