Does PLA reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
Proponents also tout the use of PLA -which is technically “carbon neutral” in that it comes from renewable, carbon-absorbing plants- as yet another way to reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases in a quickly warming world. PLA also will not emit toxic fumes when incinerated. However, if PLA is put in a landfill instead of a commercial composting facility, it exudes methane while it decomposes; and methane is a potent greenhouse gas. It also takes a huge amount of diesel to grow, fertilize, ship, and process the corn or sugarcane used to make it.
