How is PLA different from traditional plastic straws in terms of environmental protection?

Compared with traditional plastic straws, the differences and advantages of PLA in terms of environmental protection are not only reflected in the basic aspects such as raw material sources, production processes, degradation performance and environmental benefits. The raw material lactic acid comes from renewable plants such as corn, cassava, sugarcane, etc. These plants have a short growth cycle and can be quickly regenerated. They do not rely on a large amount of fertilizers and pesticides during the planting process, and have little impact on the environment. In addition, with the advancement of technology, it is also possible to prepare PLA from non-food-grade biomass resources such as crop waste (such as straw, rice straw) and lignocellulose, which further improves the sustainability and environmental protection of raw materials. Traditional plastic straws mainly rely on non-renewable fossil resources such as petroleum. Oil extraction not only causes damage to the environment, such as land pollution and water resource pollution, but also as resources are exhausted, its supply will become increasingly tight, which is not conducive to sustainable development.
The production process of PLA straws is relatively clean and has low energy consumption. The production of PLA is mainly completed through lactic acid fermentation and polymerization reactions, which can achieve pollution-free or low-pollution emissions. In addition, with the continuous advancement of biotechnology and chemical technology, the production efficiency and cost of PLA are gradually decreasing, making it more competitive in the market. The production process of traditional plastic straws involves chemical reactions such as high-temperature cracking and polymerization, which consumes a lot of energy and may produce toxic and harmful substances. In addition, the production of traditional plastic straws also relies on complex processing equipment and production lines, which increases the risk of energy consumption and environmental pollution.
PLA straws Under natural conditions, PLA can be decomposed into carbon dioxide and water by microorganisms, and will not cause long-term pollution to the environment. This degradation process conforms to the law of material circulation in nature and helps to reduce "white pollution". In addition, the degradation products of PLA are non-toxic and harmless, and will not pollute the soil and water. Due to their non-degradable or extremely slow degradation characteristics, traditional plastic straws are easily discarded into the environment after one-time use, causing serious "white pollution". These plastic wastes exist in the environment for a long time, which not only affects the appearance, but also may cause harm to wild animals, such as accidental ingestion and entanglement.
The use of PLA straws can reduce dependence on petroleum resources and help optimize the resource utilization structure. At the same time, due to its good degradation performance, it can reduce environmental pollution and ecological damage. In addition, promoting the use of environmentally friendly materials such as PLA straws can also enhance the public's environmental awareness and promote the development of the environmental protection industry. Traditional plastic straws have attracted global attention and concerns due to their non-degradable and environmentally polluting properties. Many countries and regions have begun to take measures to restrict or ban the use of disposable plastic straws to reduce environmental pollution and protect the ecological environment.