Plastic as a
Solution Author | Riley Charles Support | Queensland University of Technology Date
| June, 2018
A simple tookit enabling you to upcycle lightweight plastic bags at home.
Our Plastic Position Plastic has become a staple in our day-to-day lives, whether we like it or not, however with this it has forged a disposable lifestyle. After a century indulging in plastic we have created a severe environmental and social concern with nearly 300 million tons of plastic being produced each year, with 50% being for single use only, and 91% of plastics not being recycled (Parker, 2018).
In 1855 an inventor named Alexander Parkes devised the very first plastic called Parkesine (later named celluloid), from natural
cellulose. This plastic was created by manipulating natural polymers meaning the plastic products were biodegradable. In 1909, Alexander Baekeland created the very first purely synthetic polymer. Bakelite as a polymer had never existed amongst nature, meaning there was no microbe that could break the material down. The plastic was made from phenol and formaldehyde, chemicals derived from coal. This is how the non-biodegradable plastic we use day-to-day was born and now we are suffering the consequences (Freinkel, 2011).
If we can each start with ourselves, we can help propel the wave of change to reverse the perilous position we find our world in.
The History of Plastic
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Properties of Plastics Plastic manufactuers don’t always idicate the type of plastic on the object, therefore understanding plastic properties will assist. This is important to understand so you know the melting point and potential for the plastic type when recycling. This Toolkit focuses on lightweight plastic bags (HDPE) with the Queensland Government leading the wave of change by banning lightweight plastic bags as of July 1st, 2018 (Gregory, 2018).
There will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050. Type
Name
Properties
Products
Melting
PET
Polyethylene Terephthalate
-Clear -Tough -Solvent resistant -Barrier to gas and moisture
-Soft drink and water bottles -Food containers
-Yellow flame -Little smoke
HDPE
High-Density Polyethylene
-Hard to semiflexible -Resistant to chemicals and moisture -Waxy surface
-Shopping bags -Milk and juice bottles -Ice-cream containers -Shampoo bottles
-Difficult to ignite -Smells like candle wax
PVC
Polyvinyl Chloride
-Strong -Tough -Can be solvent and clear
-Cosmetic containers -Electrcal conduct -Plumbing pipes -Roof sheeting -Garden hose
-Yellow flame -Green spurts
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Properties of Plastics cont. Type
Name
Properties
Products
Melting
LDPE
Low-Density Polyethylene
-Soft -Flexible -Waxy surface -Scratches easily
-Cling wrap -Squeeze bottles -Garbage bags -Spray bottles
-Difficult to ignite -Smells like candle wax
PP
Polypropylene
-Hard yet flexible -Waxy surface -Translucent -Withstands solvents
-Ice cream tubs -Straws -Flowerpots -Garden furniture -Food containers
-Blue. yellow tipped flame
PS
Polystyrene
-Clear -Glassy -Semi touch
-CD cases -Plastic cutlery -Brittle toys -Foamed meat trays -Glass imitation
-Dense smoke
OTHER
Other plastics
Properties dependent on plastic type
-Packaging -Electronics -Automotive
-Other plastics
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Plastic Melting Points
(Hakkens, 2016)
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Creation Process With the Queensland Government taking steps forward toward a more sustainable future, it is now your turn to help the beautiful world we call home. The below process focuses on reducing the ramifications of years of plastic bag use by providing the tools needed to upcycle and create useful pieces of artwork. Some potential outcomes include marble-like sculptures, vases, fruit bowls, door stoppers, photo frames, photo holders and plant pots.
1. Source used plastic bags Gather used lightweight plastic bags from friends and family. Plastic bags that have been used more than once are ideal as they are closer to their end lifecycle. Arrange the bags into colours you like together. The different bag colours will create the marble effect.
2. Prepare plastic bags
3. Source mould
With 3 gathered
A mould is used to shape
plastic bags,
the plastic after being
cut into small
melted into a dough. Metal
pieces.
moulds are ideal being the strongest. Once found put in the freezer to cool.
Animals are not the only life forms harmed by plastic pollution. Every form of life is connected. The food chain starts with the zooplankton, which are eaten by fish, which are eaten by even bigger fish, which are eaten by us. Plastic in fish means the chemicals from plastic end up on dinner plates.
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4. Melting plastic process For melting the plastic bags you will need: - Large metal bowl - Gas mask - Welding gloves - Pallet knife - Small electric oven (recommend not using cooking oven) 4.1– Set oven to 200 degrees celcius. 4.2– Put uncut plastic bags into large metal bowl then place into the oven. Ensure no bags touch the heating elements as this will cause a fire. The plastic will soften at 76 degrees and quickly melt from here onwards. 4.2– Keep checking to see how melted the bags are. Once fully melted slip welding gloves on and take the bowl out of the oven. Use the pallet knife to scrape all plastic from the side of the bowl, down into the dough.
4.3– Add more uncut plastic bags ontop of the dough and keep doing so until you have just under the amount needed to fill the mould. 4.4– Sprinkle the cut plastic bags ontop of the dough and put back in the oven until melted. 4.5– Once all plastics are melted and have create a malleable dough mend the dough using the welding glove to compress.
5. Moulding 5.1– Once the dough is compressed, put it in the cold mould. Using a cold mould helps set the dough quicker and is easier to remove once set. 5.2– Use the mould’s top (should be a few mm smaller than the
mould walls) and pop rivet a block of wood on top so
the G-clamp can clasp down. Wind the G-clamp tight and let to set for an hour. 06
6. Shaping At this stage you will have a block of plastic, an artistic
Today we use plastic, which is designed to last forever, for products designed to last minutes.
and thought provoking piece of sculpture in itself, created from lightweight plastic bags. It is now up to you as to whether you want the material to serve a more practical use? 6.1– If you want to finalise the marble-like block of plastic then start sanding the block with a medium grain sand paper (100), before slowly working down the grains until you get to a very fine grain (400). Finally to get the gloss finish use a drill polish attachment. 6.2– In order to carve objects out of the block of plastic, you will need access to a lathe. There are community groups around Queensland and Australia who welcome recreational craftsman who work on artistic projects. Most community groups offer access to space, tools, technology and a group of like-minded enthusiasts. Some around Queensland include: – HSBNE Inc. – Bribie Island Community Arts Society Inc. – Gold Coast Woodturners Inc. – Gympie & District Woodworkers Club Inc. Getting involved in these communities also helps spread the wave of change, starting conversations through physically acting sustainable. These groups conduct workshops where you can be shown how to lathe (shaping an object out of wood or in your case plastic). Recommended objects are vases, fruit bowls, photo frames, photo holers, door stoppers, coasters and plant pots. To finish the object with a glossy shine, use a dremel to get into the small fine detail areas.
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References/Influences
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