CHAPTER I
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND
Introduction
Plastic pollution is the accumulation in the environment of man-made plastic
products to the point where they cause problems for wildlife and their habitats as well as
for human populations. D’Alessandro (2014), by the end of the 20th century, plastics
were established to be continuous cause of pollution to many environmental niches and
had found to produce greater amount of the material than during the whole of the last
century. Plastics are being mistaken for food by animals and responsible for flooding
low-lying areas by clogging drainage systems. By just simply causing significant
aesthetic blight, plastics have attracted increasing attention as a large-scale pollutant.
Plastic utilization had already crossed borders and sectors for human needs and
considered as an unavoidable externality. Cheap, capable of being made into any
conceivable shape, strong and durable, plastic is something of a wonder material. It has
proved to be so useful to humans that since the 1950s humans have produced an
estimated 8.3 billion metric tons of the stuff (Wheeling, 2017). However, the victim of
this success appears to be much of life on Earth. And humans, one day, could find
themselves among them. Uses of the powerful material plastic have evidently changed
from being a solution to making destruction.
The banana peel is something that is thrown away every day; however, it has
much more efficient uses. Starch and cellulose are the most important raw materials in
the plastic production. Banana peels are rich in starch and cellulose which makes it a
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possible ingredient of making bio-plastic from waste. The starch from these peels will be
used to make the bio-plastic, along with the organic plasticizer such as honey. The honey
will improve the plasticity of the material by disconnecting the polymer chains from one
another to acquire formation of film, making the plastic much more durable and increase
its tensile strength.
Replacing bio-plastic from the conventional hazardous plastic will have a greater
impact in facing today's biggest challenge, plastic pollution. Waste materials will not be a
waste; instead, it will be an essential tool to face the challenge. Producing plastic made
from fruit will make it edible and not poisonous. Also, its characteristic of being
biodegradable and to decompose in a short period of time makes it an eco-friendly plastic
for the future generation to use.
With this study, humans can further understand that everything has multiple uses.
Even waste can be as much important as the new ones. The word waste should be
forgotten. Proper utilization and understanding of recycling are the only things that are
needed to attain the continuous cycle of material usage and pollution free world.
Statement of the Problem
This research was intended to determine the effectiveness of Banana peel as bio-
plastic and substitute for toxic plastics.
Precisely, it sought answer to the following questions:
1. What materials can be used to produce a bio plastic?
1.1. Banana Peel; and
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1.2. Honey.
2. What are the processes needed to produce Banana Peel-astic?
3. How will the Banana Peel-astic perform in terms of?
3.1. Corrosion Resistance;
3.2. Tensile Strength; and
3.3. Edibility.
Significance of the Study
The study determined if the Banana Peel-astic could be a substitute for the widely
used toxic plastics. This study helped the plastic consumers to find a better approach in
using safe and non-hazardous materials. Moreover, this research educated people that
nothing is waste and that all things can be used continuously. Lastly, the study proved
whether the Banana plastic could be the missing solution for the long term plastic
pollution.
This study served as a guide and reference data of future researchers as they
conduct and develop another study concerning the said topic. With the help of this
research, plastic pollution can be solved through providing innovated steps in producing
much more usable and eco-friendly plastic bag.
Scope and Delimitations of the Study
The main focus of this study was to determine the effectiveness of banana peel
infused with vinegar, honey, thyme, and cinnamon as a raw material in producing bio-
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plastic. Distinctiveness of the material were tested which includes the property of being
consumed by animals and the potency of the plastic to withhold a certain amount of mass.
This study is limited to any kind of banana peel as raw material in producing
Banana Peel-astic. Any kind of banana peel contains starch and cellulose regardless of
what kind of banana it is.
Cows will be used to measure the edibility of Banana Peel-astic. Cows are largely
important because of its importance to the agricultural sector, which is why its health
concern is a priority. Moreover, being able to resist chemical corrosion and tensile
strength of the Banana Peel-astic were measured through different apparatus.
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Definition of Terms
Bio plastic. Plastic made from biomass sources.
Edibility. Can be consumed by animals and humans.
Conventional Plastic. It is the commonly used plastic of today’s generation
which its chemical components are toxic and hazardous to health of humans, animal, and
environment.
Tensile Strength. The amount of material to withhold a certain amount.
