Polymer Engineering Progress Report No.

1 (as of December 17, 2013)

PRODUCTION OF BEVERAGE COASTERS FROM WASTE PLASTIC BAGS

Aonuevo, Eula Mae Carla R., Dizon, Liahbel V., Mahinay, Ryan Carlo P., Tiamzon, Ron Ryan G.

The following is a brief year-end progress/status report summarizing the researchers evaluation of the state of the project in the subject, polymer engineering, based on the activities done upon the approval of the project proposal entitled, Production of Plastic Pails from Waste Plastic Bags.

PROJECT RELATED ACTIVITIES DONE

Experimental Process The researchers have already conducted a pilot experiment last December 12, 2013. The feasibility of the process was tested by baking the size-reduced plastic bags at 250C for 30 minutes while in the molder. The results were quite undesirable since the color of the finished product was not uniform. Also, the product had an unpleasant odor imparted to it from the heating process. A photo of the pressed/molded product is shown below:

PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED
Problem No.1: Odor The plastic bags released an unpleasant smell when melted, even when cooled. Corresponding action taken: The plastic bags were heated at a lower temperature than its melting point. Problem No.2: Mould Once the plastic bags were heated in the mould, there was no way to release it or separate it from the mould other than destroying it. Corresponding action taken: The researchers thought of changing the original product, which are plastic pails, to a product (beverage coasters) which does not need a mould and just needs a much easier process. Problem No.3: Color of Final Product The color of the fused plastic bags is not uniform. Corresponding action taken: The plastic bags were sorted according to color before fusing.

PROJECT STATUS
Much work remains to be done, as reported. Since there is an organized system of making the product color uniform, which is by sorting plastic bags by color, and plastic was melted at a lower temperature than its melting point, the only problem left to be solved is the temperature measurement because the plastic bags were melted inside an oven and temperature fluctuations occur.

APPENDIX A
Photos

APPENDIX B
Preliminary Run Data Weights of the samples were not recorded since the heating method used was just tested to prove whether the plastic bags will fuse and produce a product that is uniform in color. Temperature for fusing was at 250 C (oven temperature).

GANTT CHART
Schedule Activity Change heating or melting method and test the effectiveness. December 22, 2013 Lower the temperature to prevent release of unpleasant odour when heating. January 10, 2014 January 11, 2014 January 28 31, 2014 Sorting of plastic bags before fusing. Revise first progress report to conform to the format given by the professor. Make a pilot round coaster. Make a final product round coaster.

Do revisions in the progress report and process

COSTING
Plastic bags were gathered from the proponents. The mould used was also provided by one of the researchers which cost P10.00 each.