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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Plastic bags have become universal in modern society, but their adverse
environmental impact, including pollution and long-lasting decomposition, has prompted
urgent calls for sustainable packaging solutions. This research centers on the use of
banana pseudo stems, a by-product of banana cultivation, as a raw material for
manufacturing eco-friendly paper bags. Musa acuminate x balbisiana (DIPPIG) is a
hybrid banana cultivar that is native to the Philippines. This particular cultivar is cross
between Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana, which are two wild banana species
found in Southeast Asia. This hybrid cultivar, like other banana varieties grown in the
Philippines, plays a significant role in the country’s agricultural industry and export
market. By employing caustic soda, a commonly available alkaline substance, the
lignocellulose fibers in banana pseudo stems can be effectively separated and
processed into paper pulp. To assess the feasibility of this production process, this
study will concentrate on the town of Banayoyo, considering factors such as waste
management practices. By tailoring the research to specific geographic area, it
becomes possible to analyse to economic viability, environmental impact, and
community acceptance of utilizing banana pseudo stems for paper bag production. The
research will investigate the potential for commercial-scale production of banana
pseudo-stem paper bags within the selected town. This analysis will encompass the
availability of raw materials, manufacturing infrastructure, supply chain logistics, and
market demand. By examining the economic viability of large-scale production, this
study aims to provide insights into the feasibility of establishing a sustainable industry
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around banana pseudo-stem paper bag manufacturing. An essential aspect of any eco-
friendly product is its end-of-life management.
This research will explore the waste management practices within the selected
town, focusing on the collection, recycling, or composting of used banana pseudo-stem
paper bags. By integrating waste management strategies into the overall analysis, this
study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the environmental benefits
and challenges associated with adopting banana pseudo-stem paper bags as a viable
alternative to plastic bags. The proposed research aims to evaluate the potential of
utilizing banana pseudo stems for eco-friendly paper bag production using a caustic
soda. By focusing on a specific town, this study will provide insights into the commercial
viability of this alternative packaging material while considering waste management
practices. The findings of this research can contribute to the development of sustainable
packaging solutions and promote environmental consciousness at both the local and
global levels.
Our Municipality of Banayoyo is also widely known for its one town, one product
of Ilocos Sur, the so called “banana chips”, which are very popular among other
municipalities. However, the seller or the producer tends to discard the pseudo-banana
stem after harvesting the fruits, which could have been composed or utilized. That’s why
we came up with the idea of making banana pseudo stems into eco-friendly bags
because this is the best alternative to plastic bags and to prove that every part of a
banana can be transformed into a valuable product. Conducting the experiment could
last for days or weeks. This is because many trials must be done to prove that it is
effective to use banana stem fiber as an additive in making eco-friendly bags.
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Statement of the Problem
The research study was conducted to examine the possible outcome of banana
pseudo stem as an alternative eco paper bag for the commercial plastic bags.
Questions:
1. Does the amount of banana pseudo stem and sodium hydroxide from different
treatments affects the texture of eco bag?
a) Treatment 1. 1 pale of water, 2 tbsp. of sodium hydroxide, 5 kls of banana
pseudo stem.
b) Treatment 2. 1 pale of water, 4 tbsp. of sodium hydroxide, 7 kls of banana
pseudo stem.
2. Does the amount of banana pseudo stem and sodium hydroxide from different
treatments affects the durability of eco bag?
a) Treatment 1. 1 pale of water, 2 tbsp. of sodium hydroxide, 5 kls of banana
pseudo stem
b) Treatment 2. 1 pale of water, 4 tbsp. of sodium hydroxide, 7 kls of banana
pseudo stem
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3. Does the amount of banana pseudo stem and sodium hydroxide from different
treatments affects the color of eco bag?
a) Treatment 1. 1 pale of water, 2 tbsp. of sodium hydroxide, 5 kls of banana
pseudo stem.
b) Treatment 2. 1 pale of water, 4 tbsp. of sodium hydroxide, 7 kls of banana
pseudo stem
4. Does the amount of banana pseudo stem and sodium hydroxide from different
treatments affects the odor of eco bag?
a) Treatment 1. 1 pale of water, 2 tbsp. of sodium hydroxide, 5 kls of banana
pseudo stem.
b) Treatment 2. 1 pale of water, 4 tbsp. of sodium hydroxide, 7 kls of banana
pseudo stem
5. How does the quality of the eco bag made from the pseudo stem of banana and
sodium hydroxide compared to the regular eco bags in terms of:
1.1 Texture
1.2 Durability
1.3 Color
1.4 Odor
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Significance of the Study
This study aim to explore the potentiality of the banana pseudo stem fiber and to
help environment in reducing plastic pollution. The researcher believes that this study
will be beneficial to the following:
Students - The findings of this study will promote student comfort and environmental
responsibility. Additionally, it will enable them to carry items with less strain on their
hands and bodies.
Community - The study's findings will assist the community in reducing waste materials
that are rapidly increasing and in creating a clean environment. It will also aid in the
reduction of our plastic usage.
Government - The findings of this study will assist the government in generating an
affordable substitute for the expensive materials used in commercial products using
waste materials.
Commercial Business - The findings of this study will serve as guide for the basis of
the products to be made which is the eco-bag wherein they could sell the products
using their own ideas on how would they use the eco-bag as they can also help on
reducing the waste problem on the environment.
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Researchers - The result of this study will give or serve as baseline information for
other researchers to make their own work or for other people who are interested to
perform or conduct further investigation related to the problem.
Future Researchers - The result of this study is essential for them because it can serve
as their basis as they would try to improve the traits of the output for their study. They
can use and enhance the findings of this study to further develop a new ideas that they
will add to the eco-bag.
Scope and Delimitation of the study
This Study was conducted at Banayoyo National High School at Poblacion,
Banayoyo, Ilocos Sur, Philippines from March to June 2023. This study covers the
production of eco bag through banana pseudo stem and sodium hydroxide. This study
aims to make an alternative eco bag that will help in our environment.
Operational Definition of Terms
Banana Stem Fiber – the natural fiber which is made from the stem of the banana tree
and raw material to be used in making the product.
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Banana Pseudo Stem – the raw stem of banana which is mixed with sodium hydroxide
that is experimented to see the outcome of its form.
Color – it refers to the shade of the commercial paper and the paper made from banana
stem fiber.
Durability – to determine if the banana stem fiber can be durable in making a paper.
Eco Bag – it is a type of alternative, recyclable and eco-friendly bag which is the main
product to be made by the researchers in handling some stuffs or things to be carried
and is environmental friendly.
Paper – it refers to a material or product that we are aiming to create using the fiber of
the banana stem.
Sodium hydroxide – a type of chemical content otherwise known as caustic soda
which is used to add to the banana stem fiber to strengthen the durability of the
product.
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Texture – it refers to the surface of the paper that is made from banana stem fiber.
Chapter 3
Materials and Methods
Banana Pseudo Stem
Sodium Hydroxide
Metal Frame
Blending Machine
(blender)
Knife
1 Pale of water
Big basin
Strainer
1. Prepare the needed materials.
2. Chop the pseudo stem into 1 – 2 inch pcs and cook them in boiling water with
the 2 tbsp. sodium hydroxide.
3. Strain the boiled pseudo stem and flash it with water to totally extract the
sodium hydroxide.
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4. Mix with blender the washed pseudo stem with a small volume of water to
make it more shriveled. When it’s finished mixing, remove it from the blending
machine and pour it into a big basin with less water inside.
5. Strain the pseudo stem with a metal frame to get the fiber on it and dry it in
the sun.
6. Then the researcher will have the results of his/her experiment, and it’ll be up
to him/her to figure out how to shape it into a paper bag.
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