Erasers By: Daniel and Max

Design An eraser is made for erasing ink or lead. It can be in a cylinder shape on top of an pencil or a rectangular prism. It will last as long as it is visible. An eraser is made from latex which comes from the rubber tree It can also be made of synthetic rubber. Synthetic rubber is commonly made from ethylene and benzene, both of which are derived from petroleum.

Materials Processing A rubber tree is cut into by the workers as high as they can reach. Then later they will cut more strips lower in the tree. Then the latex flows out of the tree into containers. The collected latex is processed on a conveyer belt which removes sentiments that are not wanted. Acid is put on the latex. The rubber forms into slabs that are sprayed with water and then it is rolled and shipped this process kills trees 

Manufacturing Rubber arrives at the eraser factory and is mixed with other ingredients that modify the properties of the final product. Synthetic rubber is easier to mix because it usually arrives as a powder or a liquid. Natural rubber arrives in bales and must be pulverized into powder or dissolved in a solvent before it can be mixed. Once the mixture is heated, it will turn into a soft solid and then it is put into a mold and can take any shape as long as it’s been held in place for long enough. It is then is stamped with the company's name.

Packaging An eraser is usually packaged in plastic and or in cardboard. Again wastes paper and energy.

Materials acquisition To get synthetic rubber you have to mine and burn petroleum. To get natural rubber you have to harvest timber. Both processes damage the environment.

Distribution Erasers are shipped to places like Office Max, Staples, Target, office depot, etc.; This product is shipped by truck, cargo ships, and more and wastes more energy.

Use Rubber erasers are used to erase ink or graphite from paper.

Disposal Erasers do not get thrown away unless they get they get stale. They are in use until they wear out which mean no waste is made

Reuse/ Recycle This product is not reusable or recyclable But on the bright side the card board and plastic use to packaged can be recycled.

End credits Creators: Max and Daniel Editor: Max’s Mom Researchers: Max and Daniel Picture adders: Max Thanks for watching

Sources 5/Eraser.html 5/Eraser.html Google images