A company called Biofase based in Mexico is manufacturing biodegradable straws made from avocado seeds. The advocado-based bioplastic biodegrades after 240 days of being exposed to the elements or buried in the ground. It may take up to 100 years for their fossil-plastic counterpart to biodegrade.
Scott Munguia patented the process and founded Biofase in 2013. He installed his first plant in Mexico two years later and started to manufacture bioplastic straws this year.
His plant produces 130 tonnes of bioplastics monthly and 40% is used for straws. 80% of the plant’s production is exported to the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Colombia and Peru. The plant uses 15 tonnes of avocado seeds every day bought from US company Simplot.
Mexico is the second biggest market for the company. The major clients are restaurants chains such as Fiesta Americana, P. F. Chang’s China Bistro and Chili’s Grill & Bar. Customers still need to be convinced to pay a bit more for straws made from bioplastic.
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