Unisite Subdivision, Del Pilar, City of San Fernando, 2000 Pampanga, Philippines

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF USING BANANA LEAVES AS

SUSTAINABLE GREEN PACKAGING OF FUNNSIDE NINGNANGAN IN
THE CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, PAMPANGA

A Business Research Presented to the School of Business and Public Administration of

University of the Assumption

In partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the Business Research

PRESENTED TO:

Sir. Abel Pineda

PRESENTED BY:

Tambo Edraline

Canlas Ara

Macabante Nikka

Olalia Kenneth

Teodoro Love Eugene

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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 Unisite Subdivision, Del Pilar, City of San Fernando, 2000 Pampanga, Philippines

I. Title of the study

II. Introduction
Background of the study
The main purpose of the study
The problem statement
General objective and specific objectives of the study
The scope of the study
III. Literature review
IV. Theoretical framework and hypotheses
V. Research methodology
VI. Significance of research
VII. Time frame
VIII. Budget
IX. List of references

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

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 Unisite Subdivision, Del Pilar, City of San Fernando, 2000 Pampanga, Philippines

In the Philippines, plastics and Styrofoam mainly compose the wastes, because
there is a huge volume of the people taking out from restaurants and fast-food chains
for convenience purposes. Also, only plastics and Styrofoam are the only packaging
available here in our country and is available in most establishments.

In the City of San Fernando Pampanga, there is one famous ningnangan

restaurant that uses banana leaves as their packaging material, this is the “Funnside
Ningnangan”. It is one of the Pampanga’s leading homegrown family restaurant and grill
house, is set to open its 9th branch here, as it gears up for sustained growth and
aggressive store expansion plan. The new branch, with a total lot area of 3,000 square
meters, can accommodate up to 800 diners. It is among the restaurant chain’s biggest
branch, next to San Fernando, Guiguinto, Caloocan, Pulilan, Apalit, Angeles, San
Matias, and Mexico. We found out that Funnside Ningnangan is using an eco-friendly
material in their restaurants. The stakeholders would be; restaurant owners as they are
the ones that using disposable packaging product the most, public markets, for the huge
market of our products, supplier of banana leaves, as they are the one what would be
supplying the leaves to the group.

The researchers thought of using banana leaves as an alternative packaging. In

this way, we could be more environmentally friendly and lessen the wastes produced
especially during this pandemic since the volume of take-outs and deliveries would
surely increase. Based on the information gathered by the researchers, there are only a
handful of restaurants here in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga that are using
banana leaves as their packaging, most are using plastic or Styrofoam, so this would
make a huge impact on waste management in the City of San Fernando Pampanga.

The marketing students of the University of the Assumption should not only
focus on generating profits and being unique in the market. We should prioritize caring
for the environment first since it’s where we live. Every day the City of San Fernando,
Pampanga is slowly getting populated due to carelessness of people, several
entrepreneurs during this present time are only focusing on generating profits and don’t

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 Unisite Subdivision, Del Pilar, City of San Fernando, 2000 Pampanga, Philippines

care much for the environment because they only have one goal, which is generating
profit.

The Main Purpose of the Study

The study aims to analyze the effectiveness of using banana leaves as

sustainable green packaging. The study will help the companies to decide on using
banana leaves as their packaging materials. The researcher will provide sufficient
information on how companies can save money and help the environment at the same
time. This study will provide specific information on how banana leaves so effective and
efficient to use, also this study will enlighten the advantage and disadvantages of using
banana leaves.

The researchers aim to use banana leaves as an alternative to plastic and

Styrofoam packaging which reduces the amount of waste in the environment. In
addition, the replacement process to start using sustainable green packaging does not
necessarily have to imply expenditures. Cost reductions may be utilized by optimizing
the packaging that is necessary to guarantee the safety of the loads. This study will help
us to advocate the use of banana leaves as a packaging materials, also it will give us an
opportunity to inspire other companies to used banana leaves as a sustainable green
packaging. The researchers aim to know why and how effective it is.

The Problem Statement

The main problem with this disposable paper packaging together with Styrofoam
and plastics packaging are not often reused and are totally thrown away after a single
use, which takes a very long time to dissolve and is often dumped in the ocean, leading
to ocean pollution. Wastes are one of the main problems in the world today, mainly
because people are used to using disposables and disposable packaging to save the
effort of washing dishes. The world is now slowly shifting to using eco-friendly materials
like paper bags in packaging because the wastes are getting more and more due to the
continuous usage of the people, which leads to population of the ocean and flooding.

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 Unisite Subdivision, Del Pilar, City of San Fernando, 2000 Pampanga, Philippines

The researchers aim to determine the effectiveness of using banana leaves as

sustainable green packaging of Funnside Ningnangan in the City of San Fernando,
Pampanga.

Specifically, the purpose of this study is to answer the following questions. 

1. What is the profile of the respondents in terms of: 

1. Sex
2. Name
3. Location
b. Does the banana leaves efficient to use as a sustainable green packaging? 
c. Is there a relationship between the profile of the respondents and the
effectiveness of using banana leaves?
d. Is there a significance difference between the effectiveness of using banana
leaves as a sustainable green packaging of Funnside Ningnangan in the City of
San Fernando, Pampanga?

e. What reference material may be proposed in order to expand the knowledge of

Funnside Ningnangan in the effectiveness of using banana leaves as a
sustainable green packaging?  

The general objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of using

banana leaves as sustainable green packaging. In this way, the researcher would be
able to recommend a solution depending on the needs of the market when it comes to
packaging materials, and at the same time we are saving our environment. The
specific objectives of the study are followed;

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 To know the advantage and disadvantage of using banana leaves as sustainable

green packaging of Funnside Ningnangan in the City of San Fernando,
Pampanga.
 To propose a recommendation in using banana leaves as a sustainable green
packaging.

The Scope of the Study

This study is limited to sustainable green packaging using banana leaves mainly
on Funnside Ningnangan in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. The study focuses
on the effectiveness and efficiency of using banana leaves a sustainable green
packaging. The collection of data to the respondents will be conducted to said
ningnangan restaurant.

LITERATURE REVIEW

This chapter presents pertinent review of related literature which is relevant to

the research.

All You Need to Know About Banana Leaves Packaging

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An old Nigerian Proverb says, “An old banana leaf was once young and green.” As they
get older, they might look wrinkled and shriveled, but the truth is a banana leaf is a big,
lush green leaf when young that is used in banana leaves packaging. It is thick, glossy
and attractive and can be found in many countries around the world. Not only can you
use it in many ways, but it is even beautiful enough to look at. But this article is not
going to focus on the outer look of a banana leaf, instead will be focusing on a recent
trend in Eco-friendly packaging design that was observed in Asia, and excited
everyone!

In the current year of 2019, where everybody is now extremely focused on climate
change and ways to help heal mother earth. We have destroyed nature for years, and to
the point that some damages are irreversible.

Now, when we are seeing visible effects of what we have done, we have begun to
collectively think about reversing some of the damages or trying to stop causing more.
Many people are taking solid steps to try and help in this cause. 

As many other industries, packaging industry has also been seeing a huge trend and
rise in use of sustainable products rather than the traditional plastic materials.

The reason is to reduce overall cost and to avoid using plastic. Do you know how many
years does it take for one plastic to decompose? How harmful it can be for oceans and
seas, and aquatic life?

Therefore, a lot of businesses have started to put thought into replacing your usual with
something unique and useful.

For many people and brands, the mere thought of substituting something creative is fun
and exciting. Even big companies like Forbes are ready to join this movement.

In reality, we are going back to our routes by using leaves as our packaging materials.
Now that the companies are implementing this old tradition, they are seeing a lot of
successful results. 

https://www.roshanpackages.com.pk/banana-leaves-packaging/

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The Benefits of Banana Leaves

As many companies are now moving away from single use plastics, they're seeking
biodegradable packaging for food. Banana leaves are 100% environmentally-friendly
and sustainable. They will degrade just like any other plant product once they've been
discarded, and they're a by-product that is continuously produced.

They're cheap. Because banana leaves are everywhere that bananas are, they're
readily available. They don't cost anything to grow, and they're already growing on
existing distribution channels.

They're large. Banana leaves are often used as serving vessels because of their size. A
banana leaf can be used to wrap fairly large food items.

They're clean. The slick nature of banana leaves means that they're water proof and
easy to clean. Other leaves may not be clean enough to use for food service.

They're attractive. Banana leaves grow in a bright color, and they retain that bright color,
making them look fresh and new even days after they have been cut. 

They’re guilt-free and compostable. There are no special processes required for getting
rid of banana leaves; they can be thrown in the trash or composted outside.

They're natural. Banana leaves don't need additional treatments to remain fresh-looking
or water-resistant. Consequently, they're perfect for those who are interested in natural
foods.

Banana leaves are also lightweight, healthy, and attractive. Many people who are
uncomfortable with plastics may be comfortable with the use of banana leaves, as they
won't pass unusual chemicals to food.

Other Sustainable Options

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Banana leaves aren't the only biodegradable packaging for food. As more countries ban
plastics, companies are finding alternatives. Some of the more popular alternatives
include:

Paper packaging. Many are moving increasingly towards sustainable paper products
rather than plastics. While plastics were originally intended to reduce the impact of the
paper industry, many paper companies are now clearly more sustainable.

Bamboo packaging. Bamboo is becoming a very popular product, because it grows

quickly and it's eco-friendly. A type of grass, bamboo grows more quickly than trees and
can thrive in much harsher environments.

Reusable packages. Instead of disposable packaging, some companies are selling

reusable items. Companies popularly offer a discount for returning with a reusable
package.

https://www.afflink.com/blog/can-banana-leaves-replace-traditional-plastic-packaging

Packaging the Future: Banana Leaves as Natural Packaging

Traditionally, the leaves of the banana tree are used most often as (quite dynamic and
attractive) serving vessels for everyday meals in South Indian and Filipino cuisine.
Hindus and Buddhists both use the leaves for religious ceremonies and offerings, and
the fully biodegradable and bright green leaves are used as trays of sorts. But that’s not
all!

Banana leaves are said to impart a special flavor to foods and can even be used to
steam food, especially cha lua, a Vietnamese sausage. Cooking and eating with banana
leaves is such a common practice that it has even earned its own tradition. According to

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Wikipedia, “In Malaysia, to show your appreciation after a satisfying meal, fold the
banana leaf towards you (i.e. inwards) to signify that the meal was good. Folding the
opposite direction (i.e. upwards/away from you) signifies that the meal was not
satisfying.”

Food is served on the leaves not only because it makes for a lovely presentation, but
because it is thought that an enzyme on the leaf, which is broken down by the hot food
placed up on it, is actually released into the food, and aids in digestion. Outside of
Indian and Asian food, however, the possibilities for banana leaves really open up, as
they can be used for cooking all sorts of dishes that one would normally use aluminum
foil or parchment paper for (though banana leaves are a bit porous, so it’s a good idea
to put them in a baking dish so they won’t leak in your oven).

The leaves can also be used in a BBQ in the same way; wrap potatoes or meat to grill
or steam as you would if you were using foil, or use as a mat for smaller items that
could fall through the leaf.

https://inhabitat.com/packaging-the-future-banana-leaves-as-natural-packaging/

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This chapter presents the research methodologies used in the study. This
includes the research design, respondents of the study, instruments of the study,
research procedures and the statistical analysis of data.

Research Design
The descriptive survey method was employed in this study. This method will be
used by the researchers to record, analyze, interpret, and discuss the effectiveness of

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using banana leaves as sustainable green packaging of Funnside Ningnangan in the

City of San Fernando, Pampanga.
The researcher believed that this method was fit for the study in analyzing and
collecting data to the respondents.

Respondents of the Study

The respondents of the study have a total population of 20 respondents, 10
women and 10 men. These are the customers of Funnside Ningnangan in the City of
San Fernando, Pampanga. The respondents are randomly picked by the researchers.

Research Instrument

The instrument that was used in this study is a questionnaire composing of two
(2) parts: Part I profile of the respondents including their sex, name, location. And, part
II consists of a test with 5 questions to determine the effectiveness of using banana
leaves as sustainable green packaging of Funnside Ningnangan in the City of San
Fernando, Pampanga.

Research Procedure
The prepared questionnaire was given to the selected respondents after visiting
the Funnside Ningnangan in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. In administering the
questionnaire, the research will give free time to the respondents to finish answering the
set of questions. The researchers provided a token to the respondents as a gratitude for
their cooperation. The information and results that were gathered by the researchers
are carefully recorded, intellectually analyzed, and interpreted to complete the purpose
of this study. Data collection will be gathered utterly on available respondents.

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THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK AND HYPOTHESES

Theoretical Framework 

The effectiveness of using

banana leaves as sustainable
green packaging of Funnside
Convenience and
Ningnangan in the City of San
efficiency of using
Fernando, Pampanga
banana leaves as a
sustainable green
packaging
Relation between the respondent’s 12 | P a g e

feedback and the effectiveness of using

banana leaves as sustainable green
 Unisite Subdivision, Del Pilar, City of San Fernando, 2000 Pampanga, Philippines

Participation in the
environmental matter of
Funnside Ningnangan
in the City of San
Fernando, Pampanga
Hypotheses
In line with the problem, the following hypotheses were tested.

There is no relationship between the profile of the respondents and the

effectiveness of using banana leaves as sustainable green packaging of Funnside
Ningnangan in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga.

There is no significance difference on the effectiveness of using banana leaves

as sustainable green packaging of Funnside Ningnangan in the City of San Fernando,
Pampanga.
SIGNIFICANCE OF RESEARCH
The results of the study will be of great benefit to the following:

To the students, this study will provide a knowledge and understanding of the
effectiveness of using a banana leaves as plates as an alternative to plastic waste that
pollute our environment. This study will help to inform and encourage the student to use
Eco friendly products which can help to keep the environment clean and make the
planet good to live.

To the customers, the main benefit to the customer is the ability to save the
environment with the right eco-friendly products. You can move forward with certainty
knowing you're not doing any damage the environment.

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To the suppliers, knowing they can earn a profit, as the supplier of banana
leaves should know Mother Nature offers us all we require. It’s up to humankind to
make the right choice. Nature should coexist in every aspect to create the sustainable
civilization.

To the business owners, especially to those who own a grill house. They can
use Banana leaves as an alternative packaging, offers great usage and health
environment. It is an advantage for businesses they can use this as an alternative and it
is not very costly.

To the environment, it will be beneficial not only to people, but as well our
environment. This study significantly decreases the amount of plastic required. They are
simply wrapped in a banana leaf. It will give a great help to keep the environment clean
and make the planet good to live because banana leaves can be easily disposed and
Eco friendly.

To the future researchers, the result of the study can help them in conducting
studies with the same field. This will serves as a guide that will give them information
and knowledge about the topic.

TIME FRAME

The estimated time frame of data collection will be from October 1st to November
2020 during the quarantine period. The respondents will be the customer of Funnside
Ninangngan in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. The data will be collected by the
specific time allotted and will be analyzed by the researcher.

LIST OF REFERENCES

https://www.roshanpackages.com.pk/banana-leaves-packaging/

https://www.afflink.com/blog/can-banana-leaves-replace-traditional-plastic-packaging

https://inhabitat.com/packaging-the-future-banana-leaves-as-natural-packaging/

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