Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) as

Alternative Agent for Paper Bag

Production
 ABSTRACT

 Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) populations have large negative impacts on

human society by clogging lakes, waterways and impeding navigation and fishing,
by providing breeding areas for mosquitoes and thus exacerbating vector-borne
diseases, and by reducing opportunities for recreation.
 In this study, the researchers seeks to make a paper bag using Water Hyacinth
(Eichhornia crassipes). Specifically, it aims to answer the question that follows: Is
there a significant difference between the three trials of paper bags made of
Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)? Will Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)
be useful as an alternative source of paper? This sought to help the people to have
an alternative source of paper instead using trees as the primary source of raw
materials for producing papers, and lastly it would be helpful for the environment
because this is biodegradable which it will be decomposed easily.
 The Tensile strength result showed that Trial 1 is much thicker than Trial 2 and 3
which has 39.2 and followed by 28.9 and 25.3.
 According to Pratima Bajpai, Tensile Strength is measured on paper strips 20
cm (7.9 in.) long by 15-25 mm (0.6-1.0 in.) wide using a constant rate of
elongation according to TAPPI standard T 494.
 The average tensile strength was not achieved by the researchers. Hence, the
method shall be modified in order to reach the Tensile strength for a standard
paper. Eichhornia crassipes can be an alternative source for paper production.
 However, it is not that durable compared to the standard papers, only if there
is a filler added to the paper produced by Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia
Crassipes) to make it more durable.
INTRODUCTION
 Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) populations have large negative
impacts on human society by clogging lakes, waterways and impeding
navigation and fishing, by providing breeding areas for mosquitoes and thus
exacerbating vector-borne diseases, and by reducing opportunities for
recreation. It is considered one of the world's most costly and damaging
species (R.P. Keller, D.M. Lodge, 2009). Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)
is a very aggressive invader and can form thick mats. If these mats cover the
entire surface of the pond, they can cause oxygen depletion and fish kills. It
should be controlled so they do not cover the entire pond. Water Hyacinth
(Eichhornia crassipes) is a weed ubiquitously found in lakes, rivers, and other
water bodies across the globe. With high rates of regeneration, survival, and
growth, it is generally difficult to clear water bodies infested with water
hyacinth (Guna V. et. al, 2017).
 Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is one of the most prominent aquatic
weed plant found throughout the tropical and subtropical areas of the world.
 Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) are one of the most productive
photosynthetic plants in the world. It has been estimated that 10 plants could
produce 600,000 more during an 8-month growing season and completely
cover 0.4 ha of a natural freshwater surface (J. Vymazal, 2019).
 In this study, the researchers seeks to make a paper bag using Water Hyacinth
(Eichhornia crassipes).
Significance of the study
 This study wants to produce a paper bag made from Water Hyacinth
(Eichhornia crassipes) and that is suitable for mass consumption. Since, Water
Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is invasive which spreads prolifically and
invades territory of aquatic animals.


 People. This study seeks to help the people to have an alternative source of
paper instead using trees as the primary source of raw materials for producing
papers.
 Manufacturers of paper industry. With this study, the manufacturers of paper
would surely benefit for it would help them to have another source for their
products by means of natural resources.
 Environment. It would be helpful for the environment because this is
biodegradable which it will be decomposed easily.
Statement of the Problem
 This research aims to create a paper bag using Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia
crassipes), and that is suitable for mass consumption.


 Specifically, it aims to answer the question that follows:

 Is there a significant difference between the three trials of paper bags made
of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)?


 2. Will Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) be useful as an alternative

source of paper?
Hypothesis
 Ho₁: There is a significant difference between the three trials of paper bags
made of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes).
 Ho₂: Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is useful as an alternative source
of paper.
Scope and Limitations

 This study focuses on the utilization of papers produced by Eichhornia

Crassipes (Water Hyacinth) as another source for paper production.
 This limits on the stem of Eichhornia Crassipes (Water Hyacinth) which
contains cellulose fibers that is required for the paper making process.
MATERIALS AND METHODS

 A. Paper Making Process

 The stems were cut into one inch long pieces, and were boiled in a pot for 30
minutes. Stems were beaten for the fibers to be separated and converted into
pulp. The pulp were then placed in a silkscreen and dried it under the heat of
the sun. Check to see if the paper is mostly dry to the touch. It may took
approximately 8 to 12 hours to get to this point. The paper were peeled from
the screen and hanged it on a line with clothespins to dry completely.
 B. Data Gathering
 Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) samples were collected near at
Provincial Hospital, Agusan del norte, Butuan City.
C. Durability Test

 C. Durability Test
 The samples of paper made by Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) were
brought to Equi-Parco for Durability Test. The 3 samples were placed in a
machine for the specimen to split apart and the tensile strength were then
recorded in the testing machine.
Table 1. Different experimental set-ups

TRIALS DESCRIPTION

Water Hyacinth – 500 grams of chopped Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes); 500 ml of
TRIAL 1 water

Water Hyacinth – 800 grams of chopped Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes); 500 ml of
TRIAL 2 water

Water Hyacinth – 650 grams of chopped Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes); 500 ml of
TRIAL 3 water
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
A. Durability Test Results

Figure 1. Tensile Strength Report

This is a Tensile Strength Report of Trial 1 with a result of 39.2 stress curve.
 Figure 2. Tensile Strength Report

Figure 2 indicates the Tensile Strength Report of Trial two that has 25.3 stress curve.
 Figure 3. Tensile Strength Report
Figure 3 shows the Tensile Strength Report of Trial 3 which has a stress curve result of 28.9.
 Test I Test II Test III

I. TENSILE STRENGTH:

Average Thickness, mm 1.69 2.79 2.34

Average Width, mm 246.19 232.8 241.99

Nominal Area, mm ² 416.0611 649.4562 566.2566

Load of Sudden Halt, kn - - -

Yield Point, Kg/ mm ² (Mpa) - - -

Maximum Tensile Load, kn 16.31 16.41 16.34

Tensile Strength, kg/ mm ² (Mpa) 39.2 25.3 28.9

II. ELONGATION:

Initial Length, mm 297.3 281.2 268.2

Final Length, mm 298.3 286.8 269.0

Elongation, % 0.3 2.0 0.3

Phosphorus - - -
 In average thickness, Trial 2 is thicker Than Trial 1 and 3 which has a thickness
of 2.79, followed by Trial 3 with 2.34, then Trial 1 with 1.69. In average
width, Trial 1 with a width of 246.19 ranked as 1, followed by Trial 3 with a
width of 241.99, then Trial 2 with a width of 232.78.
 In nominal area mm, Trial 2 ranked as 1 with an area mm of 649.4562,
followed by Trial 3 with an area mm of 566.256, then Trial 2 ranked as 3rd
with an area mm of 416.061. In Maximum Tensile load, ranked as 1st is the
trial 2 with a length of 16.41, followed by Trial 3 with a length of 16.34, then
Trial 1 when a length of 16.31 ranked as 3rd.
 In Initial Length, ranked as 1st is the Trial 1 with a length of 297.3, followed
by Trial 2, with a length of 281.2, then ranked as 3rd is the Trial 3 with a
length of 268.2. In Final length, ranked as 1st, is the Trial ` with a length of
298.2, followed by Trial 2 with a length of 268.8, then Trial 3 with a length of
269.0 ranked as 3rd. The Tensile strength result showed that Trial 1 is much
thicker than Trial 2 and 3 which has 39.2 and followed by 28.9 and 25.3.
 According to Pratima Bajpai, Tensile Strength is measured on paper strips 20
cm (7.9 in.) long by 15-25 mm (0.6-1.0 in.) wide using a constant rate of
elongation according to TAPPI standard T 494. The average tensile strength
was not achieved by the researchers. Hence, the method shall be modified in
order to reach the Tensile strength for a standard paper.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
 Eichhornia crassipes can be an alternative source for paper production.
However, it is not that durable compared to the standard papers, only if there
is a filler added to the paper produced by Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia
Crassipes) to make it more durable.
 In this study, the researchers highly recommend the following:
 Add Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) and Waste paper as an additive
compound in producing Paper bag.
 The paper bag made of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) will be referred
out for a laboratory test for the anti-microbial ability.
 And lastly, the researchers greatly recommend utilize Water Hyacinth
(Eichhornia crassipes) into a new study that is useful in our environment.