CHAPTER I

The Problem and Its Background

Introduction

Plastic pollution is the accumulation in the environment of man-made plastic

products to the point where they cause problems for wildlife and their habitats as well as

for human populations. By the end of the 20th century, plastics were established to be

continuous cause of pollution to many environmental niches and had found to produce

greater amount of the material than during the whole of the last century (D’Alessandro,

2014). Plastics are being mistaken for food by animals and responsible for flooding low-

lying areas by clogging drainage systems. By just simply causing significant aesthetic

blight, plastics have attracted increasing attention as a large-scale pollutant.

Plastic utilization had already crossed borders and sectors for human needs and

considered as an unavoidable externality. Cheap, capable of being made into any

conceivable shape, strong and durable, plastic is something of a wonder material. It has

proved to be so useful to humans that since the 1950s humans have produced an

estimated 8.3 billion metric tons of the stuff (Wheeling, 2017). However, the victim of

this success appears to be much of life on Earth. And humans, one day, could find

themselves among them. Uses of the powerful material plastic have evidently changed

from being a solution to making destruction.

The banana peel is something that is thrown away every day; however, it has

much more efficient uses. Starch and cellulose are the most important raw materials in

the plastic production. Banana peels are rich in starch and cellulose which makes it a
possible ingredient of making bio-plastic from waste. The starch from these peels will be

used to make the bio-plastic, along with the organic plasticizer such as honey. The honey

will improve the plasticity of the material by disconnecting the polymer chains from one

another to acquire formation of film, making the plastic much more durable and increase

its tensile strength.

Replacing bio-plastic from the conventional hazardous plastic will have a greater

impact in facing today's biggest challenge, plastic pollution. Waste materials will not be a

waste; instead, it will be an essential tool to face the challenge. Producing plastic made

from fruit will make it edible and not poisonous. Also, its characteristic of being

biodegradable and to decompose in a short period of time makes it an eco-friendly plastic

for the future generation to use.

With this study, humans can further understand that everything has multiple uses.

Even waste can be as much important as the new ones. The word waste should be

forgotten. Proper utilization and understanding of recycling are the only things that are

needed to attain the continuous cycle of material usage and pollution free world.

Statement of the Problem

This research was intended to determine the effectiveness of Banana peel as bio-

plastic and substitute for toxic plastics.

Precisely, it seeks answer to the following questions:

1. What raw materials constitute the banana peels’ starch bio plastic?
 1.1. Banana Peel

1.2. Honey

2. How will the Banana plastic vary from the conventional plastic in terms of?

2.1. Corrosion Resistance

2.2. Tensile Strength

3. How will the Banana plastic be an effective plastic alternative?

Significance of the Study

The study will determine if the banana plastic could be a substitute for the widely

used toxic plastics. This study will help the plastic consumers to find a better approach in

using safe and non-hazardous materials. Moreover, this research will educate people that

nothing is waste and that all things can be used continuously. Lastly, the study will prove

whether the Banana plastic could be the missing solution for the long term plastic

pollution.

Scope and Delimitations of the Study

The main focus of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Banana peel infused

with vinegar, honey, thyme, and cinnamon as a raw material in producing bio-plastic.

Distinctiveness of the material will be tested which includes the property of being

consumed by animals and the potency of the plastic to withhold a certain amount of mass.

Carabao will be used to measure the edibility of Banana plastic. Known as the

National Animal of the Philippines, Carabao is largely important because of its

importance to the agricultural sector, which is why its health concern is a priority.

Moreover, being able to resist chemical corrosion and tensile strength of the Banana

plastic will be measured through different apparatus.

Definition of Terms

Bio-plastic. Plastic made from biomass sources.

Edibility. Can be consumed by animals and humans.

Conventional Plastic. It is the commonly used plastic of today’s generation

which its chemical components are toxic and hazardous to health of humans, animal, and

environment.

Tensile Strength. The amount of material to withhold a certain amount.

 Notes in Chapter I

Wheeling K., (2017) Almost All Of The Plastic Produced Since 1950 Is Still Sitting In

Landfills. Retrieved from https://psmag.com/environment/almost-all-of-the-plastic-

produced-since-1950-is-still-in-landfills

D’Alessandro N., 22 Facts about Plastic Pollution (And 10 Things We Can Do About It).

Retrieved from https://www.ecowatch.com/22-facts-about-plastic-pollution-and-10-

things-we-can-do-about-it-1881885971.html
 CHAPTER II

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

This chapter showcased the reviews of relevant theories, literatures and studies,

conceptual framework and hypothesis of the study which will give a strong stand on the

purpose and concept of this study.

Relevant Theories

These two theories will further explain how important the environment is. It will

better broad the knowledge of the people that surroundings is much more needed on what

they think it can. Combining these two theories will help support the given topic and

could possibly provide a better outcome.

The theory of Andy Brunning explains that honey is something of an oddity, in

that, unlike most foods, it doesn’t spoil over time. The water content of honey is a key

factor in why it doesn’t spoil. Honey also has a low water activity; this is a measure of

the amount of water in a substance that is available to support microbial growth. This,

proposes that its low water content dehydrates bacteria, makes it resistant to spoiling.

Honey tends to crystallize and solidify. Because honey’s water content is so low,

it can be considered to be a super-saturated solution of the various sugars; a solution is

considered saturated when as much solid as is possible has been dissolved in it. Over

time, glucose will precipitate out of the solution, forming solid crystals. The honey is still

perfectly fine to eat, and this doesn’t constitute spoilage.

 The Theory of Pollution (Helfand, Berck, & Maull) proposes that pollution occurs

because it is virtually impossible to have a productive process that involves no waste;

economically, pollution occurs because polluting is less expensive than operating cleanly.

The theory states that to produce things, it is almost evident that waste is always

present. It is difficult to be as productive without having excess agents. Also, when doing

a certain task, humans tend to pollute with their waste rather than to observe cleanliness.

As the world continues to evolve, human’s way of living continues to go faster. Difficult

life is no longer practiced anymore.

Related Literature

These literatures will serve as supporting facts in coming up with a better result

on finding solution in the plastic pollution that the world is facing today. It will reveal

that hazardous plastics can still be replaced by something that is organic, eco-friendly,

and safe to use by individual.

According to Cowan (2018), driven in part by recent discoveries about plastic’s

harmful effects on the planet, the Zero Waste movement has reached beyond

municipalities contemplating what to do with their trash to individuals eschewing all

forms of packaging. Zero waste lifestyle is not only better for the environment, it’s better

for your health, better for your wallet, and it ultimately improves your standard of living.

In contrast with the theory of pollution, this article explains that having zero waste

in the environment can help all throughout the sectors to improve their environment.

Being able to be productive is easy but to eliminate the waste is a much harder task. But
with the discipline of all the plastic consumers, decreasing plastic pollution will be an

ease.

An article of Anne (2018) showed that starch is a type of complex carbohydrate

that undergoes several different steps during digestion. Eventually starch is broken down

into glucose, which is the main source of fuel for all cells. Since carbohydrates, like

starch, play such a big role in providing energy, most of your caloric intake should come

from this macronutrient.

Starch is not just a simple food, it is a powerful carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are

known to be a good source of energy. Energy is needed by all organisms for them to be

able to survive and live. Without these kinds of nutrients, living longer is difficult to

accomplish. An energetic human will result to a better world.

Johnston (2017) stressed that some plastic is toxic and it can disrupt hormones

crucial for a healthy existence. Even when it is not dangerous itself or not known to be,

plastic acts like a magnet for a range of other poisons and pollutants that have spilled into

the natural world. It is likely to be finding its way into the tissues of human bodies with

potentially harmful consequences.

The article explains that plastic has possible damage to human bodies because it

composes of chemicals. Plastic are not only known to damage the health of our

environment but also the health of human being. It is because of the fact that plastic is

everywhere. Every person cannot live without any presence of a plastic material.
Related Studies

These studies will be the unifying themes for proving the effectiveness of banana

plastic. These researches will be the foundation of this research. The recommendations of

these studies will be used to improve and to come up with a successful research.

A research of North and Halden (2013) showcased that biodegradable plastics are

also an option that should be considered. It is necessary to clarify the differences among

many terms that are often used interchangeably, specifically biodegradable and

compostable. These biodegradable plastics are proved to be the biggest asset to the

future.

Biodegradable plastic is one in which the degradation results from the action of

naturally occurring microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae, whereas a

compostable plastic undergoes degradation by biological processes during composting to

yield carbon dioxide, water, inorganic compounds, and biomass at a rate consistent with

other known compostable materials and leaves no visible, distinguishable, or toxic

residue.

A research of Jariwala and Syed (2017) showed that by using it as fertilizer

humans can reduce load of solid waste due to fruit peel waste. Even the amount is very

small, utilization of peel is too important. Mixing both citrate and fruit peel can reach up

to maximum nutrient content. The use of fruit peel as a fertilizer is best as pH regulator

for soil. It improves soil morphology and fulfils requirements of Micronutrient for

Horticulture.
 Utilizing it as fertilizer will make less load of solid waste because of fruit peels.

Even the number is very small, the use of fruit peel is still very important. Mixing both

citrate and fruit peel as a fertilizer can reach the right amount of nutrient content of the

soil. It is also a good pH regulator for the land. It advances the structure of the soil and

satisfies the requirements that it needs.

A study of Oskouei and Najafi (2013) explained that mechanisms of antimicrobial

activity of honey are different from antibiotics, which destroy the bacteria’s cell wall or

inhibit intracellular metabolic pathways. The antibacterial activity is related to four

properties of honey. First, honey draws moisture out of the environment and thus

dehydrates bacteria. The sugar content of honey is also high enough to hinder the growth

of microbes. Second, the pH of honey is between 3.2 and 4.5, and this acidity is low

enough to inhibit the growth of most microorganisms. Hydrogen peroxide produced by

the glucose oxidase is the third and probably the most important antibacterial component.

Lastly, several photochemical factors for antibacterial activity have been identified in

honey.

Bacteria, fungi, and algae occurs naturally because of the breakdown of organic

compounds such as plastic that are capable of being broken down by natural process.

During composting, it yields carbon dioxide, water, inorganic compounds, and biomass at

the rate of compatibility with other constituent elements or materials. Moreover, it leaves

no evident, distinguishable, or toxic remainder.

Conceptual Framework

This part of the study presented the different aspects, major variables, sub-

variables, and indicators that will be a strong support in the said study.

Conceptual Model of the Study

Input Process Output

Combining
different raw
Bio plastic made materials to Effectivity of
produce the
up of Banana banana plastic banana peels’

Peels’ starch and Measuring starch bio plastic

material’s
honey as corrosion as Conventional
resistance through
plasticizer plastic
experiments

Conducting Alternative
tensile tests to
examine tensile
behavior

Feeding the test

product to
animals to assess
edibility

Figure 1. Conceptual Paradigm of Banana Peels’ Starch in Producing Conventional

Plastic Alternative.
 Figure 1 served as a guide in conducting the study. It followed input, process, and

output model. The first box is provides as the input or the independent variable

containing the bio plastic with banana peels’ starch as its main ingredient. The second

box represented the process or how will the experiment be conducted to determine the

different characteristics of banana plastic that will make it as hazardous plastic

alternative. And lastly, the third box as the output or the result after the experiments were

conducted and to determine the effectiveness of banana plastic as a substitute for

conventional plastic.

Hypothesis

The hypotheses that will be assessed in this study are:

1. Banana peels’ starch is not a potent ingredient in making bio plastic.

2. Banana plastic contains no variance with conventional plastics.

3. Banana plastic is not an effective hazardous plastic alternative.

 Notes in Chapter II

Retrieved from https://learn.eartheasy.com/articles/the-zero-waste-movement-wants-to-

solve-our-trash-problem/

Retrieved from https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/action-starch-human-diet-1699.html

Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3791860/

Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/plastic-how-planet-earth-

environment-oceans-wildlife-recycling-landfill-artificial-a7972226.html

Retrieved from

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319329572_Study_on_Use_of_Fruit_Peels_Po

wder_as_a_Fertilizer

Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3758027/

Retrieved from http://www.nursing-theory.org/theories-and-models/nightingale-

environment-theory.php

Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1574009903010118

 CHAPTER III

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This chapter presents the methods and techniques of the study, the population and

sample of the study. Additionally, it includes the research instruments and validation, the

data gathering procedure and the processing and statistical treatment of the data.

Methods and Techniques of the Study

This study which aimed to determine the effectiveness of Banana plastic as a

possible alternative to toxic plastic will be using post-test only experimental method and

descriptive research design to gather valid conclusions about the given variable.

The post-test only experimental method will use manipulation and controlled

testing to understand the causal processes of the banana plastic in terms of its corrosion

resistance and tensile strength. The researchers will conduct experiments to be able to

predict phenomenon and to explain the different causation of Banana plastic towards all

sectors of the environment.

In addition, descriptive research design is a study designed to depict the

participants in an accurate way. More simply put, descriptive research is a scientific

method which involves observing and describing the behavior of a subject without

influencing it in any way.

This method will be used to assess the property of the banana plastic that will be

the biggest improvements from the hazardous conventional plastic, its edibility. After
ingesting the banana plastic, carabao and fish will be observed carefully to check the bio

plastic’s effects on the animals and to determine whether it is edible or not.

The researchers presupposed that these research designs are the most applicable

for this study to provide precise and accurate results.

Sample of the Study

The elements of the mixture to manufacture the bio-composites include Banana

peels that will serve as the starch source. Since banana contains starch, it possesses the

characteristic of being able to absorb humidity. Starch and cellulose present in banana

peels are a possible replacement for traditional petroleum based plastic.

Honey will provide sugar component and as plasticizer. Because of its viscosity

factor, it will be a perfect plasticizer for the bio plastic.

Cinnamon will help give aroma to the product and an inhibitor for mold.

Cinnamon extracts fight not only bacteria, but also fungus. In addition to its other

qualities as a flavoring, cinnamon kills microbes.

Lastly, Thyme will also function as natural mold inhibitor. The reaction of

chemicals from the different types of raw materials will help compose the bio-plastic and

could be an alternative to petroleum-based plastics.

Research Instrument

Post-Test only design and descriptive method will be used as the research

instrument for the study to examine carefully the outcome of the experiment. These

instruments will find out the amount of being resistant of the bio plastic from corrosion.
 Also, it will measure the tensile strength of the material by using different

apparatus and observation. Lastly, it will determine the effectiveness of banana plastic as

alternative to petroleum-based plastic through its unique characteristic, being edible.

Participant observation will take place as the researcher will observe and interfere

with the subjects’ activities and natural behavior and at the same time taking notes and

formulate hypothetical conclusions.

Data Gathering Procedure

In order to gather the data used in this study, the researchers will test the product’s

corrosion resistance through observation. The bio plastic will be exposed in an open area

for seven days. After one week, the researchers will observe the potential chemical

reaction of the banana plastic after interacting with the environment.

For the researchers to test its tensile strength, weighing scale and mild steel wires

will be used. The tension test will be done with a weighing scale, measuring the amount

of force it will take until the banana plastic break.

To measure the edibility component, researchers will feed the bio plastic to

carabao and fish which were the animals that are mostly affected by the plastic pollution.

After a week, the researchers will observe the effects of the plastic intake to the animals.

Consequently, this study will conclude whether the project will be an effective

conventional hazardous plastic alternative.

Statistical Treatment

In evaluating the gathered data, the researchers will use a formula that will help

the study test the validity, conciseness and reliability of the data source that will be

gathered during the series of experimentation period.

The statistical treatment that this study will utilize is the Pearson Correlation

Coefficient (PCC) or Pearson Product-Movement Correlation Coefficient (PPMCC). A

PCC measured linear correlation between the corresponding variables. The measure has

its value between +1 and -1, where there a total linear correlation, however 0 is no linear

correlation.

With the use of this treatment, mathematical and statistical analysis will support

the validity of the data that will be gathered and will produce conclusive result and

outcome in assessing the effectiveness of banana plastic as a petroleum-based plastic

alternative.