How long does it take for paper to decompose?

Proponents :

Aldon,Rey Nelvin

Alejo,Jay Larenz

Bolonia,Lowege

Bravo,Harley Dave

Pabilario,Jewelle Nathazha

Perez,Trishia Nicole

Semillano,Xhien Clare

Sison,Claire

Tiques-Tiques, Ara Niña

Uy,Betheven Beatris

Significance :

has a direct impact on waste management and recycling efforts.By knowing how long it

takes for a paper to break down, we can develop more effectives strategies to handle

paper work such as recycling and composting.Understanding the decomposition Time

of paper is crucial for the environment.Its knowledge enables us to reduce the amount

of paper that ends up in landfills,minimizing the release of harmful gases like methane,

which contribute to climate change.It encourages responsible waste disposal practices

and promotes a more sustainable approach to managing paper waste.

Additionally,when aware of the decomposition time of paper encourages us to make

greener choices in our everyday lives.By understanding the timeframe it takes for a

paper consumption and seek alternatives when possible.This might include opting for

digital documents instead of printed ones, using recycled paper products or choosing

materials with shorter decomposition times.Making informed decisions about paper

usage helps reduce the demand for now paper production and conserves valuable
resources like trees and water.It contributes to a more environmentally friendly and

sustainable future.

Paper aging and conservation are matters of concern to those responsible for archives

and library collections. Wood-derived fibers are mainly composed of cellulose,

hemicelluloses, and lignin,but paper composition can also include additives,such as

starch,minerals,and synthetic polymers. Therefore,paper is a multi-component material,

and because of its complex and varied nature,research findings in paper chemistry can

be difficult to interpret.Deterioration of paper is caused by many factors such as acid

hydrolysis,oxidative agents,light,air pollution,or the presence of microorganisms.The

origin of the cellulosic material,as well as pulping and papermaking

procedures,additives,and storage conditions play a crucial role.The chemical changes

occurring within paper thus involve multi-parameter processes.The purpose of this

review, which mainly focuses on the most recent decade, is to provide a description of

the more important changes produced by aging and an update of the new tools

available for the study of paper deterioration and its conservation.

Objectives :

1. Find out how long paper takes to decompose.

2. Identify factors that affect the speed of paper decomposition.

3. Understand the environment impact of paper decomposition and waste

management.

Hypothesis :

1. What is the state of cardboard after being covered by soil for a week?

Null Hypothesis: The state of cardboard remains unchanged for a week.

Alternative Hypothesis: The state of cardboard undergoes significant changes

after being covered by a soil for one week such as structural damages,

decomposition or degration.

2. What is the state of tissue paper after being submerged in water for 1 week.
 Null Hypothesis : The state of tissue paper remain unchanged after being

submerged in water for one week.

Alternative Hypothesis: The state of tissue paper undergoes significant changes

after being submerged in water for one week such as disintegration, dissolution,

or deterioration.

3. What is the state of manila paper covered in soil for a whole week.

Null Hypothesis : The state of manila paper remained unchanged after being

covered in soil for a whole week.

Alternative Hypothesis : The condition of manila paper experiences substantial

transformation after being enveloped in soil for one week,including degration,

decomposition,or structural impairment.

Review of related literature :

Deterioration of paper is caused by many factors such as acid hydrolysis,

oxidative agents,light,air pollution,or the presence of microorganisms (Area &

Cheradame,2011). Paper is an inexhaustible, copious and adaptable material which is

utilized for composing, printing and bundling around the world (Ahmed et al,2018).

Decomposition or Biodegradation is the process whereby a compound is decomposed

by natural biological activity.Paper,which is biosynthetically composed of cellulose,

hemicelluloses and lignin of plant cell is also subject to ageing since it is produced from

organic substances (Ahmed et al,2018)

Methodology :

Tissue paper :

The ¼ cup wood pulp is mixed with 1 cup water to form a paper slurry.The slurry is

poured onto a wire mesh to remove excess water The wet paper is then pressed

between felt rollers to dry it.The dried paper is then rolled into large spools.

Materials : ¼ Wood pulp

Manila Paper :
The ¼ wood pulp and 4 inch Manila hemp fibers are mixed with water to form a paper

slurry. The slurry is poured onto a wire mesh to remove excess water.The wet paper is

then pressed between felt rollers to further remove excess water,the paper is then

passed through heated rollers to dry it.The dried paper is then cut to the desired size

and thickness.

Materials : ¼ Wood pulp and 4 inch manila hemp fibers.

Cardboard Paper :

The ¼ cup wood pulp and ¼ recycled cardboard to form paper slurry.The slurry is

poured onto wire mesh to remove excess water,the wet paper is then pressed between

felt rollers to remove excess water.The paper is then passed through heated rollers to

dry it,the dried paper is then pressed between corrugated rollers to create the

characteristics ridges in cardboard.The cardboard is then cut to the desired size and

shape,and can be layered or coated with additional materials for strength and durability.

Materials : ¼ Wood pulp and ¼ recycled cardboard.

Bibliography :

Area, H., Cheradame, M. (2011) Paper aging and degradation: Recent findings and

research methods.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235354060_Paper_aging_and_degradation_R

ecent_findings_and_research_methods Ahmed, S.,Hall, A.,Ahmed, S. (2018)

Biodegradation of Different Types of Paper in a Compost Environment.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341050000_Biodegradation_of_Different_Typ

es_of_Paper_in_a_Compost_Environment