When you hear 'polylactic acid' or 'PLA,' do you immediately think of corn-based plastics? If not, it's time to start. PLA is a biodegradable polymer made from 100% renewable resources used to create an alternative to regular plastics, states the University of Florida.

Cargill, the leading developer of PLA, has branded their products NatureWorks® PLA. According to the company, it takes 65% less energy to produce PLA vs. conventional plastics. It also generates 68% fewer greenhouse gases and contains no toxins. If that's not enough, it can be commercially composted to biodegrade in less than 90 days.

Fantastic, right? Not so fast.

An article published in the Smithsonian exposes many of PLA's downsides, including commercial composting. "Yes, as PLA advocates say, corn plastic is 'biodegradable.' But in reality very few consumers have access to the sort of composting facilities that can make that happen."

The Smithsonian points out that recycling facilities have problems with PLA, too: "They worry that consumers will simply dump PLA in with their PET [conventional plastics] ... Because PLA and PET mix about as well as oil and water, recyclers consider PLA a contaminant. They have to pay to sort it out and pay again to dispose of it."

Arguments aside, isn't the real question: how can we all consume a little less?

Images obtained from Flickr (Disney Mike, SA Steve, Fhemerick, Jason JT, T Lindenbaum)