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Department of Education
Francisco G. Nepomuceno Memorial Highschool
Citicenter, Pandan, Angeles City

Can Banana Stem Fiber Abaca (musa textile) Be Used To Make Eco-Friendly Bag?

In partial fulfillment in Research 1

Submitted to:
Evangeline A. Goloya

Submitted by:
Manaloto, Isaiah Gabriel D.
Salgado, Miguel Austin T.

Date
March 2023
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Introduction

The effects of climate change, global warming, and other problems such as pollution and plastic waste

are worsening. Sen. Loren Legarda put out Senate Bill No. 2415 to control the manufacture, importation, sale,

use, recycling, and disposal of plastic bags, encourage the use of reusable bags, and establish a system for the

recovery and collection of plastic bags. It is against the law for a point-of-sale business to give consumers

plastic bags to carry or transport recently bought products. Republic Act 9003 creates an ecological solid waste

management program, develops the necessary institutional mechanisms and incentives, declares certain actions

prohibited and imposes penalties, and appropriates funds appropriately, and for other purposes.

Sangamithirai, K., & Vasugi, N. (2020). Natural fibers are being revitalized and used to create woven

and nonwoven fabric composites from banana pseudostem fibers, which have the potential for export and year-

round availability. According to Carag, J.A. (2021). The Philippines is the world's second-largest banana

exporter, and it is all used for various purposes. The elastic natural cellulose fiber present in banana

pseudostems is an excellent substitute for an artificial polymer matrix, which is a plastic or thermoset material

commonly referred to as glass-reinforced plastic. In 2020, 367 million metric tons of plastic were manufactured

globally, suggesting the potential for cellulosic fiber to be used as an alternative.

This study's primary objective is to regulate the use of plastic bags. It can reduce plastic waste/pollution

and aid in the fight against climate change, global warming, and other issues. We can create a better

environment. We can also avoid using plastic bags by encouraging people to use native/local eco-friendly bags

made of banana stems.

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Objectives

This study aims to answer the following objectives:

1. To recycle banana waste and for us to contribute to the preservation or improvement of our nature

2. Regulate the use of plastic bags

3. Avoid using single-use plastic bags, which have been demonstrated to be harmful to the environment.

Hypothesis

1. If Banana stem fiber Abaca (musa textile) is used to make an Eco-Friendly bag, then it has the potential

to help preserve our nature.

2. If we extract Banana stem fiber Abaca (musa textile), we can regulate plastic bag use.

3. If we use Banana stem fiber Abaca (musa textile), we can use it in our everyday lives.
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Conceptual Framework

Banana stem fiber/Banana Pseudostem

Banana stem fiber/Banana Pseudostem

Cut the banana stem

Place banana stems in a boiling pot, fill with water, NaOH, and
boil. Stir banana stem continuously.

Take the pot from the heat, let it cool for a minute, and then
use a blender to churn the stems into a slurry.

Dry it in the sun until fully dry. Finally, sew it

Eco-friendly bag

Figure 1: Shows the process of making an eco-friendly bag using Banana stem fiber Abaca (musa textile).
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Theoretical Framework

According to Subagyo, A., & Chafidz, A. (2020). A decorticator machine can be used to separate the

fibers from banana pseudo-stem leaves, but it takes expertise and persistence. An apparatus called a decorticator

was created by A. Subagyo to remove fiber from banana pseudo-stems. The retting of banana fiber is a

microorganism process, with factors such as temperature, length of retting time, type of chemical additives, and

pure culture of microorganisms reducing the retting time by 78%. Banana pseudo-stem fiber produced by

decorticator machines contains a high percentage of gum and non-fibrous cell or parenchyma, which must be

extracted before the fiber is spun into fine yarn count. Retting increases the mechanical properties of natural

fibers, reduces hemicellulose and lignin, and pulps with better strength and chemical properties. The fibers are

first boiled in an aqueous alkaline solution, then washed in water, bleached with diluted hydrogen peroxide or

hypochlorite, and finally washed in water to neutralize and oil the fibers. Processes can be accelerated by

ultrasonic vibrations.

Definition of Terms

Artificial Polymer Matrix - The intercalate or exfoliate is disseminated into a thermoplastic or thermosetting

polymer to increase mechanical strength and heat resistance.

Cellulosic Fiber - are made of cellulose, a starchy carbohydrate, and fibers.

Ecological Solid Waste Management Program - refers to the methodical management of actions that ensure

source-specific segregation, segregated solid waste transportation, storage, transfer, processing, treatment, and

disposal, as well as any other waste management activities that do not affect the environment.

Plastic Pollution – is one of the most urgent environmental problems, with the production of disposable plastic

goods proliferating.
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Point of Sale - a location where a customer makes a payment for products or services and could be subject to

paying sales taxes.

Pseudostem - The portion of the banana plant that resembles a trunk is called a pseudostem. The closely

stacked, overlapping leaf sheaths give it shape.

References

[1] Carag, J. A. (2021). Banana Pseudo-Stem Face Masks as Post-Pandemic Future Business Venture.

[2] Subagyo, A., & Chafidz, A. (2020). Banana Pseudo-Stem Fiber: Preparation, Characteristics, and

Applications. Banana Nutrition - Function and Processing Kinetics.

[3] http://legacy.senate.gov.ph/lis/bill_res.aspx?congress=16&q=SBN-2415

[4] https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2001/01/26/republic-act-no-9003-s-2001/
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