I.
TITLE: THE EFFECTIVENESS OF USING BIOPLASTIC AS AN ALTERNATIVE
TO REDUCE PLASTIC POLLUTION
II.BACKGROUND
A. INTRODUCTION
Plastics are light, strong durable, and inexpensive synthetic or semi-synthetic
organic polymers. Their characteristics justify the very large exploitation in a wide
spectrum of human activities explaining why plastics represent an essential element
in modern life. About 99% of plastics are made starting from non-renewable
resources such as charcoal, petroleum, and natural gas. Accordingly, about 20% of
the overall petroleum consumption could be related to the plastics industry (Kasavan
2021). In Europe, plastics are mainly exploited in the packaging (∼40%),
construction field (∼20%), textile industry (∼15%), automotive (∼10%), and goods
(∼10%). Considering all these applications, the use of plastics could grow in the next
future (World Economic Forum 2016; Gu 2017).
Even if the use of plastics has several benefits, their environmental
occurrence is currently a very dangerous issue (Millican 2021) due to the
progressive abrasion until the particulate formation. Proper management of plastic
wastes would be hoped since the abrasion of these solids provides large amounts of
plastic particles dangerous for organisms and humans (Filho 2019; Zhao 2021). This
mainly occurs in marine systems where plastic wastes are accumulated at the end of
their environmental path. Here, the characteristics of durability and resistance of
plastics become a great problem in non-correct plastic disposal (Rosenboom
2022; Filho 2021).
Plastic bags are a major cause of environmental pollution. Plastic as a
substance is non-biodegradable and thus plastic bags remain in the environment for
hundreds of years polluting it immensely. It has become very essential to ban plastic
bags before they ruin our planet completely. Many countries around the globe have
either put a ban on plastic bags or Levi’s tax on it. However, the problem hasn’t been
solved completely because the implementation of these measures hasn’t been as
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successful. Plastic pollution is one of the biggest problems facing our world today. It
was first invented in 1907 by Belgian-American chemist Leo Baekeland. Made from
petroleum products, Baekland’s “bakelite” plastic was a revolutionary material. It was
lightweight, could withstand heat and cold, could hold up over time, and best of all, it
was cheap and easy to mass-produce. Baekeland couldn’t have anticipated that
plastic’s long-term durability would end up making it so detrimental and dangerous to
the environment.
Plastic doesn’t biodegrade. When it does break down after a very long time,
mind you it turns into harmful nodules of microplastic. These microplastic motes find
their way into waterways, where they are digested by other creatures, including
humans. They sit in the gut, piling up and leeching harmful elements into the body.
Plastic can and has been recycled for decades now, but there are some
experts who think that even this isn’t such a good idea. First of all, not all plastic can
be recycled. Only certain types, used for certain purposes can be reused and
repurposed. When we do recycle plastic, melting it down in order to reprocess it can
send harmful burning plastic smoke into the atmosphere. And frankly, we have
enough problems with our atmosphere as it is.
The major impact of plastic bags on the environment is that it takes many
years to for them to decompose. In addition, toxic substances are released into the
soil when plastic bags perish under sunlight and, if plastic bags are burned, they
release a toxic substance into the air causing ambient air pollution. Simons (2005)
suggests that, owing to the unregulated accumulation of carcinogenic compounds,
the use of plastic bags may allow inroads into cancerous diseases. Plastic bags are
dumped indiscriminately into landfills worldwide that occupy tons of hectares of land
and emit dangerous methane and carbon dioxide gases as well as highly toxic
leachates from these landfills during their decomposition stage.
Waste from plastic bags poses serious environmental danger to human and
animal health. If plastic bags are not properly disposed of, they can impact the
environment by causing littering and stormwater drain blockages.
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Animals may also get tangled and drown in plastic bags. Animals often
confuse the bags for food and consume them, therefore blocking their digestive
processes. Animals becoming entanglement in marine debris, including plastic bags,
may cause starvation, choking, laceration, infection, reduced reproductive success,
and mortality (Katsanevakis, 2008). There were instances where large endangered
tortoises were found to have suffocated because of the mistaken swallowing of
plastic bags combined with seaweed (Thiel et al, 2003).
Plastics are now omnipresent in the marine environment and this worsening
trend needs urgent action. Plastics have been identified as a problem in the marine
environment since the 1970s, but the issue of plastic pollution in marine and
freshwater environments has only recently been identified as a global problem. As a
consequence, marine plastic bag pollution has become noteworthy environmental
concern for governments, scientists, non-governmental establishments, and the
international community (Carpenter and Smith, 1972).
The presence of plastics in the marine environment poses several challenges
that hinder economic development. Trapped plastic bags along coastlines produces
an environmental challenge that has detrimental effects on tourism. Economic losses
are linked to lower tourism earnings, adverse effects on tourist activities, and harm to
the marine environment. Trapped shoreline plastic has a negative effect on shipping
infrastructure, energy production, fishing, and aquaculture (Sivan, 2011).
Plastic bags pose a threat not only to marine life, but also to agricultural land.
Plastic bags are accountable for the dilapidation of the atmosphere and agricultural
land, which has inadvertently used up precious earth resources, in particular oil
(Sugii, 2008). This now poses a major challenge to environmental and agricultural
production. Discarded plastic bags that have already made their way into the field
are not only particularly detrimental to farming but also severely harmful. The
consequence of this would be the environmental deterioration of the so-called
developed global society.
It is very unfortunate that, although plastic bags have been seen to have
reduced agricultural production worldwide, there has been little significant
awareness-raising to undertake proper, effective and concrete proactive action.
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Indeed, few serious scientific investigations have been made by international
organisations and the international community to reduce the ever-increasing
consumption of plastic bags.
Although plastic is becoming a big threat to all of us, still this problem has
often been overlooked and underestimated. This is because people do not look at
the long-term effect of these small, easy-to-carry bags they use in their everyday life.
Besides all of these people keep using bags due to their convenience.
Plastics aren’t just an environmental issue. As pointed out by toxicologist Prof.
dr. Dick Vethaak “we are dealing with a human health issue as well” thus disposing
of plastics is the biggest challenge.
B. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
This study aims to determine the effectiveness of using bioplastic as an
alternative to reduce plastic pollution.
In particular, it aims to answer the following questions:
1. Does bioplastic feel like real plastic?
2. Is bioplastic really biodegradable?
3. Is the bioplastic tear-resistance high enough to be usable?
4. What is the relationship among grass, cornstarch, glycerin, and vinegar to make
bioplastic?
C. HYPOTHESIS
Research Hypothesis:
It is possible to make usable bioplastics at home from renewable resources.
Hypothesis regarding tear-resistance of plastic:
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1.In a ratio between starch and glycerine, as the glycerine percentage increases, the
elasticity increases.
2.In a ratio between starch and glycerine, as the starch percentage increases, the
stiffness also increases.
D. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The development of most bioplastic is assumed to reduce fossil fuel usage, and
plastic waste, as well as carbon dioxide emissions. Biodegradable plastics allow
enchanced end-of-life scenarios for disposal and recycling. This may lessen the
burden on our existing waste system and also the environment. The biodegradability
characteristics of these plastics create a positive impact in society, and awareness of
biodegradable packaging also attracts researchers and industries.
E. SCOPE AND DELIMITATION
This study only focused on the production of biodegradable plastics from grass,
starch, and glycerine. This study also aimed to test the flexibility of the
biodegardabke plastic produced. This study will not be dealing with the production of
biodegradable plastics of commercial standards or plastics that are intended to be
sold commercially. The researchers are only concerned with whether grass, starch,
glycerine, and vinegar can be used to produce biodegradable plastic.
III.METHODOLOGY
A. MATERIALS
Ingredients:
Tap water
Cornstarch
Glycerine
Vinegar
Grass
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Other Needed Materials:
Measuring spoons
Pot
Spatula
Tray
Bowl
Cling wrap
VARIABLES
Independent Variables:
Glycerine amount
Dependent Variables:
Elasticity
Tear-resistance
Flexibility
Constant Variables:
Amount of Starch
Water
Grass
Vinegar
B. PROCEDURE
1. Put the grass and 2 cups of water in a pot and bring to boil.
2. After boiling, pour the boiled grass water to the bowl.
3. Cover the tray with cling wrap.
4. In a pot, put 2 tbsp of cornstach, 8 tbsp of grass water, 2 tsp of vinegar, and 2 tsp
of glycerine.
5. Stir until combined.
6. Bring to boil and stir regularly.
7. Once the mixture is thickened, turn off the heat.
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8.Scoop and spread in the metal tray.
9.Wait atleast 24 hours to dry.
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