Shrinking Number 6 Plastic: How Much Does It Reduce?

Number 6 plastic, also known as polystyrene, is a type of plastic that can be shrunk down to a third of its original size. It is often used for craft projects, such as making jewellery, buttons, and fridge magnets. You can buy number 6 plastic sheets from Home Depot, or you can recycle plastic containers with the number 6 symbol to use for your projects. When shrinking number 6 plastic, it is important to note that the amount of matter stays the same, and only the size of the plastic changes.

How to make your own shrink plastic

You can make your own shrink plastic at home using a few simple steps. Firstly, you will need to find some #6 plastic, which is commonly used for clamshell takeout containers. You will then need to draw your design on a flat piece of plastic.

Next, you will need to place a piece of parchment paper on a cool baking sheet and place your plastic on top. You don't want your plastic to be in direct contact with the metal sheet, so check the instructions on your shrink plastic as some makes recommend using silver foil.

Now, heat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and place the baking sheet on the top rack. After about a minute, the plastic will curl, shrink, and then flatten out. Once the plastic has flattened, remove the baking sheet from the oven using an oven mitt. The process shouldn't take much longer than two minutes.

Once you're done baking your shrink plastic art and it has cooled, you can decide how you'd like to display it. One simple option is to glue pin or earring backs to each piece. You can also use a hole punch to make holes to add charms or a spot to hang it from a cord.

How to recycle plastic to make shrinky dinks

Number 6 plastic shrinks to a third of its original size, while becoming nine times thicker. You can recycle plastic to make shrinky dinks by following these steps:

• Find a clean, dry, flat piece of number 6 plastic.
• Cut the plastic into your desired shape.
• Decorate the plastic with permanent markers.
• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
• Place your plastic pieces on a sheet pan with a piece of parchment paper underneath them to prevent sticking.
• Put the baking sheet on the middle rack of your oven.
• Watch your DIY shrinky dinks closely. In a minute or so, they'll suddenly curl up tight and then they'll gradually uncurl. In another minute or so, they're done.

How to use #6 plastic to make jewellery, buttons, card embellishments, teacher gifts and fridge magnets

Number 6 plastic shrinks to a third of its original size and becomes nine times thicker. You can buy #6 plastic sheets at Home Depot for $2 a sheet, or you can recycle plastic containers from restaurants and delis. Cut the excess plastic away and make a flat sheet, then decorate it with permanent markers. Once it's decorated, put it in the oven and watch it shrink and transform into something tiny and cute. You can use #6 plastic to make jewellery, buttons, card embellishments, teacher gifts and fridge magnets.

How to use #6 plastic to make Barbie-sized doll's hats

Number 6 plastic shrinks to a third of its original size and becomes nine times thicker. You can use it to make Barbie-sized doll hats by cutting the excess plastic away and making a flat sheet. You can use both the top and the bottom of the plastic. Then, use your imagination and create a design on the flat sheet using permanent markers. You can also use Styrofoam cups, which can be coloured with permanent markers and shrunk to make Barbie-sized doll hats.

How to rescue #6 plastic

#6 plastic, also known as polystyrene, can be shrunk to a third of its original size, while becoming nine times thicker. This can be done by cutting away excess plastic to make a flat sheet, which can then be decorated with permanent markers. The plastic will then shrink, transforming into something tiny and cute.

#6 plastic is not always recycled, so shrinking it can be a fun and creative way to repurpose it. You can use most clear containers from restaurants and delis, as long as they have the #6 symbol. You can also buy #6 plastic sheets from Home Depot for $2 a sheet.

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