Australia's Science Forum

I've got a lot of teachers wanting to do the Baggie Science experiment - CaCl2 or DampRid mixed with Bicarb soda and Universal indicator in a Ziploc bag. Any ideas on how I can reduce the plastic bag footprint? Last year I washed out all the bags and reused them as many times as possible but some teachers simply threw them away (despite my requests!) Trying really hard to send out the Reduce Reuse Recyle message - to staff as well as students!

You can do this with a photo canister type cartridge and the lid pops off. You don't get to see it expand though.

Great suggestion, thanks kimmy!

we got a bag of canisters from ebay very cheap.

GREAT to hear someone else is obsessed with the reduce reuse recycle mantra. I've got soft plastic recycling, recycling and compost bins in the prep room but I still need to remind people about them. We use the film canisters too, but with Alka-Seltzer and vinegar. Keep up the good work, Prima!

Can you see the bubbles, colour change and feel the heat when it is done in a film canister?

Clearly not. Nonetheless, my school uses the canisters. I still end washing a lot of zip-lock bags for other stuff, so I'm fine with it either way.

What about using a test tube with a balloon on the end ?

Using a balloon would be the same as a zip lock bag as in non reusable.

We have clear canister that I got off ebay, although not a see through as a zip lock bag you can still see it fizz up.

Hard to be able to cover all areas of reuse, reduce and recycle.

Has everyone heard of REDcycle? Plastic bags, cling wrap, bubble wrap and even chippy bags can be recycled. Collection points at most Coles and Woolies stores - check the REDcycle website for more details on collection points and recyclable materials.

Yes - I diligently take it all home and drop it off at Woolies when I eventually get there... I think my staff room thinks I am absolutely crazy but so what! All the little things count much more than the big things that politicians promise but never deliver!