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What is marine-safe PHA?
PHA is produced by microorganisms from plant oil, which store it as energy. As a cup lining, it does the job of a conventional plastic lining, holding hot and cold drinks, but it’s certified home compostable and microorganisms in soil and seawater can also break it down.
How is PHA different from other sustainable materials?
Most compostable linings, like PLA, need an industrial composting facility to break down. PHA is certified home compostable, and microorganisms in soil and seawater can also digest it, so it doesn’t persist as microplastic the way conventional linings do.
What does the transition to PHA look like?
We work with you from start to finish. That means helping you choose the right products, testing them in your environment, and supporting the rollout so everything runs smoothly. We stay involved the whole way through, so switching feels straightforward, not disruptive.
Does PHA perform like conventional plastic?
For everyday use, yes. A PHA-lined cup looks and feels like a standard paper cup, holds hot and cold drinks, and keeps its shape. The difference is what happens after use. PHA is certified home compostable, and unlike conventional plastic linings, it doesn’t persist in the environment as microplastic.
What happens if PHA ends up in landfill or the ocean?
PHA is made by microorganisms, and microorganisms can break it down again. It’s certified home compostable to AS5810, and unlike most compostable linings, it doesn’t need an industrial facility to break down. Microorganisms in soil and seawater can also digest it, so it doesn’t linger as microplastic the way conventional plastics do.
Which bin do Terra Sol products belong in?
Your home compost is best. Terra Sol cups are certified home compostable, so they break down in a backyard compost without needing an industrial facility. Some councils also accept certified compostable packaging in their food and garden organics bin, so check with yours. If neither is an option, use your general waste bin rather than recycling. And if a cup misses the bin altogether, PHA is still broken down by microorganisms in soil and seawater, so it doesn’t linger as microplastic the way conventional plastic linings do.
Is PHA commercially competitive?
We price as close to conventional cups as possible. With Australian manufacturing and volume pricing, switching is a material change, not a major cost increase.
Still looking for answers or need a good chat?
We’ll guide you through product selection, specifications and pricing.