BACKGROUND

Single-use plastic packaging is still widely employed in many industries

despite growing knowledge of its negative environmental effects due to its
practicality, sturdiness, and affordability. However, because these plastics are not
biodegradable, they represent a serious threat to the environment by causing
pollution and killing wildlife.

Plastic pollution caused by single-use plastic packaging is one of the major

problems in the environment that need to be focused in order to solve the problem.
This is one of the most damaging products that humans created, and it leaves a big
impact in our environment. The Philippines is the 3rd largest contributor to global
ocean plastic pollution. Pasig River, located in Metro Manila, contributes to the
6.43% of the total plastic found in the ocean. Approximately 20% of plastic that
was produced in Philippines is for packaging and used just once and then discarded
according to World Bank Organization.

Paper bags are frequently used as shopping bags and to package consumer
items. According to its characteristics and materials, this packaging product has a
number of benefits and disadvantages. Paper used to produce paper bags is often
made from pulpwood, which is obtained from trees, making it a renewable and
biodegradable resource. Due to their composition of cellulose fibers and organic
components known as linear polysaccharides, which have excellent strength,
resilience, and flexibility, wood pulps are utilized in the production of paper.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether it is feasible to make a

waterproof paper bag out of banana stems, which are a common agricultural waste
product in many nations. The key difficulty is coming up with a scalable, cost-
effective technology that preserves the toughness and waterproofness of
conventional plastic packaging while guaranteeing the biodegradability of banana
stem-based paper bags.

PROBLEM STATEMENT:
MAIN PROBLEM;
This study aims to create an alternative for the biodegradable single-use plastic packaging as
solution to plastic pollution due to the excessive use of single-use plastic packaging.

SPECIFIC PROBLEM;

This study aims to test the potential of banana stems as the base material for creating a
waterproof paper bag as the substitute for the single-use plastic packaging. It specifically aims to
answer the following.

1) Is there a difference between the alternative packaging material from made banana stems and
the biodegradable single-use plastic packaging in their biodegradability rate?

2. Is there a difference on the product in terms to their tensile strength, thermal and moisture
resistance and tear resistance?

3) Is the cost of the created alternative packaging material acceptable than the biodegradable
single-use plastic packaging?

HYPOTHESIS:
Ha 1: There is a difference between the alternative packaging material made from banana stems
and the biodegradable single-use plastic packaging in their biodegradability rate.

Ho 1: There is no difference between the alternative packaging material made from banana stems
and biodegradable single-use plastic packaging in their biodegradability rate.

HA 2: There is a difference on the product in terms to their tensile strength, thermal and moisture
resistance and tear resistance.

Ho 2: There is no difference on the product in terms to their tensile strength, thermal and
moisture resistance and tear resistance.

HA 3: The created alternative packaging material is acceptable compared to the biodegradable

single-use plastic packaging.

Ho 3: The created alternative packaging material is not acceptable compared to the biodegradable
single-use plastic packaging.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY:

The significance of this study lies in its potential contributions to both environmental
sustainability and economic development:

1. Environment

SCOPE AND DELIMITATION:

Scope of the Study:

Our study will focus on the development of a biodegradable waterproof paper bag
using banana stems as the base material, okra mucilage for strengthening, and papaya
latex for waterproofing. Our research will include:

1. Collection and preparation of raw materials (banana stems, okra, and papaya).
2. Extraction of fibers from banana stems, mucilage from okra, and latex from
papaya.
3. Formulation of different mixtures of the three components to determine the
optimal ratio for strength and waterproofing.
4. Testing of the physical properties of the paper bags, such as tensile strength,
tear resistance, and thermal and water resistance.
5. Evaluation of the environmental impact of the production process and the
biodegradability of the finished product.

Delimitation of the Study:

The study will be delimited to the following:

1. The research will only use banana stems, okra mucilage, and papaya latex.
Other potential materials will not be explored.
2. The research will not cover the long-term durability of the paper bags or their
performance under extreme conditions.
3. The study will not consider other potential applications of the waterproof paper
beyond its use as a bag.
4. The study will not investigate the potential allergic reactions or health risks
associated with handling or using the paper bags made from banana stems, okra
mucilage, and papaya latex.
5. The research will not explore the scalability of the production process or the
potential for mass production.
6. The study will not consider the aesthetic aspects of the paper bags, such as
color, texture, or potential for printing.
7. The study will not investigate the storage conditions required for the paper bags
or their shelf life.

These boundaries are set to ensure that the research remains focused and manageable,
while still addressing the primary objective of developing a waterproof paper bag
from natural materials.