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Frequently Asked Questions

What materials are used to make Nviroplast Products?

Nviroplast Products are made of biologically-based, environmentally friendly materials such as cornstarch, polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxybutyrate valerate (PHBV), polybutylene succinate (PBS) and polycapro lactone (PCL).

What is PLA?

PLA stands for Polylactic Acid or Polylactide. Lactic acid is made from cane sugar or starch through the process of fermentation.

What are biopolymers?

Biopolymers are compounds that are generated from renewable natural sources in a non-toxic manner. By manufacturing products from biopolymers we obtain what are known as bioplastics.

What are Bioplastics?

Bioplastics are a form of plastics derived from plant sources such as soybean oil, corn starch, sugarcane or bamboo bagasse, this is in contrast to traditional plastics which are derived from petroleum. Bioplastics have similar properties when compared to traditional plastics, and their manufacture does not harm the environment.

What is the difference between biodegradability and compostability?

Biodegradable materials will degrade through the action of naturally occurring microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi etc. Biodegradable materials are not necessarily compostable, as the degraded components might be toxic and therefore not suited as composting components, or their degradation time may be too long to be considered compostable. Compostable materials undergo biological decomposition and breakdown into non-toxic byproducts such as carbon dioxide, water and other inorganic compounds. Compostable materials leave negligible toxic residue and therefore the resulting compost is a safe and healthy amendment to soil. Compostable materials must break down 90% of their mass within 180 days when introduced into a commercial composting environment in order to meet ASTM standards that are widely used.

What is the difference between corn (starch based plastic) and PLA?

PLA and starch based polymers are made from fundamentally different materials, and have different characteristics. Starch based plastics are a natural, “opaque,” white color and represent the most important and widely used bioplastic. PLA is a transparent plastic. Starch based plastics exhibit better heat tolerance characteristics while PLA plastics have more of a traditional plastic “feel.”

Will Bioplastics degrade during usage?

Bioplastics will maintain their structural integrity unless exposed to very specific conditions only found in composting environments. These environments have just the right amount of moisture, heat and microbes to begin the biodegradation process.