PRODUCTION OF ECO-FRIENDLY PAPAER BAGS FROM BANANA

PSUEDOSTEM MANGO LEAVES AND COCONUT HUSK: A

SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE TO PLASTIC BAG

Bueza, Loraine G.
Dadia, Joel A.
Familara, Hanna Dainne F.

Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics Strand

Odiongan National High School – Senior High School
Odiongan, Romblon

April 2025
 PRODUCTION OF ECO-FRIENDLY PAPAER BAGS FROM BANANA
PSUEDO STEM MANGO LEAVES AND COCONUT HUSK:
A SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE TO PLASTIC BAG

A Research Capstone Presented to the Faculty

of Senior High School Department
Odiongan National High School
Odiongan, Romblon

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of the Research Capstone of the

SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS
Strand

By:
Bueza, Loraine G.
Dadia, Joel A.
Familara, Hanna Dianne F.

April 2025
 CHAPTER l

Introduction

This chapter present the background of the study, the objectives of the

problem, the significance of the study and the scope and delimitation of the

research study.

Background of the Study

The production of paper bags has gained increasing attention as an eco-

friendly alternative to plastic bags, which contribute significantly to environmental

pollution. The growing concern over the adverse effects of plastic waste has

prompted research into sustainable materials for producing biodegradable and

recyclable alternatives. Among the potential raw materials, agricultural waste

offers a promising solution, as it is often abundant, biodegradable, and

inexpensive.

Banana pseudo stem, coconut husk, and mango leaves are agricultural residues

that are commonly discarded as waste but possess strong potential for use in

paper production. The banana pseudo stem, often left behind after banana

harvesting, is a rich source of cellulose fibers, making it a viable candidate for

papermaking. Similarly, coconut husk, the fibrous outer shell of coconuts, is

known for its durability and fiber strength. Mango leaves, a byproduct of mango

cultivation, contain cellulose and lignin, which contribute to the structural integrity

of paper.
In many developing countries, these materials are often underutilized and end up

as waste, causing environmental pollution. However, their use in producing paper

bags presents an innovative way to reduce waste while creating sustainable

products. The potential to create paper bags from these agricultural byproducts

could offer a dual benefit: a reduction in agricultural waste and the production of

an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic bags.

This study aims to explore the feasibility of producing paper bags from banana

pseudo stem, coconut husk, and mango leaves, focusing on their suitability in

terms of fiber composition, strength, and environmental impact. The findings of

this study could contribute to the development of sustainable packaging solutions

and support the circular economy by turning agricultural waste into valuable

products. Furthermore, it could promote the use of locally sourced materials,

reduce dependence on synthetic fibers, and support the livelihoods of farmers

and local communities involved in the cultivation of these crops.

Research Objectives

This study will be conducted to produce an alternative packaging using

banana pseudo stem, coconut husk, and mango leaves. This study will aim to

lessen the used of single used plastics in Odiongan, Romblon that can contribute

to our community and to our society here are some objectives;

 1. It aims to develop a biodegradable bags material from banana pseudo

stem, coconut husk, and mango leaves.

2. To evaluate the mechanical and physical properties of the developed

biodegradable bags materials.

3. To explore the environment impact and sustainability of using a banana

pseudo stem coconut husk and mango leaves.

4. To assess the market potential and consumer acceptance of paper bags

crafted from banana pseudo stem, coconut husk, and mango leaves.

Research Questions

This study aims to determine the effectiveness and sustainability of using

banana pseudo stem, coconut husk, and mango leaves as alternative materials

for crafting paper bags. This study addressed the following questions:

1. Is the paper bag out of banana pseudo stem, coconut husks, and mango

leaves are effective in terms of:

(a) tensile strength; and

(b) sheer strength?

2. Is the paper bag out of banana pseudo stem, coconut husk, and mango

leaves better than the paper bags in market in term of:

(a) tensile strength; and

(b) sheer strength?

Hypothesis
 1. There is no significant difference in the following properties of the

biodegradable packaging material made from banana pseudo stem,

coconut husks, and mango leaves compared to traditional single-use

plastic in terms of:

(a) Tensile strength; and

(b) Sheer strength?

2. There is no difference between the biodegradability of the coconut husk-

based packaging material and that of conventional plastic packaging in

terms of;

(a) Rate of degradation;

(b) Impact on soil heath.

3. The banana pseudo stem, coconut husk, and mango leaves-based

packaging material was not perceived as less favorable compared to

single-use plastic in terms of;

(a) Appearance;

(b) Durability;

(c) Cost.

Significance of the Study

This study would be of great help to the following;

To the community, its development banana pseudo stem, coconut husk,

and mango leaves-based packaging to create new economic opportunities for

communities involved in banana, coconut, and mango farming and processing,

providing additional income streams and promoting local industries.

To the environment, by replacing single-use plastics with biodegradable

packaging made from banana pseudo stem, coconut husk, and mango leaves,

this study aims to significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in

landfills and oceans. Banana pseudo stem, coconut husk, and mango leaves-

based packaging materials decompose naturally, minimizing long-term

environmental pollution and reducing the carbon footprint associated with plastic

production and disposal. Utilizing banana pseudo stem, coconut husk, and

mango leaves, an agricultural by-product, promotes the use of renewable

resources and reduces dependency on non-renewable petroleum-based plastics.

To future researchers, this study can inspire further research into other

agricultural by-products that can be used to develop biodegradable materials,

expanding the range of sustainable packaging options.

Future research can focus on comprehensive lifecycle analyses of banana

pseudo stem, coconut husk, and mango leaves-based packaging to evaluate its

environmental impact from production to disposal

Investigating the scalability and commercial viability of producing banana pseudo

stem, coconut husk, and mango leaves-based packaging on a larger scale can

help in transitioning from laboratory research to real- world applications.

This study will benefit the future researchers for this study could propose

new ideas if ever the future researchers would choose to continue this study. This

study can serve as their basis for making their study. It can also add more

knowledge and information to the future researchers and furthermore improve

their study.

Further studies can explore ways to enhance the mechanical and physical

properties of banana pseudo stem, coconut husk, and mango leaves-based

packaging to meet the demands of various industries. This research not only

addresses pressing environmental issues but also offers economic and social

benefits, paving the way for a more sustainable future.

Scope and Delimitation

This study aims to explore the effectiveness of banana pseudo stem,

coconut husk, and mango leaves as components in the creation of alternative

biodegradable packaging materials. The study will focus on evaluating the

physical and chemical properties of these materials and their potential to

support plant growth. The materials that the researcher will be use are banana

pseudo stem, coconut husk, mango leaves, sodium hydroxide, bees wax,

water, and molder.

 The overall perception of the respondents to banana pseudo stem,

coconut husk, and mango leaves as bio-packaging will be analyze with the use

of Analysis of Variance. The products tensile strength and durability will be

included to the evaluation that will be conducted by the researchers. This study

will be conducted in Odiongan, Romblon of the school year 2024-2025.

 CHAPTER II

Review of Related Literature

This chapter presents the relevant literature and study that the

researcher

considered in strengthening the importance of the present study

Related Literature

Coconut

The coconut palm, Coco Nucifera L., is a member of the family Aceraceae. The

term coconut can refer to the entire coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which

botanically nut but a drupe. The fruit is harvested for its white flesh, husk, and

coconut water (Lerner, 2007). It is cultivated for its various benefits, namely

nutritional, medicinal

advancement against diseases and for the development of industrial products

(Mandal, 2011). The coconut takes between 11 and 12 months to reach full

maturity. At five months, the kernel begins to form a thin layer of jelly around the

inside of the endocarp or shell. The shell encloses the tender water, a clear

sweet liquid (Prades, et al., 2011). Coconut is a fruit in which an outer skin

(exocarp) and fibrous husk(mesocarp)surrounds a hard husk (endocarp) with a

coconut meat (endosperm) inside (Armstrong,2008).

Banana Pseudostem
This paper presents composition of different layers of banana pseudostem

sheath and detailed characteristics of fibers from physical and bioextraction.

Cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, pectin, and ash were determined by chemical

analysis of pseudostem sheaths. Lignocellulose constitutes about 60%–85% dry

weight of the banana pseudostem sheath, in which cellulose accounts for about

50%. Except for the minor changes in hemicellulose, lignin, and ash contents, the

physical and bioextraction of fibers are comparable with their chemical and

physical properties. Lengthy bioextraction may affect the fiber qualities. Scanning

electron microscopy (SEM) studies showed clean and smooth surface of bio

extracted fibers unlike in physically extracted ones.

Biodegradable and water-resistant plastic alternative from coconut husk

Bioplastics from lignocellulosic biomass have gained great interests due to its

renewable nature and biodegradability. However, poor mechanical performance

and water stability limit their practical applications. Plastic resins are normally

required to bond the biomass compounds. In this work, a high-performance

bioplastic from coconut husk is developed via a simple top-down and resin-free

approach; coconut husk fragments are directly processed into bioplastics through

the partial removal of lignin, followed by hot-pressing. By optimization of

delignification conditions, the generated bioplastics achieve a tensile Young's

modulus of 2.1 ± 0.4 GPa and a tensile strengthof22.8 ± 4.4 MPa. More

importantly, these bioplastics show excellent water stability (upto28 days of

soaking) and decent microbial biodegradability. Furthermore, the potential

use of the bioplastics is demonstrated as solid planar substrates for miniaturized,

disposable electrochemical biosensors. This work provides a promising and

green approach to prepare strong, wet-stable, and biodegradable lignocellulosic

bioplastics potential solution to replace petroleum-based plastics (Yihao leowa,

Veronica Sequerah a,Ying chuan Tan b, Yong Yu, Eric Chrales Peterson c,

Chang yun Jianga, Xian Jun Loh a, Dan Kai a b 2023)

Banana Pseudostem and Mango Leaves

This research explores the development of Indian mango (Mangifera indica) peel

and banana (Musa acuminata) pseudostem fiber as possible materials for

creating eco-friendly, biodegradable plastic. Agricultural waste from processing

mangoes and cultivating bananas was repurposed to make biodegradable films,

providing a sustainable option to traditional plastics. The objective was to

optimize mechanical, thermal, and biodegradable properties by combining

mango peel powder and banana pseudostem fibers in different ratios of 70:30,

50:50, and 30:70. Plasticizers like glycerol and sorbitol were added to enhance

flexibility, and the films were formed and dried in controlled settings. The findings

showed that the 70:30 mixture of mango peel and banana fiber had the best

tensile strength (15.8MPa), elongation at break (6.5%), and thermal stability

(285°C), indicating its potential for long-lasting uses. The 50:50 mixture showed

the most rapid degradation in soil burial tests, with 75% breaking down after 12

weeks, indicating its usefulness in situations needing quick biodegradability.

Tests on water absorption showed that formulations with increased amounts of

mango peel displayed improved moisture resistance, whereas higher levels of

banana fiber resulted in increased hydrophilicity. Examination of surface

appearance with SEM showed that the ideal 70:30 mixture had an even spread

of fibers, which improved its overall effectiveness. The results provide a way to

achieve sustainable material.

A sustainable solution for eco-friendly packaging applications

It explores the use of coconut husk as an eco-friendly alternative for packaging. It

details the composition, extraction, and processing techniques of coconut husk,

emphasizing its abundance and sustainable sourcing methods. Key findings

include the use of polyphenols extracted from young coconuts, achieving an

81%reduction in CO2 gas permeability and a 79% reduction in oxygen

transmittance rate, demonstrating significant antimicrobial properties. The study

highlights the creation of eco-friendly paper from coconut husk fibers and the

development of bioplastics. Bio composite films derived from coconut coir

showed enhanced tensile strength and elongation, outperforming starch-based

films. Environmental benefits include waste reduction and sustainable resource

utilization, with the inclusion of 3%coir cellulose nanofibers in composite films

notably improving tensile strength, elongation at break, and thermal stability. To

sum up, this document highlights the importance of adopting sustainable

materials in packaging and explores exciting possibilities for future studies,

advancements in technology, and the widespread adoption of packaging

solutions derived from coconut husks. This emphasizes the potential to drive a

more environmentally friendly, sustainable, and eco-conscious packaging sector.

Related Study
Evaluation of Indian Mango (Mangifera Indica Peel) and Banana (Musa

Acuminata) Pseudostem Fiber for Sustainable Biodegradable Plastic

Development

Creating sustainable and biodegradable materials is essential for tackling the

increasing environmental issues linked to plastic pollution. This research aimed

to assess the suitability of Indian mango (Mangifera indica) peel and banana

(Musa acuminata) pseudo stem fiber for making biodegradable plastic. After

examining the mechanical properties, water absorption, biodegradability, thermal

stability, and surface morphology in detail, it was discovered that these

agricultural by-products could serve as a potential substitute for traditional

plastics.

One important discovery in the research was that combining 70% mango peel

with 30% banana pseudo stem fiber produced the best outcomes in terms of

mechanical strength, flexibility, and moisture resistance. This ratio achieved an

ideal mix of the inherent flexibility of mango peel and the structural strength

provided by banana fiber. It was noticed that this composition showed better heat

resistance as well, making it appropriate for different uses that need both

durability and heat resistance.

All formulations demonstrated great potential in terms of being biodegradable,

successfully degrading in tests where they were buried in soil. Yet, the

degradation rate was impacted by the proportion of mango peel to banana fiber,

with the blend of 50:50 degrading the most rapidly. This showcases how these

materials can be customized to suit different environmental requirements, such

as quick decomposition for temporary uses or gradual breakdown for long-lasting

purposes.

In addition, integrating these agricultural waste products into biodegradable

plastics not only solves plastic pollution but also provides a sustainable way to

use organic waste that would otherwise harm the environment. This method

promotes a circular economy by transforming trash into useful materials, which

helps to decrease the demand for new resources and cut down on waste

production.

Plant-Based Natural Fibers for Food Packaging: A Green Approach to the

Reinforcement of Biopolymer

Petro-based plastics are linked to various environmental issues throughout their

lifecycle, including pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, persistence in marine

and terrestrial habitats, etc. The utilization of biopolymers is a prominent

substitute for petro-based material. Further, the reinforcement of natural fibers

(NFs) to biopolymers significantly improves the functionality of biopolymers. The

functionality of NFs is crucial to promote the interfacial interaction with

biopolymers and achieving high- performance materials which could compete

with traditional petro-based materials. NFs have several benefits over synthetic

fiber, including biodegradability, low density and cost, lighter weight, superior life

cycle, and good mechanical properties. This review article focuses on the

characterization and properties of plant-based NFs and their synergistic

application. This thorough assessment of the state-of-the-art focuses on current

research on how NFs can be used for their potential role as reinforcement in the

packaging industry. (Sneh Punia Bangar, Nisha Chaudhar, Sanju Bala Dhull

2023)

Based on the study of Tripathi (2014), one major disposal issue that

environmental proponents fight about in regards to plastic bags are the way

recycling plants handie them. While recycling has been welcomed by many as a

safe way of getting rid of plastics that have outlived their use, it has since been

discovered that they are incinerated thereby releasing harmful toxins into the

atmosphere. Eco-friendly paper bags. According to Al Naimi (2018), one-time

using plastic bags should be replaced with paper bags which could be used

many times, bags made of other stronger materials rather than plastic could be

used for longer and plastic waste takes years to discompose posing threats to

the environment and human being. Furthermore, Kimmel (2014) mentioned that

the main sources of recycled materials used in the manufacture of Paper bags

are not recycled bags, but other sources of paper and ethylene polymers. Paper

bags can be recycled through municipal curbside collection and get mixed with

other sources of recycled Kraft paper, especially corrugated boxes. Coconut

Husks. Based on the study of Ganiron (2013), disposal of agricultural waste

materials such as coconut shell have constituted an environmental challenge,

hence the need to convert them into useful materials to minimize their negative

effect on the environment.

In addition, Nieves (2017) stated that coconut is famous as multi- function plant

that all parts of its plant can be used for various activities. The use of this
agricultural waste due to an assumption is that it can replace the existing material

used in commercial product in order to reduce cost or improve mechanical

proper-ties of the composite material. Lastly, Husin (2016), mentioned that

Coconut coir contains cellulose fiber which is high enough and it can be used as

pulp manufacturing. It can also be used in the manufacture of composite

materials consisting of a combination of coir fiber paperpulp and pulp formation

of HVS. Furthermore, fiber pulp fibers having the highest levels of alpha

cellulose, mixed with pulp from waste paper is used as raw material in the

manufacture of composite paper. This forms a composite paper features such as

strong pull, the ability to absorb ink, writing ability and endurance has been

tested.