How can PLA Packaging be Disposed After Use?

When it comes to renewable and biodegradable packaging, the disposal methods play a key part in the sustainability of the given product. But do you know how the PLA packaging be disposed after use? As a PLA film supplier, I'd like to share it with you.

PLA Flexible Film    

Compost Degradation

PLA is degradable. PLA is relatively stable at room temperature, but will degrade rapidly in high temperature environment, acid-base environment or microbial environment (involving microbial degradation, hydrolysis, photolysis, radiation degradation and thermal degradation, etc.), and its performance will decline quickly. Eventually it becomes CO2 and water. Factors affecting the degradation of PLA include resin molecular weight, crystalline state, microstructure, environmental temperature and humidity, pH, oxygen, light time, and environmental microorganisms.

During the first 180 days of the life cycle of PLA products, it is 100% biodegradable and can be composted to ensure sustainability. In a humid environment at 60°C, PLA will decompose into digestible polymer fragments in about 7 days.

Incinerate

Since PLA does not contain any chlorine atoms, it can be safely incinerated under controlled conditions without producing any highly toxic chemicals. Although biodegradability is the main motivation for PLA and other bioplastics, incineration should be considered as a scrap option after the compost is degraded.

PLA Packaging advantages

Insulation performance

For packaging, PLA is usually used as an effective insulator to control the temperature of the goods. The PLA insulation material helps to keep the temperature of the internal product around 4 degrees Celsius, with an average room temperature of 25-30 degrees Celsius, for up to 30 hours. Temperature-controlled packaging is very important to maintain the quality and reputation of medicines and foods. For more information about temperature-controlled packaging and to learn how Swiftpak can meet your requirements, please check out our temperature-controlled packaging page.

Biodegradability

One of the main advantages of using PLA material for packaging is its biodegradability. Due to the use of sustainable processes and raw materials, PLA is an environmentally friendly choice for packaging applications.

Thermoplastic

PLA is a thermoplastic, which means that when heated at a melting point of 150 to 160 degrees Celsius, it becomes a liquid. This means it can be reused, set to cool and reheat to form other shapes without degradation. This makes PLA an ideal recycled material.

Carbon reduction

The greenhouse gas emissions produced during the PLA manufacturing process are lower than other plastics. In fact, the net greenhouse gas emissions of the entire PLA production process can even be considered negative. This is because corn consumes carbon dioxide during the growth process.

No toxic fumes or pollution

PLA does not release any toxic fumes when oxygenated, so it has become a very popular material for packaging pharmaceutical and chemical products, as well as food and beverages. Why? In order to protect processing personnel and end users, it is very important that highly sensitive goods are not contaminated during storage and transportation.

The most important thing is that PLA is completely degraded into carbon dioxide and water by composting, which means no toxins or harmful substances are produced, and no pollution is released to the environment.

For over 10 years HYF have dedicated ourselves to nature and its uniqueness. Following our foundation in 2005, we wanted to contribute to the conservation of resources and the ecological balance by focusing on recycling. We are still convinced that nature is the best recycler with a perfectly functioning closed loop system. This belief laid the foundation for the actual development of biodegradable materials.

If you want to learn more about our PLA products, please contact us!