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Group 2 Coconut Charcoal
Group 2 Coconut Charcoal
Presented by:
12-STEM D
GROUP 2
Siao, Aleiya D.
Presented to:
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APPROVAL SHEET
This research entitled “Trash to Treasure: The Usage of Coconut Waste Charcoal
requirements for the Practical Research 2 in Senior High School, has been examined and is
hereby recommended for the acceptance and approval for final examination.
Panel Chairman
Panel Member
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We, the STEM-D, 2nd research team, would like to express our gratitude to everyone
who has provided us with ongoing support and inspiration, allowing us to complete this study in
the most expedient manner possible. We want to acknowledge these individuals that contributed
To God, our utmost gratitude for consistently guiding us at every juncture and providing
To our Panelists, for giving us permission to conduct this study and for showing us the
To our Parents, who always support us in everything we do, who provide us with
To our Friends, who are always there to help us in making this research. The comments
To our PR1 Mentor, Ms. Mr4s. Nancy M. Flores who teaches us valuable things in
conducting this research properly and correctly, who is always willing to answer all our
questions about our research, and who provides us guidance and support during the whole period
of our
research.
for their participation and cooperation that greatly helped us finish this study in a more
effective way. Without their kindness, this study wouldn’t have been made possible.
We would like to express our genuine gratitude to every one of them. We’re beyond
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grateful.
ABSTRACT
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OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
General objective:
The study's main objective is to evaluate the feasibility of using coconut waste charcoal
Specific Objectives:
I. To analyze if the resources used to produce coconut charcoal briquettes are sustainable
and to offer alternatives that are in line with green economy principles.
II. To examine if the coconut waste charcoal briquettes can provide a more eco-friendly
III. To develop awareness programs and educational initiatives to prepare communities with
production methods.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page……………………………………..………………………………………….…….......i
Approval Sheet……………………………………………………………………………......…..ii
Acknowledgement………………………………………………………………………...
….......iiiAbstract…………………………………………………………………………………..
….……iv
Objectives………………………………………………………………………………...…...…..v
Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………..1
Theoretical Framework…………………………………………………………………..………..8
Definition of Terms………………………………………………………………………………10
Research Design………………………………………………………………………………….12
Research Procedure…………………………………………………..…………………………..13
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Methods of research……………………………….……………………………………………..13
Statistical Treatment……………………………………………………………………...……...13
Summary of Findings…………………………………………………………………………….30
Conclusion…………………………………………………………...……………… ……...…..32
Recommendation……………………………………………………………………………...…33
Bibliography……………………...……………………………………………………………...35
Appendices……………………………….………………………………………………………37
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CHAPTER I
This chapter presents the Introduction, Background of the study, Statement of the problem,
INTRODUCTION
Over the years, modern day civilization is now facing some serious environmental threats
due to the effect of worldwide globalization and modernization. Because of its importance for
modernization, the demands for fossil fuels continue to rise that mountains and even natural
preserve our now being mined illegally for its abundancy in coals. It can also cause major
pollution to rivers and streams because of harsh chemicals used that later on can affect the
ecosystem of the area . Despite all this, more greener combustible materials are ready and
available but many large corporations still insist of using the traditional coals as they think that
these alternatives are not commercially profitable to the market. Coconut charcoal can be one of
the greater choices for alternative combustible fuel. The use of coconut milk to Filipino dishes
like Caldereta and Ginataan results to the abundancy of coconuts in our region. The byproducts
of coconuts like husk and shell can now be turned to fuel that can also work closely similar to the
At this point, you may be wondering what is so good about this coconut fuel product that
it is encouraged by some to be used. Coconut charcoals are studied to have: [1] Reduced waste
contribution on our landfill masses, [2] a slow burning effect due to its density that makes it last
even longer than usual charcoal, [3] having little to no smoke due to the ash content of the
charcoals itself, [4] the production of charcoal itself only requires a small amount of energy
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making it consume lesser fuels, and [5] coconut charcoals can also show it's prowess in the fields
of medicine as it shown great health benefits to our skin and inner body.
Coconut charcoal is a true hidden gem that shows us its versatility. From its remarkable
benefits as combustible fuel to its use in the medical field of study. Coconut charcoal contains a
vast amount of potential to revolutionize our society by making it a more greener and renewable
This study aims to evaluate the enhanced coconut charcoal and use on the transition to a green
1. Can coconut waste charcoal briquettes serve as a viable alternative to traditional charcoal
sources?
2. Is it safe to use coconut waste charcoal briquettes, especially when used for cooking food
4. What are the potential environmental and economic benefits of using these coconut
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SCOPE AND DELIMITATION
1. The study will assess how the production and utilization of coconut charcoal impact the
ongoing transition to a green economy. It will explore how this transition aligns with
2. The research will thoroughly investigate the methods and processes involved in coconut
charcoal production in the selected areas. This will encompass an analysis of production
3. Interviews, surveys, and direct engagement will be conducted with local stakeholders,
including coconut charcoal producers, consumers, and local communities. Their insights
1. The study will not extensively examine alternative energy sources such as solar, wind, or
other types of biomass fuels. It will primarily focus on coconut charcoal and its role in
2. The research will be confined to Barangay Cut-Cot Pulilan, Bulacan and will not cover
the entire municipality or neighboring regions to limit the scope and resources needed
3. The study will concentrate on a specific time frame for data collection and analysis. It
may not include longer-term trends and shifts in the coconut charcoal industry that might
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4. The research may not extensively explore the broader economic aspects of Pulilan's
transition to a green economy. Instead, it will narrow its focus to the economic impact of
the coconut charcoal industry and its usefulness as an alternative to traditional charcoal.
The results of this study could be highly significant and beneficial, especially for the following:
Future Researchers. This study can serve as a foundational piece of research, providing
valuable insights, data, and methodologies that future researchers can build upon. It can guide
the formulation of research questions and hypotheses for more specific and focused
investigations.
Policy Makers: The study can inform policymakers about the environmental, economic,
and social consequences of charcoal production and consumption. It can guide the development
of regulations and policies to promote sustainable charcoal practices and align with green
economy goals.
advocate for conservation efforts, raise awareness about deforestation risks associated with
charcoal, and support policies that reduce environmental harm practices and align with green
economy goals.
Local Communities: The study can shed light on the impact of charcoal production on
local communities, including potential health hazards and economic opportunities. This
Sellers and Vendors: The study can provide sellers and vendors with insights into
changing consumer preferences and regulatory trends related to sustainable and green products.
This knowledge can help them adapt their business strategies to meet evolving market demands.
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Charcoal Producers: Charcoal producers can benefit from insights into sustainable
production methods, which can enhance their long-term viability and competitiveness in a green
economy.
Consumers and End-Users: Consumers can make informed choices about their energy
sources and cooking methods, potentially reducing their environmental footprint and improving
deforestation and habitat destruction associated with traditional charcoal production, contributing
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CHAPTER II
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
The chapter will now present to you a selection of previous literature written and conducted by
both foreign and local authors.The researchers also examined and analyzed carefully the
collected data from several online platforms, all which are seen relevant to the subject.
I. Foreign Literature
Ahmad and Sulaiman et al. (2022) explored the potential of coconut shell biomass for
charcoal production inspired by the rising percentage of CO2 emissions and because of it’s
affordability for the masses than regular fossil material. According to United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP), in the past 10 years, CO2 emissions from deforestation
increased from more than 55 gigatonnes or equivalent to a staggering 1.5% per year on average.
Experts recommend that from the year 2022 - 2030, emissions must be reduced into 7.6% per
year to avoid disastrous consequences. This makes the world environmental sectors to search for
a more cleaner fuel. Production of fuel from biomass waste is seen to be an alternative option for
energy generation. Agricultural residues are seen to be the most potential biomass, considering
it’s sufficient amount of supply on the globe, it is also efficient because it eliminate waste and
solve energy issues at the same time. Coconut is an agricultural produce that is grown commonly
in tropical countries all year round. Major coconut planting countries include Philippines,
Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Hawaii, Africa, South America, and the Pacific islands. Annually, a
vast amount of coconut fruits are processed for a wide variety of use making the coconut milk,
water, and oil industries rose exponentially increasing discarded coconut shells thus contributing
to agricultural waste of tropical countries. It was studied that coconut shells contains high lignin
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That makes it a great alternative biomaterial for production of charcoal. Coconut shell biomass
provide us more or less significant use to be used as a charcoal than regular feedstock due to the
following reasons: [1] it is produced all year round on tropical countries making the material
viable in anytime of the year, [2] it does not make any net contribution on the atmosphere when
carbonized properly, [4] it’s usage as an alternative will minimize the dependence of the globe
on non renewable energy sources, and lastly, [5] mitigate issues of waste disposal especially on
Akolgo and Awafo et al. (2021) asses the potential of charcoal briquettes made up from
rice, sawdust and coconut waste to reduce the unsustainable harvesting of wood that contributes
on the rapid deforestation in Ghana. They gather the necessary materials from Tepa (Ahafo
Region), Techiman (Bono East), and Sunyani (Bono Region) that are abundant on large
quantities of rice, coconut and sawdust from timberlogs which are commonly disposed and
caused environmental pollutions. Since these resources currently have no economic use, they
gathered the materials for free. The charring process was then carried out at the Mechanical and
their own engineered non-incineration device called Multi-Feed Biomass Gasifier Stove
(MFGS), the first batch weighed 1600 grams of the materials that are charred for a period of 2
hours with the temperature of 250°C. It was then cooled down in a container and sprinkle it with
water 3 times to avoid the materials to re-ignite since the product is highly flammable. They
grind the charred materials and sieve it in a size of less than 0.2mm as they found out that these
are the most ideal size for the production of briquettes. Cassava starch was used as a binder
mainly because of its availability on the area. The uniform sieved materials are then mixed with
the binder (a ratio of 4:1) and was mold on a local plunger-type hand presser that creates a
material with a size of 30mm internal diameter and 60mm height. With the increase usage of the
charred briquettes, deforestation rate will drastically drop as the pressure for forest woods to
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make fuel sources will be much more less thanks to the more sustainable way of utilizing
economically disregarded products in to a much more efficient way of saving the planet.
According to Sibarani (2022), Indonesia posses the largest coconut tree area in the
world.However, the economy of the coconut industry in Indonesia are much more lower
compared to countries with much lower land area for plantation like the Philippines. He believed
that the economic success of the Philippines in this industry is mainly because they utilizes
coconuts more than Indonesia as they use the already waste products like coconut shells and
fibers in to a much more diverse variety of product making a much large profit margin than by
only selling coconut meat. Processing coconut meat produces vast amounts of shells that most
commonly caused waste build-up in the area. As a solution, efforts to utilizing coconut shells
into charcoals briquettes and polybag has been cultivated with the help the muslim captain and
young coconut SME entrepreneurs of Medan. The use of young coconut shells (7-10 months) as
a raw material usually takes longer process because they tend to have higher water content and
often produces low quality types of charcoal making it less viable to be use in the process.
The Charcoal Project (2021) posted a blog about their support to the use of coconut waste
environmental sectors of East Africa. Fatin Ibrahim, a researcher along with the charcoal
project (TCP), recently interviewed two briquette entrepreneurs that utilizes coconut waste as an
ingredient instead of traditional feedstocks. One of them is the company Kencoco, a coconut
briquettes producer that is based in Mombasa Kenya that possess facilities specifically in
Kikambala. They take advantage of the abundancy of coconut waste in the region to produce
clean burning charcoals mostly utilize for cooking and heating purposes of the area. Agricycle
Cycle, a company that is based in USA but operates in East Africa through its production sites
on Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Agricycle’s Tropicoal Brand (Tropicoal) consist of palm
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kernels and coconut shells with the aim to end the deforestation for combustible fuels. Although
coconut waste is less popular as feedstock for briquettes for manufacturing charcoal, the unique
biochemicals properties of coconuts are the main factors that drew these companies on using
them. Kencoco elaborated that “customers likes them a lot, they are very impressed with the
briquettes”. He also states that it's not only because it's "hot burning” but also because it produce
less smoke than usual briquettes. Agricycle’s Tropicoal Brand emphasizes to their consumers the
key benefits of using coconut briquettes charcoal, for example, a 1 kg of “Tropicoal” briquettes
have the same calorific strength of a 2 kg of charcoal proving to be more cost effective as they
S & T Media Services (2022), wrote an article about Thega Coconut Farm (TCF) with
their partnership with Forest Products Research and Development Institute of the Department of
shells into a sustainable and eco friendly charcoal briquettes called “Super Uling”. Mrs. Sarahme
Corazon B. Esteban of DOST-FPRDI Socio-Economics and Marketing Section stated that Thega
Coconut Farm (TCF) produces roughly about 2400 kilograms of coconut shells every 45 days as
a result of their production of copra. “If not given free to nearby household or sold to tinapa
(smoked fish) makers at P3.50 a kg, the coconuts are usually left to breakdown into natural
compost. So the company thought of acquiring four drum kilns, a manual briquettor, a binder
mixer, and a charcoal crusher from DOST-FPRDI to turn the waste into something profitable”.
Esteban elaborated.
“Super Uling” is said to be much better alternative than the traditional charcoal
according to these three reasons. [1] Less messy on touch due to its uniform and compact texture,
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[2] exhibits a slow burning effect that gives more intense heat unit per volume, [3] it is said to be
Reyes, et al. (n.d) tested the feasibility of coconut shell charcoal as an alternative to the
traditional ones that are usually made up of wood. It is tested to have a high heating value and
much more sustainable to the environment but problems arises as they found out one of the
major reason it is discouraged is because it is brittle and can be easily pulverized making storing
and transport of the material for domestic use difficult. However, with the process of briquetting,
the inherent advantages of coconut charcoal can be improved drastically. This process involves
the pulverization of the material into semi-fine powder then adding it in a mixture of binding
agent and water then mold it in a container. Asphalt pitch and coal tar both been tested to act as a
binder. These materials are not readily available in the Philippines, but alternative ingredients
like flour and cornstarch has been proven to be useful as a binding agent. The starch also said to
burn without giving any unwanted smell making it much more practical on home cooking while
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CONCEPTUAL/ THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
The theory of Rabi Ahmad, et al. Shaharin Sulaiman (2022) is based on the idea that
coconut fruit has been employed in the last 20 years to create charcoal, a high-energy
fuel, offering a benefit compared to using raw biomass ultimately decreasing the release
of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. Coconut charcoal production promotes the idea
of closing resource loops by reusing and repurposing waste materials to create value and
reduce environmental impacts.
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Figure 1. Paradigm of the study
The research conducted by Gabriel B., et al., Michael L. in 2019, has explored various
practical uses of charcoal, ranging from household cooking to industrial metal smelting.
Furthermore, the study emphasizes the significance of charcoal as a preferred adsorbent for air
and water purification. It proposes that the efficient and environmentally friendly production of
coconut charcoal holds promise as a clean energy source. This theory is uphold by another study,
as referenced by Rabi A., et al., and Shahanin S. in 2020, which underscores the exceptional
properties of coconut shells, such as their high carbon content and eco-friendly characteristics,
making them a viable source of alternative energy and solid fuel compared to other biomass and
raw materials
Traditionally, wood remains the dominant source for charcoal production, largely due to
its easy accessibility and the absence of strict policy regulations. This reliance on wood as an
energy source has been linked to increasing deforestation rates in various regions, as pointed out
by Gabriel B., et al., Michael L. (2019). . In contrast, the Philippines has rich coconut resources
utilized in various industries, including edible oil production and lumber. Coconut charcoal, a
wood-based charcoal.
green economy, the theory of Ibrahim Yerima & Mohammed Zanna Grema, (2018) was used.
They explained that coconut shell biomass is a suitable material for charcoal production and
those properties collectively contribute to the coconut shell's suitability as a favorable and
efficient fuel option. The search results provide various studies that highlight the potential of
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coconut shell biomass and offers a promising and eco-friendly alternative to conventional wood-
based charcoal.
explained that the utilization of agricultural residues such as Coconut Shell (CNS) and Bambara
Nut Shell (BNS) in the production of briquettes can play a significant role in addressing the issue
of agro-waste disposal. Additionally, this process can offer a cost-effective and environmentally
cleaner fuel alternative to both traditional fuelwood and fossil fuels for domestic energy
requirements. This approach aligns with the goal of reducing waste and promoting sustainable
As reported in the Ain Shams Engineering Journal (2022), it reveals that coconut
shells possess diverse shapes and an abundance of macropores, along with high surface area and
porosity. These inherent qualities make coconut shells well-suited for various applications,
including charcoal production, activated carbon, insect repellents, fillers, incense sticks, and
more.
environmental sustainability. This theory posits that the production of coconut charcoal aligns
with the concept of closing resource loops, wherein waste materials are reused and repurposed to
create value while simultaneously reducing environmental impacts. As underscored by Rabi A.,
et al., Shahanin S. (2020), coconut serves as a versatile and valuable resource employed in
various products. The economic significance of the coconut fruit has spurred increased demand,
fueling the growth of industries involved in processing coconut water, oil, and milk. This, in
turn, results in the global disposal of coconut shells as waste in tropical countries.
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The sheer abundance of coconut biomass presents an opportunity for effectively utilizing
residual materials as an energy source. Consequently, coconut shell biomass is readily accessible
1. Coconut waste charcoal briquettes may offer a more sustainable and viable alternative
option compared to hardwood or traditional charcoal, as they come from coconuts, which
2. The use of coconut waste charcoal briquettes for cooking food and other potential
sufficient to support the production of coconut charcoal, given the consistent availability
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Briquettes - a shaped material consist of coal and charcoal dust to be utilized as fuel
Copra - the dried flesh of coconut meat from which oil is extracted
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Feasibility - determines to do something in an easier way
CHAPTER III
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
RESEARCH DESIGN
STATISTICAL TREATMENT
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ahmad, R. B. (2022). Exploring the potential of coconut shell biomass for charcoal production.
Baygan, G. D., Loretero, M., & Manilhig, M. (2019). Coconut Shell Pyrolysis for Optimum
Coirmedia. (n.d.). Coconut shell charcoal- 7 Surprising Uses You Need to Know. Coir Media.
Retrieved from
Yerima, I., & Grema, M. Z. (2018). Exploring the potential of coconut shell biomass for charcoal
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Survey questions
1. Are you aware of the environmental benefits associated with coconut charcoal, such as
reduced deforestation and lower carbon emissions, and do these factors influence your
O. Yes
O. No
2. In your experience, what are the primary advantages and disadvantages of using coconut
charcoal, particularly in terms of heat intensity, burn time, and overall performance for
3. On a scale of 1 to 5, how satisfied are you with the performance and efficiency of
O. 1
O. 2
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O. 3
O. 4
O. 5
4. Do you think coconut waste charcoal briquettes can be used as a viable alternative to
O. Yes
O. No
5. Have you noticed any differences in the flavor or aroma of food cooked with coconut
6. Do you think coconut waste charcoal briquettes can be used to create an eco-friendly and
a cleaner community?
O. Yes
O. No
7. Do you agree that using charcoal briquettes made from coconut waste will be beneficial
for the environment like reducing deforestation and promoting sustainability in the
charcoal industry?
O. Agree
O. Disagree
8. How do you think that utilizing charcoal briquettes, produced from coconut waste, could
O. Only the environment will benefit from the reduction of coconut waste
9. How long did the coconut charcoal last when you used it?
O. Long-lasting
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O. Not long-lasting
10. Did the coconut charcoal briquettes produce a lot of smoke when you used them?"
IMPORTANT DETAILS:
Dependent variable: The impact of using coconut waste charcoal briquettes on the green
economy of Barangay Cut-Cot Pulilan, Bulacan. This include factors such as reduced waste,
Independent variable: The usage of coconut waste charcoal briquettes. Its effects on reducing
waste, generating income, or other potential benefits related to sustainability and the local
economy.
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