Holy Cross of Mintal, Inc.

"The Feasibility of Banana (Musa Paradisiaca) Peels as

Alternative Paper Bag: A Way to Address Plastic Pollution"

In Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirements in Science

A Science Innovative Project

Presented to the Faculty of the Science Department

Of Holy Cross of Mintal, Inc.

Submitted by:

Lamban, Ana Jayne

Ang, Shobe Jhi

Gahaton, Eyriel

Audan, Aidan Gabrielle

Castillion, Laurence

Submitted to:

Mr. Michael John Loma

Table of Contents
Table of contents .............................................Pages

ABSTRACT………………………………3
Introduction………………………………..4
Background of the Study…………………..5
Statement of the Problem………………….6
Formulation of the Hypothesis…………….6
Significance of the Study…………………...7
Scope and Limitations……………………..8
Definition of Terms………………………....8

ABSTRACT
 Global warming and environmental problems are common in our society today
because of pollution and other waste products that are abundant. Food trash and used
paper are two things that are often disposed of in the Philippines. The Metropolitan
Manila Development Authority (MMDA) says that Metro Manila alone generates
between 8,400 as well as 8,600 tons of waste each day, according to DENR data.
Experimental tests were conducted to characterize and evaluate the mechanical and
physical properties of the biodegradable plastic. This study also aims to increase the
source of the country's great abundance of banana peels while minimizing the
discharge of waste paper and food waste. This study evaluates the usefulness of
recycling waste paper and banana peels as an alternative to paper bags. This
research's quantitative experimentation data is presented as a table with a set of exactly
recorded values for evaluating the formulated paper's weight capacity, water resistance,
and flexibility, and it looks for different outcomes based on how long the components
are blended, boiled, and dried. This literature demonstrates the value of using banana
peels as a replacement while creating paper bags. Thus, in contrast to the traditional
commercially formulated paper bags, the production of the mentioned paper is not
expensive and does not need multiple functions. Despite the Philippines’ policies and
repeated campaigns to reduce, reuse, and recycle, Filipinos sadly still seem slow to
adopt a “recycling culture,”especially at home. It’s an issue that the Department of
Labour and Employment (DOLE) Philippines, through a recently launched sustainability
initiative, hopes to address with the help of a group of people whom they believe have
the most power to influence their families and the youth.

Page 3

CHAPTER 1
 INTRODUCTION

Plastic Pollution is affecting the whole earth, including mankind, wildlife, and
aquatic life. It is spreading like a disease which has no cure.we see that plastic is a non-
biodegradable material. It does not leave the face of the earth. We cannot dissolve
plastic in land or water, it remains forever. Thus, more and more use of plastic means
more plastic which won’t get dissolved. Thus, the rise of plastic pollution is happening at
a very rapid rate. We all must realize the harmful impact it has on our lives so as to
avert it as soon as possible. Plastic pollutes our water. In short, we see how plastic
pollution is ruining everyone’s life on earth. We must take major steps to prevent it. We
must use alternatives like paper bags instead of plastic bags. If we are purchasing
plastic, we must reuse it.
There is little doubt that plastic pollution is on a massive scale, having
detrimental implications on the economy, society, and human health. To ensure a
coordinated global response from governments, businesses, and civil society to address
its issues, proposals for a legally binding international convention have been growing.
The focus of methods to reduce plastic pollution can be roughly divided into
upstream (like lowering demand) and downstream (like collection and recycling) efforts.
On the basis of historical patterns and the majority opinion of a research team, we
assessed the maximum projected growth and implementation amounts in order to
abstract systems the development of waste management and recycling solutions in the
Collect and Dispose, Recycling, and System Change scenarios.
The average economic impact of plastic pollution to marine ecosystems is $13
billion. 28 This covers costs associated with beach cleanup as well as losses to the
fishing and tourism industries.Long thought to be primarily an ocean issue, marine and
coastal ecosystems are in fact severely impacted by plastic waste. At least 85% of all
marine waste is made up of plastic, making it the most common, damaging, and harmful
feature of marine litter.

Page 4

Background of the Study

 We chose and conducted our study about the handmade banana paper as
an alternative resource for plastic bags because it is important for us to take part
in ensuring, protecting and conserving our environment. The best way to
contribute to a better environment is to not throw away our plastic bags.
Unfortunately, Filipinos still seem slow to develop a "recycling culture," especially
at home, despite the Philippines' rules and continuous programs to reduce,
reuse, and recycle.
These are just a few examples, but plastic pollution and its negative
impacts are felt across all areas. We should use care when using plastic and in
our daily activities to reduce the harm caused. There is no way to stop the harm
that has already happened, so we must learn to be more watchful and careful in
the future in order to preserve nature and the earth. Environmental plastic
pollution is rising like a wildfire. It seriously affects the life of both people , living
creatures in terms of function. Together, we must fight it and make every effort to
show restraint.
Through a recently announced sustainability effort, the Department of
Labor and Employment (DOLE) Philippines seeks to address this issue with the
assistance of a group of people they believe have the most sway over their
families and the next generation.

Page 5
Statement of the Problem
This study sought to create paper using banana peel as its primary component.
This research specifically sought to provide answers to the following questions:

1. What are the implications of the study to the:

1.1 Users?
1.2 Manufacturers?

2. Is there a significant difference between experimental paper and commercial

paper in terms of:
2.1 Color?
2.2 Texture?
2.3 Odor?
2.4 Cost production?

3. How can the experimental paper be described in terms of:

3.1 Color?
3.2 Texture?
3.3 Odor?

Formulation of the Hypothesis

1. There is no significant difference between Banana peel paper and

commercial paper in terms of color.

2. There is no significant difference between Banana peel paper and

commercial paper in terms of texture.

3. There is no significant difference between Banana peel paper and

commercial paper in terms of odor.

Page 6
Significance of the Study
Many people, businesses, and most importantly the environment—which is in
danger from humankind's illegal actions—would benefit from the study. This study will
also act as inspiration for the readers to develop renewable and environmentally friendly
goods to reduce the amount of paper and food waste disposal.
Poor people, Anyone can make banana peel paper since it is straightforward and
does not require a production line to create a paper bag from banana peels. Carbon
dioxide emissions, food wastes that take years to break down, and the demand for the
paper that is produced will all somehow become less polluting. Banana peels will be
used to create paper.
Farmers will be inspired to grow more banana barks in order to market their
fruits, as there may be a rise in demand if more people are aware of this product.
Planting vegetation will also benefit the environment and may even prevent the
upcoming climate change.
Businesses, Being environmentally conscious is a popular social trend. The
current generation opposes the fight against global warming. Businesses will be able to
sell banana peel paper bags through this product to supermarkets or grocery stores,
and customers will be encouraged to shop there for daily requirements because doing
so will help save the environment.
Future Researchers, By understanding the items' weight, water resistance, and
flexibility capacities, researchers can bring fresh knowledge to their field of study.
Additionally, by including new trials, the researchers will be able to enhance their work
and be willing to improve studies that will be useful to both the present and future
generations.

Page 7
Scope and Limitations
The study concentrated on using banana peel to make paper. The researchers
noted the parallels and contrasts between the experimental paper and the commercial
article. There were two arrangements. Thirty tests evaluate the two setups that the
researchers provided.
The researchers will conduct the study at Davao City. The researchers will
conduct an experiment on how the Paper Bags durability and resistance will be affected
by the use of bananas. This study just describes the experimental paper's color, texture,
and smell; it does not assess the paper's thickness, tensile strength, or rate of
breakdown once it is generated.The study was limited to the use of Independent
variables such as banana peels, while the Dependent variable of this study was the
good quality of papers that we made.

Definition of Term
The following definitions were created to support in understanding this study.

Banana Peel- The skin of a banana(especially when it is stripped off and

discarded). The raw material was used to produce the experimental paper.
Boiling- The application of heat to change something from a liquid to a gas. The
process to which the Banana peel will be softened.
Deckle- frame used in making paper by hand to form paper pulp into sheets of a
desired size.
Fiber- A thread or filament from which a vegetable tissue, mineral substance, or
textile is formed.
Grinding- To crush or break (something) into very small pieces by rubbing it
against a rough surface or using a special machine. The process to which the Banana
peel was mashed.
Mold- A frame covered with metal or nylon.
Paper- A thin material produced by pressing together most fibers, typically
cellulose pulp derived from wood, rags or grasses, and drying them into flexible sheets.
It was used as a point of comparison to test the effectiveness of experimental papers.
Starch- A substance that is found in certain foods. It served as the binder
of the experimental paper.

Page 8
 CHAPTER II
Review of Related Literature

This literature review's objective is to give the reader a comprehensive overview

of (recycling). It highlights the significance of this study to the research body that
already exists. This chapter's information was compiled from earlier research, including
books and several thesis projects. Scientists, consumers, and rights activists are all
paying close attention to the elaborate topic of food waste. A third of all food produced
ends up as waste, which has been referred to as a worldwide paradox given the
emphasis on agriculture to increase food security. (United Nations Food and Agriculture
Organization, 2013).
Mankind has been strongly dependent on plant fibers for all kinds of purposes. In
In earlier days, natural fibers served a crucial role in mitigating everyday needs in a
wide range of uses. But in recent years the arrival of synthetic products is dominating
over the natural fiber, due to the low cost. But the synthetic fibers are non degradable
and cause serious pollution problems.Banana is one of the earliest and important fruit
crops cultivated by man in tropical parts of the world. Banana is one of the important
fruit crops cultivated in tropical parts of the world. Banana farming generates huge
quantities of biomass all of which goes as waste and the above ground parts like
pseudo stem and peduncles are the major source of fiber. Banana fiber can be used as
raw material for industry for production of a range of products like paper, cardboards,
tea bags, currency notes and reinforced as polymer composite in high quality dress
materials (Mohapatra et al., 2010).
An orange peel takes up to six months to decompose depending on the
environment, while a banana peel takes up to two years. Orange peels and banana
peels still stick around for a while even though these things can decompose more
quickly than materials like plastic or glass. Even a handful of people leaving behind food
waste in a popular area that sees dozens of visitors per day can add up to a big pile of
decomposing garbage. Herber, M. (2016 October 4).
Bananas plantains are best known as a food crop, almost every part of the plant
can be used in one way or another. It is both cheap and full of nutrients rich in nutrition,
fiber, vitamins and minerals. Various parts of the banana plant itself can also be used
for different purposes all over the world. As a very good replacement for wood pulp in
the paper industry, as it has high cellulose content, thus reducing the Environmental
impact of deforestation. Banana fiber can be an alternative raw material of paper
industries like writing paper, anti-grease paper, cheque paper as well as hardboard
industries. It can be easily blended with other fibers such as jute and mustard being
natural fibers. Therefore, lots of industrial products like gunny bags, door mats, carpets,
yarn, ropes, geo-textiles, trivialities, luggage carriers and interior decorative crafts
paper, tissue paper, paper bags, etc. can be made from this fiber, where great strength
is required. It has also some industrial uses such as natural sorbent, as a base material
for bioremediation and recycling and as a natural water purifier. Yadav, A., Kumari, R.,
Yadav, A., Mishra, J.PKumar, R. (2016).
 Mankind has been strongly dependent on plant fibers for all kinds of purposes. In
earlier days, natural fibers served a crucial role in mitigating everyday needs in a wide
range of uses. But in recent years the arrival of synthetic products is dominating over
the natural fiber, due to the low cost. But the synthetic fibers are non degradable and
cause serious pollution problems. Banana is one of the earliest and important fruit crops
cultivated by man in tropical parts of the world. Banana is one of the important fruit
crops cultivated in tropical parts of the world. Banana farming generates huge quantities
of biomass all of which goes as waste and the above ground parts like pseudo stem and
peduncle are the major source of fiber. Banana fiber can be used as raw material for
industry for production of a range of products like paper, cardboards, tea bags, currency
notes and reinforced as polymer composite in high quality dress materials (Mohapatra
et al., 2010).
Banana fiber is a kind of new-type natural fiber. Banana fiber is extracted from
the bark of banana trees, it belongs to bast fiber. The appearance of banana fiber is
similar to natural original bamboo fiber and ramie fiber, but the fineness and spin ability
of banana fiber is better than natural original bamboo fiber and ramie fiber. Banana fiber
had a very limited application and was primarily used for making items like ropes, mats,
and some other composite materials. With the increasing environmental awareness and
growing importance of eco-friendly fabrics, banana fiber has also been recognized for
all its good qualities and now its application is increasing in other fields too such as
apparel garments and home furnishing. (Preethi & G, 2016)
The banana plant has long been a source of fiber for high quality textiles. It is
used in the production of paper. Bananas as fertilizer work out with a number of plants.
Bananas have a lot of health benefits. Using banana skin fertilizer is also a great way of
recycling kitchen waste (Robert Marcello, n.d.). Banana peels add several important
nutrients to fertilizer including calcium, magnesium, sulfur, potassium phosphate and
sodium.
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