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Substitute For Cardboard Food Packaging Proponent: Bea Alexandra D. Bautista
Substitute For Cardboard Food Packaging Proponent: Bea Alexandra D. Bautista
Substitute For Cardboard Food Packaging Proponent: Bea Alexandra D. Bautista
Rationale:
One of the biggest concerns in our planet is the environmental problems we are
experiencing especially the issue about non-biodegradable wastes. Non-biodegradable wastes are
the ones that cannot be recycled or takes thousands of years to decompose. When thrown out,
aside from the garbage pile, these wastes often go directly to the ocean. Because it cannot be
recycled, when these wastes add up, it contributes largely to the worlds increasing number of
garbage problem not only here in the land, but also the marine life. Non-biodegradable
containers in oceans and estuaries can harm fish, seabirds and other marine life. Animals that eat
plastic can strangle or experience digestion problems. Microplastics, tiny bits of polypropylene
or polyethylene, hide beneath the water and pose a risk as well. Meanwhile here on land, long-
term exposure to air, light and water can cause synthetic materials like plastic to emit toxic
pollutants. Plastics, which are petroleum-based, contain toxins that can leak into water supplies.
According to Environmental Working Group in their 2007 study, it showed that low doses of
Bisphenol A- a chemical used in water bottles, food containers and hard plastics, seep into foods
and water over time and are carcinogenic. Styrofoam, also known as foamed polystyrene, is an
example of a non-biodegradable substance that is commonly used as container for food in fast
food restaurants. This thing does not decompose in the environment under normal circumstances.
Unlike plastics, styrofoam takes much longer time to decompose because it is a stronger form of
plastic.
On the other hand, cogon grass is very abundant here in the Philippines and is sometimes
considered as a nuisance. The capability and uses of this plant has not yet gone popular or known
by many and it cannot go to waste. So, the researcher thought of a way to help save the
environment and also promote and encourage other to use natural resources.
However, in producing paper, lots of trees are being cut and causes trouble for the already
depleted forests. Therefore, the researcher thought of an alternative for paper which is Cogon
grass (Imperata Cylindrica) for making the pulp and the paper.
Hypothesis:
Objectives:
This study aims to prove that cogon grass (Imperata Cylindrica) can be an effective
packaging.
This study aims to promote the use of natural resources as well as encouraging others to
Nowadays, people are very fond of eating in fast food chains and these fast food chains
often use styrofoam as a container for their food. Styrofoam is a non-biodegradable substance
that takes lots of years to decompose and contributes to the worlds environmental problem.
In action with this, the use of organic material are also favorable for the benefits it gives us
and also, it is way cheaper than using commercially known ones. Cogon grass is an abundant
plant here in the Philippines but its capabilities and potentials are underrated. So in this
study, we can help save the environment by making a substitute for Styrofoam for food
packaging without sacrificing our trees in the making of paper or cardboard and at the same
time promote the use of natural resources for another Earth-friendly product.
Flow Chart:
The researcher will gather dried cogon grass, scissors, 200mL of water, 180g of caustic
Gathering of soda, mortar and pestle, cloth, rolling pin, 20g of resin, 16g of powdered alum.
Materials
After gathering the materials, the cogon grass will then be cutted into strips of 0.5
Cutting
inch using a scissor or knife.
Boil the cogon grass strips into boiling water for about 3-4 hours in medium heat.
Boiling
Then, crush the cogon grass in the mortar and pestle until the pulp goes out. Place
Crushing
the pulp in the cloth and then squeeze it out using a rolling pin.
Different treatments will then be prepared and tested for the effect of the pulp of
Testing
cogon grass as substitute for carboard in food packaging.