Sustainable Materials: PLA

We know that not all plastics are created equal, and that's why we're proud to say that at Aline3D, we choose PLA for all of our products. It's our go-to for sustainability, and we're excited to share why we love this compostable, plant-based plastic!

So, What is PLA?

Alright, let's take a look at PLA. It stands for polylactic acid, and it's a plastic made from plant-based materials like cornstarch or sugarcane. That means it's renewable... well, actually, regrowable! And unlike traditional plastics, we don't need no fossil fuels to make it happen.

You know what else is cool? We can easily grow the crops needed for PLA production. It's like magic; around 2.7kg of corn is all it takes to make 1kg of PLA plastic. That's some seriously efficient stuff right there.

Is PLA Recyclable?

The short answer is YES! But let's break down why that is.

First off, PLA is compostable, which is huge for sustainability. When it's disposed of properly in a composting facility, it breaks down into its natural components within a few months. That means no harmful residue left behind, unlike traditional plastics that can take centuries to break down and leave harmful microplastics behind.

But wait, there's more! When PLA breaks down, it returns to its original lactic acid constituents. So, we can use it to make new PLA products, completing the circle of life (cue Lion King soundtrack).

But wait, there's even more! It's also possible to meld scrap PLA pieces into new PLA pellets, which can be used to make new filament for production. We keep our scrap PLA pieces and collect them separately for easier recycling. It's like recycling on steroids, and we're here for it.

PLA Products Are Light and Strong

Did you know that PLA products are super lightweight? That's right: when we use PLA to make our products, we can make them lighter than a feather. Okay, maybe not that light, but you get the idea.

Why does that matter? Well, the lighter the package, the less fuel it takes to ship it. And less fuel means less pollution! It's like killing two birds with one stone (except we're not actually killing any birds here, we love nature!).

But it gets even better. Because PLA is such a strong material, the products we produce last a long time and are super durable. That means less waste, less garbage, and less hassle. You can use your PLA products for years and years, and they'll still be going strong.

Eco-friendly production

Now let's talk about why PLA is eco-friendly during production. Compared to traditional, fossil-fuel based plastics, PLA requires way less heat to melt and form. And less heat means less energy.

So, when we use PLA in our 3D printers, we don't need to crank up the heat and use as much energy. This saves up to 50% of electricity compared to other plastics like ABS.

But wait, there's more! The energy we do use is 100% green energy. We want to make sure we're doing our part for the planet. If you want to learn more about what we do to reduce our impact on the planet regarding energy usage, head over to our page about Electricity and Green Energy. It's a good read :)

Don't Throw Away Our Products!

Want to toss out our products? Why not donate them to a thrift store or give them to a friend instead?! Not only will you be doing your part to reduce waste, but you'll also be giving someone else the chance to enjoy the awesomeness that is our products.

You get to declutter your space and feel good about helping the planet, and someone else gets to score some seriously cool stuff. Plus, you'll be spreading the word about sustainability and the importance of reducing waste.

Let's make a positive impact together and spread the love. Donate or share our products and feel good about doing your part to make the world a better place. :)