Turning Food Scraps Into Bioplastics

The video tutorial from the Smart Materials group at the Italian Institute of Technology discusses the development of bioplastics derived from vegetable waste. The process involves pulverizing vegetable waste, diluting it with organic acids, and molding it into plastic. The resulting bioplastics retain properties of the original plants, such as antioxidants and essential oils, making them suitable for specific applications like packaging. The aim is to transform waste into valuable materials, leveraging the inherent properties of plants.

What is the primary source of the bioplastics being developed by the Smart Materials group?

• Vegetable waste

• Mineral oils

• Animal fats

• Synthetic polymers

What is the next step after pulverizing the vegetable waste in the bioplastic creation process?

• Mixing with water

• Heating the powder

• Diluting with acids

• Freezing the mixture

How is the final plastic product obtained in the bioplastic creation process?

• By adding more vegetable waste

• By evaporating the solvent

• By compressing the powder

• By cooling the solution

What property of plants can be transferred to the bioplastics?

• Color

• Antioxidant properties

• Shape

• Weight

What can be controlled in the bioplastics to suit specific applications?

• The smell of the plastic

• The size of the plastic

• The weight of the plastic

• The color of the plastic