R14 : The Acceleration of the Degradation of Polypropylene


Students Julia Xu
School HDSB - White Oaks Secondary School - Oakville
Level Intermediate 9/10 - Grade 9
Group Group 1 - Earth and Environmental
Abstract Plastic is very difficult to dispose of due to its immunity to bio degradation. Methods of dealing with the plastic problem, such as creating recyclable and biodegradable plastics, have helped, but both of these methods still cause harm to the environment and don't deal with the problem well. This has resulted in severe harm to many eco-systems and the formation of the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch". By using UV radiation and oxidation to initiate chain scission in polypropylene (a popular plastic), it will eliminate the polypropylene's immunity to bio degradation.