1. Plastics for the Planet – The recipe that may save the world!
Developed by team ‘save the sea turtles’
Group Members:
Albie E – Background and style design
Science Cat – Data Tables and Recipe/Budget
Arnold – Environmental Impact

2. Background – What’s the problem with plastic?
Plastic is used by most people every day, in many ways!
BUT plastic is made from petroleum (or fossil fuels.)
This petroleum has to be mined, harming the environment.
Most importantly, the plastic doesn’t biodegrade, meaning there are billions tons of plastic trash just sitting around.

3. Background – What’s the problem with plastic?
This plastic trash gets into our oceans, harming sea life and moving into our food chain.
It is estimated that 3 – 5 million pounds of plastic go into the oceans EVERY DAY.
This plastic will photodegrade into smaller pieces, but it may NEVER fully break down.

4. The Problem The Criteria The Constraints
Because Petroleum based plastics are not biodegradable and can have negative effects on the environment, we will try to design a biopolymer that is strong, flexible, and environmentally friendly.
The Criteria The Constraints
Flexibility between Under 0.25$ to make
Holds at least 6 washers
Insoluble in Water
Environmentally Friendly

5. Our Recipe
We tried 3 different recipes, and the one we found was best is written below:
Plasticizer
Sorbitol (.5g)
.04$
Starches
Arrowroot (4 g)
Tapioca (5g)
.18$
Additives
Red and blue food coloring (1 drop)
.00$
TOTAL COST
.22$

6. Does it work?
Our plastic is strong, holding more than 40 washers and 210g of weight

7. Does It Work? Flexibility Insolubility
Our plastic is flexible, with a rating of 2 even when heated and cooled.
Insolubility
Our plastic doesn’t dissolve (very much) in water. We did see some sliminess, so we may need further testing.

8. Environmental Impact
Our ingredients are pretty environmentally friendly!
Arrowroot – easy to grow, all natural and fully biodegradable (cons: Has to be transported from tropics)
Tapioca – Quick to grow, all natural and fully biodegradable (cons: Has to be transported from tropics)

9. Conclusion – We’re The Best!
Our recipe is best for our clients because
It’s strong! (holds up to 7 times the target weight)
It’s flexible! (even when hot and cold!)
It’s 100% biodegradable and all natural!