Post consumer regrind is Plastic (mainly HDPE, LDPE and PET)
that has been cleaned and reground into pellet or flake form to
make a new plastic object (packaging is a big one). So, in short
post consumer regrind or PCR is recycled plastic.
PLA is short or Poly lactic acid and is one of many bioplastics.
This one is specific is made from corn starch. Not sure but I think
Natureworks is the main supplier.
The difference is PCR is more stable and has many more uses
because the material is just recycled plastic. PLA, because it is
made from natural substances, breaks down, melts and losses its
rigidity a lot faster and is typically used for one time use. PLA
is best used for products that will not have to endure long shelf
life or hold volatile products.
There are many advancements being made to
bioplastics/biopolymers that will improve its rigidity, strength
and shelf-life. It's almost hard to keep up! PLA is only one of
many biopolymers. They can be made from starches such as potato,
pea and corn as well as sugar. But I'm sure there's many more in
development!
I am a rigid packaging distributor and work with a lot of
Plastic!
