Question 17
**Making bioplastic.** Materials: safety goggles, 40 cm³ water, 10 g cornflour, a beaker, 5 cm³ glycerine, 5 cm³ vinegar, a Bunsen burner, a stirrer, a pair of tongs, baking paper or a tray.
Mix the water and cornflour in the beaker. Add glycerine and vinegar. Warm the mixture on the burner while stirring. After 10 minutes, the mixture will be sticky, thick and translucent. Remove it from the heat and spread it onto baking paper or a baking tray. Let it rest for at least 24 hours, then remove the bioplastic from the tray.
**Caution:** The mixture will be hot and sticky. Handle with care to avoid burns. Ask your teacher to check your safety precautions before carrying out the practical work.
Assess your bioplastic tray. What advantages does it have over a plastic tray?
Mix the water and cornflour in the beaker. Add glycerine and vinegar. Warm the mixture on the burner while stirring. After 10 minutes, the mixture will be sticky, thick and translucent. Remove it from the heat and spread it onto baking paper or a baking tray. Let it rest for at least 24 hours, then remove the bioplastic from the tray.
**Caution:** The mixture will be hot and sticky. Handle with care to avoid burns. Ask your teacher to check your safety precautions before carrying out the practical work.
Assess your bioplastic tray. What advantages does it have over a plastic tray?
