Working Research Title

Carabao Grass (Paspalum Conjagatum) as an alternative paper straw: Its permanence with water and starch
concentration and amount cellulose pulp against other paper straws

Chapter 1
THE PROBLEM

I. Background Information of the Study

Non-biodegradable waste is a crucial concern everywhere in the world. The bulk of the world’s waste
consists of the hard-to-breakdown products, such as plastic straws. Plastic straws is commonly used as a
tube for sucking up beverages in various businesses. It cannot be recycled thus this particular waste
contributes largely to the world’s increasing garbage problem. Reports and data statistics are all pointing to
the Philippines as one of the worst offenders of plastic waste mismanagement. According to the GMA news
online article published on 2018 that data on 2015 study shows that Philippine wastes weigh 6875.84 tons of
plastic per day of which 81% is mismanaged. Along with the most common found plastic were plastic
straws. A recent report made by NGO GAIA in Rappler on March 8, 2019 also showed a shocking figures
on the country’s plastic consumption. Almost 57 million single use plastic bags were used everyday. In this
manner, governmental sectors and private agencies are investing on paper straws out from trees however the
consumption of the product has increased due to the population growth resulting to the depletion of wood
resources.

On that note, the researchers were prompted to investigate the permanence of Carabao Grass as an
alternative paper straw to battle plastic waste production. Carabao grass is commonly considered as weed or
pest in the agricultural sector as it invade irrigation ditches that may reduce their water carrying capacity
and as a worst competitor for nutrients of vegetative plants therefore the production of Carabao Grass as
paper straw will also help improve the lives of the farmers.

The researchers concerns were legally supported by the Philippine Republic Act 9003 otherwise known
as AN ACT PROVIDING FOR AN ECOLOGICAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM,
CREATING THE NECESSARY INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS AND INCENTIVES, DECLARING
CERTAIN ACTS PROHIBITED AND PROVIDING PENALTIES, APPPROPRIATING FUNDS
THERFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. The specific support for the research are stated in Section 2
declaration of policies (b) and (e):

It is hereby declared the policy of the State to (b) Utilize environmentally-sound methods that maximize
the utilization of valuable resources and encourage resource conservation and recovery (e) promote
national research and development programs for improved solid waste management and resource
conservation techniques, more effective institutional arrangement and indigenous and improved methods of
waste reduction, collection, separation and recovery.

This study would stand a voice for promoting eco-friendly products and would prod other researchers to
explore other alternatives for biodegradable resources. It will also have its impact on employment if
investors will adapt the concept which opens to job opportunities. Generally, it will significantly address the
image of the country as worst offender of waste mismanagement due to a promising shift to biodegradable
products.

II. Research Questions

The study aims to create an eco-friendly product that utilizes unused resource like Carabao Grass as
major component for making paper straw that will minimize plastic production and that in the long run will
decrease demand for deforestation activities as it substitutes wood pulp for paper making.

More specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What amount concentration of starch and water will result to a longer permanence of Carabao Grass as
paper straw?
2. What amount of cellulose pulp will result to a longer permanence of Carabao Grass as paper straw?
3. Is there as significant difference between the concentration of water and starch and amount of cellulose
pulp to the permanence of Carabao Grass as paper straw against other paper straws?

III. Research Hypotheses

These are the hypothetical answers in this research paper for the specific questions made:

1. There is a significant difference between the concentration of water and starch and amount of cellulose
pulp to the permanence of Carabao Grass as paper straw against other paper straws.
2. There is no significant difference between the concentration of water and starch and amount of cellulose
pulp to the permanence of Carabao Grass as paper straw against other paper straws.

IV. Rationale

This research is worthy of study and will contribute to the existing body of knowledge because the
results of this study will open doors for the exploration of grasses for their uses.

Specifically it will have its impact on the following:

Farmers. People from agriculture sector will benefit from the study because of the utilization of pest like
Carabao Grass will provide them extra income. It will also provide them less labor and higher chances of
producing abundant crops due to harvesting of the weed.

Environmentalist. These people are in constant search for methods that will address present environmental
problems and with the adaptation of this research it will help them with their objectives.

Future researchers. The results of this study will be beneficial as it will serve as basis for future
researchers with concentration in the uses of Grasses specifically Carabao Grass.

V. Purpose

At the end of the research the researchers are expected to discover and realize the usability of Carabao
Grass as a major component of making straws.

The following are the specific objectives of the study:

a) To know what concentration of water and starch will result to longer permanence of the product.
b) To know what amount of cellulose pulp will result to longer permanence of the product.
c) To know if there is a significant difference in terms of concentration of water and starch and amount of
cellulose pulp for the permanence of the product against other paper straws.

VI. Scope and Delimitation of the Study

The study is centered to determine the extent of permanence of Carabao Grass as paper straw in terms
of water and starch concentration and amount of cellulose pulp compared to a specific sample of paper straw
from a different raw material. The research method to be used will be experimental control group and
treatment. The actual experimentation will be conducted in Bugo, Cagayan de Oro City during the 2nd
semester of the school year 2019-2020. The scope of the study is delimited due to time constraint and
availability of some research instruments.

VII. Definition of Terms

Carabao Grass. It is a gregarious stoloniferous grass. Grass is found in abundance in open waste places. In
the study it is used as a major component for making paper straw.
Straw. It is a thin tube for sucking up a drink and in the study it is the end product of the experiment.
Permanence. This is the term used in the study that refers to the length of time materials will maintain their
original integrity.
Starch. It is one of the observed variable in the study which is an important component of many paper
grades. In the study it used as a bonding agent.
Cellulose. A substance that is the main part of the cell walls of plants that is used in paper making. In the
study it is defined as the specific content of Carabao Grass needed to produce paper straw.
Pulp. It is described in the study as the product of the process of separating cellulose fibres chemically or
mechanically.

Group 9 Research Team members:

Casiño
Hinojado
Cardines
Estopin
Elleso
Gutierrez
Piscos
Tadlas
España
Sabejon
Hondrada