OXO - LDPE	PLA	COMMENTS
DENSITY	.925 gm / cc	1.25 gm / cc	35% more area per pound with polyethylene
RAW MATERIAL PRICE	$.90 per pound ±	$2.20 per pound
STRENGTH	Can be tailored for application	Weak
VULNERABLE TO STRESS WHITENING (turns white when creased)	NO	YES
SPECIAL PACKAGING	None	non-biodegradable barrier
SOFTENING POINT	230º F to 280º F	105º F / 50º C	PLA must be transported in a refrigerated truck or it will melt
DEGRADABLE TIME FRAME	Can be customized to commence after service life of item	uncontrolled
AVAILABILITY AND CAPACITY	Plentiful	limited
ASTM D 6400 - 99 COMPLIANCE	Meets 3 of 4 requirements of compostability- Disintegration ( ability to fragment into non-distinguishable pieces after screening and safely support bio–assimilation and microbial growth ), safety ( no ecotoxicity in finished compost and can support plant growth ),toxicity ( heavy metal concentrations are less tha 50% recommended values ) falls short of definition of inherent biodegradation, defined as conversion of carbon to carbon dioxide to the level of 60% over a period of 180 days. A leaf will not naturally biodegrade with the time frame allotted by ASTM D 6400 – 99.	YES	PLA degrades rapidly if exposed to triggers of heat, humidity, microbes. PLA meets compost standards.