From Lobster Shells to Plastic Objects: A Bioplastics Activity

Abstract

A multiple day activity for students to create large-scale plastic objects from the biopolymer chitin (major component of lobster, crab, and shrimp shells) is described. The plastic objects created are durable and made from benign materials, making them suitable for students to take home to play with. Since the student-created plastic objects are sourced from biomass and fully compostable, the activity provides an opportunity to discuss depleting petrochemical resources and biorenewable feedstocks as well as issues of biodegradation vs persistence.