Saint Theresa College of Tandag, Inc.

Senior High School Department

Tandag City, Surigao del Sur

A Comparative Study of Using Paper and Plastic Bags in Tandag City

A Research Study Presented to the Faculty of the Senior High School Department
Saint Theresa College of Tandag, Inc.
Tandag City

In partial fulfillment
Of the requirements for the Applied Track Subject
Research 2

Submitted by
Group 7
Ailha Mae C. Galas
Eugine E. Amparado
Jachevieve B. Marbebe
Jean Grey I. Quijada
Jenny B. Ratonel
Kliency James Empleo
Meljhun T. Baloca

S.Y. 2018-2019

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 Saint Theresa College of Tandag, Inc.
Senior High School Department
Tandag City, Surigao del Sur

CHAPTER I
THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING

INTRODUCTION

Background of The Study

Paper and plastic bags both have effect or impact on the environmental

aspect in Tandag City. Many believe that paper bags are more environmental friendly

than plastic bags, because they are made from a renewable resource, can biodegrade,

and are recyclable. In this study we are aiming to expose ideas from different resources,

of which is more appropriate to use. We are going to discover how does paper and

plastic bag usage affects the people in Tandag City.

A paper bag has opposite impact than plastic bags, because it includes

water consumption and atmospheric acidification. Which can have effects on human

health, sensitive ecosystems, forest decline and acidification of lakes and eutrophication

of water bodies, according to the Scottish Government (2005). Eutrophication of water

bodies is the enrichment of inorganic plant nutrients. This include decrease of water

quality and navigation water problems.

“Our goal is to educate people about the fact that plastic bags are an

environmentally responsible choice,” according to Kieth Christman. a Managing Director

of Plastic Markets of the American Chemistry Council (ACC). On the other hand, he

states that “The main reason we are targeting plastic bags and certain other materials is

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 Saint Theresa College of Tandag, Inc.
Senior High School Department
Tandag City, Surigao del Sur

that they are prone to be littered.” Kieth Christman has a point, who should take the

responsibility in preventing environmental problems? No other than us, that is why we

need to take responsible decision.

This study aims to discover ways on how to reduce negative environmental

issues. Everybody is aware that we need these two, paper and plastic bags for

institutional purposes. Hence, we need to choose which among these two is more

preferable to use in reducing negative results in our environment, specifically in Tandag

City. This study is important to everybody who belongs in a certain society to be aware

of what are the consequences of their own deeds. We are conducting this study to

inform everybody that there are advantage and disadvantage in using both paper and

plastic bags.

The aim of this study is to make the people of Tandag City be aware about

the positive and negative results of using paper and plastic bags. Also, this study will

give lesson to people not to litter anywhere and be responsible enough to the

consequences in using these two in a wrong way. This study also aims to help Tandag

City to become a more environmental friendly city.

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 Saint Theresa College of Tandag, Inc.
Senior High School Department
Tandag City, Surigao del Sur

Theoretical Framework

Both paper and plastic bags has advantage and disadvantage, it depends

on how we use it. Some disadvantage of using plastic bags are that they bring pollution

in our environment and they don’t decay quickly. And that leads us to its advantage that

it can be recycled into trash bag or bin bags, another advantage is, it is durable and has

low cost. These two might be useful or destructive but, it will always depend on how

people use it and take responsibility on it.

A study states that a paper bag must be used four or more times to reduce

global warming. Their reason is that in paper production, from the felling of trees to the

emission and effluent from paper factories, is dirty. Their study found out that there is no

significant reuse of paper bags, not even as trash-can liners. According to the British

Environmental Agency (2011).

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 Saint Theresa College of Tandag, Inc.
Senior High School Department
Tandag City, Surigao del Sur

Profiling and Distributing the Gathering the Interpreting the

choosing of research material results for data and drawing
respondents to the chosen statistical analysis conclusions.
respondents

(18 yrs. Old above)

Figure 1.1 Schematic Diagram of the Study

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 Saint Theresa College of Tandag, Inc.
Senior High School Department
Tandag City, Surigao del Sur

Conceptual Framework

Shown in the conceptual framework, the box with a blue color contains the

main problem in the research. It is to identify the effects of using papers and plastic

bags in terms of environmental aspects. The first two yellow boxes contain the

advantage and disadvantages of the irresponsible acts of the people in the society. The

next two yellow boxes contain the effects of the wrong usage of paper and plastic bags.

After the data gathering, it will be expressed and interpreted to be the basis of the study.

The last lower box contains the outcomes of those inappropriate

behaviors that lead to the factors affecting the environment.

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 Saint Theresa College of Tandag, Inc.
Senior High School Department
Tandag City, Surigao del Sur

A comparative study of using papers and

plastic bags in Tandag City

Paper bags Plastic bags

Advantages Disadvantages

Effects
Effects

Environmental Problems in
Tandag City

Figure 1.2 Conceptual flowchart of the study

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 Saint Theresa College of Tandag, Inc.
Senior High School Department
Tandag City, Surigao del Sur

Statement of the Problem

The dominant intent of this study is to give solutions in every environmental

issue that relates to the usage of papers and plastic bags. This study also aims to

answer the following questions which lead us to further solutions.

1. What are the effect of using paper and plastic bags in Tandag City?

2. What are the advantage and disadvantages of paper and plastic bags?

3. Do find paper bags less destructive than plastic bags?

Scope and Limitation

The study is only limited to the people in Tandag City. It only focuses on the

effects on using of paper and plastic bags, and its impact on the people of Tandag City.

The respondents are also bounded as of the number of the questionnaires provided.

Our respondents will be randomly selected in each barangay in Tandag City. The

survey will be conducted on the month of September.

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 Saint Theresa College of Tandag, Inc.
Senior High School Department
Tandag City, Surigao del Sur

Significance of the study

This study would be beneficial to all of those who are part of a certain society.

People will be aware of the different outcomes in terms of the usage of these two. In this

study, we are looking for better options on how to manage problems in the society when

it comes to the paper and plastic bags usage. Most people, without giving the matter, a

great deal of thought would automatically think that plastic bags were the biggest

hazard to the environment. We are all aware of the eyesore that plastic bags bring to

the surrounding. But, on the other hand plastic bags can be recycled and can be made

into another item. Also, papers can be a problem and at the same time can be a useful

material. In this, we are going to discuss and have deeper analysis on which of the two

is more preferable to use, for the benefit of our environment.

Definition of Terms

To understand clearly and easily grasp this study, the following terms are

defined:

Acidification – is the process of becoming acid or being converted into acid.

Comparative – constituting the degree of comparison.

Effluent - is the liquid waste or savage discharged into a river or sea.

Emission - production and discharge of something specially gas or radiation.

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Senior High School Department
Tandag City, Surigao del Sur

Entangle – is to trap something within something else from which it is difficult to escape

and involve in difficulties.

Eutrophication - is an excessive richness of nutrients in a lake or other body of water.

Ingest - is to take into body by swallowing or absorbing it.

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 Saint Theresa College of Tandag, Inc.
Senior High School Department
Tandag City, Surigao del Sur

CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Related Studies

Foreign

Abstract

According to Early, life-cycle assessment studies have ignored other pollution problems.

"The main reason we are targeting plastic bags and certain other materials is that they

are prone to be littered," he says. "Once they are littered, they end up in the

environment. How long they persist, we really don't know."

Early cites a report compiled last year by the staff of the Los Angeles County Board of

Supervisors. It said local landfills and waste-transfer stations spend between $1,500

and $25,000 monthly on patrols that pick up plastic bag litter. Los Angeles evaluated the

waste in the city's storm drain catch basins and found that 25% of it by mass was plastic

bags.

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Senior High School Department
Tandag City, Surigao del Sur

Paraphrase

According to Early, life-cycle studies rejected other toxic waste problem. “The central

goal we are pointing plastic bags and assured other things is that they are disposed to

be scattered,” he says. “When they are scattered, they end up in the environment. How

long they extent to use plastic bags in an improper way, we really don’t know.

Early, stated a report pile up by the staff of the Los Angeles Country Board of

Supervisors last year. They spent between $1,500 and $25,000 monthly on garbage

truck that collects plastic bag littered in local landfills and waste-transfer station. An

evaluation was made by Los Angeles, and they estimated the waste in the city’s storm

drain basins and 25% of it was plastic bags.

Abstract

A study conducted by the Australian Department of the Environment & Heritage said

manufacturing plastic bags generates about one-half of the greenhouse gas emissions

of, and requires less than one-third of the energy used in, paper bag production.

Similarly, a study by the South African government noted that manufacture of plastic

grocery bags consumes 23% less energy and generates 76% less solid waste than

does production of paper bags.

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Senior High School Department
Tandag City, Surigao del Sur

Paraphrase

Manufacturing plastic bag generates about one-half of the greenhouse gas emissions,

which requires one-third energy to be used in a paper bag production, a study

conducted by the Australian Department of the Environment & Heritage. A similar study

was conducted by the South African government states that plastic bags consumes

23% less energy and generates 76% less solid waste than the production of paper

bags.

Abstract

Daley (2017) and Klepper (2017) found at least four states that have banned plastic bag

bans with many municipalities following suit. The authors discuss how governments are

learning the science behind the plastic bag issues does not support the rhetoric put forth

to promote plastic bag bans and fees and that plastic bags may be an environmentally

correct solution rather than a problem.

Paraphrase

There are two authors who discussed how governments learned the science behind

plastic bags. They stated that plastic bag issues do not support the rhetoric put forth to

promote plastic bag bans and fees, they also stated that plastic bags may be an

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Senior High School Department
Tandag City, Surigao del Sur

environmentally correct solution rather than a problem. And they found out that there

are at least four states that have banned plastic bags.

Abstract

Another plastic causing concern is the micro beads found in some exfoliating facial

scrubs and toothpastes, which are rinsed down drains into rivers, lakes and oceans. A

2015 study in the Marine Pollution Bulletin estimated that between 4,594 and 94,500

micro plastic particles pass into the sewer during each use (between 16 and 86 metric

tons annually in Britain alone).

Paraphrase

Another 2015 study by the Marine Pollution Bulletin estimated that the micro plastic

particles that pass through the sewer in each use are between 4,594 and 94,500. Micro

beads is one of the plastic causing concern that are found in facial scrubs and

toothpaste that are drained down to rivers, lakes and oceans.

Abstract

According to a 2008 estimate in Waste Management, people around the world discard

between 500 billion and 1 trillion plastic bags a year. The National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) lists single-use plastic bags as a major contributor,

along with food wrappers and fishing nets, to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch — vast,

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shifting waves of trash that often arrive via storm drains and rivers and can entangle

marine life or be ingested. According to a 2014 estimate published in PLOS ONE, more

than 5 trillion pieces of plastic (not all from bags) weighing a combined 250,000 tons are

floating in the world’s oceans.

Paraphrase

A waste management 2008 estimated that there are between 500 billion and 1 trillion

plastic bags that people discard a year. Plastic bag was listed as a major contributor by

the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration along with food wrappers and fishing

nets as single-use plastics. Another estimate, published in 2014, that there are more

than 5 trillion plastic weighing 250,00 tons that are floating in the world’s ocean.

Related Literature

Foreign

Abstract

Ritch, et al (2009), Lewis, et al (2010), and Rujnic-Sokele and Baric (2014) found that

environmental groups use photos of plastic bags blowing freely in the wind, languishing

in otherwise pristine streams, or pictures of sea life swallowing plastic bags are common

images used to display the detrimental impacts of plastic bags to the general public. In

stark contrast to these images are several reports contradicting common

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Senior High School Department
Tandag City, Surigao del Sur

misconceptions to the degree that plastic bags cause harm to creatures and the

environment.

Paraphrase

Photos of plastic bags blowing freely in the wind, or pictures of sea life swallowing

plastic bags are commonly showed to the public that cause detrimental effect and

information to the public. These photos are shown in the public by the environmental

groups according to Ritch, et al (2009), Lewis, et al (2010), and Rujnic-Sokele and Baric

(2014). These photos started to give misconceptions to plastic bags and its cause to the

environment.

Abstract

Schultz and Stein (2009) conducted a study of litter in America and their findings

indicate plastic bags represented less than 5% of America’s litter. Cigarette butts,

miscellaneous paper and food packaging were the top litter problems in the US (Schultz

and Stein, 2009). They discussed how plastic bag litter is highly visible giving the

impression that it is a larger problem than the evidence indicates. While plastic litter is

highly visible it is plastic packaging materials, not plastic bags, that represent the

greater litter problem (Schultz and Stein, 2009).

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Senior High School Department
Tandag City, Surigao del Sur

Paraphrase

A study about the litter in America by Schultz and Stein (2009) found out that 5% of

America’s litter was plastic bags. Along with cigarette butts, miscellaneous paper and

food packaging were one of the top litter problems in the US.

Abstract

According to Kate Pullen, plastic bags were the biggest hazard to the environment.

Lightweight plastic bags can get caught by the wind and get blown away from bins.

They can get caught in trees, get blown into fields where they can be a problem from

livestock or enter rivers or the sea where they can kill fish, marine life and birds. On the

other hand, when we think of recycled paper bags which, in turn can be recycled after

use. In reality, however both paper and plastic bags have their negative points and

cause harm to the environment.

Paraphrase

According to Kate Pullen, plastic bags were the major threat to the environment. Those

plastic that are light in weight are easily blown by the wind from bins and scattered

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Senior High School Department
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everywhere. And can cause problem where they can kill sea creatures and even in land

creatures. In contrary, paper bags can also be recycled after use. However, both paper

and plastic bags have negative impact that can cause harm to the environment.

Abstract

According to David Trilling, plastic bag will kill wildlife, clog waterways and pack landfills.

Discarded bags can spread malaria if they collect rain waters, offering mosquitos a

casual breeding ground. In recent years local and national government have begun

phasing alternatives are not necessarily greener. People buy more plastic trash bag

when shopping bags are unavailable. And a British Government study found single use

paper bags contribute more toward global warming than plastic bags.

Paraphrase

According to David Trilling, plastic bags can destroy wildlife, clog waterways and even

pack landfills. Plastic bags that are thrown away can carry rain waters that enable

mosquito to live in it and can spread malaria. A british government found that single use

paper bag is more prone to global warming than plastic bags.

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Tandag City, Surigao del Sur

Related Studies

Local

Abstract

In a waste analysis characterization survey (WACS) conducted on March 2009 in

Payatas, Quezon City, Philippines, it was found that the approximate generation of

residuals in that major city in Metro Manila was about 248 tons per day. Of these

residuals, 62% were plastic sando bags. This is just one of the many major cities in

Metro Manila and estimating the total consumptions of the whole country, it can be said

that a good amount of plastics is being disposed of in landfills every day.

Paraphrase

A waste analysis characterization survey conducted on March 2009 in Payatas, Quezon

City, Philippines, found that there was about 248 tons of residuals per day. That survey

was only in that major city in Metro Manila, and was said that 62% of it were sando

bags. This survey is about the consumptions of the whole country

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Tandag City, Surigao del Sur

Abstract

In 2011, the Senate Bill No. 2759 on the Total Plastic Bag Ban Act was passed into law,

prohibiting the sale, distribution, and use of plastic bags in groceries, restaurants, and

other establishments. Compared to plastics, paper products are more environmentally

friendly as they are made of natural materials which are also easily degraded or

recycled.

Paraphrase

The Senate Bill No. 2759 on the Total Plastic Bag Ban Act was passed into law in 2011.

This law is prohibiting the sale, distribution and other uses of plastic bags in any

establishments. Also, paper is being compared to plastics, stating that it is more

environmental friendly than plastics because it is made of natural materials.

Abstract

MANILA PHILIPPINES- Consumers should be given a choice between using plastic and

paper bags to match their needs and be allowed to pay accordingly, according to a

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study conducted by the Solid Waste management Association of the Philippines

(SWAPP). The group said in the study, funded by the Ayala Foundation, that it “is in

favor of regulation on the use of plastic bags instead of the total elimination and

developing a more effective and efficient system of reuse or recycling of these plastic

bags as well as proper collection and disposal.

Paraphrase

The Solid Waste management Association of the Philippines (SWAPP) conducted a

study that is in favor of discovering and making new ways to use plastic bags in other

ways instead of eliminating it totally. They said that consumers should have a chance of

choosing on what to use, its either paper or plastic bags.

Abstract

SWAPP said “it is not always advisable to focus on one aspect (environment) since an

ordinance can also influence other dimensions like socio-cultural, political, institutional,

health, economic and technical”. It said an information and education campaign is

needed and its priority must be a “change in people’s habits” in waste disposal.

The experience in some European countries having anti-plastic ordinances showed that

charging consumers for plastic bags resulted in a sharp reduction in the use of plastic,

which can be replicated in the Philippines, according to SWAPP study.

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Senior High School Department
Tandag City, Surigao del Sur

Paraphrase

SWAPP said that we should not

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Senior High School Department
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References

https://journalistsresource.org/studies/environment/pollution-environment/plastic-bag-

bans-grocery-shopping-environment

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