Make Your Own Bio-Plastic
Content
EWB-UK Training Hand Over Pack
Make your own Bio-Plastic
At a glance: Community of Practice - other Type: Practical Workshop Duration : 1 construction, more for testing Min/Max participants: 25 or more Room/space requirements: Ready for practical work
Comment [M1]: At a glance information
Objectives
To learn about the challenges facing fossil fuel plastics and how to make your own bio-plastic.
Comment [M2]: What are the aims/objectives of the course?
1. Introduction
This is one of the workshops run at the Small is… festivals . This hands-on workshop serves as an introduction to Bio-Plastics. It is a simple, no expertise needed workshop that branches can hold so students can learn about the problems surrounding plastics made by fossil fuels and the possibility to use alternative sources.
Comment [M3]: Background information on the course eg. Type (lecture based / practical), themes, group size, audience/who usually goes. When has this course previously run? Is content always the same or along a different theme each time?
2. Venue
An area suitable for doing hands on work and mixing liquids Kitchen for source of heat. Use portable hobs if this isn’t possible
3. Typical Itinerary
These are the timings of a 1hour workshop but you can extend the timing if you would like more practical time. Time 5 minutes 15 minutes 30 minutes 5 minutes Activity Welcome Introduction Practical Closing Equipment
Comment [M4]: Where has this course been held previously? How do you get there? What facilities are required for the course? How do you book rooms? How much does it cost and how much notice do you have to give? Are there issues with getting in at certain times and is there a specific way of getting in eg. Swipe card. Comment [M5]: Remember to include breaks and time for setting up and clearing away. Be aware of daylight hours if sessions are held outside. Are there reasons why certain sessions happen when they do? Have alternatives been tried and what were the outcomes? Do participants rotate through the sessions or does the group stay as a whole?
See material and tools list Sign-ups for email
4. Session Information
Preparation
Prepare equipment, tools, materials and hand outs Research other ideas for discussion Prepare sign-up sheets for new members
Comment [M6]: Overview of each of the sessions in the course eg. Type, description of activity, contacts...Are handover packs available for individual sessions? Are sessions always the same? What other sessions have run or could be run? Are helpers needed for the session?
Welcome (5 minutes)
Introduce yourself: Your Name Position/Job/Organisation Your role in the workshop Relevant experience to the workshop (University, projects, work etc.)
Explain the learning objectives of the workshop to the audience: The purpose of the workshop is for participants to learn about the problems surrounding plastics made by fossil fuels. This is done in the introduction presentation. Afterwards, participants get to make their own bio-plastic in a hands-on practical. Participants will be able to take the plastic home with them at the end of the workshop.
Introduction (15 Minutes)
A presentation on the challenges facing fossil fuel plastics. Plastic is the common term used for a variety of synthetic or semi synthetic materials used in manufacturing. Plastics are traditionally made from polymers and normally created from petroleum products. Plastics have become so popular to do their advantageous features. They are malleable, versatile and very cheap compared to other materials. The problem with plastics is their dependency on petroleum, i.e. oil. Currently about 8% of the world’s oil is used to make plastics. This is compared to 4% for raw materials and 4% for energy. The other major problem is waste; currently about 35% of litter is a plastic based product. Bio plastic currently offers one solution to the problem. Bio plastic is formed from renewable biomass sources such as vegetable oil or corn starch. Like conventional plastics; all bio plastics are biodegradable given enough time. However also like conventional plastics; some bio plastics take so long to degrade they are considered non-biodegradable. A significant number of bio plastics will only biodegrade given very specific conditions. Most people assume the term bio plastic means it will biodegrade; it actually refers to its biomass source. This leads to the advantages and disadvantages of bio plastics: Advantages: They are made from plant based sources so don’t use any fossil fuels. Disadvantages: The majority of bio plastic manufacturing plants use oil or fossil fuels to power them. Currently there is still a need for fossil fuels for a large scale plant. When growing resources for bio plastic it can create large scale mono-cropping problems. This can lead to the destruction of areas like the rain forest. The solution is to produce bio plastic on a small scale with biodiversity in mind. The crop should be sustainable and the process should renewably powered. One method for doing this is to produce bio plastic from locally grown potatoes. The chemistry bit: Potato starch is made from two carbohydrate polymers, amylose and amylopectin. To make bio plastic the amylopectin needs to be broken down. This way the starch can be plasticised. For a more technical audience you may choose to extend this section and continue further with the science behind the process. Further reading will be required however.
Practical (30 Minutes)
The step by step instructions for making the bio-plastic For making bio-plastic highly accurate measurements are not required 1. Grate about 100g of potato into a pestle & mortar
2. Add 100cm3 distilled water to the potato and grind in a pestle and mortar
3. Strain the liquid off, and repeat adding distilled water, grinding and straining twice more.
4. Leave to settle for 5 minutes 5. Strain the water off, leaving the starch behind. 6. Put 25ml water into a beaker and add 5g starch (10g wet) and 3cm3 hydrochloric acid (Use vinegar if you can’t get hold of it) and 2ml pure glycerol.
7. Bring to the boil for 15 minutes, ensuring it doesn’t boil dry 8. Using indicator paper and sodium hydroxide to neutralise the solution (probably about 3cm3). 9. Add a few drops of colouring to the mixture and mix in. 10. Pour the mixture out, and mould into your preferred shape.
11. Leave to dry out and set. Once the mixture sets the plastic is complete. The amount of glycerol used affects the stiffness of the mixture. The less glycerol used the stiffer the plastic will be.
Closing (5 minutes)
Final few words: Announce next event or meeting Distribute sign up lists (If applicable) Open the floor to questions
5. Useful Resources 6. Materials
Per batch of bio plastic (Ideally per person): 100g of potato 300cm3 of distilled water 25ml of water 3cm3 of hydrochloric acid or vinegar 2ml pure glycerol 3cm3 sodium hydroxide Food colouring
Comment [M7]: Links to materials used and any background information that would be useful for other people. Comment [M8]: What materials are required for the course? In what quantities? Where do you get them from? Transport/storage issues? Contacts? Alternatives that can be used?
7. Tools
Number of tools depend on number of groups Grater Pestle & Mortar Strainer Beaker/Jars Measuring cylinder/jug Weighing scales Indicator Paper Portable hob
Comment [M9]: As for tools.
8. Feedback 9. Costings – this could be the budget spreadsheet attached as an appendix
Item Quantity Price per unit Total
Comment [M10]: Are there any common trends with feedback? What do people particularly enjoy? What improvements have been suggested? What are key things to remember? Comment [M11]: Typical costs of materials/tools/food/accommodation/ speaker travel expenses etc. How much do participants usually pay?
10.Joining Instructions 11.Risks to consider (to guide a risk assessment form)
Potential Risks Mitigation Strategy
Comment [M12]: Information that is sent out to participants prior to the course. See TIP for more information of what should be included.
12.Organiser Checklist – see relevant generic checklists
Comment [M13]: List of things to remember to take to the course. Could be used with a generic ‘course’ checklist/timeline in the TIP?
Make your own Bio-Plastic
At a glance: Community of Practice - other Type: Practical Workshop Duration : 1 construction, more for testing Min/Max participants: 25 or more Room/space requirements: Ready for practical work
Comment [M1]: At a glance information
Objectives
To learn about the challenges facing fossil fuel plastics and how to make your own bio-plastic.
Comment [M2]: What are the aims/objectives of the course?
1. Introduction
This is one of the workshops run at the Small is… festivals . This hands-on workshop serves as an introduction to Bio-Plastics. It is a simple, no expertise needed workshop that branches can hold so students can learn about the problems surrounding plastics made by fossil fuels and the possibility to use alternative sources.
Comment [M3]: Background information on the course eg. Type (lecture based / practical), themes, group size, audience/who usually goes. When has this course previously run? Is content always the same or along a different theme each time?
2. Venue
An area suitable for doing hands on work and mixing liquids Kitchen for source of heat. Use portable hobs if this isn’t possible
3. Typical Itinerary
These are the timings of a 1hour workshop but you can extend the timing if you would like more practical time. Time 5 minutes 15 minutes 30 minutes 5 minutes Activity Welcome Introduction Practical Closing Equipment
Comment [M4]: Where has this course been held previously? How do you get there? What facilities are required for the course? How do you book rooms? How much does it cost and how much notice do you have to give? Are there issues with getting in at certain times and is there a specific way of getting in eg. Swipe card. Comment [M5]: Remember to include breaks and time for setting up and clearing away. Be aware of daylight hours if sessions are held outside. Are there reasons why certain sessions happen when they do? Have alternatives been tried and what were the outcomes? Do participants rotate through the sessions or does the group stay as a whole?
See material and tools list Sign-ups for email
4. Session Information
Preparation
Prepare equipment, tools, materials and hand outs Research other ideas for discussion Prepare sign-up sheets for new members
Comment [M6]: Overview of each of the sessions in the course eg. Type, description of activity, contacts...Are handover packs available for individual sessions? Are sessions always the same? What other sessions have run or could be run? Are helpers needed for the session?
Welcome (5 minutes)
Introduce yourself: Your Name Position/Job/Organisation Your role in the workshop Relevant experience to the workshop (University, projects, work etc.)
Explain the learning objectives of the workshop to the audience: The purpose of the workshop is for participants to learn about the problems surrounding plastics made by fossil fuels. This is done in the introduction presentation. Afterwards, participants get to make their own bio-plastic in a hands-on practical. Participants will be able to take the plastic home with them at the end of the workshop.
Introduction (15 Minutes)
A presentation on the challenges facing fossil fuel plastics. Plastic is the common term used for a variety of synthetic or semi synthetic materials used in manufacturing. Plastics are traditionally made from polymers and normally created from petroleum products. Plastics have become so popular to do their advantageous features. They are malleable, versatile and very cheap compared to other materials. The problem with plastics is their dependency on petroleum, i.e. oil. Currently about 8% of the world’s oil is used to make plastics. This is compared to 4% for raw materials and 4% for energy. The other major problem is waste; currently about 35% of litter is a plastic based product. Bio plastic currently offers one solution to the problem. Bio plastic is formed from renewable biomass sources such as vegetable oil or corn starch. Like conventional plastics; all bio plastics are biodegradable given enough time. However also like conventional plastics; some bio plastics take so long to degrade they are considered non-biodegradable. A significant number of bio plastics will only biodegrade given very specific conditions. Most people assume the term bio plastic means it will biodegrade; it actually refers to its biomass source. This leads to the advantages and disadvantages of bio plastics: Advantages: They are made from plant based sources so don’t use any fossil fuels. Disadvantages: The majority of bio plastic manufacturing plants use oil or fossil fuels to power them. Currently there is still a need for fossil fuels for a large scale plant. When growing resources for bio plastic it can create large scale mono-cropping problems. This can lead to the destruction of areas like the rain forest. The solution is to produce bio plastic on a small scale with biodiversity in mind. The crop should be sustainable and the process should renewably powered. One method for doing this is to produce bio plastic from locally grown potatoes. The chemistry bit: Potato starch is made from two carbohydrate polymers, amylose and amylopectin. To make bio plastic the amylopectin needs to be broken down. This way the starch can be plasticised. For a more technical audience you may choose to extend this section and continue further with the science behind the process. Further reading will be required however.
Practical (30 Minutes)
The step by step instructions for making the bio-plastic For making bio-plastic highly accurate measurements are not required 1. Grate about 100g of potato into a pestle & mortar
2. Add 100cm3 distilled water to the potato and grind in a pestle and mortar
3. Strain the liquid off, and repeat adding distilled water, grinding and straining twice more.
4. Leave to settle for 5 minutes 5. Strain the water off, leaving the starch behind. 6. Put 25ml water into a beaker and add 5g starch (10g wet) and 3cm3 hydrochloric acid (Use vinegar if you can’t get hold of it) and 2ml pure glycerol.
7. Bring to the boil for 15 minutes, ensuring it doesn’t boil dry 8. Using indicator paper and sodium hydroxide to neutralise the solution (probably about 3cm3). 9. Add a few drops of colouring to the mixture and mix in. 10. Pour the mixture out, and mould into your preferred shape.
11. Leave to dry out and set. Once the mixture sets the plastic is complete. The amount of glycerol used affects the stiffness of the mixture. The less glycerol used the stiffer the plastic will be.
Closing (5 minutes)
Final few words: Announce next event or meeting Distribute sign up lists (If applicable) Open the floor to questions
5. Useful Resources 6. Materials
Per batch of bio plastic (Ideally per person): 100g of potato 300cm3 of distilled water 25ml of water 3cm3 of hydrochloric acid or vinegar 2ml pure glycerol 3cm3 sodium hydroxide Food colouring
Comment [M7]: Links to materials used and any background information that would be useful for other people. Comment [M8]: What materials are required for the course? In what quantities? Where do you get them from? Transport/storage issues? Contacts? Alternatives that can be used?
7. Tools
Number of tools depend on number of groups Grater Pestle & Mortar Strainer Beaker/Jars Measuring cylinder/jug Weighing scales Indicator Paper Portable hob
Comment [M9]: As for tools.
8. Feedback 9. Costings – this could be the budget spreadsheet attached as an appendix
Item Quantity Price per unit Total
Comment [M10]: Are there any common trends with feedback? What do people particularly enjoy? What improvements have been suggested? What are key things to remember? Comment [M11]: Typical costs of materials/tools/food/accommodation/ speaker travel expenses etc. How much do participants usually pay?
10.Joining Instructions 11.Risks to consider (to guide a risk assessment form)
Potential Risks Mitigation Strategy
Comment [M12]: Information that is sent out to participants prior to the course. See TIP for more information of what should be included.
12.Organiser Checklist – see relevant generic checklists
Comment [M13]: List of things to remember to take to the course. Could be used with a generic ‘course’ checklist/timeline in the TIP?
