Welcome to the first instalment of Sam’s Weekly Serving of NeRd! Today, we shall learn how to make organic plastic!
These days, everything is trying to be organic. But is organic really better? First off, let’s take a look at the dictionary‘s chemical definition of “organic”:
or⋅gan⋅ic /ɔrˈgænɪk/ [awr-gan-ik]
–adjective : noting or pertaining to a class of chemical compounds that formerly comprised only those existing in or derived from plants or animals, but that now includes all other compounds of carbon.
Products that say “organic” on them at your supermarket aren’t usually any different than the ones that don’t say it. Organic just means that no chemical pesticides, herbicides and insecticides were used. But is it trully better? Well, it depends on what you are using the food for. You always want to scrub the outside of your fruits and veggies no matter what, so that’s no different. But, if you are going to be zesting a lemon (aka, scraping off the peel as a garnish or flavouring), then you will probably be wanting to use organic, as you will be eating the outside of the lemon.
So hopefully that cleared some of your “to organic or not to organic” questions.
Now to the good stuff: How to make organic plastic!
*Note: Do not try this project without adult supervision.
Since you’re not actually going to be eating plastic, why should it be organic? Glad you asked–when you are done with this plastic, you can throw it out or compost it without the worry of it taking hundreds of years to decompose. So if it doesn’t work the first time you make it, you’re not killing the environment by throwing it out 🙂
ORGANIC PLASTIC RECIPE
Materials (along with 2 beakers):
In Beaker1:
– ½ tsp baking soda
– 2 tbsp water
In Beaker 2:
– 100 mL water
– 1 tbsp corn starch
– 12 mL vinegar
– 8 mL vegetable glycerin
– 5 ish drops food colouring
NOTE: you must use vegetable glycerin, as this is what allows the plastic to be completely organic.
Instructions:
- Prepare all of your materials, along with a hot plate or stove top.
- Prepare a tin foil mold for you plastic. You may wish to make the actual mold using something sturdy, like cardboard, and then covering that with tin foil.
- Place beaker 2 on burner.
- Turn burner on low.
- Stir constantly.
- Wait for mixture to thicken (still stirring).
- Once thickened, turn heat up to medium.
- Wait for mixture to thicken even more (still stirring).
- Add 2 ½ tsp of baking soda/water solution (from beaker 1).
- Stir. Allow to boil (still stirring) for 10 minutes.
- Quickly pour plastic into mold.
- Let plastic air dry for a couple days or until dry.
And voila! You have just made your very own organic plastic! Amazing, isn’t it?
Let me know if you try it out! Leave a comment 😀
Is there something that you’re wondering about the sciences, maths or something else along the lines of nerdy? Let me know by leaving a comment and it could be the next episode of NeRd! ♥