Nature Solution: Water Resistance Paper Bags (PDF)

Basic Education Department FEU Diliman Nature Solution: Water Resistance Paper Bags crafted from Colocasia Esculenta (Taro Leaves) In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Subject...

Basic Education Department FEU Diliman Nature Solution: Water Resistance Paper Bags crafted from Colocasia Esculenta (Taro Leaves) In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Subject Practical Research 2 By: Atienza, Kaire P. Chan, Ryenne Yohanne L. Gaytano, Tiffany Kate A. Marquez, Wiona Annika V. Meriales, Crystalie Joy N. Romero, Kimberly Anne N. Renoblas, Leigh Jhazel T. STEM Health Allied, 12 - Stability Mr. Adrian Paul Isleta Practical Research 2 Teacher  Basic Education Department FEU Diliman CHAPTER 1 THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND For so long, there has always been an issue with how plastic affects the environment. Due to growing concerns about its harm to the environment, people and businesses have been leaning and shifting more towards sustainable practices. One way to address these issues is by designing eco-friendly packaging. The need for sustainable packaging is growing as awareness of the issue arises. Researchers are currently developing sustainable and environmentally acceptable alternatives to make everyday use products like paper bags. Taro is a root vegetable that is mostly found in tropical settings. It is known for its culinary and nutritional benefits. Because of its durable and malleable leaves, it can be a suitable choice to make sturdy paper bags. This study seeks to investigate attainability by making paper bags from taro leaves. As the researchers turn taro leaves into paper bags, they will look at its physical properties and any potential environmental advantages. With the purpose of advancing global sustainability goals and environmental safety, this research will add to the expanding volume of knowledge on sustainable materials and creative packaging techniques. Through the use of this agricultural byproduct, this study seeks to open an entryway to a more sustainable ecosystem. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM This study focuses on developing and assessing sustainable water-resistant paper bags utilizing Colocasia Esculenta (Taro leaves) as the main material. The research specifically aims to address the following question: 1. How effective is the usage of water-resistant bags made of Colocasia Esculenta (Taro leaves) in terms of : a) Cost-effectiveness of the product b) Water resistance of the product c) Durability of the product  Basic Education Department FEU Diliman 2. Is there a significant difference between the effectiveness of using Colocasia Esculenta paper bags and single-use plastic bags in terms of: a) Cost-effectiveness of the product b) Water resistance of the product c) Durability of the product 3. What will be the consumer interest level and perception level of sustainable materials affect the acceptance of using Colocasia Esculenta-based paper bags as the alternative to single-use plastic bags? SCOPE AND DELIMITATION This research will investigate the potential of Colocasia Esculenta (Taro Leaves) as a primary alternative material for producing water-resistant and biodegradable paper bags. The study will analyze the structural properties of taro leaves, their viability in papermaking, and their sustainability compared to traditional plastics. Additionally, it will assess their cost-effectiveness, durability, and consumer demand. Various factors limit the scope of this study. It will exclusively focus on taro leaves and not explore other natural fibers as alternative materials, such as paper, for making biodegradable paper bags. Additionally, the researchers’ resources will be limited at a local level, and the study will not investigate other varieties of Colocasia esculenta, as the variety commonly found in the Philippines will be the primary focus.  Basic Education Department FEU Diliman RESEARCH DESIGN This study involves an experimental research design to investigate the effectiveness of taro leaves (Colocasia Esculenta) in creating water-resistant paper bags. According to Soham Saha, experimental research is a scientific approach that involves manipulating independent variables to observe their effects on a dependent variable that helps establish cause and effect relationship. This experiment study consists of modifying the independent variables (taro leaves) to assess their impact on the dependent variable, which is the water resistance of the paper bags. This aims to determine whether the taro leaves are an effective material for water-resistant paper bags. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY In this research, the researchers will look at using Colocasia Esculenta (taro leaves) to create water-resistant and biodegradable paper bags. Here are the main areas that the researchers want to focus on Cost-effectiveness, us the researchers figure out how much it costs to make these bags from taro leaves compared to regular plastic bags and will test how well these bags hold up when they get wet and how water resistance it is since that’s important for their use. Researchers want to see how strong the taro leaf bags are and how they compare to single-use plastic bags in everyday situations, especially how strong and durable it is. Moreover, consumers are curious about whether people would be willing to use these sustainable bags instead of plastic ones and what they think about using materials that are better for the environment. In summary, this study aims to highlight the potential benefits of switching from plastic to taro leaves for packaging, which is a step toward more sustain. a) Manufacturers - To provide enlightenment for the environmental effects of mass producing single-use plastic packaging and provide a working alternative. b) Policy maker - To be able to develop community guidelines regarding the harmfulness of single use plastics and enforce the use of biodegradable substitutes.  Basic Education Department FEU Diliman c) Local communities - To ensure awareness of the epidemic that is disposable single-use plastic packaging and suggest eco-friendly alternatives to reduce plastic waste. d) Future Researchers - To be able to explore further the benefits of Colocasia Esculenta-based packaging and expand upon the idea of using biodegradable packaging alternatives. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK The theoretical framework comprises two theories: the Sustainability theory and the Consumer Behavior theory. The Sustainability theory emphasizes solutions that meet current needs while preserving the ability of future generations to meet their own. It promotes the use of sustainable materials, such as taro leaf paper bags, to reduce reliance on environmentally harmful practices. The Consumer Behavior theory examines how consumers' attitudes, preferences, and perceptions  Basic Education Department FEU Diliman CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK This study examines the feasibility and sustainability of utilizing Colocasia esculenta (Taro leaves) as the primary material for producing water-resistant paper bags. This conceptual framework aims to comprehend how cost implications, durability, consumer demand, and environmental conditions influence this product's potential success. Figure 1 The Conceptual Framework is based on the Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, and Evaluate (ADDIE) Model, guiding the research process to identify environmental issues related to single-use plastics and evaluate the effectiveness of using Colocasia Esculenta (Taro Leaves) as a sustainable alternative for creating water-resistant paper bags. During the Analysis phase, the focus will be on examining plastic pollution and exploring Taro leaves as a potential solution. In the Design phase, researchers will formulate hypotheses regarding the effectiveness of Taro leaves paper bags, and develop survey tools to assess consumer acceptance of the product. The Development phase will involve creating prototypes and calculating production costs for comparison with single-use plastic bags. Implementation will include conducting hands-on experiments to measure the water resistance, durability, and cost-effectiveness of the product, as  Basic Education Department FEU Diliman well as surveying consumers to gauge their perception. Finally, in the Evaluation phase, the results of experiments and surveys will be analyzed to determine if the Taro leaf bags meet the standards for durability, water resistance, and cost-effectiveness. Statistical comparisons between Taro leaf bags and plastic bags will be conducted, and recommendations will be made based on the findings for potential alternatives to plastics.