Information about plastic

Along my way I found some interesting documentary about plastic.
Let me know if you have good information/documentaries that are missing from this list.

RESEARCH
What happens to our plastic
http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2012/01/31/what-happens-to-all-that-plastic/

How plastic works
http://science.howstuffworks.com/plastic.htm

DOCUMENTARIES
All about plastic bags, and the guy who made the video is likable.
http://www.bagitmovie.com/

This guys spend two years researching and understanding plastic:
http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/addicted-plastic/

More information about plastic
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1292648/

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Hey Dave,

This is such a fantastic idea. Quick question, Do you separate the plastics into specific types before shredding and melting and keep them that way throughout the process? As in, ABS only and PS only and so on?

Hey dave !
I have a question too… when making a mold, you would cover half of the master with clay, and then pour the silicone on the other side, and then after its cured you would peel off the clay and pour the other side of the mold. Since I might not have enough clay to cover the entire side of the bait, can I use plaster of paris in place of the clay? Or if not, can someone guide me in the direction of an alternative method?

Thanks in advance

@raaf

You an use without any problem

Hello Dave,

I just started to work with plastic. But a lot of the PE-HD has a print in/on? the plastic. Can i use this plastic Or is heating the print unhealthy? Is it possible to remove a print from the plastic?

Gloves aren’t a problem. After processment the polymer becomes inert. A problem is PVC that produces HCl

I have a question about plastic toxicity and if by heating up plastic, regardless of the temperature, would cause certain chemicals within to plastic, such as BPA and pthalates, to leach. I think this is an interesting project, but also wonder how much research has been done in terms of safety for individuals who set up their own plastics workshops being constantly exposed to the chemicals in the plastic,especially if they do not use gloves to handle the materials.

Indeed.
A short explanation for a better understanding:

Different types of plastic have a different melting point. By mixing them up you end up with a material where the parts of a certain plastic starts to melt while other plastic are not yet melting.
By increasing the temperature, you might end up burning and thus degrading the type of plastic with the lower melting temperature.

Also dirt, dust or fluids slowly degrades the plastic. So it’s best to remove things like labels as well.

Thanks!
Yes, separate everything! This makes it also better for any future recycling again.