CHAPTER I

PRODUCTION OF ECO BAG FROM BANANA STEM FIBER

Introduction

In today’s generation, humans are starting to make an alternative way in

solving plastic waste problem. Using eco-friendly materials in alternatives to
plastic bag like eco bag to help reduce the use of plastic bags. Even banana
can help in replacing plastic bag using its stem fiber.

In this study, we hope to produce an Eco bag that uses banana fibers, to
use sodium hydroxide to loosen the pseudo stem and separate its fibers
and use this to help reducing plastic bags in our community.
Background of the Study

Eco bags is a type of shopping bag which can be reused many times. It is
an alternative to single-use paper or plastic bags. It is often a tote bag made
from fabric such as canvas, natural fibers such as Jute, woven synthetic
fibers, or a thick plastic that is more durable than disposable plastic bags,
allowing multiple use. (Debbie Meyer, 2018)

According to Saraexim (2016) Reusable shopping bags are better than

plastic or paper bags. These bags are used to prevent environmental
pollution. Materials, used to produce these bags, do not harm the quality of
our surroundings. These bags are generally made of materials such as jute,
cloth, and recycled plastics. , canvas or organic cotton. These reusable bags
are hygienic and easily washable. These products can be used for various
purposes.

But in this study we use banana stem because we found out that banana
fiber is a natural bast fiber which has wide range of uses in handicraft
product developments such as mat, rope and twines, but only 10% of its
pseudo stem is being used for making products and remaining waste is used
as fertilizer. (Vigneswaran et al., 2015)

Eco bags not only recycle material that would be going to waste, they
also eliminate the need for single-use plastic bags that have proven to harm
the environment. Made from petroleum, plastic bags fuel extraction of fossil
resources. They also present a serious disposal problem. It takes centuries
for plastics bag to break down in nature, burning them releases poisonous
chemicals, and in oceans, plastic trash harms a number of marine species.
Non-toxic Eco bags, on the other hand, conserve the environment by
harmlessly biodegrading after numerous uses. (unfccc.int, 2019)

According to phys.org (2019), every day almost 48 million shopping bags

are used throughout the Philippines, adding up to more than 17 billion a year.
Though there are 3r's system and different activities to eliminate plastic, yet
it is still not enough to counter these plastic waste. That’s why we come up
with an idea about Eco bags because this is the best alternative to plastic
bags. Conducting the experiment could have the duration of 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 on making Eco bags.

Statement of the Problem

This study aimed to determine whether Eco bag from banana stem fibers
can be an alternative to plastic bags.

1. Why Eco bags from banana stem fibers are good for replacing plastic
bags?

2. How effective is banana stem fibers in making Eco bags?

3. What is the use of sodium hydroxide in making the Eco bag?

Hypothesis of the Study

These are the following hypothesis of the study:

H1: The Banana Fibers are effective materials in making the Eco bags.
H2: The Banana Fibers are not effective materials in making the Eco
bags.

Scope and Limitations

In general, the focus of the study is to produced a Eco bag from banana
stem fibers that is the best alternative for plastic bags. The study focused
primarily on the use of one form of banana, stem fibers of banana.

Significance of the Study

In this study, the researchers wanted to help in solving the problem of

plastic waste. This study wants to help the people who uses plastic bags and
replace it with an Eco bag. This study will benefit all the people that Eco bags
are the best alternative for plastics bags. The researchers believed that they
wanted to make the product more useful and efficient.

Definition of Terms

Bast fiber- is plant fibre collected from the phloem or bast surrounding the
stem of certain dicotyledonous plants. It supports the conductive cells of the
phloem and provides strength to the stem.

Twine- strong thread or string consisting of two or more strands of hemp,

cotton, or nylon twisted together.
 Chapter II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter presents the related literature of what are advantages of using
Banana fibers as Eco bag and the importance of Eco bag in replacing the
plastic bags.

Eco Bags is a type of shopping bag that can be reused several times.
Single-use paper or plastic bags are an alternative. It is often a tote bag
made from cloth such as cotton, natural fibers such as Jute, woven synthetic
fibers or a dense plastic which is more durable than disposable plastic bags,
allowing multiple use. (Debbie Meyer, 2018)

According to Saraexim (2016) Reusable shopping bags are safer than

plastic bags. Such bags are used to avoid waste from the environment.
Products used to make these bags don't affect the nature of our community.
Such bags are generally made of jute, cotton, and recycled plastics. Bio
cotton or canvas. These reusable bags are hygienic, and are easy to wash.

Banana fiber is a raw bast fiber that has a wide range of uses in the
production of handcrafted goods, such as matting, rope and twines, but only
10% of its pseudo stem is used to make products and the remaining waste is
used as fertilizer. (Vigneswaran et al., 2015)

Eco bags not only recycle material that would be going to waste, they
also eliminate the need for single-use plastic bags that have proven to harm
the environment. Made from petroleum, plastic bags fuel extraction of fossil
resources. Non-toxic Eco bags, on the other hand, conserve the environment
by harmlessly biodegrading after numerous uses. (unfccc.int, 2019)
 According to phys.org (2019), Nearly 48 million shopping bags are used
every day across the Philippines, totaling more than 17 billion a year. Though
there are 3r's system and various activities to eliminate plastic, countering
these plastic waste is not yet enough. That's why we come up with an idea
for Eco bags because this is the best plastic bag option.
 Chapter III

Research Methodology

This chapter presents the research components that are included in the
study. This is composed of the materials and methods needed to make a Eco
bag from Banana stem fibers as an alternative to plastic bags.

3.1 Materials

This are the materials used in making Banana stem fiber Eco bags

Quantity Materials Function or Description image

For Extraction

Banana stems vary in size, averaging at

least five centimeters in diameter when sold
2 pcs Banana
in markets, and are cylindrical to elongated
Stem
in shape. The outer layer of the stem is a
fibrous, green sheath that is inedible and
tough to remove. Underneath this layer, the
core is the edible portion of the stem and is
white to pale green-yellow with a firm,
dense consistency.
(https://www.specialtyproduce.com/produce/Banana_
Stem_12571.php)

Tap Tap water is water supplied to a tap. Its uses

Water include drinking, washing, cooking, and the
flushing of toilets.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tap_water)

1 pc Big Pot It is a various types of container, usually

 round, especially one used for cooking food.
(https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/pot)

A strainer is a form of sieve used to

1 pc Strainer
separate solids from liquid.

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sieve)

20 ml Sodium A caustic chemical used in industrial

Hydroxid processes such as soap and paper
e production, and in powerful cleaning
substances.
(https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/
english/caustic-soda)

1 pc Gas A gas stove is a stove that is fuelled by

Stove combustible gas such as syngas, natural
gas, propane, butane, liquefied petroleum
gas or other flammable gas. Before the
advent of gas, cooking stoves relied on solid
fuels such as coal or wood.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Gas_stove)

1 pc Plastic Its is a containers made exclusively or

partially of plastic.
Tub
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic_container)

1 pc Blender A blender (sometimes called a liquidiser in

British English) is a kitchen and laboratory
appliance used to mix, purée, or emulsify
food and other substances.
 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blender)

1 pc Knife It is a tool with a cutting edge or blade

attached to a handle.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knife)

5 pcs Frame It is used to strain the fibers.

Strainer

For Experimentation

3 kilos Sand Sand is a granular material composed of

finely divided rock and mineral particles. It
is defined by size, being finer than gravel
and coarser than silt.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sand)

3.2 Data Gathering Process

Gathering of materials Testing and Evaluation

Procedures in making
needed in making the of the durability of the
Eco bag
Eco bag Eco bag
 Figure 1: Data Gathering Procedure

In data gathering procedure, there are three (3) stages namely; first stage,
the researchers gather the materials needed for making the Eco bag.
Second, the researchers follow the methods in making the Eco bag. Lastly,
the researchers tested the durability of the product.

1. Gatherings of Data

The researchers will carefully follow the steps in gathering the

preliminary data namely; finding the problems, objectives, hypothesis, scope
and limitations, significance of the study and even the operational definition
of terms. After the preliminary investigation completed, the researcher
started gathering the materials needed in the study. Some of the materials
were acquired from the markets and hardware.

2. Design and Development

In developing the physical facet of the project, the researchers gather all
the materials needed.

The Eco bag is composed of Banana stem fiber undergoes processing,

developing, and innovating to make the product visible.

In patching up the materials needed to make the product, you need to

follow the step- by-step process:

1. Gathering of materials

2. Preparing the workplace

3. Cut the Banana stem into small pieces

4. Wash the cutted pieces of Banana stem

 5. Boil the cutted pieces of Banana stem for 15 minutes

6. Add 20 ml of sodium hydroxide while boiling

7. After boiling for 15 minutes, strain it to separate the water

8. Blend it to make the Banana stem finer

9. Put it into the container filled with water, use frame strainer to
separate

the fiber on water

10. Let it dry for 24 hours

11, Apply different test

C, Evaluation and Testing

The researchers tested the Eco bag by conduct a series of trials that will
examine the durability and absorbency of the Eco bag. The researchers tests
the strength by putting amount weight of sand and absorption test.

3.3 Data Analysis

In this study, the researcher will use:

1. Mean to implies the average or sum of a set of data divided by the

number of data.

2. Frequency is the number of times a particular value occurs in a set of

data.

3. Percentage is the rate, number, or amount in each hundred.