Introduction

Agriculture assumes a significant job in the nation’s economy. Involving about 40

percent of Filipino workers, it contributes an average of 20 percent to the Gross

Domestic Product. (Fact Sheet Philippines, Women in Agriculture, Environment and

Rural Production, 2022).

In recent years, the Philippines has ranked among the top five Banana pseudo

exporters and top ten Banana pseudo producers in the world, with annual Banana

pseudo exports of over 3.5 million tons. Unifrutti Corp., the University of the Philippines

Los Baños (UPLB), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the Fiber

Industry Development Authority collaborated on a recent study (FIDA). They estimated

that around 2.3 million metric tons (MT) of Banana pseudo peduncles were thrown away

or composted each year. (Banana pseudo, Stalk Finds New Uses from Waste, 2014).

Paper bags are used in the food business to reduce the usage of plastics in the

society. Natural materials used in production, such as paper, glass, and cotton, have

been supplanted by plastic in recent decades. The widespread usage of plastics has

resulted in significant plastic contamination in our environment.

Chemicals are used to provide plastics specific properties like plasticity, color,

malleability, durability, or the hardness that some items require. However, some of

these compounds have been discovered as being harmful to human health, as they are

suspected of affecting our hormone system, for example. (Plastic Health Coalition,

2022, How Plastic Affects and Threatens Human Health).

Harmful chemicals are included in disposable plastics used to package meals for

human consumption. Due to the non-biodegradable nature of these packaging items,

improper disposal leads to these toxic compounds finding their way into water bodies,

where they breakdown over time.

Plastics are generally non-biodegradable; hence, they may take centuries to decay.

This is due to the intermolecular bonds that constitute plastics, whose structure ensures

that the plastics neither corrode nor decompose.

In order to combat this problem, the demand for fiber as raw materials to make

various products is increasing. It can be extracted from the seed, leaves, fruits and stem

of a plant. Banana pseudo is one of the leading fruits grown in the Philippines. It

provides food and a source of industrial raw materials. Aside from the fruit, Banana

pseudo blossom and its trunk pith that can be eaten, natural fiber can be extracted in

the trunk (pseudo-stem) that is usually thrown as waste after the harvest season.

Banana pseudo (Musa sapientum), which is linked to and looks like abaca (Musa

textilis), is likewise high in fiber. It has been widely recognized that lignocellulosic

biomass of Banana pseudo-stem is mainly composed of cellulose (30–35 wt%),

hemicellulose (15–35 wt%) and lignin (20–35 wt%) (Peng et al., 2012). Because of their

high alpha-cellulose and lignin content, Banana pseudo stem fibers have a lot of

promise for papermaking. These fibers are robust and have great tensile strength. They

are lightweight and have a low elongation. They also have a high moisture absorption

capacity. It absorbs and releases moisture at a rapid rate. They are biodegradable and

have no negative environmental impact, hence they are classified as eco-friendly fiber.

(PATIL, 2019)

Rice straw is an agricultural byproduct even

it could be considered as a waste, Rice straw
could be utilized as a raw material for pulp
and
paper production. The chemical composition
of Rice straw varies from season to season
and depends on species. The chemical
analysis of
an Egyptian Rice straw sample is given:
Alpha cellulose 41.8%, Pentosans 21.6%,
Lignin 13.6%, Ash 18.4% and Silica 16.7%
(Elhelece,
2010).
The advantages of Rice straw for paper and
board production could be summarized as;
Rice straw found in abundant amount, Rice
straw
are found in a steady and continuous supply
over the years. Also, Rice straw is easily
collectable, easy of baling and easy of
transportation
to the factory site. Rice straw is cheap and
have no more valuable or profitable use. Rice
straw is capable of being stored for at least
one
year without deterioration. Storage and
protection means for storage should be not
costly
Rice straw is an agricultural byproduct even
it could be considered as a waste, Rice straw
could be utilized as a raw material for pulp
and
paper production. The chemical composition
of Rice straw varies from season to season
and depends on species. The chemical
analysis of
an Egyptian Rice straw sample is given:
Alpha cellulose 41.8%, Pentosans 21.6%,
Lignin 13.6%, Ash 18.4% and Silica 16.7%
(Elhelece,
2010).
The advantages of Rice straw for paper and
board production could be summarized as;
Rice straw found in abundant amount, Rice
straw
are found in a steady and continuous supply
over the years. Also, Rice straw is easily
collectable, easy of baling and easy of
transportation
to the factory site. Rice straw is cheap and
have no more valuable or profitable use. Rice
straw is capable of being stored for at least
one
year without deterioration. Storage and
protection means for storage should be not
costly
As a result of the increase in plastic pollution and agricultural waste, various needs have

arisen as a result of this circumstance. Rather than discarding Banana pseudo stems

after harvest, the researchers devised a method to make use of them and provide

context for the case. Farmers are having a difficult time coping with and recovering from

their expenses as the cost of farming equipment such as tractors and fertilizers

continues to rise (Markos, 2016). As a result, the researchers have devised a method to

compare the durability of Banana pseudo stem-made eco bag, and commercial paper

bag in order to develop a new eco-friendly material, reduce plastic pollution, reuse

agricultural wastes, and open up businesses and livelihood projects for the community.

Statement of the Problem

 This study seeks to determine the level of durability between the Banana

pseudo-stem-made eco bag against commercially used paper bags. Furthermore, it

seeks to answer the following questions:

1. How durable is the Banana pseudo, Stem-made eco bag against the commercially

used eco bag?

2. What is level of durability of the Banana pseudo, Stem-made eco bag compared to

commercial paper bags?

3. Is there a significant difference between the Banana pseudo, Stem-made eco bag

and the commercial paper bag in terms of:

 Durability

 Strength

 Water Resistance

Null Hypothesis

Ho: There is no significant difference between the Banana pseudo stem-made eco bag,

and the commercial paper bag.

Scope and Limitation of the Study

This study is going to take place in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. This is focused in

identifying the durability, strength and water resistance of Banana pseudo stem- made

paper bag against commercial paper bags. The strength, durability, and water
resistance of the eco bag is measured to get the difference between the Banana

pseudo stem- made eco bag and commercial paper bag. The delimitation of this study

is the weather as it is needed to dry totally under the heat of the sun, thus affecting the

time making process.

Importance/Significance of the Study

This study aims to determine the durability, strength and water resistance of the

Banana pseudo stem- made eco bag against the commercial paper bags. The

researchers believe that this study will be beneficial to the following:

Farmers. This study will be a beneficial to them as this will help ease their burdens in,

disposing Banana pseudo stem after harvest seasons and give them opportunity to earn

income.

Future Researchers. This research study will serve as a reference for the future

researchers if they choose to have a study similar to this. Also, they can get information

from this study wherein they can put to their research’s chapter 2 which is the Review of

Related Literature and Studies.

Community. This study will give the information about the durability, strength and water

resistance of home-made eco bags from Banana pseudo stem and by his, the

researchers can encourage the community in using eco-friendly products such as paper

bags to reduce plastic pollution.

MSMEs. This study will help Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to boost their

business and promote local products.

Definition of Terms

Banana stems are botanically a part of the Musa genus and are actually a flower stalk

of a large, herbaceous plant belonging to the Musaceae family. Rice straw is the

vegetative part of the rice plant (Oryza sativa L.), cut at grain harvest or after.

A paper bag or paper sack is a preformed container made of paper, usually with an

opening at one end. It can be one layer of paper or multiple layers of paper and other

flexible materials. Paper bags are used for packaging and/or carrying items.

Agriculture is the art and science of cultivating the soil, growing crops and raising

livestock. It includes the preparation of plant and animal products for people to use and

their distribution to markets. Agriculture provides most of the world's food and fabrics.

Fiber a thread or filament from which a vegetable tissue, mineral substance, or textile is

formed. "tropical elements like coconut fibers and branches" Durability is defined as the

ability of a material to remain serviceable in the surrounding environment during the

useful life without damage or unexpected maintenance.

Pulp- the soft juicy or moist part of a fruit or vegetable the pulp of an orange. The part of

a fruit or vegetable that is left after the liquid has been squeezed from its apple pulp. A

material prepared usually from wood or rags and used in making paper. The soft

sensitive tissue inside a tooth.