“Banana pseudo-

stem fiber as an eco-

friendly face mask”
Group 2- Stem 12
 Introduction

The world has been battling climate change caused by

plastic pollution for years now. Massive
waste from discarded PPE such as disposable masks from the
health-care facilities and the general public is continually
growing as we approach the post COVID stage. Philippines is
known as the second largest banana exporter in the world
producing approximately 3.5 million metric tons of bananas
annually. With a soaring demand for face masks as basic PPE,
face masks made from pseudostem fiber are environmentally
friendly as it can potentially decrease COVID-19 PPE waste, and
economical as it supports job growth of farmers.

2
 Background of the Study
In today’s Covid 19 pandemic, one step toward risk reduction is the
use of a face mask, which is designed to prevent respiratory droplets from
being transmitted from one another. It is a must to use it as a barrier between
yourself and your surroundings. As a result, the demand for surgical and
medical face masks has risen. Locally available face masks are typically made
of cotton and polyester, but despite its utility, plastic can have an impact on
the environment. According to Tacio (2009), the decaying rate of a single
plastic can take 1-1000 years, and the slow progression of its decaying rate
can likely affect and cause environmental problems such as pollution from
land, waterways, and the ocean, which can lead to animal suffocation
(Lajeunesse 2009).

3
 Face masks made of non-biodegradable materials could thus amplify the
preceding phenomenon. According to the problem, the development of
biodegradable face masks could be one of the solutions in providing aid to the
said problems. The introduction of waste material in the Philippines is rapidly
increasing, and it is also responsible for economic problems (Fedepeedia 2015).
Banana Pseudostem is an example of waste material. Banana plants are native to
Southeast Asia’s Malaysia-Indonesian region and are members of the Musaceae
family. Bananas are widely grown and abundant in tropical and subtropical
regions worldwide. Banana plants are widely considered to be among the most
valuable plants on the planet. Almost every part of this plant, including the fruit,
peel, leaf, pseudo-stem, stalk, and inflorescence, can be used (flower). They are
utilized as thickeners colorants, and flavoring, macro- and micronutrient supplies,
livestock feed, fibers, bioactivechemical sources, and organic fertilizers in a
variety of food and non-food applications. The banana pseudo-stem has also been
proposed as a pulp and paper raw material, textile fiber, andfiller or structural
reinforcement in composite materials.

4
 The banana plant’s pseudo-stem fiber issimilar to pineapple leaf, sisal, and
other hard fibers, however it is a little more elastic. The banana pseudo-hollow stem’s
form suggests that the fiber will be good at insulating and absorbing moisture.

Furthermore, banana pseudo-stem fibers exhibit physical, chemical,

andother features that distinguish them as high-quality fiber. Physical qualities of the
banana pseudo-stem fiber have been described in the literature to include good
modulus of elasticity, tensile strength, and stiffness, making it a viable fiber material.
Many scientists have previously been interested in the chemical components of plant
fibers.

According to phys.org(2019), a study reports that 3.4 billion face masks or

face shields are discarded every day. Asia is projected to throw away 1.8 billion face
masks daily, the highest quantity of any continent globally. Though there are 3r’s
system and different activities to eliminate plastic, yet it is still not enough to counter
these plastic waste. That’s why we come up with an idea about banana fiber mask
because this is the best alternative to disposable mask. Conducting the experiment
could have the duration of days or weeks. This is because many trials must be done
5 to prove that it is effective to use banana stem fiber as an additive on making face
masks.
 Statement of the Problem

This study aimed to determine whether biomask from banana

stem fibers can be an alternative to surgical/disposable mask.

1. What problem and issues are being encountered by people in

terms of surgical masks?

2. Why masks made from banana pseudo-stem fibers are good

for replacing disposable face masks?

3. Can the sustainable face mask be measured in terms of?

2.1 Acceptability
2.2 Durability
6 2.3 Efficiency
 Significance of the study
In this study, the researchers wanted to help in solving
the problem of plastic waste. This
research aims to assist people who use disposable
masks by replacing them with our biomask or banana
fiber mask. This research will show that banana
pseudo-stem fiber face masks are the best alternative
to disposable masks. The researchers intended to make
the product more useful and efficient.