INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Plastic pollution is a major problem in the Philippines, which – along with China,

Vietnam and Indonesia – is frequently listed among the world's worst offenders,

particularly on marine plastic pollution (Rappler.com, 2019). According to the United

Nations report, Philippines is 1 of 5 countries that produce half of world's plastic waste.

300 million tons of plastic waste is produced every year and half of all plastic produced is

designed to be used only once and thrown away (GMA News Online, 2018).

Plastic is a non-bio-degradable substance which takes thousands of years to

decompose that creates land as well as water pollution to the environment. The quantity

of plastic waste in Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is expanding rapidly. It is estimated

that the rate of usage is double for every 10 years. The plastic usage is large in

consumption and one of the largest plastic wastes is polyethylene (PE) (Madhav

Univeristy, 2018).

Single-use plastic products include plastic water bottles made with polyethylene

terephthalate (PET); harder plastic bottles used for shampoo or milk made with high-

density polyethylene (HDPE); grocery bags and food packaging made with low-density

polyethylene; and plastic cutlery made with polystyrene (PS) among others (GMA News

Online, 2018). Although repurposing these materials have continuously been encouraged,

the UN report stated that only 9% of all plastic waste ever produced has been recycled

(GMA News Online, 2018).

Polyethylene terephthalate or PET bottles (the second most common type of

plastic found in the environment) are one of the most valuable forms of plastic in the
Philippines and the most retrieved due to its high residual value – or its predicted value

after consumption. PET bottles are commonly used in food and beverage packaging. A

study conducted by global advocacy firm McKinsey Center for Business and

Environment showed that the Philippines has one of the highest PET bottle recovery rates

at 90 percent (BusinessMirror, 2018).

With information presented, this prompted the researchers to conduct a study

entitled Used Plastic Bottles and Caps as Bricks to provide ways to reduce, reuse, and

recycle plastics in our environment.

Rationale

Plastic pollution is a major problem in the Philippines, which – along with China,

Vietnam and Indonesia – is frequently listed among the world's worst offenders,

particularly on marine plastic pollution (Rappler.com, 2019). According to the United

Nations report, Philippines is 1 of 5 countries that produce half of world's plastic waste.

300 million tons of plastic waste is produced every year and half of all plastic produced is

designed to be used only once and thrown away (GMA News Online, 2018).

Plastic is a non-bio-degradable substance which takes thousands of years to

decompose that creates land as well as water pollution to the environment. The quantity

of plastic waste in Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is expanding rapidly. It is estimated

that the rate of usage is double for every 10 years. The plastic usage is large in

consumption and one of the largest plastic wastes is polyethylene (PE) (Madhav

Univeristy, 2018).

Single-use plastic products include plastic water bottles made with polyethylene

terephthalate (PET); harder plastic bottles used for shampoo or milk made with high-

density polyethylene (HDPE); grocery bags and food packaging made with low-density

polyethylene; and plastic cutlery made with polystyrene (PS) among others (GMA News

Online, 2018). Although repurposing these materials have continuously been encouraged,

the UN report stated that only 9% of all plastic waste ever produced has been recycled

(GMA News Online, 2018).

 Polyethylene terephthalate or PET bottles (the second most common type of

plastic found in the environment) are one of the most valuable forms of plastic in the

Philippines and the most retrieved due to its high residual value – or its predicted value

after consumption. PET bottles are commonly used in food and beverage packaging. A

study conducted by global advocacy firm McKinsey Center for Business and

Environment showed that the Philippines has one of the highest PET bottle recovery rates

at 90 percent (BusinessMirror, 2018).

With information presented, this prompted the researchers to conduct a study

entitled Used Plastic Bottles and Caps as Bricks to provide ways to reduce, reuse, and

recycle plastics in our environment.

Scientific Literature Review
Theoretical Framework

Conceptual Framework

Independent Variable

Dependent Variable
Treatment A – Pure Plastic
Bottles
 Compressive Strength
Treatment B - Pure Plastic Caps  Water Absorbency
Treatment C - 50% Plastic Bottles Curing  Porosity
50% Plastic Caps
Positive Control -
Commercial Bricks

Figure 1. Compressive Strength, Water Absorbency, and Porosity of the Different

Treatments
Significance of the Study

This study will determine if bricks can be made out of used plastic bottles and

caps.

The findings of this study will benefit the following:

Environment. This study will reduce the massive existence of plastic pollution,

specifically plastic bottles in the environment and conserve our natural resources.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources. This study will contribute

concepts and knowledge to the DENR, local and non-government units, and other

organizations venturing environmental concerns.

Industry. This study will introduce an alternative product that is eco-friendly and

is using cost-efficient machinery to the different sectors of the industry.

People and Community. This study will present a way to enrich the community

through reducing, reusing, and recycling plastic wastes and at the same time providing

livelihood to each and every citizen in the community.

Students and Researchers. This study will serve as an eye-opener to students

about the widespread generation of plastics waste that needs proper end-of-life

management and will serve as basis for future research studies in order to improve and

innovate the product.

Definition of Terms

Brick – a small, hard block of baked clay that is used to build structures (such as housed)

and sometimes to make streets, paths, etc. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 2020). In this

study, it refers to the product made.

Compressive Strength – maximum compressive load, divided by its cross-sectional area

(Petroleum Production Engineering, 2017). In this study, it is used as one of the tests to

evaluate the bricks.

Water Absorbency – the measure of the amount of water absorbed by the wetted surface

(Smithers, 2018). In this study, it is used as one of the tests to evaluate the bricks.

Polyethylene terephthalate or PET – a strong, stiff synthetic fiber and resin, and a

member of the polyester family of polymers. It is spun into fibers for permanent-press

fabrics, blow-molded into disposable beverage bottles, and extruded into photographic

film and magnetic recording tape (White Water, 2018). In this study, it refers to the kind

of plastic bottles used.

Porosity – the ratio of the volume of pores to the volume of bulk rock and is usually

expressed as a percentage (Encyclopedia of Caves, 2012). In this study, it is used as one

of the tests to evaluate the bricks.

 METHODOLOGY

Experimental Design

Replications
Treatments
R1 R2 R3

Treatment A – Pure Plastic Bottles

Treatment B - Pure Plastic Caps

Treatment C - 50% Plastic Bottles 50%

Plastic Caps

Positive Control -

Commercial Bricks

This study will utilize the Complete Randomized Design (CDR) with single factor

experiment. The study will have 3 treatments, and a Positive control, all will be done in

three replications. The treatments are as follows:

Materials

The materials that will be used in the study are: used Polyethylene terephthalate

bottles and caps.

Tools

The tools that will be used in the study are: plastic shredder, oven, heat-proof

container, 9 rectangular molds and wooden stick.

Procedural Design

Gathering of Materials

Cleaning the Plastic Bottles and Caps

Drying Plastic Bottles and Caps

Shredding of the dried Plastic Bottles and Caps

Melting the Plastic Bottles and Caps

Preparing the treatments

Treatment A: Treatment B: Treatment C: (3:1)

Pure Plastic Bottles Pure Plastic Caps 50% Plastic Bottles 50%
Plastic Caps

Curing the Bricks

Testing the Product

Compressive strength
Water Absorbency

Making the Miniature Classroom

General Procedure

Gathering of Materials

The plastic bottles and caps will be gathered from different locations in Capiz.

The Apparatuses that were used was provided at the place of conduction.

Cleaning of the Plastic Bottles and Caps

The plastic bottles and caps will be gathered. To ensure the cleanliness, they were

washed and cleaned thoroughly.

Drying of Plastic Bottles and Caps

After cleaning the plastic bottles and caps, they will be dried for hours.

Shredding of the dried Plastic Bottles and Caps

The dried plastic bottles will be sorted from the plastic caps and will be shredded

using the Plastic Shredder Machine.

Melting the Plastic Bottles and Caps

The plastic bottles and caps will be melted using an oven. The plastics will be put

in a heat-proof container and will be melted in the oven a 300° F.

Preparing the treatments

After the plastic melted, I will be removed from the oven and be poured into a

rectangular mold using a wooden stick. Nine molders will be prepared for the 3

replication of each of the treatments; Treatment A – Pure Plastic Bottles, Treatment B –

Pure Plastic Caps, Treatment C - 50% Plastic Bottles 50% Plastic Caps and a Positive

Control. It will be vibrated and pushed into the mold so that the plastics get settled in the

planks and reaches the extreme corners.

 The researchers will conduct the study at Brgy. Malocloc Ivisan, under the

supervision of Engr. Carmelo U. Bandillon.

Curing the Bricks

The bricks will be cured for 7 days. It was placed in a low humid place. After 7

days, it was removed from the rectangular molder and ready for testing.

Testing the Product

The Compressive strength and Water Absorbency of the bricks will tested at

Department of Public Works and Highways. Testing of bricks’ Compressive strength is

through pound force per square inch or psi.

Data Gathering and analysis

The results were tabulated for further analysis and interpretations that would lead

to this experiment’s conclusion. The data gathered were analyzed using one way analysis

of variance (ANOVA) at 5% level of significance.

Making the Miniature Classroom

Using the tested Bricks, the researchers will make a miniature classroom as a final

product of the research experiment.

Time Table

Task Time Describe Procedure/Issues and Conflicts

1. Selecting topic

2. Narrowing the topic

3. Crafting a thesis statement

4. Doing preliminary research

5. Taking notes

6. Creating an outline

7. Writing the first draft

8. Finding additional sources

9. Integrating source materials

10. Using internal

documentation

11. Creating a Works cited

page

12. Writing front matter/end

matter

13. Revising, editing,

proofreading

14. Keyboarding

15. Wiggle room

Cost Analysis

QTY UNIT PRODUCT DESCRIPTION PRICE

Data Collection

Data Analysis and Procedure