Round 2 exploration is really interesting to me. We were mostly take it on the recycle plastic machines. Sushi our teacher has introduced to 16 students in the class to the precious plastic website. The website gave us much benefit that relate to our topic that we are working on. 4 machines are using to recycle plastic. There are shredder, extrusion, injection and compression machine. However in our exploration we only need 2 machines are shredder and injection machine. Shredder is using for cutting all the plastics that you have. Imagine that if you have full bottles on the island how can you bring out all of them to the dump. In this case you probably need to use Shredder machine because it shreds all the plastic bottles into flake so it is much easy to carry to the dump. When we shred it it becomes small so it doesn’t heavy and take less space. The machine after is extrusion machine so this machine transform plastic shred into the a long string but this machine is hot. The process is like this so there is a long string coming out of the machine when it is too hot it will melt. The next machine is Injection machine is similar to extrusion too but this machine need physical work. This machine we need to put the shredded plastic into the machine and it will melt out then we can put it in the mold like toys and after it dries it will become into the shape that the mold is. The last machine is the compression machine. It works out by oven and it can make big things. First we need to have the mold. Then we can put shredded plastic in and put it into the oven. The oven will heat it up and it will melt to become that shape.
In the exploration we plan to make the shredder, and injection machine. However there are some problems such as danger, time and skill. The machines are very dangerous. If we want to use the machine In the class we’ve learn a lot of things such as types of Plastic. There are 7 types of plastic. There are PETE, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, PS and Other. To understand more about plastic, Sushi has invited Cimila to come to our school and do an inspirational talk about plastic. At that time, I was the one who contact her. I really love contacting by email to outside people because it is a good way of connection. Last but not least, we have learned a lot from Camila.
the image is from polychem-usa.
Also, I and my 2 of my classmates have contacted to Tim which he works in Naga earth. Naga earth is the social enterprise company in Siem Reap. In our trip we have two trips. First, we went to Naga Earth to learn how to recycle paper, creating biodiesel and eco-friendly soap from used cooking oil, silk screen and see the two lovely machines are shredder and injection machines. First thing we did in Naga earth is we listened to Tim. He has presented us about the eco-friendly soap and biodiesel that Naga earth has made. He said that he gave the soap to the school for the children to wash their hands. After learning about the soap and biodiesel he gave us a tour to shredder and injection. Again, he did a really good job in introduce the machines. He said that the shredder machine is really dangerous because it can cut your fingers with the blade. He did a little example to show us how the machine work too. At the next thing we did is we learnt how to make paper from cardboard, pieces of paper and cornstarch. Most of the students like making paper there including me. When everything finishes, Tim has shown us how to do the silkscreen. I really love making paper and also with silkscreen.
In the second trip we went to Rehash Trash also located in Siem Reap. Plastic has been recycled to the valuable materials for using every day. It has been recycled by the process of crochet with hand. One day plastic bags that always floating around the air have been taken to recycle at Rehash Trash. When I first step into the workshop, I know that the place is so beautiful because there’s a little room for putting all the products Rehash Trash has made. All the products are for sale. I look around to see the products. There are many products such as, mattress, handbag, bottle holder, key chain, and ect. After watching the products for a while, we learn how to make our own products with different workers. For me I learn with one of the workers there. She taught me how to crochet bracelet, necklace and keychain. I was so happy to learn that and I really thanks to her for teach me. When I learn with her, I know how to crochet some styles. This is the process that we can transform the plastic bags into beautiful stuff for sell into prices. First, we wash the plastic bags to make it clean and nice. Then cut them into a rope that meet together. Finally, we can crochet it into useful stuff but there are different styles of crochet so we can choose. Some styles are hard and some are easy. When we went to Rehash Trash, we learn with different workers. For me I learn with one of the workers there. She taught me how to crochet bracelet, necklace and keychain. I am so happy to learn that and I really thanks to her for teach me.
