Research Proposal

Title: Producing Glue by Utilizing Banana Peels and Cigarette Butts for
Eco-Friendly Adhesive Formulation

The problem statement and background of the study:

The main purpose of this research is to perform an in-depth study to
determine the feasibility of developing an eco-friendly adhesive or glue with the
use of banana peels and cigarette butts.

Banana peels are classified as solid waste. In the Philippines, handling solid
waste is still a major problem, particularly in urban areas like Metro Manila. As
stated by COA, the yearly production of solid waste is expected to rise from 16.63
million metric tons in 2020 to 19.76 million metric tons in 2030 and 24.50
million tons in 2045.

On the other hand, studies have indicated that the most dominant and
wide-ranging hazardous waste in the world are cigarette butts. According to the
United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) in 2022, cigarette butts make up
more than 766 million kilograms of harmful waste annually and are the most
prevalent type of plastic waste on beaches.

Malabon, being in the Philippines’ busiest metropolis, has a booming

economy bigger than most of the areas in the country. However, as the city
expands, innumerable solid wastes pollute the waterways around Metro Manila
by becoming rubbish. In the year 2022, the total volume of solid waste collected
in Malabon is 332,508 cubic meters.

Banana sap has starch, which is known to be adhesive; it has a high level of
stickiness that makes it an ideal selection for multiple adhesive purposes. This
versatile adhesive source includes more than just the sap; it also includes the fruit
peelings, fruit flesh, and the sturdy pseudostems of the banana plant, all of which
can be effectively used in the extraction process to capture this rich sticky
component.

Furthermore, in an experiment that DOST SciNet-Philippines conducted,

they successfully developed glue out of cigarette butts and acetone. The result of
the successful experiment proved that cardboard and paper may be easily
adhered to with the formulated adhesive. Therefore, it has been verified that
cigarette butts glue can substitute for commercial glue.

Both wastes (banana peels and cigarette butts), possess adhesive and sticky
properties. Due to this, we have chosen to conduct a study in which we will merge
these two together to create an eco-friendly glue that also contributes to the
reduction of hazardous and solid waste.