Background Of the Study

Unregulated plastic manufacturing is a global issue that has significant implications for a
sustainable environment. According to Earthday Organization (2022), 8.3 billion Metric Tons of
plastic has been produced since plastic was introduced in the 1950s. 79% of plastic that has ever
been made still sits in landfills or the natural environment. Philippines, like many developing
nation confronts issues related to unsustainable plastic production. In fact, it ranked 3rd as the
world's greatest plastic waste generator (JamBeck, et al. 2015).

One of the greatest contributor of these plastic wastes is the Styrofoam or Expanded Polystyrene.
Polystyrene (PS) is a polymer made from the monomer styrene, a liquid hydrocarbon that is
commercially manufactured from petroleum (Geosynthetics in Civil Engineering, 2007).
Styrofoam is mostly used for food packaging due to its lightness and cost-effectiveness.
According to Washington University, Styrofoam takes 500 years to decompose; it cannot be
recycled. To minimize the use of this non biodegradeable pollutant, manufacturers developed
eco-friendly alternatives like paper and bioplastics, communities promoted recycling and the use
of reusable containers or bags. Although these alternatives could serve as biodegradable and eco-
friendly, they may not suffice as a direct substitute for styrofoam due to specific properties such
as water resistance.

In response to this pressing issue, the researchers came up with a biodegradeable substitute from
left over coconut pulp that could serve as a more affective alternative to styrofoam in terms of
possessing identical characteristics. Although few studies have examined other uses of coconut
pulp, there is a lack of research on how it can be made as an alternative styrofoam substitute.
This research gap limits our understanding of how other people find the disadvantages and
potential risks of using this material. Therefore, this study aims to explore how feasible, useful,
and durable coconut pulp as a packaging material.

Styrofoam is notorious for its negative environmental impact as it can last for 500 years (Davis,
2019). Reaching with this alternative from a biodegradable material can reduce the
environmental contamination. The coconut pulp is considered only as a byproduct of coconut
milk that is why utilizing it as a material can reduce the cost and wastes in manufacturing. This
new product could also open up opportunities in economy and offer a safer option for food
packaging.