Table of Contents

Table of Contents……………………………………………………………………..…ii

Abstract………….……………………………………………………………………….iii

Acknowledgement………………………………………………………………………iv

Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1 Background of the study………………………………………………………...…1

1.2 Statement of the Problem………………………………………………………….3

1.3 Hypothesis…………………………………………………………………………..3

1.4 Objectives………………….………………………………………………………..3

1.5 Significance of the Study…………………………………………………………..4

1.6 Scope and Delimitations.…………………………………………………………..5

Chapter 2: Methods and Materials

2.1 Location of the study……………………………………………………………….6

2.2 Gathering of Materials…………...…………………………………………………6

2.3 Preparation of Coconut shells……………………………………………………..6

2.4 Research Design……………………………………………………………………7

 Chapter 3; Results and Discussion

3.1 Flammability Test………………...…………………………………………………8

3.2 Insulation Test………………………………………………………………………9

Conclusion

Conclusion…….……..………………...………………………………………………10

Appendices………………………………………………………………………..…...11
 Acknowledgement

First and Foremost, We would like to acknowledge our Almighty Father for

guiding us all through out this project without him we wouldn’t be able to

complete this.

We would like to thank our dear Supervisor Ms. Janeth G. Mamansag for guiding

our team to make this project successful without her this project wouldn’t be

possible.

We would like to thank Regina Paggao for lending us the necessary materials

despite not being a part of our group, and for taking charge of the bookbinding

processin

We would also like to express our deepest gratitude to our beloved families for

helping us do the works we are not physically capable of doing. Thank you for all

the help, prayers, and hope you all gave us. We are thanking you with all our

heart.
 I. Introduction

Background of the study

Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is made of solid polystyrene beads

with an expansion gas (pentane) dissolved within it. These beads are

linked through a process called polymerization, a process in which

relatively small molecules called monomers are combined chemically to

produce a very large chainlike or network molecule, called a polymer. It is

an insulator, light, and moldable, making it popular within the food

packaging industry. Expanded polystyrene is acknowledged as a major

pollutant. Expanded polystyrene has a costly recycling process,with

hundreds of years required to decompose, making it inaccessible to most

companies. Based on the findings of the United States Environmental

Protection Agency in 2018, more than 80,000 tons of Expanded

polystyrene was manufactured in the United States, with less than 5,000

tons actually recycled. Around the world, Expanded polystyrene forms

30% of landfills. This is a worrying statistic, for the styrene in Expanded

polystyrene creates harmful air pollutants which may harm the ozone layer.

It also may be harmfully ingested by animals scavenging for food. This

has led to multiple places like Manila, Las Pinas, Baguio, Boracay, and

others to ban the use of Expanded polystyrene. Due to its harmful effects

there has been a recent movement to develop alternatives

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 To create an insulating, light, moldable, yet sustainable and

biodegradable material to be made into cups and plates as opposed to

Expanded polystyrene, it is a must to consider its properties. The coconut

shell, which is agricultural waste, is an excellent source. Ramsaroop et. Al,

2012 found that the thermal conductivity of coconut shell particles ranges

from 0.030-0.125 w/m k which is less than 0.1 w/m k, therefore making it a

good insulator. Coconut shells are also biodegradable and completely

organic. It is also important to consider its structure. If coconut shells were

to be made the styrene beads, then the binding agent in replacement of

polymerization can be mucilage. Multiple studies have been conducted on

mucilage’s potential as a completely natural binding agent. Aloe Vera has

one of the highest mucilage content and easiest extraction methods,

making it an ideal source.

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Statement of the Problem

Determine the suitability of the aloe-coconut cup as a alternative for

Expanded Polystyrene cups.

Hypothesis

The coconut-aloe cup is a suitable replacement for disposable cup.

Objectives

This study aims to reduce the use of Expanded Polystyrene by providing a

viable alternative, reduce global pollution by eradicating on of the major

pollutants, Expanded Polystyrene and use the agricultural waste coconut

shell sustainably

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Significance of the study

This study will be undertaken to know the efficiency of a self-made

biodegradable coconut cups and plates, how it affects the reduction of

toxic land pollutants.This part of the research helps the citizens in

reducing their wastes. This study lessens the harmful wastes that

affects the environment. It also improves the air quality in the

environment and it reduces greenhouse gas emission. Lastly, this study

helps protect the habitats of various animals and stops them from

harmfully ingesting Expanded Polystyrene while scavenging for food.

Scope and Delimitations

While conducting our experiment, we faced some limitations that

hindered us from doing our experiment based on our expectations.

Some of these are our lack of time to finish our objectives due to the

deadline presented by our Research Adviser. Two of our members also

live far away from the other members, as a result, personal meet-ups

outside of school did not occur often and gave us inconvenience.

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 II. Materials and Methods

Location of Experiment;

The experiment was done in one of the researcher’s houses in Calzada,

Tipas, Taguig. The area was cleaned and sanitized before and after the

experiment.

Gathering of Materials;

The coconut shells were bargained for free from a coconut vendor in a

Talipapa in Sta. Ana, Taguig while the Aloe Vera leaves were gathered

from homegrown plnts of one of the researchers. Lastly, the silicone mold

and xanthan gum were bought from an online shop called shoppee.

Preparation of Coconut shells;

The coconut shells were first rubbed with coarse grit sandpaper to remove

the hairs from the shell before being crushed into pieces by a hammer

wrapped in aluminum foil before and grinded down into fine powder using

mortar and pestle.

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Extraction of Aloe Vera mucilage;
The Aloe Vera were cut off from the main plant and left to stand upright for

a few minutes to drain the aloin. After, the top and bottom inch of the aloe

vera were cut off and it was cut through the middle. The mucilage was

scraped off with a knife. Each 40 ml of aloe vera was mixed with one gram

of xanthan gum to add viscosity. The leftover leaves were blended with 1

cup of water and ½ cup of vinegar to create a fertilizer. Mixing and molding

of Coconut shell powder and aloe vera mucilage; The 30 ml of thickened

aloe vera mucilage was mixed with the 15 grams of coconut shell powder

in portions of 5 ml until the mixture had a soft, clay-like texture. The

substance was placed in a mold, which had been lathered in coconut oil

to insure that it will not stick to the silicone.

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 III. Results and Discussion
The cup was compared with styrofoam in terms of flammability, and insulation

using the tables and setups below

A. ) Flammabitly test

For the flammability test, the samples were placed in a pot and lit with a

gaslighter to record the time before they burned

Table 1: Flammability test

Time before Time before Time before Time before

cup burned cup burned cup burned cup burned

Coconut-Aloe

cup

Styrofoam cup

Plastic Cup

Paper Cup

B. ) Insulation/Thermal conductivity test

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The cups will be filled with 50 ml worth of water with a set temperature. The cups

will be watched to determine how long they were able to maintain the

temperature.

Coconut-Aloe cup Styrofoam cup Plastic cup Paper cup

Table 2: Insulation Test

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

How long How long How long

temperature was temperature was temperature was

maintained maintained maintained

Coconut-Aloe cup

Styrofoam cup

Plastic Cup

Paper cup

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 Conclusion

Based on the researchers findings, it can be said that the coco-aloe cup

has the best insulation properties and resistance to flame, both useful

properties for disposable cups. Howerver, there is work to be done

regarding the cup’s presentation and it is yet to undergo standard testing.

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 Appendices

A.) Researchers

Bullet Torcuator Jon Chester Yap

Zif Canatoy Lian Bitor

Keisha Rodriguez Louise Aquino

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