PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF COCONUT SAWDUST AND PLASTIC

WASTE (PET) AS COMPOSITE BOARD

A Research Paper Proposal Presented to the

Faculty of the Senior High School Department of
Polangui General Comprehensive High School
Polangui Albay

In Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirements for the Subject
Practical Research 2
(STEM)

By:
Mary Bernadeth Peligres
Yaminah Lee Sabucor
Sandara Rentoy
Marlbrey Eisen Go
Amulek Albea

April 2022
 Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

This study is made for the betterment of the Environment. Pollution is one of the most

serious problems that the country is facing due to improper disposal of wastes. In recent years,

recycling and reuse solutions for various biodegradables have become an important part of

resource sustainability. One of the major concerns is the management of plastic garbage. Posing

a problem in today's culture because it is non-biodegradable and harmful when ingested

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is one of the most highly sought-after plastics on the globe, as

well as one of the most well-known plastics trash. The increasing volume of wood composite

goods and plastic waste, as well as the negative environmental consequences compelled to devise

remedies.

One of the most successful methods for tackling these concerns is to include them into

the production of wood composites, which are now employed in many areas. According to (T L.

Neff, 2007), one of the consequences of a high production rate is environmental difficulties. To

decrease pollution, sawdust from these wood products must be used. As a result, wood waste,

such as sengon, iroko, oak acacia, pine, and others, can be utilized as filler in particleboard

composites.

Particleboard is a typical wood-based substance used in flat-pack furniture, interior

cabinetry, and work surfaces. It is a form of hardboard that is used for heat insulation. It is also

used for wall and floor panels and is frequently coated or laminated to increase its aesthetic value

(D. Jones and C. Brischke, 2017). It is constructed of wood particles or other lignocellulose

materials that have been combined with synthetic adhesives or other binders and then hot-
pressed. It is readily treated with fire retardants, the cross section of which is often reddish in

color, or with preservative chemicals.

In Europe, about 28.4 million m3 of particle boards are manufactured each year, mostly

for furniture and construction uses (Klmek et al., 2016). Wood is the primary raw material

utilized in this process; however nonwood alternatives have been studied for decades. Although

there are various techniques for producing particle boards, these processes can be classified

into categories using either fibers or particles (Moslemi et al. 2017).

The global urbanization process is one of the main factors responsible for the substantial growth

in the generation of solid wastes, demanding attention for the increase in environmental impacts caused

by the accumulation and failures in the management of solid wastes. (Tulane 2021) In developing nations,

there is no standard for waste management methods, which encourages the use of informal process

models and, as a result, supports irregular disposal, such as in open dumps. Due to the limited areas

accessible for the installation of disposal sites and contamination threats, the shortage of dumps is one of

the most significant problems with plastic waste disposal. According to the (NEMO 2018) Recycled

plastics are a valuable resource and feedstock for manufacturing. Some plastics, like bottles, will be

recycled back into similar applications, but often, recycled plastics are used for entirely different products

than their initial application. It also claims that plastic has a wide range of applications and can lead to the

creation of beneficial items. Several detailed literature reviews have been composed to highlight the

current perceived state-of-the-art plastic recycling methods over the past 20 years. (Richard 2108)

These reviews illustrate novel approaches toward plastic recycling, including blending of the

recycled material with the use of additives to stabilise formulations, studies on the compatibilization of

different mixed plastic types, and reinforcement of polymers with natural fibres or glass fibres to produce

composite material with superior mechanical properties.

 Coconut sawdust is a by-product of the wood and forestry industries. Because it has a

firing capacity, it is typically employed as a fuel source in thermal operations (biomass) (N.

Phonphuak, P. Chindaprasirt, 2015). It is also utilized as an insulator. However, little research

has been conducted on the utilization of these wastes in the manufacturing of construction

materials (Demir, 2008). Sawdust is a result of woodworking tasks such as sawing, sanding,

milling, planing, and routing. It's constructed of little wood chippings. Woodworking machines,

portable power equipment, and hand tools can all be used to complete these tasks.

Since Albay has a big area of forest and water conservation, the output of wood goods is

likewise massive. According to the Philippine Journal of Science, sawdust is the production of

wood waste equivalent to about two million tons per year in the Philippines from the creation of

logs, lumber, and veneer. Every day, this plant generates around five (5) tons of waste bagasse.

With these ideas, the researchers came up with an idea that will determine the

effectiveness of Coconut Saw Dust and Plastic Waste as particle board.

Statement of the Problem

This study will present the systematic review on plastic waste and sawdust, its fate and

biodegradable in the environment. The researchers cope up with these ideas to address the issue

of the management of waste and make a possible practice technique to lessen the effects on the

environment. It intends to answer the following questions:

a. To determine the physical properties of Coconut Sawdust and Plastic Waste Composite

Board in terms of:

a. Density

b. Water Absorption

c. Moisture Control

d. Thickness Swelling

e. Tensile Strength

f. Appearance

i. Texture

b. To test the physical properties of Coconut Sawdust and Plastic Waste Composite

Board against commercial product.

c. What treatment will be applicable to use in making the composite board:

a. Treatment 0- Commercial Composite Board

b. Treatment 1 – 50g Coconut Sawdust, 50g Plastic Waste; 5ml PVC, 10ml wood

glue, 10ml liquid glue, 10 ml PVA

b. Treatment 2 – 50g Coconut Sawdust, 100g Plastic Waste; 5ml PVC, 10ml

wood glue, 10ml liquid glue, 10ml PVA

 c. Treatment 3 – 100g Coconut Sawdust, 50g Plastic Waste; 5ml PVC, 10ml

wood glue, 10ml liquid glue, 10ml PVA

Statement of the Hypothesis

Null Hypothesis, H0:

There is no significant effect in using Coconut Sawdust and Plastic Waste in making

Composite Board.

Alternative Hypothesis, Ha:

There is a significant effect in using Coconut Sawdust and Plastic Waste in making

Composite Board.

Significance of the Study

This proposed study is all about the preparation and characteristic study of coconut

sawdust and plastic waste as composite board. It is critical to perform research like this because

it addresses the primary issue in our ecosystem, which is waste. Researchers will discover

answers on how to fill gaps and modify our understanding on how to tackle our primary problem

in our environment by doing this study, and it will also generate a substance called composite

board, which is made up of saw dust and plastic waste and is valuable to everyone.

CONSUMER - This study will benefit the most from this study since the product will be used as

an alternative to commercial particleboard because it is more cost effective.

EDUCATORS - This study will benefit since the findings will guide them in their discussions

on relevant lessons. It will be easier for them to handle similar study topics.
COMMUNITY - This study will benefit from this product since it will help with improper

garbage disposal.

INDUSTRY - This study will benefit because it will provide them ideas on how to enhance

particleboard manufacturing.

STUDENTS - This study may serve as a guide and reference for the students undertaking

similar studies.

FUTURE RESEARCHER - This study could be a source of existing information for the

researchers. This could be used as a basis for making their own studies and the researchers can

also apply the methods used in this study.

Scope and Delimitation

This study aims to determine the physical properties of Coconut sawdust and Plastic

waste as alternative raw materials in production of particle board. This study only concentrated

in the comparison of commercial particle board and particle board made from coconut sawdust

and plastic waste to determine in which 3 treatment it is more sustainable. Determining the exact

amount of concentration of the given raw materials is very necessary.

This study also intended to address the issue of the management of waste and

make a possible practice technique to lessen the effects on the environment. The researchers also

involved the past researches that helped in knowing the methodology of the study. The Density,

Water Absorption, Moisture Control, Thickness Swelling, Tensile Strength, Appearance, and

Texture will test by the researcher to help determine if Coconut saw dust and Plastic waste as

alternative raw materials as composite board.

Definition of Terms

PARTICLEBOARD - is a wood engineered with both plastic content and wood fiber that has

been extruded and hated.

COCONUT SAW DUST- Cocopeat is the pith or dust left over after removing fibers from a

coconut's husk.

PLASTIC WASTE- Plastic waste is  "the buildup of plastic objects (e.g., plastic bottles) in the

Earth's environment that has a negative impact on animals, wildlife habitat, and humans." '

BIODEGRADABLE - any substance capable of decaying or breakdown into natural materials

to the environment without causing harm.

DENSITY - the quality or state of being dense and closely together. The measurement compares

the amount of matter an object has to its volume.

WATER ABSORPTION-refers to determine the amount of water absorbed under specified

conditions.

THICKNESS SWELLING - refers to determine the thickness that a board will swell after a

specific time of soaking or exposure to moist.

DURABILITY- staying strong and in good condition over a long period of time

APPERANCE- the way that someone or something looks.

ECONOMICAL- cost-effective product giving good value in regards to the money spent by

consumer.
 Chapter 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Related Literature

Pollution is one of the most important issues confronting the country as a result of poor

garbage disposal. One of the primary issues is the handling of plastic rubbish, which is non-

biodegradable and toxic when consumed. PET is similar to thermoplastics in terms of properties,

but it is far more resistant to thermal and chemical deterioration. Waste plastics made from PET

remain stable for a long time and become a major environmental issue (Rahman et al., 2013).

Sawdust is an organic waste solid product made from cutting, grinding, and pulverizing

wood. It has a firing capacity and is typically employed as a source of heat in thermal operations

(biomass) It can also be used as an insulator. There has been little research into the use of these

wastes in the manufacturing of construction materials (Cimafranca et al., 2016).

Particle Board is a pressure-pressed product made from a variety of wastes, wood or

other materials, and an adhesive. It has ideal design stability for simple assembly lines,

consistent quality, dimensional range, and user-friendly physical characteristics. Soundproofing,

ceiling, roofing, and shuttering, cabinets, cladding stair treads, underlying floor, table, shelving,

store fixtures, wall bracing, ceiling boarding, and low-cost cabins are just a few of the

applications. Production of wood plastic composites has economic advantages because of variety

in raw materials (Enayati et al., 2021).

The preceding body of literature defines the study's central phenomenon, the study's

subjects, and the factors that must be considered when performing the research.
Related Studies

Organic materials like sawdust, orange peels, wheat bran, and banana stem are mixed

with plastic wastes for creating particleboard panels. The study shows that sawdust has a high

tensile strength which got a 100 percent in the tensile test, and it also got a100 percent in bending

test. These results give a high opportunity for sawdust as a material for creating a composite

board. (Anwar Abu-Zarifa, Manal Abu-Shammala, Anwar Al-Sheikh on Sustainable

Manufacturing of Particleboards from Sawdust and Agricultural Waste Mixed with Recycled

Plastics 2018)

Also, in the study of Yusuf Lanre Shuaib-Babata, Busari Olanrewaju Yusuf, Sikiru Ottan

Abdulraman, and the others about The Suitability of Using Environmental Waste for Developing

a Hybrid Composite (March 2022), This study considers the suitability of using environmental

wastes (polystyrene foam, sawdust, and eggshell) for the development of composite materials for

ceiling boards. The materials were collected from dumping sites and processed accordingly. The

study also showed that the said materials, with proper measurement, were acceptable for

producing composite ceilings boards.

The use of plastic wastes for construction applications will improve the sustainability of

the environment significantly, and also serve as a reliable source of materials for construction

purposes. The use of recycled plastic wastes as a component in cementitious composites has

been found to be the most beneficial as it can replace all solid components of the composite. P.O.

Awoyera, A. Adesina, Plastic wastes to construction products: Status, limitations, and future

perspective (June 12, 2020)

 The presented studies cited the acceptability of environmental waste, sawdust, and plastic

waste for creating a composite board. However, these studies only focus on the acceptability of

the said materials. Because of these reasons, the researchers decided to create a composite board

using plastic waste and sawdust having the acceptability rate of the cited studies.

Conceptual Framework

Determining the Components

of Saw Dust and Plastic Waste

Qualities of the components for

creating a composite board

Acceptability of Saw dust and

Plastic Waste as a Material for
creating a composite board

Creating a Composite Board

from Saw Dust and Plastic
Wastes
 METHODOLOGY
Research Design

This study used the experimental methods of research to determine acceptability of Coconut

sawdust and Plastic waste as alternative raw materials in production of composite board.

Research Instrument

The research instrument use by the researchers is experiments, the primarily standard

testing methods use in data gathering specifically laboratory experiment.

Validation of the Procedure

Mechanical and physical tests will be used to assess the qualities of manufactured

particleboard samples. The researchers will perform static bending, tensile mechanical, water

absorption, heat resistance, and thickness swelling tests.

Data Gathering Procedure

1. Collection and Preparation of Materials

The researchers collected Coconut sawdust from Alnay Polangui, Albay, Plastic

waste and raw materials (Measuring cup, Duct tape, Strainer, Wood glue, PVC, PVA, Liquid

Glue, Container and Water) from locality. The researchers created the molder using wood panel

and Duct tape with 7.62 cm x 7.62 cm and thickness of 1 inch.

2. Production of Product

The researchers measured the accurate amount of sawdust soaked it in water for

about a minute and used the strainer to remove the excess water. Plastic waste s Put the SMS in a
container and mix it with the right amount of adhesives, the researcher made sure that the

adhesives are equally distributed. The researcher placed the deckle in a flat metal sheet, then

transferred the mixture into the deckle to molded, the researcher then made sure that the mixture

is evenly distributed. Carefully remove the deckle to mold the mixture. Place the flat metal sheet

on the roof, sundry for 3-5 days for it to thoroughly dry.

Data Processing Procedure and Statistical Treatment

Density

The condition or attribute of being thick and close together, the measurement compares

the quantity of matter in an item to the volume of that sample.

Using a ruler, measure the length, width, and thickness. Measure the mass with an

electrical scale. Convert the volume to m3 and then divide the mass by the volume. The density

of the board must be greater than 0.40 g/cm3 in order to fulfil the Chinese National Forestry

Industry standard LY/T 1718-2007. The density value should be more than 0.40 g/cm3; a higher

density will strengthen the board's elasticity and durability.

Density = m (kg)

V (m3)

Wherein:

m= mass

v= volume
Volume = (L) (W) (T)

Wherein:

L = length

W = width

T = thickness

Thickness Swelling

Determines the thickness that a board will expand after soaking or being exposed to

moisture for a given amount of time.

Measure the thickness in inches with a ruler, then soak in 1 hour and measure again. The

standard number for thickness swelling percentage is 12%. The board's strength will be

affected if it exceeds this quantity.

Thickness Swelling = TS (%) = (Tf-Ti/Ti) x 100

Wherein:

Tf = Final thickness

Ti = Initial thickness

Water Absorption

The amount of water absorbed under certain conditions is determined.

 The board's weight (g) is measured using an electronic scale after it has been soaked for 1

hour. The percentage of water absorption should not exceed 40%. A greater absorption value will

significantly reduce the board's strength.

Water Absorption = WA (%) = (Wf-Wi/Wi) x 100

Wherein:

Wf = Final Weight

Wi = Initial Weight
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