THE USE OF

BIODEGRADABLE
MATERIALS AS SUBSTITUTE
FOR POLYMER-PLASTIC
Proponents:
Queenie Faisah G. Ibaez
John Ryan G. Kilat
Flint Edmund B. Partosa
Fiona Ryezy M. Roa
Steven Vincent Rodriguez
Alexander S. Villarin
Athena Gwyn A. Vias
Kessiah Aimi S. Zia

Objectives:
The researchers aim is to:
1.)
2.)
3.)

determine the potential bio-plastic as substitute of polymer-plastic

create awareness among ALC students in reducing plastic waste in the
environment.
promote eco-friendly and bio-degradable by-products as potential solution
for waste management crisis.

ABSTRACT
Plastic is a material consisting of any of a wide range of synthetic or semisynthetic organics that are malleable and can be molded into solid objects of
diverse shapes. Plastic are typically polymers of high molecular mass, but they
often contain other chemical substances. Bio-plastic in the other hand, consists of
renewable biomass sources, such as vegetable fats and oil, as well as corn. The
potential of diverse materials made of bio-plastic decomposes at a faster rate than
polymer-plastic,

thus

decreasing

plastic

waste

products

from

landfills.

Furthermore, polymer-plastic are derived from petroleum which are nonrenewable source of energy.

The use of corn starch, vegetable oil as main

ingredients for making bio-plastic was the focus of the researchers.

The study

also intends to determine the various by-products in ever potential mixture and
process during the conduct of the experiment.

Introduction:
Methodology:

B.)
Procedure:
1. Gather all the materials needed.
Bio-plastics
derived
from
renewable
sources,
such
asa vegetable
2. Takebiomass
a non-stick
pan and
add
tablespoonfats
A.) Materials:
of cornstarch
powder.
a.) and
1 tbsp
cornstarch
oil,ofcor
or microbiota. Bio-plastic can
be made from
agricultural byproducts and
3.
Add
four
tablespoon
of HO (water) to the
b.) 4 tbsp of HO
also
from
used
plastic
bottles
(also
called
petrobased
polymers)
are derived from
c.) 3-4 sticks of glycerin
cornstarch.
d.) petroleum
1 tsp of acetic
acid gas. Production4.of such
Add half
teaspoon
oil fossil fuels
or natural
plastics
tends of
to vegetable
require more
5.
Stir
the
mixture
with
a
spatula.
(vinegar)
and
to produce more greenhouse gases than the production of biobased
6. Add three to four sticks of glycerin
e.) Spatula
polymers(bioplastics).
Some,
but
not
all
bioplasticsorare
designed
to biodegrade.
f.) Non-stick pan
(suppository)
a teaspoon
of liquid
g.) Biodegradable
2-3 drops of Food
bioplastics can breakglycerin
down in either anaerobic or aerobic
coloring
7. Add one teaspoon of vinegar.
manufactured.
Bioplastics
h.) environments,
Aluminum tray depending on how8. they
Add are
two-three
drops of food
coloring. can be
i.) composed
tsp of Vegetable
oil cellulose, 9.
Stir well, and
slowly on
stove.materials.
of starches,
biopolymers,
andheat
a variety
of aother
It should start to become pasty when it
Biomass is an organic matter used as fuel biological materials derived from living, or
stops bubbling, take the mixture of the
recently
living
organisms.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioplastic
,
heat.
10. .Pour it into a hard aluminum tray and
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biomass
spread it.
The aspiration of this study is also11.to Wait
promote
thethree
use tooffive
bio-plastic
around
days for itastopotential
dry.
substitute for petroleum-based plastic that we are using today. Eco-friendly plastic byproducts will eventually diminish our waste product which will be good for our
environment.

L;

Results and Discussion:

The results of the experiment made by the researchers will

be presented and analyzed. The data gathered from will
be presented to determine the feasibility of the project.
Table 1: Mixture and procedure during the 1st trial
Mixture
3 tbsp. HO
1 tbsp. Cornstarch
1 tsp. Vinegar
1 tsp. Vegetable oil
2 drops food color

Process
The mixture was heated from Low to
medium heat, gradually stirred until to such
point that it is pasty. It was then placed in
an aluminum tray and wait for it to dry in
room temperature.

Result:
After leaving the mixture in room temperature in three days,
it is easily broken because of its softness and brittleness.
It is oil since the vegetable oil residue is present.
The properties of plastic has not been achieve and
therefore resulted to failure.

Table 2: Mixture and procedure during the 2nd trial

Mixture
6 tbsp. HO
1 tbsp. Cornstarch
1 tsp. Vinegar
tsp. Vegetable oil
2 drops food color
2 sticks of glycerin

Process
The mixture was heated from Low
to High heat, gradually stirred until
to such point that it is pasty. It was
then placed in an aluminum tray
and wait for it to dry in room
temperature.

Result:
After leaving the mixture in room temperature in three days,
It became hard and resembles the properties of a plastic
material. It was also observed that as days pass by,
the material becomes harder and sturdier compared
to the result during the first trial.

Table 3: Mixture and procedure during the 3rd trial

Mixture
6 tbsp. HO
1 tbsp. Cornstarch
1 tsp. Vinegar
tsp. Vegetable oil
2 drops food color
4 sticks glycerin

Process

The mixture was heated from Low to High

heat, gradually stirred until to such point
that it is pasty. It was then placed in an
aluminum tray and wait for it to cool down
in room temperature. After an hour of
cooling, the material was placed in an oven
toaster and heated for 15 minutes. After the
mixture was heated again it turns into a
clear gel-like pasty substance. It was then
placed in an aluminum tray and wait for it to
dry in room temperature.

Result:
After leaving the mixture in room temperature for only
a day, It became hard and resembles the properties of
a plastic material much better than the result of the
2nd trial. It was also observed that as days pass by,
the material becomes harder and sturdier and much
closer in resemblance of a plastic

Conclusion:

The researchers conclude that organic materials such as cornstarch

are feasible substitute in creating bio-plastic. Furthermore, exposure of
the mixture to high level of heat plays an important process as it
somehow releases reaction that transform the mixture into plastic.
Moreover, the researchers also conclude that potential of bio-plastic
as substitute for petroleum based plastic is possible.

Scope and Limitation:

This study covers the process of creating bio-plastic as probable
alternative for petroleum polymer-plastic.

It also covers the

aspect of how feasible can cornstarch is as main ingredient

for making bio-plastic. Processing, manufacturing,
and use of bio-plastic by-products are beyond the bounds
of this study.

Recommendation

The researchers would like to recommend bio-plastic as probable

alternative for plastic by-products to reduce waste products. Although
our research sources are strongly proposing for this project
as a convenient procedure and alternative for petroleum-based
plastics, the proponents suggest for further investigation
on this matter.

Acknowledgement:
The researchers would like to thank the Almighty God for guiding
us to complete our Investigatory Project and for giving us one
another by helping each other so we can accomplish the project.
The researchers would like to thank our loving parents for helping
the researchers for our materials needed for the project. And lastly,
the researchers would like to thanks T. Jelit Mae M. Villaflor, our
Science teacher, for guiding us in our project.