Life Cycle Analysis of Polylactide PLA

PLA exhibits many properties that are equivalent to or better than many petroleum-based plastics, which makes it suitable for a variety of applications. It is pertinent to note that PLA competes well with other popular plastics already used for packaging. It is clear and naturally glossy like the polystyrene used in 

LCA is a method to account for the environmental impacts associated with a product or service. The term life cycle indicates that aU stages in a product s Ufe, from resource extraction to ultimate disposal, are taken into account. 

Nowadays, the most important tool to evaluate the environmental impact of a bioplastic and/or of a petroleum-based plastic (conventional plastic) is the LCA that determines the overall impact of a plastic on the environment by defining 

PLA polymers are fuUy compostable in commercial composting facilities. With proper equipment PLA can be converted back to monomer, which then can be converted back into polymers. Alternatively, PLA can be biodegraded into water, carbon dioxide, and organic material. At the end of a P LA-based product s life cycle, a product made from PLA can be broken down into its simplest parts so that no sign of the original product remains. 

LCA is a technique that could help to assess the benefits and drawbacks of PLA. According to The Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), LCA is an objective process to evaluate the environmental burdens associated with a product, process, or activity by identifying and quantifying energy and materials used and wastes released to the environment, and to evaluate, and consequently 

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