Science Investigatory Project

Bioplastic versus Non-Biodegradable Plastics

A Research Study Presented to

The Faculty of Junior High School Division

Elizabeth Seton School- South

Anabu II-D, Imus, Cavite

In Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirements in Science

Grade 8

S.Y 2019-2020

Santos, Jayvielynn Veronica S.

Satsatin, Erin Nicole S.

Talan, Winsleth P.

Kawit, Datu Alrasheed S.

Manalansan, Jomari N.

8-Julian Felipe
I. Title
● Bioplastics versus Non-biodegradable Plastics

II. Rationale

● To know if this study will be effective, we shall try to make a plastic out of natural
ingredients and measure its biodegradability by leaving it in an open space for almost 2
weeks

III. Problem

● Is using bioplastics more effective in terms of biodegradability and has lesser pollution
amounts?

IV. Hypothesis
● If the bioplastics made from this research study does no harm to the environment and can
reduce the problem of plastic waste, then it can save the environment from being
contaminated and it can really be a great substitute for non-biodegradable plastic.

V. Objectives of the Study

● The key objective of this study is to decrease the use of non-biodegradable plastics and
be aware of the disadvantages of using it. Our first target is to know the strengths and
weaknesses of a plastic and a bioplastic. Our second target is to know what will happen
when the plastics are gone and; Our third target is to know how much will cost the re-
production of bioplastic and; Our third and last target is what are the alternative plastics
that can help our environment and can lessen the pollution.

VI. Significance of the study

 ● The key objective of this study is to lessen the use of the non-biodegradable plastics and
learn how bioplastics will contribute more to our environment so far. The first aim of our
project is to determine if bioplastic can be a substitute for non-biodegradable plastics and
if there will be a big shot of decreasing the pollution contributed by non-biodegradable
plastics

VII. Review of Related Literature and Studies

Bioplastic:
Bio-plastics are a form of plastics derived from plant sources such as sweet potatoes, soya bean
oil, sugarcane, hemp oil, and cornstarch. These polymers are naturally degraded by the action of
microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and algae. Bio-plastics can help alleviate the energy
crisis as well as reduce the dependence on fossil fuels of our society. They have some
remarkable properties which make it suitable for different applications. This paper tries to give
an insight about Bioplastics, their composition, preparation, properties, special cases, advantages,
disadvantages, commercial viability, its life cycle, marketing and pricing of these products.
Since plastics have become an integral part of our lives, it also causes such pollution, sickness
and some chronic pulmonary disease due to the pollution that it causes. This challenges have
provoked many scientists to partially substitute petrochemical-based polymers with
biodegradable one’s, Bioplastic, are environmentally friendly as compared to traditional plastics
for their production results in the emission of less greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide,
which is one of the prime sources of air pollution and leads to environmental issues such as
global warming, climate change, etc.
Non-Biodegradable Plastics:
A Non-Biodegradable material can be defined as a kind of substance which cannot be broken
down by natural organisms and acts as a source of pollution.

Unlike biodegradable wastes, non-biodegradable cannot be easily handled. Non-biodegradable

wastes are those who cannot be decomposed or dissolved by natural agents. They remain on
earth for thousands of years without any degradation. Hence the threat caused by them is also
more critical. A notable example is the plastics which are a commonly used material in almost
every field. To give these plastics a long lasting effect, improved quality plastics are being put to
use. This made them more temperature resistant and more durable even after use. Other
examples are cans, metals, and chemicals for agricultural and industrial purposes. They are the
main causes of air, water and soil pollution and diseases like cancer.

Since non-biodegradable wastes are not Eco-friendly, they need to be replaced. As a part of a
development of alternatives, scientists have brought forward many ideas like biodegradable
plastics, etc. They incorporated some biodegradable materials with plastics and made them easily
and rapidly degradable. But this is quite an expensive procedure

Sooner or Later, this waste can be the source of all sickness including lung disease, pneumonia,
ACD(acute respiratory disease) and even death. This causes 78% cause of the pollution

VII. Materials and Procedure

Method
Using Cornstarch and Vinegar
1. Gather the necessary materials. To make this type of bioplastic, you will need
cornstarch, distilled water, glycerol, white vinegar, a stove, a saucepan, silicone
spatula, and food coloring (if desired). These items should be readily available at the
grocery store or online. Glycerol is also called glycerine, so try searching for that if
you’re having trouble finding glycerol. The following amounts of each ingredient are
needed to make the bioplastic:

2. Combine all of the ingredients and stir together. Add all of the ingredients to the
saucepan and stir to combine with the spatula. Stir until you get rid of most of the
lumps in the mixture. At this stage, the mixture will be a milky white color and quite
watery.
If you add the wrong amounts of ingredients, just dispose of the mixture and start again.

3. Heat on medium-low. Place the saucepan on the stove and set the heat to medium-
low. Stir continuously as the mixture heats. Bring it to a gentle boil. As the mixture
heats, it will become more translucent and begin to thicken.
Remove the mixture from the heat when it becomes clear and thick.
Total heating time will be around 10-15 minutes.
Lumps may begin to form if the mixture gets overheated.
 Add one-two drops of food coloring at this stage, if you would like to color the plastic.

4. Pour mixture onto foil or parchment paper. Spread the heated mixture onto a piece of
foil or parchment paper to let it cool. If you would like to mold the plastic into a
shape, it must be done while it is still warm. See the last method for details on
molding the plastic.
Remove any bubbles that you see by poking them with a toothpick.

5. Allow the plastic to dry for at least two days. It will take time for the plastic to dry
and harden. As it cools, it will begin to dry out. Depending on the thickness of the
plastic, it can take longer for it to dry. If you make one small thick piece it will take
longer to dry than a thinner larger piece.
Leave the plastic in a cool, dry place for this process.
Check the plastic after two days to see if it has fully hardened.
Results and Analysis:
We left it in an open area (laboratory) for almost 2 weeks and we used materials that can be
decomposed overtime or perishable materials
Conclusion:
Generally, Bioplastic can be a great substitute to the massive cause of pollution, the plastics,
because based on the researchers and experiment when plastics are put into heat it melts and
releases some foul smell which believed to be a sulfur dioxide and because the researchers
proved that there are things that can decrease the challenges of the world, which is plastic
pollution. And we believe through this thing we can build a greater and green environment.
Recommendation:
Be patient and be observative. Also be very careful and precise of the measurements and be
careful when you are heating and use safety lab goods.
List of References:
Bioplastic Study/Researches
● F Gironi, V Piemonte - … Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and …, 2011 - Taylor
& Francis
● https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15567030903436830
Non-Biodegradable Plastics Study/Research
● https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03602559008049843?src=recsys
● Y Zheng, EK Yanful, AS Bassi - Critical
Documentation

As you can see, there are

bubbles that are made by the
heat

We used the red coloring

We are mixing the plain
and we mixed it (Mixture
no.2) Mixture no. 1
IV. Time Table

Tasks Target Date Teacher’s Deadline

Submission of Problem Fourth week of September September 27,2019

and Title

Writing IP Proposal First Week of October October 1-4, 2019

Submission of IP the
Now, Second
last step,week
we putof October
it already in a October 7-11, 2019
parachment paper that will be hardened after 2
Proposal days.

Investigation Period 2nd Term November 1, 2019

Submission of Gathered 2nd Term November 29, 2019

Data

Writing the IP report 2nd Term November 29, 2019

Submission of IP Report 2nd Term February 18, 2020

X. Budget
10ml distilled water 10 pesos
0.5-1.5g glycerol 150 pesos
1.5g cornstarch 30 pesos
1ml of white vinegar 22 pesos
1-2 drops food coloring 50 pesos

XI. Proponents
● Manalansan, Jomari N.
● Talan, Winsleth P.
● Kawit, Datu Alrasheed
● Satsatin, Erin
● Santos, Jayvielynn Veronica