Hypothesis:

I think that bio-plastic wrap is certainly a much greener alternative compared to the conventional kind because it is prepared from renewable and plant-based materials and is completely biodegradable. Generally, plastic wraps are extraordinarily strong and durable, but these are heavily petroleum products that do harm to the environment. And, unlike the bio-plastics which are not as hardy or strong and last for hours rather than days in relation to the world, they are going to break down and waste much quicker in the environment, having less of an impact long-term. 

Between determining the material that is better for planet earth, sustainability of bio-plastic versus the durability of plastic wrap becomes the core factor. I feel that bio-plastic is a better alternative because its capacity to decompose quickly is important than how long it lasts; normal plastic would be better for withstanding keeping food in it, but small things like covering foods to avoid spoil would be something bioplastic can do. Bioplastic hasn't been better than normal plastic but is certainly a better option for the environmentreasoned above.

Difference Between Bio-Plastic and Plastic Wrap:
Bio-plastic and plastic wrap are made from very different materials, and their environmental impacts are also very different.

Bioplastic is made from renewable and biodegradable raw materials such as cornstarch or potato starch. In contrast, plastic wrap is made from petroleum-derived materials such as polyethylene. This difference in material affects how rapidly such products are degraded in the environment. Usually, bio-based plastics would degrade in the presence of compost in about 1-3 months, while plastic wrap would take around 500-1000 years. The breakdown of plastic into microplastics and the long stay in the environment pose a danger to the ecosystem and wildlife. Bioplastics are considered to be environmentally favourable; however, this presumes that these materials are properly disposed of in a composting facility, which will minimize their impact on the environment. If bioplastics are not disposed of correctly, they can pollute. 

What Is Bioplastic?
Bioplastic is plastic that is manufactured from renewable plant materials instead of using petroleum. Examples of these materials can be corn, sugarcane, or other plants. While some bioplastics do biodegrade and decompose easily in the environment, many others are made from renewable resources but do not decompose that easily. Bioplastics are potentially eco-friendly alternatives to conventionally manufactured plastics and thus are expected to cut back on fossil fuel reliance as well as plastic waste. Some common types of bioplastics are PLA (polylactic acid) from corn or sugarcane and PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates) manufactured through microbial fermentation. Bioplastics can be used in many industries, including packaging and pharmaceuticals, and they are attaining more popularity as they provide a greener route to handling problems posed by plastic waste. 

Why Should You Use Bioplastic?
Every year, about 3 million tons of plastic are used in food packaging in Canada alone-the statistics for one country and that does not take into account other plastic products we consume almost daily. The problem with plastics is that they are not easily degraded in nature. With an ability to take hundreds or even thousands of years for plastic items to decompose, in the meantime, they are polluting our land and oceans. Bioplastics, on the other hand, decompose at a much higher rate, within a few months in most cases, thus proving to be a friendlier option. Switching over to using bioplastic will strongly lessen the plastic waste reach of landfills and the environment. Bioplastics reduce the long-term environmental impacts of plastic waste while protecting wildlife and ecosystems for coming generations. 

How Bioplastic Was Invented:
The bioplastic idea traces back to 1855 with Alexander Parkes, who fashioned a material known as Parkesine made from plant cellulose. This was one among the earlier attempts to develop a biodegradable plastic. Other forms of plant-based plastics developed; bioplastics then gained some popularity in the 1990s and 2000s with the onus on plastic pollution.

Independent Variable: Intentionally changed to observe its effect on dependent variable.

Type of plastic (conventional and bioplastic)

Dependent variable: measured in an experiment.

How much water is collected in the glass, how much of it leaked.

Controlled Variable: Kept constant during an experiment.

How much water is put on both the plastic (30ml)

The time that the plastic has to hold the water for (2 minutes)

In order to evaluate water-holding capacity of bioplastic and plastic wrap, first cut two equal-sized pieces of each material suitable for holding 30 ml of water (10cm x 10cm). Measure out exactly 30 ml of water using a measuring cup and slowly pour the water onto the center of one piece of plastic wrap and onto one piece of bioplastic wrap. Note if either material can hold the entire amount of 30 ml of water without leaking or spilling. It is fine if either wrap leaks or breaks before the entire amount of water is held, but be sure to note where water begins to escape from the material. You should be able to record which of the two materials was able to successfully hold the 30 ml of water without any issues. You will be able to compare water-holding capacity among the two materials now.

By conducting the experiment, I found that water could pass through the bioplastic and drip into an underlying cup. Similarly, it occurred with ordinary plastic wrap, However, the bioplastic was observed to have allowed slightly more water to collect in that cup than the typical plastic wrap. This highlights a minor difference in bioplastic's efficiency compared to conventialnal plastic.

Data/Conclusion from Experiment: There are 2 types of data 

• Qualitative data: Which is data that can be observed using our senses so see, hear, smell, taste, feel. Normal plastics structure and texture, remained the same as we had began, on the other hand bioplastic seemed like it had dissolved because the layer became thinner and the texture was a bit slippery and slippery which is justified since bioplastic more biodegradable than conventional plastic thus it is understandable that bioplastic has a weaker structure then normal plastic therefore make it easily biodegradable and faster.
• Quantitative data: Data that can be measured. For our experiment we measured the amount of water that each plastic could carry without breaking the standard was 30ml . Towards the end of the experiment we also measured how much each plastic spilled to compare the efficiency of both the plastics in order to recognize the potential of bio plastic replacing conventional plastic in real world implications.

1. Environmental Impact:

• Reducing Plastic Pollution: Traditional plastics are made from petroleum and take hundreds to thousands of years to decompose. They often end up polluting our oceans, rivers, and landfills. By experimenting with bioplastics, you are exploring a potential solution to this global problem. Bioplastics, made from renewable materials like cornstarch, break down much faster than traditional plastics, which could significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste in the environment. If more people or industries started using bioplastics for packaging or single-use items, it could significantly help cut down on the pollution we see from plastic bags, straws, and packaging materials. This experiment is part of a larger movement towards reducing the overall impact of plastic waste.
   
• Lower Carbon Footprint: Bioplastics are made from plant-based materials, which absorb CO2 as they grow. This can help reduce the carbon footprint of plastic production, which is often linked to high emissions. Traditional plastic production from fossil fuels contributes to climate change, whereas bioplastics, especially those made from fast-growing plants, are more carbon-neutral.
   

2. Sustainability and Resource Conservation:

• Renewable Resources: Unlike traditional plastic, which is derived from fossil fuels, bioplastics are often made from renewable resources such as corn, sugarcane, and algae. These materials can be replenished quickly and don’t require drilling for oil or gas. By creating bioplastics at home using ingredients like cornstarch, it is demonstrated that even common, renewable resources can be used to create materials that reduce dependence on finite resources. This supports a more sustainable future where everyday products are made from crops that can regrow annually.

3. Societal Impact:

• Creating New Industries: The growth of the bioplastics industry could lead to new jobs in agriculture, bioplastic manufacturing, and waste management. As demand for eco-friendly materials rises, businesses focused on producing bioplastics could become more prevalent, driving innovation and economic opportunities.

5. Long-Term Global Implications:

• Global Adoption of Bioplastics: If bioplastics can be scaled up and adopted worldwide, they could play a crucial role in addressing the global plastic waste crisis. Countries around the world could use bioplastics to replace single-use plastics in industries such as food packaging, medicine, and construction materials, contributing to a cleaner environment and a more sustainable economy. This experiment is a small but important step in raising awareness about bioplastics. As more people experiment with and understand their potential, the broader global shift toward sustainable plastic alternatives could be faster and more effective.

With the exception of that one factor of water-holding capacity, there was no other flaw perceptible in the experiment when the two varieties of plastic wraps were compared. Then, there came the time factor as a fault - the time that the wraps were on the set was just wrong, even with a timer. Thus, the inconsistencies added into slightly varying results. Hence we had to repeat the experiment three more times with the timing slightly adjusted before each trial in an attempt to have identical and accurate results that really showed the difference between the wraps.

Difference Between Bio-Plastic and Plastic Wrap: https://www.biopak.com/au/resources/bioplastic-vs-regular-plastic 

What is bioplastic?: https://www.activesustainability.com/environment/what-are-bioplastics/

Why Should You Use Bioplastic?: https://bio-fed.com/en/bioplastics and google

How Bioplastic Was Invented: https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects-and-stories/chemistry/age-plastic-parkesine-pollution#:~:text=The%20first%20synthetic%20plastics&text=Inventors%20soon%20attempted%20to%20tackle,a%20newly%20fashionable%20product:%20sunglasses. 

Why is plastic a problem? Why is there a need to replace it with bioplastic? https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2017/12/13/the-truth-about-bioplastics/ and google

Application: 

• https://www.european-bioplastics.org/bioplastics/environment/ 
• https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/are-bioplastics-made-from-plants-better-for-environment-ocean-plastic 
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11401513/ 
• https://bioplasticfeedstockalliance.org/files/backend/resources/1677816730-BFA_Whitepaper_Responsible_Bioplastics.pdf 
• https://www.unep.org/plastic-pollution

A big thank you to my sister, mom, and dad for the idea and all their help. I also appreciate Ms. Bain for her support with my materials.