Reshaping Plastic
The bowl is a little crude, I know. However, it is a prototype (makes it sound like I’m planning to build a robot). Both the bowl and the spoon were formed from an old milk carton that I washed (yes, I do think ahead sometimes).
I know that a Tuesday I posted my failure to melt down and reuse plastic. However, over the past couple of weeks, I have found a web site (actually the site I’ll feature this weekend) that gave me the idea that I don’t need to melt it down, just melt it enough that it will take another shape!
I start out with some “raw materials”:
Then I set the oven to 300 degrees.
After that, I cut out the largest portion of the milk jug that doesn’t have bends and extra stuff (basically the three sides that don’t have a handle, minus the bottom and spout as well) and lay it with what used to be the inside of the jug up on a sheet of aluminum foil.
Once the oven is up to temperature, place the aluminum foil and jug inside (hopefully with the right one on top) and set a timer for approx 4 minutes. The jug should start to sag and then droop further toward the foil. Also, get out two bowls–be sure to put them in a place that is easy access from the oven, because you will have literally seconds to put the plastic between them.
After the timer goes off, using oven mitts, quickly place the plastic over the first bowl, then press the second into it, just like you stack them to store them, only press for a minute or so.
(A side note: If you leave the plastic in for longer than the 4 minutes, it will turn transparent…but it will cool and turn back to the “milky” color–sorry, I had to.)
Here’s what it ought to look like (or better, if you take the time…):
(A second side note: If your bowl doesn’t look like you want it to, pop it back into the oven, it shouldn’t ruin the plastic if you only remelt it a couple of times…more than that and you are on your own.)
For the spoon I made (or hopefully, a better looking one) take a tablespoon place the hot plastic over the tablespoon and smash a teaspoon over the top of them.
To get the finished bowl and/or spoon look, use scissors to cut around the part of the bowl/spoon you want to use. Discard the rest or remelt it! (That’s how I made the spoon, with the melted leftovers of the bowl.
Good luck. Let me know if something works better!
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