What is PLA compostable film?

In appearance, many end users will find our Bio-based film bags almost identical to the old polypropylene bags we used to supply. In normal retail conditions, they are quite stable – they are designed to break down by composting at the end of life, not during storage. For those of you who are new to the material, the following information should help to explain the differences between conventional petro-chemical based display bags and our new bio-based compostable replacements.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website.

BIODEGRADATION:

All our Bio-based film bags are made in the UK from film derived from annually renewable vegetable starch and are certified compostable to OK biobased and DIN EN. This means that they decompose into CO2 and water, which can then be reused in the ecosystem to foster new plant growth. This process can occur in both commercial and home composting scenarios; however, the temperature in commercial composting is higher, which results in a faster decomposition rate. For reference, the specifications of our film indicate that they take approximately 45 days to decompose at a constant 58°C, a temperature commonly found in industrial composting. The natural composting process utilizes the action of naturally occurring bacteria and fungi to break down the film into CO2 and H2O, along with ecotoxic-free biomass (compost). In cooler home composters or landfills, the process will require the presence of the appropriate bacteria and fungi, resulting in a longer degradation time. The timeline for decomposition will largely depend on local environmental conditions; for instance, it will take longer to compost in the Highlands of Scotland than in Cornwall or Southern France.

RENEWABLE RESOURCE:

Our Bio-based PLA bags are produced from vegetable starches derived from crops that can be replenished annually, in contrast to petro-chemical based plastics like the polypropylene bags we used to sell, which originate from a finite resource.

SHELF LIFE:

The shelf life of Bio-based PLA film under ideal conditions (room temperature, away from humidity and direct sunlight) is expected to last up to 12 months, though it may very well exceed that duration. Some of our original starch bags lasted longer, but the new vegetable starch bags from a different supplier were only launched a couple of years ago, so we cannot ascertain their definitive shelf life until they begin to degrade. To maximize shelf life, it is critical to prevent exposure to humidity, excessive heat, moisture, and light. Therefore, in a typical retail environment, these bags should maintain their integrity for several months, if not longer, before any degradation becomes noticeable. Bio-based PLA film bags are sufficiently stable even when splashed with water; they do not start to degrade immediately, so if wiped off promptly, they should remain unaffected. However, prolonged exposure to bright direct sunlight, such as in a store window, may result in degradation or discoloration over time, although this is likely to be an issue only in extreme conditions.

BIO-BASED FILM LIMITATIONS:

Despite the versatility of biofilm (PLA), it is not suitable for all applications. It tends to be more brittle and can mark more easily than polypropylene, making it insufficiently robust for carrying heavy or sharp items. Handling requires more care relative to polypropylene when packing cards and similar products. In the future, advancements may lead to the development of a more durable version of the film. Furthermore, it is not waterproof, thus unsuitable for containing wet products. (If splashed with water and promptly dried, they should remain unharmed).

Our Bio-based PLA film is not suitable for archival purposes, nor can we guarantee that they are 'acid-free' for use with valuable art pieces.

SELF SEAL STRIPS:

Although the Biofilm bags are compostable, the current batch of peel-off strips utilizes the same materials as those used on polypropylene bags. At present, these strips are not compostable; however, we are collaborating with our supplier to develop a biodegradable solution. We are currently assessing manufacturing trials with a new material for future implementation.

OXO-DEGRADATION:

Recently, there has been confusion regarding the differences between bio-based film (PLA) and oxo-degradable plastics. Oxo-degradables are conventional plastics that contain additives to facilitate their disintegration into micro-plastic particles. You will be pleased to know that we do not supply oxo-degradable plastics. All of our Bio-based film (PLA) and Cellulose bags are both biodegradable and compostable—they are NOT oxo-degradable!

According to the Bio-Based and Biodegradable Industries Association (BBIA) in a recent newsletter, oxo-degradable plastics are NOT bioplastics. "Oxo-degradables are conventional plastics with additives to assist their disintegration into micro-plastic particles. Under USA regulations, and in various other countries, it is illegal to label these plastics as biodegradable. The European Commission declared on January 16th, that they will take steps to restrict the use of oxo-plastics within the EU."
Learn more about their position.

When disposed of irresponsibly, this material can break down into small particles, resembling the type of plastic contaminating the food chain, as highlighted in recent news and the documentary Blue Planet II. Consequently, we will not stock any such materials, and we anticipate that the current greenwashing by the traditional plastic bag industry concerning oxo-degradable plastics will eventually be recognized for what it truly is. To view a copy of the BBIA report, please visit here, and feel free to share it.

COMPOSTABLE BAG DISPOSAL:

1) Compost Heap: This is the optimal option, as these bags are designed for composting and suitable for both home and industrial composting.

2) Council Garden Waste Bin: This option may be viable, but you should confirm with your local council that this waste is sent for industrial composting. (Also, it's possible to be at odds with the council if they consider this waste category incorrect).

3) Food Waste Bin: Suitable as well; however, it is advisable to check what the council is doing with this waste. The bags are fit for anaerobic digestion or industrial composting, should they allow this).

4) General Waste Bin: Though perhaps not ideal, in landfill environments, these bags will decompose into CO2 and water, much like in a compost heap.

5) Recycled Paper and Card Bin: They should not be disposed of with paper intended for recycling.

Herofu products are exported globally, adhering to a quality-first principle. We believe in providing our customers with high-quality, value-added products. Together, let's create a better future.

6) Recycled Plastic Bag Collections: These bags should not be placed in this bin either. Biodegradable and compostable film is contributed from renewable plant materials, not petrochemicals. It is intended to break down into CO2 and H2O, leaving no viable recyclable content, unlike traditional plastic bottles, etc.

We hope this guidance helps you select the most environmentally responsible disposal methods for biodegradable bags.

THE BIO-BASED FILM (PLA) CYCLE:

PLA (Poly-Lactic-Acid) is primarily sourced from corn, although other starch or sugar resources can also be utilized.

These plants engage in photosynthesis, absorbing CO2 from the air, along with minerals and water from the soil, harnessing energy from the sun;

The starch and sugar within these plants are converted into lactic acid through microbial fermentation;

Lactic acid undergoes polymerization to form poly-lactic acid (PLA);

PLA is extruded into film, becoming flexible Bio-based film packaging;

Once utilized, Biofilm composts into CO2, water, and biomass;

This compost, CO2, and water are then available for plants, thus continuing the cycle.

IS BIO-BASED PLA FILM GM FREE?

Our compostable (PLA) film is made from corn-derived starch. These crops are not cultivated purely to manufacture PLA bags; therefore, the raw materials may originate from a variety of producers and processing entities. Given the prevalent use of GM products, we must acknowledge that a small percentage of this starch might derive from GM crops or from non-GM crops that have been inadvertently contaminated due to proximity to GM crops. Consequently, we cannot guarantee that these bags are completely GM free.

SPECIAL MAKINGS:

It is possible to produce custom bags based on your specifications, subject to a minimum order of 10,000 pieces. For further information, please contact us.

IN CONCLUSION:

We believe that in a world where traditional petro-chemical-based single-use plastics are inadequately recycled, often ending up in landfills, littering our countryside, or contaminating our oceans, the use of renewable and compostable bio-based film bags can significantly mitigate the environmental challenges arising from single-use plastics. We are committed to expanding our range of bio-based and compostable packaging sourced from renewable materials.

For independent information regarding the environmental impact of plastics, the following websites may be helpful:

Greenpeace https://www.greenpeace.org.uk

Friends of the Earth https://friendsoftheearth.uk

Wrap http://www.wrap.org.uk

BBIA http://bbia.org.uk and http://bbia.org.uk/faq/#myth_buster