This experiment looked at the biodegradability of starch based packing peanuts in an environment of soil, in order to test its potential use in compost. This experiment determined the speed of the decomposition of our subject by measuring the changes in mass over a period of time. Four starch based packing peanuts were placed into the controlled environment of a two liter bottle with soil and examined on six occasions over a period of twenty-six days. On each of these occasions the changes in moisture, temperature, mass, and odor were noted and recorded.
[...] The material that decomposed the least in this amount of time was the plastic sandwich bag, which did not decompose at all. The mass of this group's experiment remained at 383.9 g. Tin foil decomposed only over this time. We learned from this experiment that glucose breaks down the fastest, followed by starch and cellulose and by polystyrene which would not decompose at all in the allotted time slot. The purpose of the Green Revolution Project is for the students to identify a local issue regarding waste management. [...]
[...] holes duct tape or clear packaging tape utility knife fine-meshed screen or fabric large enough to cover top of soda bottle and air holes in bottom half compost or dirt thermometer that will fit into the top of the soda bottle and be long enough to reach down into the center of the compost scale to measure mass latex gloves Procedure: Step Cut the top of the two liter bottles off about five inches from the top using a utility knife. [...]
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