Lunchables Container

Adam N., Adan T., Nicole K., and Katherine J.

How can the components be disposed of?

Plastic Label: Trash

Container: Recycle

Cardboard Label: Recycle

Mass and Percent Composition of Components

Mass of whole item: 12.12 grams

Mass of plastic label: 1.08 grams (9%)

Mass of plastic container: 8.1 grams

(67%)

Cardboard bottom: 2.94 grams (24%)

Chemical Formula, Percent Composition, and
Hydrocarbon Combustion
Plastic Container: Polyethylene terephthalate (PETE) Plastic label: Low-density
polyethylene (LDPE)
Equation for HYDROCARBON COMBUSTION:
HydroCarbon Combustion:
1(C10H8O4)+ 10O2→ 10CO2 + 4H2O
1(C2H4)+3O2→ 2CO2+ 2H2O
Percent Composition: Hydrogen-37% Carbon- 45%
Oxygen-18% Percent Composition:
33% Carbon
Cardboard cover: Hydrogen- 67%
Equation for HydroCarbon Combustion:
1(C6H10O5)+ 6O2→ 6CO2+ 5H2O
Percent Composition: Hydrogen- 48% Carbon- 29% Oxygen- 24%
Detrimental Effects of Product

● Polyethylene terephthalate takes from 450 to 1000 years to fully decompose

● Aldehyde, CO, CO2, ethylene, benzene, and biphenyl are the products of the
degradation of Polyethylene terephthalate (the material of the container)
● The products are very damaging to the environment, especially the
atmosphere
● Cardboard can take years to decompose if it is packed tightly and not exposed
to the elements
What Happens When Product is Trashed?

The Lunchables product will end up at the landfill and have different outcomes as
each part is made of a different material. The cardboard material will take several
years to decompose. The Polyethylene terephthalate (PETE) which is used in the
container photogrades, meaning it breaks down into smaller fragments that pollute
soil and bodies of water over time. Low density polyethylene is the type of plastic
used in the plastic label. This type of plastic is considered not biodegradable,
though new species of bacteria have been discovered that degrade these plastics
in our landfills.
Thank You for
Listening!