For the longest time, paper products were thought to be the most environmentally friendly products because they seem like they should be. Paper is biodegradable, unlike plastic products. Paper products can be home compostable and recyclable. There seems to be a lot of good environmentally friendly reasons to choose paper, but there is a dark side to paper products.
If you are committed to being a friend to the environment and do all the things that you can do to ensure you are making little impact on the environment, including using paper products in your home compostable pile, you may be shocked to learn about why paper products are bad for the environment. According to recent studies, paper production generates about 50 times the amount of water pollution than plastic production does. It also generates about 70 times the amount of air pollution than plastic production does.
These shocking figures have environmental groups up in arms and encouraging environmentally conscious people to make other choices. For example, instead of using paper cups, use reusable cups. Paper bags VS plastic bags are no longer an argument because both have been muscled out by the idea that using reusable bags is the only right solution.
Unfortunately, the cost of paper product production to the environment far outweighs any of the benefits of using paper products. All the recycling in the world can not reduce all the pollution that is created. There is no reason to feel guilt for all your paper products, just consider these factors moving forward. When you are done using your current supply of paper goods, instead of throwing them out or sending them to the recycling center, add them to your home compostable pile. Make sure you tear them up into small “digestible pieces”. When you head to the store again, just say no to both paper and plastic bags and bring along your own bag.
Now that you know the truth about paper products, you can leave them on the shelf, make sure whatever you have left goes into the home compostable pile, and choose truly earth-friendly products to reduce your impact on the environment. A little knowledge can go a long way in making a difference for the planet. If you are looking for an eco-friendly straw to use in your restaurant, consider our biodegradable option. For more information on our 100% bio-based straws, visit our website today!
PLA-based bioplastic straws might be the “eco-friendly” choice, but there are some serious reasons to avoid them. For instance, these kinds of straws are not compostable. Compostable refers to a product that can break down into carbon dioxide organic compounds and biomass within about 90 days without leaving harmful residues behind. PLA-based products do not meet these qualifications. Here are seven reasons you should avoid PLA-based bioplastics.
A lot of people think that because PLA plastics are made from plants, they will somehow magically decompose. This is not the case. In fact, when PLA-based products end up as litter, they can actually last much longer than their petroleum-based counterparts.
PLA is usually made from genetically modified corn. This is unsustainable, but it also encourages the use of harmful pesticides and herbicides.
Unlike PET plastic, which can be recycled multiple times, PLA bioplastics cannot be recycled. This means that every time you use a PLA straw, you create more waste that will end up in a landfill.
The production of PLA emits twice as much carbon dioxide as the production of PET plastic. This is because the corn used to make PLA requires a lot of energy and resources to grow.
PLA is made by breaking down corn starch into sugar and fermenting it with bacteria. This process requires a lot of energy and high greenhouse gas emissions.
PLA plastic straws are made from a brittle material that can easily snap or break. This means that you are more likely to end up with bits of PLA in your drink than you are with PHBH-based straws.
Some studies have shown that PLA can release harmful chemicals when heated. This means that if you use a PLA straw in a hot drink, you could be exposing yourself to dangerous toxins.
So, think twice next time you are considering using a PLA straw. There are plenty of reasons to avoid them, and they might not be as “eco-friendly” as you think. If you want drinking straws made entirely from safe materials, contact Pura Vida Bioplastics today! These drinking straws are safe, and sustainable, and will never end up in a landfill.