Recycling Coalition Calls for Moratorium on PLA Bottles

A group of recycling organizations is calling for NatureWorks to halt expansion of its bio-based polylactic acid in bottles until the bio-resin’s recyclability has been demonstrated.

Members of the group seeking the moratorium include Eco-Cycle, Eureka Recycling, Ecology Center, The Plastic Redesign Project, the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, the Center for a Competitive Waste Industry, and the GrassRoots Recycling Network.

NatureWorks, a subsidiary of Cargill, has commercialized a plastic resin made from corn. The company claims PLA has preferable end-of-life advantages because, being bio-based, it is compostable. NatureWorks also claims that PLA can be physically recycled or chemically converted back into PLA. The coalition emphasized its support for bio-based resins for compostable food serviceware. However, it questioned the economic viability of recycling or composting PLA bottles. The coalition also raised concerns about PLA bottles in large numbers harming the economics of PET bottle recycling.

In a release, representatives from the environmental groups voiced concern that the bio-based plastic would replace recyclable PET bottles. "We earn 15 or more centers per pound for our PET bottles. Any PLA bottles coming into our facility today have nowhere to go but the garbage, costing us money," said Susan Hubbard of Eureka Recycling, a Minnesota-based non-profit recycling firm.

Tom Padia, from Alameda County's StopWaste.Org, speaking as a member of the Plastic Redesign Project's PLA Committee, said the groups had three core questions that NatureWorks needs to adequately address before PLA bottles should be made:

1. Can PLA be economically depolymerized and recycled, including for food grade bottles?

2. Can PLA alternatively be technically and economically mechanically recycled, including into food grade bottles?

3. Can PLA in volume be adequately sorted from PET to enable high-end markets for the PET?