Researcher(s)
- Chloe Terrell, Art Conservation, University of Delaware
Faculty Mentor(s)
- Elizabeth Singewald, Assistant Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Delaware
Abstract
Sustainability is a rapidly advancing initiative globally, but the art conservation field lags behind its scientific counterparts when it comes to adapting these sustainable practices daily. In recent years the emphasis on single use plastic in museums has been solely focused on the guests and patrons of the institution, and while that is a higher volume, it is important to consider the waste produced in the process of exhibit upkeep, repair, and restoration. After completing an inventory in the University of Delaware Art Conservation lab, solutions used daily were researched and assessed for negative reactions when applied to four kinds of compostable plastic alternatives. The materials being tested were starch PLA, crystallized PLA, birch wood, and agave-based resin, as well as standard polyethylene as a control. Solutions tested range from detergents to chelating agents to adhesives, all seen daily in various material specialties of art conservation. Following these tests, the materials were subjected to several agents of deterioration in order to examine their resilience in practice beyond chemical resistances. After concluding the two-week observation period, the results were graded and compiled to determine an overall performance for the organic materials in comparison to the PLE standard. This analysis concluded that multiple plastic alternatives were comparable to the control, if not better in various situations, implying that the bulk of single use plastic in the lab could be replaced with compostable alternatives safely and effectively.