Is PLA Plastic? What Resin Code 7 Means for Restaurants
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Yes, PLA is plastic. Polylactic acid is a plastic resin made from plant sugars instead of petroleum, and it usually carries resin identification code 7, "Other." For a restaurant or boba shop, that means a PLA straw or fork is treated as plastic by recyclers, by most composters, and in several local laws, no matter how green the packaging looks.
Below we explain what the number 7 on a cup or straw actually tells you, why "made from plants" does not change the answer, and what to buy if you want a single use option that is not plastic.
What is PLA made of?
PLA is a polymer. Manufacturers ferment plant sugars, such as those from corn, into lactic acid, then link those molecules into long chains that can be molded, extruded into straws, or thermoformed into clear cups. Michigan State University describes PLA as "derived from plant sugars rather than petroleum" (MSUToday).
The feedstock is renewable. The finished material is still a plastic: it looks, feels, and behaves like one, which is exactly why it is popular for clear cold cups, lids, and straws. CPLA cutlery is a heat treated version of the same resin, so it belongs in the same category.
What does resin code 7 mean?
The small number inside the chasing arrows is a resin identification code, defined by the ASTM D7611 standard. Codes 1 through 6 cover common plastics such as PET, HDPE, and polypropylene. Code 7 is the catch all: it is "reserved for manufactured articles produced from any polymer chemistry not described by any other Code" (Resin identification code overview). PLA lands there, often printed as "7 PLA."
Two things buyers get wrong about that symbol:
- The arrows do not mean recyclable. The code identifies the resin. It says nothing about whether your hauler accepts it.
- Code 7 is not a green label. It only tells you the material is not one of the six common resins.
Can PLA be recycled?
In practice, almost never through curbside bins. Eco-Cycle, a nonprofit recycler in Colorado, lists #7 PLA as "not recyclable, but is compostable at some industrial compost facilities," and notes it is not accepted in single stream recycling (Eco-Cycle Quick Guide to Plastics).
Is PLA compostable at home?
Generally, no. PLA is designed for industrial composting, where large piles run hot and are actively managed. MSU researchers explain that industrial composters create "higher temperatures" that are "more conducive to breaking down bioplastics than home composters" (MSUToday). A PLA straw dropped in a backyard bin or a planter can sit there for a very long time.
So when a PLA product says "compostable," read it as "compostable in a commercial facility that accepts it." If your city does not have one, or your hauler does not take compostable plastics, that straw goes to the landfill like any other plastic straw.
Do California laws treat PLA as plastic?
Several do. Check your own city, but here is what primary sources confirm:
- California, full service restaurants (AB 1884): a single use plastic straw is one made predominantly of plastic derived from petroleum "or a biologically based polymer," such as corn, and full service restaurants may hand those out only when a customer asks (Monterey County Environmental Health, AB 1884).
- Malibu: Malibu Municipal Code 9.24.045 bars restaurants, beverage providers, and vendors from using plastic straws, stirrers, and cutlery "including bioplastics." The city's guideline lists "Bioplastic (PLA, #7, Compostable)" under banned items (City of Malibu guideline).
- Santa Monica: the city's disposable food service ware rules allow straws and utensils only on request and only if they meet its marine degradable standard. Products "predominantly made with plastics, either petroleum or biologically based" do not qualify (Santa Monica Municipal Code, Disposable Food Service Ware).
Most of the country has no specific rule on PLA. But if you operate in one of these cities, or sell to customers who read labels closely, a "plant based" PLA straw does not get you out of the plastic category.
How does PLA compare to bamboo fiber and paper?
| Material | Is it plastic? | Resin code | Where it composts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional plastic (PP) | Yes | 5 | Does not compost |
| PLA or CPLA | Yes, plant based plastic | 7 | Industrial facilities that accept it |
| Paper | No (check coatings) | None | Varies by product and coating |
| KGPeco bamboo fiber straws | No, plastic free, no PLA | None | Home compostable with BPI certification |
For a hands on comparison of how each straw holds up in a real drink, see Paper vs PLA vs Bamboo Fiber Boba Straws: Which Holds Up.
How can you tell if a straw or fork is PLA?
- Look for "7" or "PLA" on the case or sleeve. Many PLA products are marked, though the mark may be on the master carton only.
- Read past "plant based" and "compostable." Both are true of PLA. Ask whether the product is home compostable or commercial only.
- Check the clarity and feel. A straw or cup that looks and flexes like clear plastic is usually PLA. Fiber products look matte and opaque.
- Ask for the full material list in writing, including any binder or coating, and the certification listing number you can look up yourself.
What is a single use option that is not plastic?
Our straws are made from bamboo fiber and plant starch. They are plastic free, PFAS free, and contain no PLA. They are home compostable with BPI certification and CMA certified, and the wrapped versions come in plain paper wrappers. They are single use: built to last through a drink, then go in the compost instead of the landfill. That makes them the guilt free single use option for shops that want to stop explaining their straws.
- Wide boba straws, 12 mm, 9 inch, wrapped, pointy end for boba and sealed cups
- Smoothie and shake straws, 8 mm, 9 inch, wrapped, pointy end for thick drinks
Replacing CPLA cutlery? Our bamboo fiber spoons, forks, sporks, soup spoons, and knives are plastic free with no PLA or CPLA. They are not BPI certified. Our bamboo fiber fork is CMA certified; check each product page for its specific certifications.
Restaurants, cafes, boba shops, and caterers can request free samples for your business and test them in your own drinks and dishes before ordering. Samples are for businesses only.
Frequently asked questions
Is PLA plastic or not?
PLA is plastic. It is a polymer made from plant sugars rather than petroleum, and it is usually labeled with resin code 7.
Is resin code 7 recyclable?
Usually not. Code 7 is a catch all for resins outside codes 1 through 6, and PLA is generally not accepted in single stream curbside recycling.
Can I put PLA straws in my home compost?
Generally no. PLA is designed for industrial composting conditions and breaks down far more slowly in a cooler backyard pile.
Are PLA straws allowed in Malibu and Santa Monica?
Malibu bans bioplastic straws, stirrers, and cutlery, and lists PLA by name. Santa Monica allows straws only on request and excludes products made predominantly of petroleum or biologically based plastics.
Do KGPeco straws contain PLA?
No. KGPeco straws are made from bamboo fiber and plant starch with no PLA, and they are home compostable with BPI certification.