What is Organic Plastic?

While carbon comprises the majority of plastic substances, making them by definition organic,
many scientists are experimenting with a compound composed of polylactic acid, which is not only
derived from the renewable sources of corn starch and sugarcanes, but is also biodegradable. With
many environmental concerns present in the current international conversation about waste, this
biodegradable characteristic provides an attractive quality to a plastic that has a wide variety of
applications.

While the production of polylactic acid (PLA) contributes to the manufacture of certain kinds of
plastics without using the world oil supply and its components are renewable, because the products
made from PLA are biodegradable and therefore possess less structural integrity, they are not suited
to numerous plastic applications and, thus, are not a perfect substitute for other petroleum-based
plastic compositions. Necessarily, PLA plastics are used only in situations where a nigh-impermeable
substance that can withstand lower amounts of strain is needed, such as drinking cups and other food
containers.

As noted above, PLA is derived from corn starch or sugarcane. Corn starch is generally used
in the United States because of the large amount of subsidized corn growth in the United States,
resulting in a large amount of raw materials for production. Cane sugar is used elsewhere in locations
where sugar cane is easily accessible, grown, or inexpensive to purchase.

Because of its specialty uses, PLA is primarily found in biomedical and food container related
products. Many companies have grown more environmentally conscious and “green,” especially
specialty organic food companies, and so they have turned to PLA as the plastic of choice for
impermeable, durable packaging. Not only is PLA seen by consumers as more “green” than other
forms of plastic due to its internal components and production, but its biodegradable quality is
acknowledged as a boon for waste disposal. In fact, some have found PLA as ideal for packaging
waste during waste disposal site reappropriation. Waste items are packaged in PLA, sealed tight, and
stacked in a planned manner so the waste site can eventually be turned into a park or other municipal
land use.

Additionally, due to the greater “organic” image of PLA, it has found uses in many biomedical
applications, especially specialty items that come in contact with bodily fluids or items and medicine
that will come in contact with bodily fluids. PLA interacts well with medical lubricants, and so it has
found use in sutures, stens and dialysis machines, as well as drug delivery devices.

Unfortunately, due to its deficits, PLA cannot replace all plastics as a “greener” solution to waste and
production difficulties. PLA is not produced in the same bulk as petrochemical plastics, so it is still
relatively more expensive than those forms of plastic, although production numbers have been
increasing. Also, its lack of structural durability over the long term means it cannot be used in a high
number of applications that exploit just those strengths in petrochemical plastics, such as structural
design or items used in extreme temperature or strain situations.

Do you recycle plastic?

All kinds of plastics can be recycled?

What actions must governments take to improve recycling plastics?

Why do you think that researching in new organic plastic can be interesting?