What is PLA, & Why should you even care?

What is PLA, & Why should you even care?

What is PLA, & Why should you even care?

For starters, I am going to bet you probably have never heard of PLA.
Im going to bet that you have never heard the term Polylactic Acid, and if you have you likely tuned out at polyl…… Whamp Whamp Whamp and that was about the summary of that.
So let’s break this down a little and give some context as to what on earth I am going on about and why.

PLA, or polylactic acid, (That big complex word again) is a type of biodegradable and compostable plastic made from renewable resources such as cornstarch & sugarcane, threw a process of fermentation and other science I won't boor you with.
The cool part, and honestly the Why you should care breaks down to a few key benefits of PLA over its fossil fueled plastic counterparts and even over other bioplastics 

First up, PLA is a biodegradable/ compostable material. This means that it can decompose into natural elements in the environment under certain conditions, such as heat, moisture, and microbes becoming nutrient rich soil and reducing waste in landfills. This is in contrast to traditional plastics, which can take hundreds of years to break down and can cause pollution and harm to wildlife.

PLA, the awesome material it is, is made from renewable plant resources.
It is not dependent on fossil fuels to make.
Requires less energy to create which in turn means fewer carbon emissions.
The list goes on.

Aside from being a much better material choice for the environment than traditional plastics, or even other bioplastics, PLA is incredibly versatile.
Able to be used in a wide range of applications, including packaging, food service ware, toys, and 3D printing. It can be molded into various shapes and forms,

In conclusion, PLA is a sustainable, eco-friendly material with many benefits over both traditional, and nontraditional plastics. Its biodegradability, renewability, compostability, versatility, safety, energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness make it an attractive option for businesses and consumers looking to reduce their environmental footprint.

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