AAAS/Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science Books

View Original

Plastic Patrol: Find the Code

Abigail

Photo by Daniel Romero from UnSplash.

Styrofoam, toothbrushes, cell phones, clothes, food wrappers, and medical supplies, what do all of these have in common….Plastics! Since the 1940s, plastics have become an essential part of our society. But, plastics continue to accumulate in the environment, breaking down into smaller and smaller pieces of plastic that can negatively impact ecosystems and human health. To prevent these negative impacts, it is important to try to reduce and reuse, even before recycling. So let’s examine the different types of plastics to understand what is recyclable or not to try, and try to reduce our plastic dependency. Use your scientific skills to investigate what types of plastics you have in your home.  

 Tools:  

Steps: 

Step 1: Take 15 minutes to scavenge around your house and collect as much plastic as possible. Be sure to check in with a parent or adult before starting this activity.  

Step 2: Select a spot to sort your plastics based on their appearance: color, hardness, transparency. Once sorted, record your observations (Which pile is the biggest? Which pile is the smallest? How do the appearances differ between piles?). Take a photograph of your different piles. 

Step 3:  Now re-sort all plastics based on their plastic industry code, a small number with a triangle or chasing arrows around it, usually at the bottom side of the item. Please note, the industry code ranges from 1 to 7 and some plastics may not have the code. Record your observations (Which pile is the biggest? Which pile is the smallest? How do the appearances differ between piles?). Take a photograph of these piles. 

Step 4: Let’s review, take at least 10 minutes to compare the similarities and differences between the piles you created during steps 2 and 3. Analyze your recorded observations and photographs. Were there differences between the biggest piles that you created for Step 2 when compared to Step 3? How about the smallest piles? 

Step 5: Watch this video by the National Waste and Recycle Association to review what each industry number on your plastics means. Additionally, read the yellow section of the Plastic Material Data Sheet (in tools above). Now take a moment to review and record, do you have all 7 industry codes of plastics in your house? If not, which code(s) is missing? 

Step 6: Finally, use the brown section of the Plastic Material Data Sheet (see in Tools section) to identify which plastics are typically recyclable. Which industry codes of plastic are recyclable? Which are not? Congrats you are a part of the plastic patrol team now!  

To Do or Learn More: