Implementing Plastic Recycling Experiments for Improvement of Undergraduate Laboratory Education in Materials Technology

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Since plastic packaging accounts for approximately 20 per cent in volume of the solid waste, recycling plastics will play a significant role in reducing the volume of solid waste to the landfills of decreasing number and space in the nation. Students must be educated in the methods to recycle materials in order to reduce future waste. This project is intended to improve materials laboratory instruction for major and non- major undergraduates by presenting a series of typical plastics recycling experiments, including collecting, grinding, processing, testing and analyzing of recycled plastics. The requested equipment includes a plastics granulator, an extruder, an optical microscope and a plastics hardness tester. These instruments and equipment are typical of those used in the recycling, quality control and property identification of plastics. The theoretical and practical experience in materials recycling will give students knowledgeable insight in reducing solid waste, conserving natural resources and protecting the environment. This project could serve as a model for undergraduate institutions in the nation for creating an understanding of the effect and need of recycling materials for the conservation of our environment and natural resources.