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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), which are known as biopolymers.

What is PLA?

PLA stands for Polylactic Acid or Polylactide. Lactic acid is made from dextrose through the process of fermentation. Dextrose is made from starch and starch is made from carbon dioxide and water.

What are biopolymers?

Biopolymers are compounds that are generated from renewable natural sources in a non-toxic manner. By manufacturing products with 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, rather than traditional plastics which are derived from petroleum. Bioplastics have similar properties as traditional plastics, and their manufacture does not harm the environment.

Bioplastics come from Nature and end in Nature. Once disposed of, Bioplastics are degraded into their original building blocks (carbon dioxide and water) through the action of naturally occurring microorganisms. When Bioplastic biodegradable containers have served their purpose, they can be composted.

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.Compostable materials undergo biological decomposition and breakdown into non-toxic byproducts such as carbon dioxide, water and other inorganic compounds. Compostable materials leave no toxic residue and therefore the resulting compost is a safe and healthy amendment to soil.

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

Starch based plastics are natural “opaque” white color and represent the most important and widely used bioplastic. PLA is a transparent plastic.

Will Bioplastics degrade during usage?

Bioplastics will only degrade when in contact with the four elements in the photosynthesis process: Light, Water, Heat and Soil.

How Long?

This is how long it takes for some commonly used products to biodegrade when they are scattered about as litter:

Cotton rags	1-5 months
Paper	2-5 months
Rope	3-14 months
Orange peels	6 months
Wool socks	1-5 years
Cigarette filters	1-12years
Leather shoes	25-40 years
Plastic bags	450 years
Plastic 6-pack holder rings	450 years
Plastic bottles	450 years
Diapers	450 years
Styrofoam	1400 years
Nviroplast	47 days