Last updated on October 15th, 2022 at 03:05 pm
PLA plastic, or Polylactic Acid, is a biodegradable plastic made from corn starch, sugar cane, and other renewable resources. It’s become increasingly common, so you might wonder whether it’s safe for birds to be exposed to PLA plastic.
PLA plastic is safe for birds so long as it is not heated to the point of melting. Solid PLA plastic is safe enough to serve food with or to make a shelter out of, but melted PLA plastic emits fumes that are toxic to birds and humans.
Why PLA Plastic Is Safe for Birds
PLA plastic is often used to make medical devices, bottles, and films, and it is commonly used in 3D printers. It is valued for its quick degradation process.
Where other plastics can take a thousand years to degrade, PLA plastic degrades in just six to 24 months.
Additionally, PLA plastic is made from organic materials and is non-toxic, so you don’t need to worry about contamination or poisoning.
Just make sure that you’re careful not to heat the plastic to high temperatures, or else it might deform or emit fumes.
If you have a 3D printer that uses PLA plastic, you’ll need to separate your birds from it.
Caveat: Melted PLA Plastic Is Dangerous
When heated, PLA plastic melts rather than catching fire. During this stage, it is toxic to breathe in or to touch.
PLA plastic doesn’t reach its melting point until 150-160 degrees Celsius, (302- 320°F) so it’s unlikely that hot weather would cause PLA fumes to develop.
However, if you have a 3D printer at home, you should be concerned about the fumes emitted from the melted plastic.
Keep birds away from your 3D printer if you have one to avoid any contact with the melted PLA fumes.
If you’re considering getting a 3D printer, try to find one that’s enclosed because it will keep birds and other pets safe from the hot, melted plastic.
For example, the Monoprice Maker Ultimate 3D Printer from Amazon.com is marketed as pet-friendly due to its enclosed design.
Similarly, the FlashForge Creator Pro from Amazon.com boasts minimal risk to feathered and furry friends.
Can You Make Bird Houses or Toys With a 3D Printer?
You can make a birdhouse or toy with a 3D printer, but if you are planning to install a birdhouse outside, you will want to use a material other than PLA plastics.
The sun’s UV rays can quickly deteriorate PLA plastic and cause it to deform.
See these patterns from All3DP.com as examples of birdhouses you can make with a 3D printer.
If you choose to print toys with PLA plastic, just make sure that there are no small pieces that your bird could ingest.
PLA plastic is non-toxic to birds, but it should not be swallowed whole. Swallowing any hard plastic can cause a blockage of the intestinal tract.
Safe Materials for Bird Toys
Bird toys should be made from non-toxic materials that birds can’t swallow. The following are good choices for safe bird toys:
- Wood (untreated or colored with plant-based dyes)
- Strong plastic
- Untreated or vegetable-dyed leather
- Sisal rope
- Stainless steel
You should keep an eye on your bird’s toys, as they can become unsafe as they break or fray.
Unsafe Bird Toys and Materials
Avoid toys that have been dyed or painted unless the paint is vegetable-based and non-toxic. Heavy metals are also off-limits, especially lead and zinc.
Additionally, avoid toys that your bird could get a toe stuck in, like chain links or jingle bells.
Anything with small parts should be off-limits, too, as birds easily swallow items that later cause massive gastrointestinal problems.
PVC plastic is toxic when ingested, so avoid giving birds that chew any toys made from PVC.
Baby toys are often culprits here, so be careful if you give your bird toys intended for a human baby.
Can You Put PLA Plastic in the Dishwasher or Microwave?
If you make a birdhouse, toy, or feeder out of PLA plastic, you may wonder whether you can simply put it in the dishwasher to clean it.
You shouldn’t put PLA plastic in the dishwasher because it softens and deforms at temperatures between 60-70°C (140- 158°F), about as hot as a dishwasher gets.
But in most cases, you can safely put PLA plastic in the microwave since its internal temperature won’t change dramatically in a short time.
However, PLA plastics can absorb water, which heats up and expands when microwaved.
What Are Common Uses of PLA Plastic?
PLA plastic is commonly used in medical settings, where there’s a demand for implements that can hold their shape but break down over time.
Often, they’re used for surgical reconstruction, where the patient might require a screw or bolt in the short term.
However, in the long term, these screws, bolts, and other pieces simply break down in the body.
PLA plastic is also used in food packaging.
It releases lactic acid when in contact with certain specific liquids, but even in these cases, the amount of acid released is not great enough to harm humans.
Rather, the FDA has determined that PLA plastic is completely safe to use for food packaging.
Additionally, PLA plastic can be used in structural applications in the construction industry, like as an insulation material or as a carpet fiber.
PLA plastic can also be used to make textiles. Being lightweight and breathable, PLA plastic is sought after as an alternative to polyester.
Finally, PLA plastic is used in cosmetics, where consumers have begun demanding sustainable solutions.
How Is PLA Plastic Made?
PLA plastic, or Polylactic Acid, is made from corn starch, sugarcane, tapioca roots, or other organic materials.
PLA is produced through a process of fermentation.
The raw material is milled and the starch separated, and then the starch is mixed with enzymes or acid that breaks down the starch into dextrose, also called corn sugar.
Finally, the remaining glucose is broken down to produce lactic acid.
There are multiple ways to produce PLA from lactic acid, one of which is a direct transformation and the other an indirect method using lactide as a transition state.