Milk Plastic Tags

Plastic from milk? Sounds crazy, but it's true! Before modern plastic was invented, this type of plastic was used to make things like buttons, beads, and pens. Give this experiment a try and you'll discover some amazing secrets hiding in a glass of milk. Create a plastic material to tag or personalize your belongings!

  1. Ages: 5 - 16

  2. 30 minutes - 1 hour

  3. Messy

Tags:

Materials you'll need

Step-by-step tutorial

  • Step 1

    To start out, microwave 1 cup of milk for two minutes.

    Photo reference of how to complete step 1

  • Step 2

    Add 4 tsp of white vinegar and mix for one minute. The mixture will be a little clumpy.

    Photo reference of how to complete step 2

  • Step 3

    Use a strainer to separate the clumps from the liquid. The liquid can be discarded.

    Photo reference of how to complete step 3

  • Tip

    To get more plastic out of the milk, use a coffee filter to strain out the clumps from the liquid.

  • Factmagnifying icon graphic

    What's going on? 

    Protein in the milk does not mix well with the acidity of the vinegar. Therefore, it clumps up!

  • Step 4

    Put 1-2 drops of food coloring in a small bowl.

    Photo reference of how to complete step 4

  • Step 5

    Move the clumps into one of the bowls and mix it with food coloring. If you like, you can also add some sequins or beads!

    Photo reference of how to complete step 5

  • Step 6

    Place the mixture on a paper towel. Knead the mixture to get rid of excess water!

    Photo reference of how to complete step 6

  • Tip

    For best results, knead the mixture until smooth.

  • Step 7

    Once the mixture is dough-like, you can start creating your milk plastic tags. You can punch out shapes with a cookie cutter, or simply mold the mixture yourself.

    Don't forget to poke a hole with a toothpick and leave it to dry overnight. Then turn it over and let it dry for at least 2 more days to a week depending on the size of your key chain. You will know your tags are completely dried if they are solid hard.

    Photo reference of how to complete step 7

  • Step 8

    When your keychain is completely dried, paint your plastic with acrylic paint. Add a coat of acrylic varnish for a smooth finish!

    Photo reference of how to complete step 8

  • Learn moremagnifying icon graphic

    What's going on? 

    Were you ever told - Drink your milk, it's full of protein! Well, that protein, called casein, is what you turned into plastic. Casein is a polymer, and up close, casein molecules look like squiggly balls. The vinegar makes the squiggles unfold, stretch out, and grab onto one another.

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