GROUP 5

SHAIRA LAMDAG

DECE GOCOTANO

DEVIENA BLANDO

CRESVI CATAYONG

CYVIE ALCAZARS
 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Recently, environmental problems caused by plastic that have been increasing.

Environment is suffering from the effect of pollution because of the effect of plastic bag trash.

There are several problems caused by plastic such as pollution, human health, marine pollution

and increasing mess. The researchers found that plastic bag became the burden in the environment

however it is useful for daily life, for instance in shopping, marketing, and even at farming.

Bioplastic made from green materials found useful, as it made from waste materials and have less

duration of decomposition. The researcher discovered that there was waste material can utilize for

bioplastic bag production, in substitution to commercial plastic bag.

Plastic plays a vital role today in both industries and agricultural properties. Plastic bags

were first introduced in 1977 and now account for four out of every five bags handed out at grocery
stores (Sarah Laskow et al, 2014). According to the grocery industry committee on solid waste,

less than one (1) percent of shoppers consistently used both shopping bags and paper bags.

Whereas plastics are being more used than any other bags. However, plastics have disadvantages

and harmful effects, plastics take 10-15 years to decomposed and most people burn them, to reduce

and lessen the mess, which will result in harmful effects, such as illnesses, damage to the ozone

layer, pollution, and global warming, due to its smoke. Most plastic bags are made from

polyethylene, which is made from petroleum, a nonrenewable resource. Due to the negative

impacts of synthetic plastics, the development of biodegradable plastics is very useful.

Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues, as the rapidly

increasing production of disposable plastic products overwhelms the world’s ability to deal with

them. Plastic pollution is most visible in developing Asian and African nations where garbage

collection systems are often inefficient or nonexistent. But the developed world, especially in

countries with low recycling rates, also has trouble properly collecting discarded plastics. Plastic

trash has become so ubiquitous it has prompted efforts to write a global treaty negotiated by the

United Nations.

Half of all plastics ever manufactured have been made in the last 15 years. Production

increased exponentially, from 2.3 million tons in 1950 to 448 million tons by 2015. Production is

expected to double by 2050. Every year, about 8 million tons of plastic waste escapes into the

oceans from coastal nations. That’s the equivalent of setting five garbage bags full of trash on

every foot of coastline around the world. Plastic often contains additives making them stronger,
more flexible, and durable. But many of these additives can extend the life of products if they

become litter, with some estimates ranging to at least 400 years to break down.

In recent decades, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources,

the Philippines has made strides with comprehensive legislation such as the Ecological Solid Waste

Management Act of 2000 and a national plan of action for the prevention, reduction, and

management of waste. According to the Philippine World Bank, in 2023, a critical national law

has been passed in the Philippines that advances this legal framework to combat plastic pollution

much further. Titled the “Extended Producer Responsibility” (EPR) law, the legislation requires

mandatory EPR for businesses with assets worth 100 million pesos. The law also encourages

smaller businesses to voluntarily participate in the program. “The Polluter pays” principle is

central to EPR, obligating plastic packaging producers to assume full responsibility for the entire

life cycle of their products, including waste management (Albert P. Aquino, Jamaica Angelica P.

Derequito, Meliza A. Festejo-Abeleda 2013). This means that those who bring plastic packaging

onto the Philippine market must pay for the cost of waste prevention, cleanup, and recovery

measures. Unfortunately, the law does not totally give a contribution to lessening the use of waste,

there are still businesses that use plastic bags and there are still consumers who use plastic bags,

which means plastic bags are highly used.

The study aims to investigate the feasibility of waste material mango peel as an alternative

bioplastic bag. The study utilizes waste material mango peel to contribute environmentally, as

commercial plastic has a lot of disadvantages that affect the environment. Biodegradable plastic is
plastic that decomposes naturally in the environment. This is achieved when microorganisms in

the environment metabolize and break down the structure of biodegradable plastic. Therefore,

bioplastic can contribute in terms of environmentally, socially, and economically.

The researchers will investigate some ways to contribute to society in terms of plastic,

Researchers will investigate various materials for producing bioplastic bags as eco-friendly plastic

bags. Mango peel is the material identified to use. The researchers will address the following

effects caused by the disadvantages of plastic bag waste.

The first disadvantage of using plastic bags is the plastics’ non-degradability or durability.

It was known that plastics are not biodegradable and can remain in the environment for hundreds

of years. The second disadvantage of plastic, bags is the full mess on the land and sea that causes

damage to the natural nutrients of land and damage to corals and fishes in the sea. The third

disadvantage according to (Duygu Bilged) is that the waste management options are inadequate.

The recycling proportion is very low. On the other hand, toxic emissions such as carbon dioxide

and methane are generated because of plastic incineration. In addition, it is expected that fossil

fuels will become more expensive, and the supply will become more volatile. This research study

aims to provide and contribute to environmental and societal issues. Involves the increase in

plastics, which produce a mess, pollution, global warming, and diseases. The researcher conducts

the experiment to help the environment and produce alternative and eco-friendly products. Waste

materials or nature-based materials are used to produce alternative bioplastic, in exchange for

plastic, which can be easy to decompose.

 For producing bioplastic bags mango peel, is one of the waste materials that is available

and easy to get. Some researchers from the production of bioplastic from gelatin use the method

D7234 standard test method also known as the pull-off adhesion strength of bioplastic, and so

researchers use also ASTM D5338 method for decomposition testing. The researchers used a

variety of methods and testing for the bioplastic bag and at the same time checklist table, to know

the potential of a bioplastic bag made up of waste material, mango peel. Bioplastics are considered

green materials alternatives to plastics. In this study, the bioplastic was produced from mango peel

in the food industry. Furthermore, the water absorption capacity and biodegradability of bioplastic

bag production will also be determined in order to test its strength, density, and thickness.

Thus, this study will aim to investigate the potential of using mango peel as a raw material for

bioplastic production in the Philippines. Considering that Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte is one of

the places known for having an abundant mango, Liloy also is one of the producers of mango. This

study will focus greatly on contributing to the society, specifically, to prevent pollution and to give

eco-friendly bioplastic bag, as well as low-cost bioplastic bag production.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

This study will aim to determine the potential or feasibility of mango peel as an alternative

for bioplastic bag production. This study will also focus on contributing to reinforce the

environment from the impacts of plastic trash that affect the environment and people. Specifically,

it seeks to answer the following research questions:

 1.) What are the processes involved in using mango peel for bioplastic bag

production?

2.) What is the feasibility of mango peel as a material for bioplastic bag production?

3.) What is the decomposition duration of a bioplastic bag made out of mango peel?

4.) What is the tearing strength, quality, and thickness of the bioplastic bag?

5.) Can bioplastic be recycled?

1.3 Objectives of the Study

This study aimed to achieve the following objectives:

1.) To determine the processes involved in using mango peel for bioplastic bag

production.

2.) To determine, the feasibility of mango peel as a material for

bioplastic bag production;

3.) To determine, the decomposition duration of the bioplastic bag;

4.) To determine, the tearing strength, quality, and thickness of the

bioplastic bag;

5.) To determine, if bioplastic bag can be recycle.

1.4 Hypothesis of the Study

 The hypothesis of this research study corresponds to the assumptions, that the researcher

concluded from the evidence gathered. The hypothesis consists of the points or the concepts that

are proven successful, the researcher then comes up with the following hypothesis:

• Mango peel can be used as a potential material for bioplastic bag productions.

• The bioplastic made up of mango peel has a great contribution to the

environment, as it lessens the impact of petroleum-based plastic, as it was made

from waste materials.

• The creation of a bioplastic bag, out of the waste material mango peel, provides

low-cost plastic to the community.

1.5 Significance of the Study

The findings of the study were useful and beneficial according to the following.

To People:

This study can assist people to have a cheap and sustainable plastic bag, by the use of a

bioplastic bag. This also lessens the burden on our existing waste systems. Bioplastics help

people's health, as bioplastic has no concerns for leech chemicals.

Community:
 This study aims to help the community, from the negative impact brought by petroleum-

based plastic that causes alternative damage. This study also provided a great contribution in

lessening the full mess of plastic in land and sea, as well as helping to reduce reliance on fossil

fuel. Certain bioplastics used in single-used packaging or shopping bags can be home-

compostable.

Plastic Manufacturer:

The study can assist plastic bag manufacturers in creating greater awareness and producing

an eco-friendly bioplastic bag and introduce them to the feasibility of waste material that can help

to reduce resilience on fossil fuels, support sustainability in the industry, and allow manufacturers

to diversify feedstocks.

Local Farmers:

The study aims to help any form of property, even in agriculture. Farmers are able to use

bioplastic bags to help stabilize the temperature of the root plants, preserve soil nutrients and

moisture, and improve the stable development of the plantation. For some decades now the

agricultural industry has proposed and developed a series of new materials and alternatives that

allow to carry out much more sustainable processes and, even more importantly, processes that are

environmentally friendly such as the use of bioplastics in agriculture (Department of Agriculture

2016).

Future researchers:
 The study can provide a basis for future researchers, on how to process and develop an

eco-friendly plastic bag, with the use of waste material, to sustain and provide more efficient and

better bioplastic. Future researchers can also use the study to improve the production of the

bioplastic bag.

1.6 Scope and delimitation of the Study

This research will concentrate on the feasibility of mango peel as an alternative bioplastic

bag for eco-friendly use. It will show whether this study will be useful in the future. This research

will also investigate whether mango peel can be made into a bioplastic bag. This research will

demonstrate how beneficial it will be to the environment. It will present the methods on how to

make a bioplastic bag using mango peel and evaluate whether it will be a good component in

making a plastic bag. This research will be conducted in the municipality of Liloy, Zamboanga del

Norte. The researchers will not be limited to using online literature.

1.7 Definition of Key Terms

Bioplastics

Bioplastics refers to a type of plastic that is made from renewable resources, such as

plants, rather than traditional fossil fuels. Bioplastics are a family of materials with differing

properties and applications. A material is defined as bioplastic if it is either biobased,

biodegradable or features both properties. Biobased materials are made from organic (carbon-
based) materials that contain in whole or part biogenic (biological) carbon-replacing petrol/fossil

carbon with bio/renewable carbon (Green dot Bioplastic, 2011).

Plasticizing Agent

Plasticizing is generally colorless liquids that are relatively nonvolatile. This is

commonly used for carpets are esters of phthalic acids with a wide variety of long chains.

Plasticizers are added to materials to make them softer and more flexible; some plasticizers are

more efficient at this than others. Plasticizer efficiency is used to describe the ability of a plasticizer

to make the product softer and is reported as a ratio of the slope of the hardness versus plasticized

concentration to the slope of that found for DOP (Allen D. Godwin ,2000).

Biodegradable

Refers to a substance or material that can be broken down naturally in the environment

through the action of microorganisms, such as bacteria or fungi. Biodegradable refers to the ability

of things to get disintegrated (decomposed) by the action of micro-organisms such as bacteria or

fungi (with or without oxygen) while getting assimilated into the natural environment. There’s no

ecological harm during the process. We can either speak of biodegradable solids (also called

compostable) or liquids that biodegradable in water (Cambridge Dictionary)

Petroleum-Based Plastics

Refers to a plastic that is derived from petroleum or crude oil. These are also synthetic

polymers like polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), nylon, polyester (PS),

polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and epoxy (commonly known as plastic) are derived from

petroleum hydrocarbons. Petroleum-based plastics are artificial organic polymers, obtained from

natural gas or soil in contemporary society in every aspect of daily life (Thodhal Yoganandham

Suman, Wei-Guo li, De-Sheng Pei 2020).

Tear Strength

Tear strength is a measure of the resistance of a material to tearing. Tearing strength

is defined (ASTM D1682) as the force required to start or to continue to tear a fabric, in either

weft or warp direction, under specified conditions. A tear in a fabric or garment generally occurs

progressively along a line and can be initiated by a moving fabric being caught on a sharp object

(L. Hunter, J, Fan 2015).

D5338 test Method

D5338 is a standard test method used for biodegradation tests that measure aerobic

biodegradation of plastic materials under controlled composting conditions. It is also a standard

guide for establishing a linear correlation relationship. This test method determines the degree

and rate of aerobic biodegradation of plastic materials on exposure to a controlled-composting

environment under laboratory conditions, at thermophilic temperatures. This test method is

designed to yield reproducible and repeatable test results under controlled conditions that

resemble composting conditions, where thermophilic temperatures are achieved. The test

substances are exposed to an inoculum that is derived from compost from municipal solid waste.
Aerobic composting takes place in an environment where temperature, aeration, and humidity

are closely monitored and controlled (Situ Bioscience).

D7234 Test Method

D7234 test method is the method used to cover procedures for evaluating the pull-off

adhesion strength. This test method is suitable for both laboratory and field testing. Pull-off

adhesion strength measurements depend on both material and instrumental parameters. There are

different instruments used that comply with this test method. The specific instrument used should

be identified when reporting results. This test is destructive and spot repairs may be necessary (Situ

Bioscience).

CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This chapter presents the related literature and studies after the thorough and in-depth search

done by the researchers. This will also present the conceptual framework to fully understand the

research. The data derived from the sources provided the writer with the best materials for this

research study.

2.1 Review of Related Literature

 This part presents a review of the relevant literature related to the use of mango peel as waste

material for bioplastic bag production. It aims to identify the existing literature gaps and establish

the significance of the proposed research. The review is organized into the following subsections:

2.1.1. Sustainable Packaging Alternatives for Bioplastic Bag

Plastic materials comprise polymers with relatively high molecular weight. They are

typically produced by a chemical synthesis process. The term bioplastic is used to distinguish

polymers that originate from renewable resources such as biomass. Synthetic polymers are made

from monomers by polycondensation, polyaddition, or polymerization, and options, biological

waste treatments, such as composting, anaerobic digestion, and landfill (Mudgal et al. s2012; Song

et al 2009). The composting process represents the final disposition most favorable from an

environmental point of view. The presence of ester, amide, or hydrolyzable carbonate increases

biodegradation susceptibility. Bioplastic also produces less greenhouse gasses than that of usual

plastic over their period. Therefore, bioplastic contributes to a more sustainable society. Therefore,

there are bioplastic alternatives to conventional plastic materials. It already plays a vital part in

different fields of application. Bioplastics that are biobased, have the same properties as general

plastics and offer added advantages because they have a lesser carbon footprint on the

environment. Nevertheless, their low mechanical strength limits their application. Glass and

carbon fibers are synthetic fibers commonly used to reinforce bioplastics, but they are not

biodegradable. For this reason, they can be replaced by more environmentally friendly, abundant,

and low-cost materials, such as lignocellulosic fibers and lignin (Yang et al. 2019).
 (Espitia et al.2014) reviewed the characteristics of pectin extracted from such materials.

(Sanchez-Vasques et al. 2013) and (Virtanen et al. 2017) explored the possibility of using potato

waste, mango seeds, banana peel, avocado seeds, corn stover, carrot waste, and peanut husk,

starting from their main chemical composition, as a source of raw materials to obtain novel

macromolecules as structural materials.

2.1.2 Properties of Making Bioplastic out of Waste

(Parotto et al. 2018) reported the valorization of vegetable waste (i.e., carrot, parsley, radicchio,

cauliflower) through a one-step process that fully converts the vegetable residues into bioplastic

to produce films. The process was carried out at room temperature in a diluted aqueous HCI

solution, which helped the dissolution of cellulose and sugars. The whole reaction reduced the risk

of chemical release into the environment and yielded completely biodegradable, eco-friendly

compounds, which can be easily disposed of. The produced film exhibited mechanical properties

analogous to those of thermoplastic starch and little migration in food simulant, in compliance

with EU migration limits for food contact materials. It is also worth noting that the color and

functional properties of the starting materials are maintained during the production process.

Bioplastics that are bio-based, have the same properties as general plastics and offer added

advantages because they have a lesser carbon footprint.

2.2 Review of Related Studies

 This part provides an overview of previous research studies related to the experimental method

of the production of bioplastic, using the waste material mango peel.

2.2.1 Mango peel as a waste material for bioplastic bag production

Mango peel, which is an agricultural waste product, has been explored as a potential raw

material for bioplastic bags. Several studies have investigated the feasibility of using mango peel

as an alternative to butanol production. According to ( Mintola) bioplastic is more robust and

flexible and can mimic the mechanical strength of conventional plastic. He chose mango peelings

with seed and seaweed as his components in creating bioplastic because he said he could get raw

sources and both are sustainable in the country. He said we are the leading exporters of both

mangos and seaweeds, which is why he thought of maximizing the abundance of both. Mano peel

constitutes about 15 to 20 percent of the total weight of the fruit ( Beerh et al, 1976). As such a

total of around 24.7 to 33.0 million kg of mango peels at the processor level alone are wasted

annually considering that these are not utilized for any commercial or value-adding purposes.