Plastic #7 (Other) Put in Garbage Biodegradable Plastic Is Not Recyclable Vegetable-based plastics such as PLA are often labeled as plastic #7, but they are not recyclable. Find out what to do with biodegradable bags and compostable cups, plates & utensils. Did You Know? PLA Plastic vs. PET Plastic PET plastic is a petroleum-based plastic while PLA plastic is a bioplastic typically made from fermented plant starch. While PET plastic can be easily recycled, PLA is more difficult to recycle and requires a special facility in order to be composted. Before disposing, avoid contaminating your recycling by double-checking whether your item is PET or PLA and the current disposal instructions for that material.