Photo by: Majiscup

Corn plastic or PLA (polylactic acid) cups, utensils, and packaging have been popping up everywhere and I have been curious how they stack up against conventional plastic. It seems obvious that plastic made from corn would be more eco-friendly right? I did a little research and compiled a list of PLAs green pros and cons.

Pros:

• Manufactured from corn starch, a renewable resource.
• Biodegradable, breaks down into mostly carbon dioxide and water.
• Compostable, 6-12 months in a home composter (Many people are reporting that they will not compost in a home composter), 1-6 months in a commercial composter. Longer for heat resistant utensils. Once composted it is indistinguishable from the other compost.
• Does not emit toxic fumes if incinerated.
• Does not leech chemicals into food or soil.
• Freezer safe.
• Can handle hot items up to 120F (200F for utensils).
• Looks, feels, handles just like plastic.
• Is inexpensive.

Cons:

• Is not recyclable, must be kept separate from plastic.
• Few commercial composting facilities (113 in U.S.), only 1/4 of which accept residential materials.
• Commercial Composters use Microbes to break down organic material. Large amounts of PLA in a composter would cause problems because it breaks down into lactic acid which is wetter and more acidic. They can break this down but it requires more oxygen for the microbes to consume. Commercial Facilities would have trouble providing enough oxygen for large amounts of PLA to breakdown. Anaerobic digesters would not have the same problem.
• It is estimated that in a landfill PLA will take anywhere from 100 to a 1000 years to biodegrade.
• Typically made from genetically modified corn and usually not organic.
• Diverting corn away from the world’s food supply.

To me the cons don’t seem too bad considering plastic can’t be composted, takes longer to decompose in a landfill (starts decomposing after around 700 years), and can leech chemicals into food and the soil. Overall I think PLA is a pretty good substitute for disposable plastic cups, utensils, and packaging.  What do you think? Any more pros and cons?

edit: Lots of good comments made and a few saying that perhaps these are not as eco-friendly as their manufactures want you think. See comments for details..

For more in depth information check out these links:

• Corn Plastic to the Rescue
• Information on bioplastics

Here is a list of our favorite locally owned places to dine at in Arizona. We love trying out new flavors and the unique atmospheres these local restaurants provide. If you’re tired of the same stuff at chains give one of these a try. This list barely scratches the surface of local establishments in Arizona, what are some of your favorites?

Tempe

• Green: 2240 N Scottsdale Rd # 8 Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 941-9003
• Tasty Kabob: 1250 E Apache Blvd # 116 Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 966-0260
• Udupi: 1636 N Scottsdale Rd Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 994-8787
• Wildflower Bread Company: Locations all over Phoenix.
• Blue Nile Cafe: 933 E University Dr Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 377-1113
• The Center Cafe: 21 East 6th Street, Suite 114 Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 491-5591
• Three Roots Cafe: 1020 S. Mill Ave. Tempe, AZ 85281, (480) 966-4949 [click here to read our full review]
• Haji-Baba: 1513 E Apache Blvd, Tempe (480) 966-4672

Phoenix

• The Farm at South Mountain: 6106 S. 32nd Street Phoenix, AZ 85042 (602) 276-6360

Scottsdale

• Rancho Pinot Grill :6208 N Scottsdale Rd # 101 Scottsdale, AZ 85253 (480) 367-8030
• Sabuddy Israeli Restaurant: 480.348.2333 6949 E. Shea Blvd. #10, Scottsdale, Arizona 85254
• Soma Cafe: 10810 N. Tatum Blvd. Phoenix, AZ 85034 (602) 867-2175
• The Herb Box: 6990 E. Shea Blvd. Suite 116, Scottsdale, AZ  85254  (480)998-8355

Yuma

• Nature’s Express: 2905 4^th Avenue Yuma, AZ 85364 (928) 317-8300
• River City Grill: 600 W 3rd St Yuma, AZ 85364 (928) 782-7988
• La Fonda Tortilla Factory: 1095 S 3rd Ave Yuma, AZ 85364 (928) 783-6902

Flagstaff

• Macy’s European Coffee House: 14 S Beaver St Flagstaff, AZ 86001 (928) 774-2243
• Black Bean Burrito Bar & Salsa: 12 E Route 66 # 104 Flagstaff, AZ 86001 (928) 779-9905

Tucson

• Casbah Tea House: 628 N 4th Ave Tucson, AZ 85705-8449, (520) 740-0393

Another video on what is wrong with the American food system and diet.

And once again I’d recommend the docurama film: King Corn, which explores our current model of corn production and how it is causing a malnourished, unhealthy population.

3 Roots Coffee House & Cafe
480.966.4949
1020 S. Mill Ave. Tempe, AZ 85281
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-11pm Sat/Sun 9am-11pm (Kitchen closes at 10pm)
Visit their MySpace page

On another adventure for local food and coffee, where vegan goodies and a sincere concern for the environment can be found, we made our way to Three Roots Coffee House and Cafe in Tempe, AZ. This is a stone’s throw from the Arizona State University Campus and has been there in its quaint and charming location across Mill Avenue from the Gammage Auditorium and Fine Art Museum since 2003 yet some how it had been overlooked by us for five long years. Our patronage there was long overdue and worth the slight struggle to find a parking spot as the feel of the place is fantastic. Quiet, studious college kids reading and clicking away on laptops with free wifi filled the cozy cafe. Eclectic artwork, fabrics, and colors adorned the walls and furniture and made for an inviting space. We were greeted by genuinely friendly baristas who had been casually chatting with other customers near by.

Their small menu is 100% vegetarian and nearly all vegan with the exception of one grilled cheese sandwich that comes with Meunster. They have all of the comfort food any vegan could ever desire, from fresh vegan potato salad to warm creamy vegan mac and ‘cheese’. I thoroughly enjoyed and devoured my eggless egg salad sandwich on my first trip and on my second I enjoyed their ceasar “chicken” wrap. Their jasmine-green tea was fabulous, as was their house iced tea, refreshing and light with a hint of cooling mint perfect for the warmer weather.

They make an effort to buy organic and local ingredients to support sustainable agriculture and local businesses which is good for our local economy and for the environment. After my first trip I was absolutely hooked. I would recommend you give them a try if you are in the Tempe area and looking for a great little spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner or a perfect place to have tea or coffee. They even have local musicians that perform there on a regular basis. Their prices are very reasonable, the food is wonderful, the staff is extremely friendly and they are making an effort to decrease their impact on the environment. What more could you want?

New York Times food writer Mark Bittman talks about what is wrong with the American diet and how it is wrecking the environment. Basically he says we eat too much meat, junk food, fast food, and don’t eat enough fresh food at home. He briefly discusses the history of how we got here and what we can do to get back on track. He also talks about how the current model of food production is poisoning the planet and wasteful.
It is interesting to think about the past when food was just food and people didn’t worry about carbs, low fat, sugar free and the population was much healthier. Basically advertising has tricked us into thinking the wrong kinds food are what we should be eating to be healthy. This has turned Americans into malnourished fat people.

Check out this article: Less waste, more taste: maximize your produce, to learn more about some great places to get fresh organic produce and how to store it properly. I’d also recommend the docurama: King Corn, which explores our current model of corn production and how it is causing a malnourished, unhealthy population.