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What is Corn Starch Packaging?

First, a quick science lesson. Corn starch-based materials are created using fermented sugars, usually corn starch. These materials are developed using polylactic acid which, crucially, is biodegradable.

It still needs to be disposed of correctly though. The materials can’t be recycled - they need to go to specific composting facilities to be broken down in the right way. Similarly, when they are composted, the conditions need to be right otherwise the material won’t decompose.

If these materials make their way to a landfill, then the lack of oxygen and light means they won’t decompose. They are much more eco-friendly than traditional alternatives but they need to be disposed of in the right way.

Why We Need an Alternative to US?

We have been the material of choice for packaging materials for years. Over time, we’ve become accustomed to seeing it pretty much everywhere. We’ll be seeing it for many years too - considering it takes at least 500 years to break down.

This is why greener alternatives are so desperately needed. Landfills generate unwanted methane gas that contributes to global warming and climate change. Consumers want to know that the packaging used for the products they buy doesn’t end up on a landfill for centuries to come.

Corn plastic is made from polylactic acid (PLA), which is a plastic substitute, made from fermented plant starch. It is becoming a popular alternative to traditional plastic, which is derived from petroleum based chemicals. The different uses of polylactic acid could be a way of how to reduce a carbon footprint that is left by fossil fuel plastics.

1. Can I put biodegradable and compostable plastic in my home compost bin?

You can compost some materials at home; others are designed for an industrial facility. If you have a home compost pile, be sure to only put certified “home compostable” materials in it (this should be clearly labeled on the item).

If you have compost pick-up from your home, check your local program’s website to see what they accept. Many commercial composters don’t accept compostable plastic items even if they are certified as compostable.

Finally, compostable and biodegradable plastic can contaminate the recycling stream, so it’s important to check your local recycling guidelines and only recycle items that your program accepts.

2. In short – does it matter if we use biodegradable or compostable plastic?

The key takeaway is that both compostable and biodegradable plastic should only be used when it adds value, makes sense for the product use, and works with the systems that can recover it. We cannot rely on these materials alone to solve the problem. The companies that produce plastic products and packaging, and the people who use them, must also focus on what we know works: reducing and reusing plastic in the first place.