At my internship, one of the first assignments I was given was to create a new and environmentally friendly and compostable pod that is affordable for the company. The current pod uses a plastic that can't even be recycled, and neither can the label on the top of it. The part where the seeds are placed is made out of peat, which is not a renewable resource and not the best product to use. The first image above and to the left is the peat pod used. Given this task to find cheap, but beneficial products, I went on a major research episode. I found hundreds of possibilities, and emailed or called all of them to try to attain samples of their products for testing. Eventually, I received everything I needed to start testing. I found multiple possibilities for each part of the pod, all of which are still in testing right now, and will be tested after I leave.
Firstly, my main success from the get-go was the compostable/degradable label. I have attained labels that can be recycled and composted, all of which have passed my tests, and my boss loves them. The only downside to these labels was the fact they were light in color, so algae would form on the top since light could shine through, and they scratch somewhat easily. The scratching of the label was barely an issue, for a person would have to scratch at it like a lottery ticket for there to be any bad effects, and by getting darker colored labels to test, the algae couldn't grow. The image above on the right is the label on a coir pod in the Aerogarden. Speaking of the coir, that is another item I have tested. It is the body and the structure of the pod, which is extremely necessary for the plants to grow correctly. The testing of the coir wasn't as great of a success as the label. It affected the pH of the water and strangled the roots quite a bit. However, after cutting holes in the coir, which I did for the second test and bottom two pictures, it had better effects on the plants. Right below is a picture of the coir pods being tested initially, and their data logged into an excel sheet. I did two different tests for the coir to make the data more accurate. The second test also includes the compostable labels with the darker colors verses the lighter colors to see how the algae would affect it. The pH from both of the tests was acceptable, but I believe the coir slightly strangled the plant roots and inhibited root expansion. The four images directly below are of these two tests with the coir. I also have included the data that I logged in for each test regarding the pH of the water.
Firstly, my main success from the get-go was the compostable/degradable label. I have attained labels that can be recycled and composted, all of which have passed my tests, and my boss loves them. The only downside to these labels was the fact they were light in color, so algae would form on the top since light could shine through, and they scratch somewhat easily. The scratching of the label was barely an issue, for a person would have to scratch at it like a lottery ticket for there to be any bad effects, and by getting darker colored labels to test, the algae couldn't grow. The image above on the right is the label on a coir pod in the Aerogarden. Speaking of the coir, that is another item I have tested. It is the body and the structure of the pod, which is extremely necessary for the plants to grow correctly. The testing of the coir wasn't as great of a success as the label. It affected the pH of the water and strangled the roots quite a bit. However, after cutting holes in the coir, which I did for the second test and bottom two pictures, it had better effects on the plants. Right below is a picture of the coir pods being tested initially, and their data logged into an excel sheet. I did two different tests for the coir to make the data more accurate. The second test also includes the compostable labels with the darker colors verses the lighter colors to see how the algae would affect it. The pH from both of the tests was acceptable, but I believe the coir slightly strangled the plant roots and inhibited root expansion. The four images directly below are of these two tests with the coir. I also have included the data that I logged in for each test regarding the pH of the water.
The next item that I tested for the body of the pod is a type of plastic called PLA plastic. This type of plastic breaks down completely over time and is compostable, and therefore extremely better for the environment. I have conducted two different tests again for this, both to see how the plastic affects the growth of the plant and the pH of the water. In the first picture below on the right, you will see a bright orange color, this is the PLA. I started off by just basically placing PLA plastic in the reservoir to see the effects of the PLA on the plants. After that test was complete, I also set up another one using PLA plastic in the shape of our pods, with plants growing inside of them. All the info has also been logged into an excel sheet for data tracking. The pH was desirable for the plants throughout the test, making PLA a possible replacement for the current plastic. Tests are still occurring to determine this. The four images directly below are of the two tests, and also included the data logged each day recording the pH.
Lastly, the part of the pod that needs the least amount of changing is the peat which holds the seed. Although it is not a renewable resource, it is compostable and more environmentally friendly than the harmful and non-recyclable plastics used. Regardless of its current state, I still was on the lookout for a better resource, and I found it. What I found was a plug type called the "Holland Plug." This product is compostable and a good amount more renewable than the peat. I have four different tests occurring right now to see how this product works in the hydroponic environment and with the plants. Each test is either with a harvest Aerogarden (the bigger one) or a sprout (the smaller and lengthier one), and contains the current body of the pod used or the old one, which is shorter and sturdier. I did this to see if this plug type would need more structure or not. I also have logged in data for these tests in an excel sheet. This test is still in session and being logged by somebody else. The pH recorded from these tests are pretty desirable for plant growth, between 6-6.5 is what I am looking for. The four images below are of this test, with the data logged in excel included as well.
I learned a large amount throughout this experiment. I learned how to define an item as compostable, and I also learned about bio-plastics and their growing importance to be used instead of regular plastics. I also attained the ability to check the tests everyday at the same time to get rid of the variable of not checking them at the same time. All in all, I am so glad to have been given the opportunity to do this. I will have turned a completely horrible and non-recyclable pod for my company into a compostable and environmentally friendly solution that benefits the future. After this, I feel that I have attained an ability to work hard and make the world better in the end.
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