Estimated Time: 60-90 minutes (active) + 24-36 hour drying time.

Introduction

In this activity, you are going to make your own bioplastic! Individually or in pairs, you will follow the recipe below to make bioplastics. Ultimately, you will use these sheets of bioplastic to create alternatives to single-use plastics, but at this stage, you should only focus on experimentation with this innovative material. We encourage you to play with color and texture. 

Pro-tip: Make extra sheets of bioplastic so you can have enough to do projects with (even if some of the outcomes aren't successful). 

Note: This recipe requires roughly 24 hours to complete because the bioplastic needs an extended drying time. Please plan accordingly!

Instructions

1. Make a variety of bioplastic sheets using the recipe below and take 3-5 pictures of your creation process. 

2. After your bioplastic has solidified (24+ hours later), hold it up to a window to show the finished product. 

Basic Gelatin Bioplastic Recipe

Supplies needed: 

Digital thermometer, access to a gas or electric cooking hob (or hot plate), non-reactive mixing pot (stainless steel or glass), mixing spoons, whisk, weighing scales, something to pour onto (such as a non-stick baking pan, glass casserole dish, or silicone baking mat). 

Ingredients: 

• 240ml water
• 48g gelatin
• 31g glycerine
• Food coloring 
• Metal Straws 
• Other decorating materials, such as glitter (optional)

Directions: (please read through all of the steps before getting started!) 

1. Add the gelatin and water to your pan or pot. 
2. Thoroughly mix the gelatin and the water with a spatula or whisk until you get a consistent paste. Avoid chunks of dry material.
3. Slowly heat the mixture till it becomes runny. Do not heat too quickly or it may burn (and smell awful!).
4. Now slowly mix in the glycerine a little bit at a time.
5. Mix the solution continuously to keep the mixture from burning. 
   • Optional: You may add food coloring at this point to decorate your bioplastic. You can also wait until you've poured your mixture into the mold to decorate with a toothpick or other implement.
6. Continue stirring until the mixture bubbles (up to 95°C), then remove from heat and pour! 
7. Pour a thick layer onto a non-stick surface. (Caution! The material is very hot! Be cautious when mixing and pouring to avoid burns or even melting materials that are not made to withstand high temperatures.
8.  You may add other decorative materials at this stage, such as dried flowers. Attempt to create texture with the mixture (e.g., blowing bubbles into the mixture to imitate bubble wrap). 
9. Wait 24+ hrs (more time may be needed) for the material to set. Plan on longer, if possible. When the "plastic" is dry, it will pull away more easily from the surface you poured it onto. 

Deliverable

In the Responses tab above, add photographs of your Bioplastic making process. 

Add 2-3 sentences to your post about something you did (or would like to do) to experiment with the bio-material.