The Truth about the Biodegradability of PLA - LinkedIn

As sustainability and circular economy strategies become front and center in both consumer decisions and policy making, understanding what truly qualifies as "biodegradable" is critical. Polylactic Acid (PLA) — a popular bioplastic used in products like 3D printing filament and compostable packaging — is often marketed as an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based plastics. But how biodegradable is it, really?

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A recent LinkedIn poll provides a snapshot of current public perception, opening the door to a deeper discussion around labeling, infrastructure, and the shared responsibility among marketers, governments, and the waste management industry.

What Do People Think About PLA's Biodegradability?

A recent LinkedIn poll asked the question: “Do you consider PLA a biodegradable material?” The responses were revealing:

This data suggests that while awareness is growing, there’s still confusion surrounding PLA’s actual end-of-life characteristics. More than half of respondents correctly noted that PLA biodegrades only in industrial composting facilities, but nearly a third mistakenly believe it isn’t biodegradable at all, and a significant minority overestimate its biodegradability.

What Is PLA and How Does It Biodegrade?

PLA is a thermoplastic aliphatic polyester derived from renewable resources like corn starch or sugarcane. Its environmental appeal lies in its plant-based origin and potential to biodegrade — but that potential comes with caveats. PLA requires specific conditions to break down:

• High temperature (min. 58°C)
• Controlled humidity levels
• Presence of specific microorganisms

Outside these industrial composting environments, PLA behaves similarly to conventional plastics and can persist in landfills for decades. This leads to misunderstandings around its environmental benefits.

Biodegradability vs. Compostability: What’s the Real Difference?

While often used interchangeably, biodegradable and compostable are not the same. Understanding the distinction is key to accurately discussing PLA:

• Biodegradable: Breaks down by microorganisms into water, CO₂, and biomass. Conditions and timeframes vary.
• Compostable: A material that breaks down under composting conditions within a specific timeframe, leaving no toxic residue.

PLA is certified compostable in industrial settings (EN , ASTM D), but not suitable for home composting or landfill degradation.

Interpreting the 52%: “Only in Industrial Composting”

The largest share of poll respondents—52%—answered that PLA is biodegradable only under industrial composting conditions. This is accurate and shows growing awareness.

However, there’s a catch: industrial composting facilities are not widely available. Even in regions with such facilities, PLA often doesn’t get separated or processed correctly. The infrastructure gap is a major bottleneck in realizing PLA’s environmental promise.

The 13% Who Said “Yes, It Is” — A Cautionary Tale

Only 13% of respondents believed PLA is universally biodegradable. This view likely stems from over-simplified or misleading marketing.

Such greenwashing, whether intentional or accidental, erodes consumer trust. Marketers, including companies like Filamentive, have a golden opportunity to educate their customers about what compostable really means — and what needs to happen for that promise to be fulfilled.

The 31% Who Said “No, It Isn’t”

This group reflects skepticism—often justified—regarding the effectiveness of PLA in real-world waste systems. If a material doesn’t break down in the environments it typically ends up in, is it truly biodegradable?

These doubts highlight the necessity of better infrastructure and more honest communication. It's not enough for a material to be technically biodegradable if our systems can’t support its full lifecycle.

The 4% Who Are Unsure

This small but telling segment signals a lack of clear, accessible information for the public. Labels need to be clearer, marketing must be more responsible, and education campaigns should emphasize the real-world conditions needed for compostable plastics to decompose.

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Why This Matters for PLA Product Marketers

Marketers play a pivotal role in framing the narrative around biodegradable plastics. Transparency isn’t just a legal or ethical obligation — it’s a brand differentiator.

Companies like Filamentive, which provide PLA 3D printing filament, must lead by example, offering clear guidelines on end-of-life handling, and educating their customers about responsible disposal options.

Challenges Marketers Face

• Navigating regulatory definitions
• Pressure to make bold environmental claims
• Lack of local composting infrastructure

Still, these challenges are also opportunities to build trust and align brand messaging with environmental action.

Call to Action for PLA Marketers

• Use accurate terminology (industrial compostable, not simply biodegradable)
• Educate customers about proper disposal routes
• Collaborate with local composting facilities and advocate for better systems

A Message to Government Bodies

Policymakers must address the disparity between material design and disposal infrastructure. Without widespread, accessible industrial composting, materials like PLA are left without a sustainable end-of-life path.

Recommendations:

• Fund regional composting infrastructure
• Incentivise compostable product development
• Establish standardised labelling and education

The Role of Waste Management Industry

Waste processors are on the front lines. Yet many are unequipped to handle bioplastics, leading to PLA contamination in recycling streams or eventual landfill disposal.

It’s time for innovation in:

• Composting technology
• Waste sorting and identification
• Public-private partnerships for infrastructure investment

The Future of PLA: A Shared Responsibility

PLA has tremendous potential — but only if the systems surrounding it evolve. Marketers, governments, waste managers, and consumers all have a part to play in ensuring that PLA lives up to its promise.

The LinkedIn poll reveals both hope and confusion. While a majority understand PLA’s limitations, the infrastructure to match that understanding is still lacking.

If we want bioplastics like PLA to deliver on their environmental benefits, marketers must be honest, governments must invest, and waste management systems must evolve.

Let’s take this data as a mandate for collective action.

See More

The Truth about the Biodegradability of PLA Filament

Biodegradable Polymers in Various Environments According to Established Standards and Certification Schemes – Graphic (PDF, Version )

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