EnviroTakeout is excited to release our new Compostable Circle Beverage Plugs! Over on our sibling site, CiboWares, the polystyrene Circle Beverage Plugs are a favorite item- so much so that we decided to launch plant-based plastic option of the same product.

What makes plant-based plastics different?

Plant-based plastics are made from PLA or CPLA, which stand for polylactic acid and crystallized polylactic acid. The crystallization process that CPLA goes through allows products to have a higher heat tolerance and for longer periods of time.
Plant-based plastics can be made from any starchy plant such as corn, wheat, or potatoes. Our PLA and CPLA items, including our new Compostable Circle Beverage Plugs, are made from corn. The glucose is extracted from the corn, and then fermented. This produces the material known as lactic acid. Then, the lactic acid undergoes a chemical process that turns it into polymer pellets. The pellets can then take a variety of forms by injection molding, spinning it into fibers, or made into sheets.

What do beverage plugs do?

Compostable Circle Beverage Plugs are small but mighty! They are designed to snap into the oval shaped sipping hole on disposable coffee cup lids. Having this small plug clicked into your cup lid helps your drink stay hotter for longer because it traps the heat inside the cup. It also helps prevent splashes and spills that can happen during your commute. Doing so avoids painful burns and bothersome messes.

Do PLA products really biodegrade?

They do. Rules surround waste management vary from region to region, meaning where you live will determine what bin PLA products should be placed in. PLA is meant to biodegrade in industrial composting settings. (We talk about the differences between home and industrial composting here.)

What makes PLA “better” than regular plastic?

There is an argument to be made that because PLA is still a plastic that biodegrades slower than something like bamboo (for example), its advantages over polypropylene or polystyrene are limited. However, PLA is made from renewable resources that can be regrown quickly and efficiently. This makes us less reliant on petroleum-based plastics, which are made from resources that are not renewable at all.
Some items made from petroleum-based plastics, like foam takeout containers can’t be recycled in many regions, while containers lined with CPLA can be composted or recycled in some regions.

Conclusion

PLA and CPLA items, like our cutlery and our new Compostable Circle Beverage Plugs, offer a balance between being the most eco-friendly and the most convenient for restaurants and coffee shops. Customers will appreciate the helpfulness these little 2.5” plugs provide, and they will be better protected from burns and messes when they take their coffee to go.