That's why our team have taken a closer look at PLA plastic and covered everything you need to know about this packaging below.
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PLA stands for Polylactic Acid. Made from renewable resources such as corn starch or sugar cane, it's a natural polymer designed to substitute widely used petroleum-based plastics like PET (polyethene terephthalate).
In the packaging industry, PLA plastics are often used for plastic films and food containers.
It's common knowledge that the world's oil reserves will eventually run out. As petroleum-based plastics are derived from oil, they will become more difficult to source and manufacture over time. However, PLA can be constantly renewed as it is processed from natural resources.
Compared to its petroleum counterpart, PLA plastic boasts some great eco benefits. According to independent reports, producing PLA uses 65 per cent less energy and generates 63 per cent fewer greenhouse gases.
In a controlled environment, PLA will naturally break down, returning to the earth, and so it can be classified as a biodegradable and compostable material.
Not all PLA plastic packaging will find its way to a composting facility. However, it's reassuring to know that when corn-based plastics are incinerated, they do not emit toxic fumes unlike PET and other petroleum-based plastics.
So, PLA plastics are compostable, great! But don't expect to be using your little garden composter anytime soon. To properly dispose of PLA plastics, you have to send them to a commercial facility. These facilities use extremely controlled environments to speed up decomposition. However, the process can still take up to 90 days.
Local Authorities don't collect compostable materials manufactured for industrial composting. Specific numbers for industrial composting facilities in the UK are difficult to find. Just one sign you might struggle to locate exactly where and how can dispose of your PLA plastic.
To produce PLA, you need a huge amount of corn. As production of PLA continues and demand increases, it could affect the price of corn for global markets. Many food analysts have argued that vital natural resources are better used in food manufacturing, rather than packaging materials. With 795 million people in the world without enough food to lead a healthy active life, doesn't it suggest a moral issue with the idea of growing crops for packaging and not for people?
PLA films will always compromise the shelf life of perishable foods. What many people fail to see is this unavoidable paradox. You want a material to degrade over time, but you also want to keep your produce as fresh as possible.
The average lifespan for PLA film from the time of manufacture to final use can be as little as 6 months. This means there's only 6 months to manufacture the packaging, pack products, sell products, deliver to the store and for the product to be consumed. This is especially difficult for brands looking to export products, as PLA will not provide the protection and longevity needed.
PLA plastic can be a great way to adopt a more environmentally friendly approach to your packaging. But brands need to seriously weigh up all the pros and cons before investing in packaging overhauls to meet loose, short-term environmental claims.
It's clear we all need to address our throwaway culture. That's consumers, businesses and governing bodies. What good comes from investing in the production of compostable packaging when the consumer doesn't even know how or where to dispose of it? That beautiful PLA film could still end up in a landfill for the next 100- years.
By investing in more eco-friendly packaging solutions, companies are demonstrating positive steps towards a more sustainable future. But all those good intentions could go to literal waste without the infrastructure in place to see it find its rightful, (natural) home.
As part of our sustainability series, be sure to check out our commitment to sustainability.
If you'd like more information on the feasible solutions for your packaging today, grab a coffee and settle into our free 'Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Packaging' eBook
Are you interested in learning more about what is cpla plastic? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
Perfect for enjoying meals on the go or simply reducing cleanup time after an event, CiboWares has all the disposable cutlery and utensils to suit any restaurant or foodservice location. From eco-friendly to plastic, individually wrapped or packed in bulk, we've got cutlery options that are sure to make the cut.
Go green with CiboWares' selection of eco-friendly cutlery! Made from renewable and sustainable materials, many of these products are also compostable to help reduce our impact on the environment.
UV Treated: UV treatment helps eliminate the risk of microbial or bacterial growth in wooden cutlery.
Renewable Resources: Made from materials that are naturally replaced or regrown by the environment over time.
PBAT Film: Polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate which is an alternative polymer. Compostable PBAT film is used to wrap CPLA cutlery and cutlery kits.
ASTM D Compliant: ASTM International (formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials). ASTM D refers to the Standard Specification for Labeling of Plastics Designed to be Aerobically Composted in Municipal or Industrial Facilities.
FDA Approved: Food and Drug Administration. All of our products are FDA accepted/safe for food contact.
CiboWares' selection of compostable cutlery is made from CPLA, or crystallized polylactic acid. CPLA is a fully compostable corn starch based resin or corn-based plastic material and is designed to stand up to hotter temperatures compared to PLA. Corn is annually renewable, making these products completely eco-friendly and non-toxic. They are petroleum-free and ASTM D compliant for compostability. They are a great choice when serving up hot or cold food items.
Note: CPLA Cutlery breaks down within 60 days in an industrial composting facility. A compostable PBAT film is used for wrapped CPLA cutlery. Heat Resistance: 90° C (194° F).
Wood cutlery is made from all-natural birch wood and offers great resistance to cracking or splintering. They can be stored in high heat locations and contain no coatings, bleaches, or dyes. Wooden cutlery is also UV treated and can be thrown out with food waste. Please check your local laws and regulations surrounding waste disposal.
Bamboo is a renewable resource and can be used to create a wide range of beautiful products. Our selection of bamboo products is made from the sheath of the bamboo plant. The sheath is the outer layer of the plant that falls off naturally once the plant has reached a certain point of maturity. The sheaths are then collected, cleaned, boiled, laminated, and pressed and bonded into the shape of the product. This whole process is completed without the use of harmful chemicals, dyes, or toxins. Bamboo cutlery is splinter-free and designed to prevent cracking or breaking during use.
Plant-based cutlery is made from plant starch material resin which is produced from corn, potato, or wheat starch. PSM cutlery is not biodegradable or compostable but is a renewable resource as plant products can be grown again and again to make more quality cutlery. They are FDA approved for food contact and contain some polypropylene material to help give our products extra durability.
Wheat Cutlery
Length: Soup Spoon: 5.75" / Teaspoons: 6" / Forks: 6.75" / Knives: 7"
Color: Natural
Composition: 40% wheat starch & 60% polypropylene materials, gluten-free
Eco-Friendly: Renewable wheat plant starch
Plant Starch Cutlery
Length: 7"
Color: Natural
Uses: Cold or hot food items
Composition: 80% plant starch material resin & 20% polypropylene materials
Eco-Friendly: Renewable corn & potato starch
A great disposable option, plastic cutlery helps reduce clean up time after events and can easily be thrown away after use. We have a varied selection of polypropylene and polystyrene options available. Our polystyrene and polypropylene cutlery can withstand temperatures up to 80°C or 176°F.
Note: Wrapped plastic cutlery is wrapped in polypropylene.
Polypropylene: Polypropylene cutlery offers excellent flexibility and unless you choose a heavier weight, it is better suited for lighter dishes. They also have a shinier surface to give them a sleek look. Available in medium, medium-heavy/mid-heavy, and heavy weight styles.
Polystyrene: Polystyrene is denser than polypropylene and can be used to create sharp edges. While it is a strong material, it is not as flexible as polypropylene and can sometimes break under extreme pressure. Available in medium-heavy and heavy weight styles.
Medium Weight Cutlery: Designed to serve as an economical option that is great for enjoying light meals.
Medium Plus Weight Cutlery: These are more dense than medium weight, without the full strength of heavy weight cutlery. A good option for when medium just won't cut it.
Medium-Heavy Weight Cutlery: If you don't need something quite as strong as heavy weight cutlery but medium won't do, their shatter and break-resistant design might be just the thing.
Heavy Weight Cutlery: Useful for serving heavier dishes. Perfect for when you need cutlery you can count on.
FDA Approved: Food and Drug Administration. All of our products are FDA accepted/safe for food contact.
Cutlery kits allow customers to take all the supplies they need to enjoy a meal on the go. From 2 piece kits to 6 piece kits, there are a wide variety of options available to suit any foodservice location. All cutlery kits are individually wrapped to ensure they stay sanitary prior to use, and can easily be placed in takeout packaging.
Want more information on disposable plastic cutlery supplier? Feel free to contact us.