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Nuclear Robotics problem analysis:

Every year, many types of candy wrappers are tossed in the garbage can, such as wax paper, plastic, and paper wrappers. Wax candy wrappers cannot be recycled due to the fact that they are covered in a wax coating that is not easy to recycle, such as Starburst wrappers. We are searching for a solution to recycle them instead of tossing them in landfills. They are a problem because about 20% of all candy wrappers are wax candy wrappers. The wax wrapper cannot be recycled since they are two materials melted together, and two materials together cannot be recycled. A way the community recycles wax wrappers is making them into art such as this. These are our statistics of our Halloween candy wrappers.

Existing solutions:

-Making a collection of candy wrappers instead of recycling

-Some people have stopped eating candy (no candy wrappers will need to be recycled and we do not need to go to the dentist for cavities as often!)

-Instead of using wax wrappers, we are using edible rice wrappers.

-People are using candy wrappers to decorate things such as clothing, bags, handbags, jars, labels, etc.

-Candy Wrappers contain Pet Plastic which can be used for water and soft drinks. The material can be broken down into different, more useful materials.

-Humans are using candy wrappers to create things like clothing.

Solution:

-Our machine has a top where you put the candy wrappers

-At the bottom of the top part there is a hole where the candy wrapper goes into to de-wax

-You plug the machine and turn it on

-the middle part will heat up to about 125 degrees for 90 seconds

-on the bottom of the bottom of the middle part there is holes so when the paraffin wax melts it will go into a bucket

-on one side of the middle part there is a tube which is a vacuum so the paper will be sucked into a box where you can take out and recycle

Interview:

The first was at California Waste Solution. We learned about the process recyclables go through. The second was at International Paper company recycling department. We asked them about paper and learned about the price of recycling different types of paper. The third one was at Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shop. We learned about candy wrappers there.

###First Interview

###Second Interview

###Q&A

###1. Why is it so difficult recycle candy wrappers? Candy wrappers are usually made up of different types of plastics instead of a single type. Water plastic bottles are made out of a single plastic grade PET which is easily processed. ###2. How do you deal with mixed paper? Mixed office paper (consisting of commingled white, color, magazines, newspapers) can be sold to mills “as is” to make products like egg cartons, cake boxes, etc ###3. Who uses your recycled paper? Paper mills who consume recycled paper are located domestically as well as overseas. ###4. How expensive is it to recycle 1 ton of paper? Not able to provide a number that measures the cost to recycle paper ###5. How expensive is it to recycle candy wrappers? Would not be able to provide a number that measures the cost to recycle, since candy wrappers are difficult to recycle. I wish to mention the following: As a result of current low oil prices, plastic markets in general have significantly declined in value. ###6. You can de-ink paper. Why can't you de-wax paper? The wax does not dissolve in the water during the pulping process and therefore causes problems in the repulping process. Answers by Donna, who works at international paper.

###Third Interview

Implementation:

The invention is “Thor’s Mighty Paper Shooter”. The heating strainer chamber is called “Thor’s Mighty Wax Melter”. The bucket is called “Thor’s Mighty Wax Bucket of Positivity” The top transport tUbe called “Thor’s Mighty Transport Tube of Awesomeness” They think it will cost $69.99. shipping and handling is $6.99.

Sources:

Interviews, Books, and the Internet. A good way to research information is to go to the Library and borrow books.

References

California Waste Solutions at 1005 Timothy Dr, San Jose, CA 95133 with Alex

International Paper at 42305 Albrae St, Fremont, CA 94538 with Donna

Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shop at 220 E Campbell Ave, Campbell, CA 95008 with Hannah

http://www.firstlegoleague.org/challenge/2015trashtrek

“Recycled Paper From Start to Finish” by Samuel G. Woods

“Engineering an Awesome Recycling Center with Max Axiom Super Scientist” by Nikole Brooks Bethea

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraffin_wax

Laminated foil candy wrapper and method of preparing US Patent 3865664 , Feb 11, 1975

Recycling Mysteries: Candy Wrappers: http://www.earth911.com/food/recycling-mysteries-candy-wrappers

How to Make a Starburst Bracelet: http://fluffyland.com/blog/index.php/starburst-wrapper-bracelet-tutorial/

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