Easy Biodegradable Plastic

Now lots of products are made out of plastic. A lot of it is throw away and will stay in garbage dumps of thousands of years. Biodegradable plastic, unlike normal plastic made from petroleum, will decompose and become part of the soil. This Instructable will show you how one easy way to make some biodegradable plastic.

Step 1: Gather the Materials

This are lists of materials and tools needed to make the biodegradable plastic:

Materials:
-Corn Starch
-Water
-Cooking Oil

Tools:
-Spoon/Something To Measure With
-Microwavable Container
-Microwave

Step 2: Proportions

The proportions to make the plastic are:

1 TBSP Corn Starch: 1.5 TBSP Water: 3-5 Drops Cooking Oil

Step 3: Preparations

Mix the ingredients together to form a milky looking liquid. Once you have done this it is ready to be microwaved.

Step 4: Microwaving

Put the mixture in the microwave and set the microwave on high for 25-30 seconds. The mixture should start to bubble and should become slightly transparent. Keep an eye on the mixture to make sure nothing goes wrong.

Step 5: Molding the Plastic

When it looks slightly transparent, take it out. Let it cool a bit so you can handle it. Then knead the plastic until it is soft and can be molded like play-dough. Now you can mold it into whatever shape you want it to be. Once molded leave it for about 24 Hrs. for it to cure and become solid. It's best to keep the surface from drying out while it is curing. The image below is the plastic when shaped.

Step 6: Ideas

-You can add food coloring to give the biodegradable plastic some color.

-You can use it to make plant pots so you start the plants indoors and when they've grow you can put them in the ground.

Comments

[Dwonder148]

How long does it take this "home-made biodegradable plastic" to decompose/break down?

[PurpleMarshmellow]

I'm trying this out rn idk if it will work, I'll post a pic of the end result. Btw I'm just trying this out 11 years later after you posted this recipe lmao

[bryscrow10991]

What can I add to make this more durable?

[christina mae beane]

Once it dries, will it be transparent??? PLEASE ANSWER!!!!!!

[bryscrow10991]

No. It will harden though.

[aidanthepro512]

yes

[MateoCR06]

Can you eat it?

[Severin Dudley Symmes]

Is there a way to make it flexible, similar to dried silicon sealant?

[nibba123456]

i dont have a microwave, can i use a bunsen burner??

[thelucieconnolly123]

So how did it go???

[Gruonabike48]

I don't know but why don't you have a microwave?

[Gruonabike48]

When you make it can it be molded to be like plastic bottle or can six pack rings? Would it be flexible enough to work as one?

[aidanthepro512]

yes i made a six pack rings 2 weeks ago it not perfect tho

[dylcalhoon]

How transparent does the final product come out?

[Frankenbride]

I made this and was looking for transparency. I got quite a bit of shrinking, which I think I could remedy with the OP's suggestion of damp paper towel. But mine never became transparent. This is an "I made it!" photo. How can I get it to be this transparent? Muhassan, are you still here?

[bigoof]

recommend putting in a plastic piping bag with a round tip if you have trouble using it.

[PaulinaD9]

Has anyone tried putting it in wet soil and see how long it takes to decompose? If not, I'll try to make it this weekend and see what happens.

[Gruonabike48]

No i have not

[saeed hawit]

What does it mean by its better not having the surface dry out

[heyo1212]

How long does it take to décompose?