A Laboratory Use for Discarded Plastic Beverage Bottles The recent introduction of 2-1 plastic beverage bottles has engendered considerable opposition fmm the environmentalists, who rightly decry the further load on the environment which any disposable consumer item will bring about. However, these polyethylene terephthalate copolymers are still legal in most states, so we should try to maximize their utility before they are finally discarded. By cutting carefully around the circumference with a razor blade, one obtains a very useful large, but light, powder funnel plusan ice bucket of Ill2-Icapacity. The funnel is of convenient size for a 4-in. ring on astand, and the plastic is resistant t o a variety of solutions including 1N NaOH, concentrated HCI, acetone, and CHCI3-iPrOH. Once vou have outfitted vow class labaratow with enoueh funnels and ice buckets. then vou can take a few funnels home far heloine beverage bottles. J o h n N. Aronson State University of New York at Albany Albany. New Yolk 12222
476 1 Journal of Chemical Education
