How long does it take for those corn-based "plastic" cups to decompose?

Question

How long does it take for those corn-based "plastic" cups to decompose?

Answer 1

I think a couple of weeks.

Answer 2

few billions of years to degrade

the corn is sent through chemical reaction to change it into plastic

corn to polymer

chemical reaction creates a whole new thing

Answer 3

More than a couple of weeks, maybe a month.

Answer 4

Good news: It takes 47 to 100 days to degrade.

Bad news: It won't degrade in a landfill.

Corn-based plastic products are often sold as "compostable," meaning they will break down as promised in a compost situation where they have access to water, air and light.

But some reports indicate only special industrial compost sites will break these down, and there are less than 150 such sites in the U.S. Home compost piles don't get hot enough, they say.

Also, you shouldn't put it in with your regular recycling. So that leaves them to go in landfills. Some experts say they last as long as regular plastic in a landfill.

You're still helping by using them. The PLAs, or polylactides, don't emit toxic fumes and need less fossil fuels in the manufacturing process.

Answer 5

With either pico de gallo, spicy black bean dip, ceviche, queso fresco dip, or guacamole, I can get them to decompose in about 8 hours.  Burp!!