CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

VARIABLES

The Independent varaibles of this study are the five different polymers [Polysterene (PS),

High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Low-Density and Polyethylene (LDPE), Polyethylene

Terephtalate (PET), and Polvinyl Chloride (PC)]. The Dependent variable is the weight of every

polymer during the pre-test of the observation. The number of mealworms is then the study’s-

controlled variable.

MATERIALS

The following are the materials needed for the research: 1,500 pieces of Mealworm (Tenebrio

molitor), Plastic Containers (10 pcs), Digital Weighing Scale, Polymers [Polysterene (PS), High-

Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Low-Density and Polyethylene (LDPE), Polyethylene

Terephtalate (PET), and Polvinyl Chloride (PC)].

DATA ANALYSIS AND STATISTICAL TOOL

The following statistical measures will be use to facilitate the data analysis.

a. The average of the weight change was calculated using the mean.

b. In terms of weight change, the One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was utilized to

determine the significant difference between the treatments as probable decomposers of distinct

polymers.
RESEARCH DESIGN

The proponent will use experimental reseach design specifically, a pretest-posttest design, in

which measurements of the independent variable were taken before and after they were expose to

a treatment.

PROCEDURE

Gathering of Materials:

1,500 pieces of Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor), will be purchase on a local breeder/ store

around Iloilo City, while the laboratory apparatus will come from the Science Laboratory of

Iloilo City National High School and the five (5) different types of polymers will be collected at

the researcher’s residence.

Preparation of the Containers

The microwavable plastic container will be purchashe at the local grocery story. It will be

wash with tap water and sanitize by ethyl alcohol. The container will be labelled accordingly;

[T1(PS; 300 pcs of mealworms), T2 (HDPE; 300 pcs of mealworms, T3 (LDPE;300 pcs of

mealworms, T4 (PET; 300 pcs of mealworms, and T5 (PC;300 pcs of mealworms)].

Preparation of the Different Polymers

Plastics will be classified based on the chemical structure of the polymer's backbone and side

chains. Different varieties of plastic were identified using symbols and features. The codes were

developed to provide clarity on the chemical makeup of each plastic substrate and to establish

the grading of these substrates for recycling purposes (CS Recycling, 2014). Therefore, the five

different polymers will be place in the container and will be labelled accordingly to what type of

plastic is it. Then, the five different polymers [Polysterene (PS), High-Density Polyethylene
(HDPE), Low-Density and Polyethylene (LDPE), Polyethylene Terephtalate (PET), and Polvinyl

Chloride (PC)] will be sanitize by isoprophyl alcohol then it will weigh in digital weighing scale.

After that, the polymers will be place in the container.

Preparation of the Different Treatments

There will be five (5) treatments that will be use in this study;

 T1 [(300 pieces of Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor); Polystyrene (PS)].

 T2[(300 pieces of Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor); High-Density Polyethylene

(HDPE)].

 T3[(300 pieces of Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor); Low-Density Polyethylene

(LDPE).

 T4[(300 pieces of Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor); Polyethylene Terephtalate

(PET)].

 T5[(300 pieces of Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor); Polvinyl Chloride (PC)].

Distribution of Mealworms to the different treatments/ Feeding Tests

The proponent will separate 5 different set up which contains 300 mealworms each. Then the

mealworms will be place in five different containers where five different polymers were placed.

Gathering of Data

The following parameters will be use to analyze the data collected during the span of 4 weeks

or 30 days of observation:

a. Weight Change

The weight change of the different types of polymers will be measure on the 1st and 30th day

of observation. A digital weighing scale will be use to record the weight change of the various
polymers. Pre-test weighing of the various polymers was taken out on the first day of the

experiment before the treatments will be applied to the various polymers. The different polymers

will weigh in post-test after the 30th day of observation, however the proponent will weigh the

different polymers weekly to observe the progress of breaking down of plastic. The recorded

data will be compared by subtracting the post-test weighing result from the original weight of the

polymer that will be obtain during pre-test weighing.

b. Physical Appearance

The data willl be gather on the 1st and 30th day of observation in terms of the physical

changes of the five different types of polymers. The physical changes on the appearance of the

different types of polymers were recorded wheter there were bite marks, frays, or stains. In the

pre-test observation the polymers will be free from bite marks, stains, and frays from

mealworms, then the physical appearance during post-observation will compare it on the first

day of observation.

PROPER WASTE DISPOSAL

After the experimentation, observation, and data gathering, the objects, such as laboratory

apparatus, will be return on the Science Laboratory of Iloilo City National High School.

The proponent will keep usable materials and it will properly dispose the inaccessible objects, as

well as the numerous treatments. Mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) will be kept by the proponent as

it is not hazardous to humans and may even be beneficial to the environment. Lastly, use plastics

will be dispose properly in a trash can.

CONCEPTUAL/ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORK
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