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Transforming Banana Stem Waste and Fabric Scraps into Handbag
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Antonio, Angel ab*
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Marcos State University, A. Castro Avenue, 2900, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, Philippines
Technical–Vocational and Livelihood Department, College of Teacher Education, Mariano
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b
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Design Technology
Bachelor of Technical Vocational Teacher Education Major in Garments and Fashion
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Corresponding Author Email Address: anghel.gell.antonio@gmail.com
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Abstract
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The study was designed to examine the innovative ability of handbags in the
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utilization of fabric scraps and natural fibers extracted from banana stems. Synthetic
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materials reinforced with natural fibers are great for their sustainability, eco-friendly nature,
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easy availability, and low cost. The objective of the study is to develop an environmentally
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friendly handbag using fabric scraps and banana fiber. It aims to (1) determine the
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acceptability of the developed product for the market, and (2) evaluate the handbag in terms
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of durability, design, quality, appearance, and general acceptability. 20 respondents were
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randomly selected from Barangay Agaga, Burgos, Ilocos Norte. The results show that the
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developed product is highly acceptable to the market. Conclusively, fabric scraps together
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with natural fibers when made into fashionable items becomes innovative and
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environmentally helpful. It is therefore recommended that leftover fabric scraps should not be
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discarded and agricultural wastes should not be disregarded.
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Keywords: fabric scraps, banana fiber, innovation, sustainable, recycle
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1. INTRODUCTION
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Waste management is essential in today’s society. As the population grows, waste
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generation is doubling day by day. Furthermore, the increase in waste is having an impact on
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the lives of many people. Waste management necessitates the use of appropriate techniques
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while keeping environmental concerns in mind. Thus, some methods are much useful in
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disposing of waste without causing any harm to the environment.
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In the present times, human life is occupied by many types of advanced fashions and
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trends, most especially in the production of clothes and apparel. Clothing cannot be separated
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from humans and become an important part of one of the basic needs (Tajuddin, 2019).
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However, the high production of clothes also led to huge amounts of waste, which we call
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commercial textile waste or fabric waste. In recent years the world has been involved with
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environmental issues related to the continuous use of natural resources, including abundant
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textile waste (Todor et al., 2019). In addition, textile provides the vital material required for
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survival, yet it is one of the most waste resources globally. The explosive growth of synthetic
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fibers and/or textiles results in environmental havoc. But the increase in awareness of the
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damage caused by synthetic fibers has led to making solutions through process innovations.
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Therefore, innovations can help reduce issues of fabric waste. In the study of Jones and
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Xu (2021), the idea of repurposing wasted fabric is not new but, by putting unused fabric to a
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new purpose, the clothing industry may help save the planet. Making, recreating, and
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repurposing resources paves the way for opportunities that address unethical and
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unsustainable practices. On that account, resource recovery can provide significant
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environmental gains by replacing products from primary resources (Juanga-Labayen et al.,
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2022).
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On the other hand, Sharma and Kumar (2013) state that natural fiber composite structural
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properties in addition to its excellent environmental characteristics show its potential as a
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construction material. The Banana (Musa sepientum) is one of the leading fruits grown in the
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Philippines (Banana Industry, 2019), but more than a billion tons of banana tree stems are
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thrown away each year, as banana plants only fruit once in their lifetime before they die
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(Hendriksz, 2021). Natural fibers can be extracted from the pseudo-stems of the banana that
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are usually thrown as waste or made into pig foods after harvesting. According to research, it
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takes 37 kg of stems to produce one kilo of banana fibers (Hendriksz, 2021; Banana Fibers –
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Sustainable Fashion, n.d.).
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In addition, the Philippine Textile Research Institute determined that banana plantations
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in the country alone produced over 300,000 tons of fiber in 2012. (Pinheiro et al., 2019;
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Hendriksz, 2021). These fibers (natural fibers) possess several advantages over synthetic
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fibers, such as low density, appropriate stiffness, mechanical properties, and high
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disposability and renewability (Textile School, 2018; Kiron, 2021). Furthermore, the use of
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cellulose fiber from forest and agricultural residues has many advantages, such as
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environmental friendliness, recyclability, and low-cost or even free raw material (Subagyo &
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Chafidz, 2018).
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The researcher thought of a product that endeavors to valorize textile waste while also
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maximizing the value of agricultural waste as a commodity with limited practical value and
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application. The natural fibers extracted from the pseudo-stem of the banana will be
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combined with discarded or unused fabrics from previous projects to create a handbag. This
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product could be an alternative to the costly bags we use regularly. It aims to combine two
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different matters, in parallel to RA 9003 otherwise known as the Ecological Solid Waste
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Management Act, to produce such a good quality resource and attain its eco-friendly
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credentials. Problems from two various sources, including clothing and fabrics, and natural
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wastes, must lose their negative image in order to achieve new consumer value and become
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raw materials to close the loop.
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Objectives of the study
This study aims to develop an environmentally friendly handbag using fabric scraps and
banana fiber. It aims to address the following objectives:
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1. To determine the acceptability of the developed product for the market,
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2. To evaluate the handbag in terms of;
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2.1 Durability
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2.2 Design
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2.3 Quality
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2.4 Appearance
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2.5 General Acceptability
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2. Methodology
2.1. Research Design
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The researcher used a quantitative approach since a checklist was provided for the
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respondents to evaluate the developed product. Quantitative research is a formal,
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objective, systematic process in which it is expressed in numbers and graphs
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(Streefkerk, 2022), it is used to test or confirm theories and assumptions. Moreover, this
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design was utilized since it aims to determine the acceptability of the product and to
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evaluate its following characteristics stated.
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2.2. Sampling
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This study was participated by twenty (20) respondents from Barangay Agaga,
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Burgos, Ilocos Norte. Because of the proximity of the respondents, they were randomly
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selected by the researcher to evaluate the acceptability of the product.
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2.3. Instrument
The research instrument used by the researcher was a survey checklist. The survey
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checklist consists of a rating scale of questions to be answered by the respondents.
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Through this instrument, the data gathered will serve as the researcher’s evidence in the
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conduct of this study.
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2.4. Data Gathering Procedure
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In conducting the study, a letter of request was prepared. The researcher constructed a
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questionnaire checklist, then it was distributed. The researcher explains to the
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respondents the importance of their response to the study. The respondents rated the
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product using the score point provided by the researcher. The conduct of the survey and
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the questionnaires related to their observation of the developed product based on the
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respondent’s available time and in their convenient way.
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2.5. Data Analysis
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To be able to identify what information is available, the respondents were asked to
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respond honestly to the given checklist to describe and observe the product and whether
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these products are acceptable and recommended to others. Data were analyzed by
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measuring the variables and answers from the respondent’s observations.
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2.6. Materials and Procedures
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Figure 1. Conceptual Framework of the Product
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• Project Planning
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• Gathering of Materials
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• Preparation of the Materials
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• Weaving and Assembling
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• Drafting and Sewing
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• Finishing
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Figure 1 shows the Conceptual Framework of the Product wherein it shows the initial
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flow of making or developing the handbag using banana fibers and fabric scraps. It includes
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the Project Planning, Gathering of Materials, Preparation of the Materials, Weaving and
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Assembling, Drafting and Sewing, and Finishing.
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Project Planning
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The first step is to plan the product, which includes the desired measurement of the
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product, the design, and the materials that will be required. This will be the first step that
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should be taken.
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Gathering of Materials
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Materials needed in making the product:
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Fabric scraps / Unwanted fabrics from previous projects
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20 inches Banana stem
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1-yard Katsa cloth / Flour sack
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Preparation of the Materials
1. Natural Fiber
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Extract the fibers from the pseudo-stems of the banana plant (Figure 2 shows
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the extraction of the fibers). Then soak the extracted fibers in hot water and spread the
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fibers on a flat surface and dry them under the sun after.
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2. Fabric tape / Bias tape
Cut out pieces from the fabric scraps and sew them together to make ribbon or
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bias tape.
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Weaving and Drafting
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Once the materials needed have been prepared, weave the fibers and biases together to
form a mat-like piece. Then draft the pattern of the handbag of the desired measurements.
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Assembling and Sewing
After cutting the pattern, assemble it and sew the pieces together. Use the katsa cloth
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for the lining of the bag.
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Finishing
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Once the bag is assembled, make a bias tape for finishing the raw edges. After that, trim
all the excess threads to make it clean.
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3. Results
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Respondents’ demographic data
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In the final sample, 16 participants were female (80%) and 4 were male (20%). There
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were twenty (20) randomly selected people from Brgy. Agaga, Burgos, Ilocos Norte
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participated in this study (Table 1). The highest number of participants was in the 18-30 age
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group, 65%, 30% are 31-50 years old and the lowest is 5% came from 51 and above.
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Acceptability of the developed product for the market
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Table 2 presents the results concerning the acceptability of the developed product for
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the market. The developed product, is attractive to the respondents’ tastes, garnering the
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highest mean of 4.65. Meanwhile, it appears that it is eco-friendlier than other bags and as
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well as fashionable for the market obtaining a mean value of 4.55 which indicates a strong
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agreement. The handbag is also durable and is likely to use by the respondents with a mean of
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4.45 which results interpret a strongly agree rate. There is a strong agreement among the
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respondents that the developed product is recommendable to others with a weighted mean of
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4.4. However, a weighted mean of 3.6 was obtained by the indicator of whether the handbag
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can carry many things, which almost strongly agrees among the respondents.
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Thus, Table 2 indicates a strong agreement signifying that the developed product is
acceptable for the market and highly valid to all of the indicators.
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Evaluation of the developed product
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The design of the handbag obtained the highest rate with a weighted mean of 4.75
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followed by the appearance whose mean is 4.7, denoting that the developed product is very
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highly acceptable in terms of its design and appearance. Meanwhile, the handbag's durability
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and general acceptability both obtained a rating of very highly acceptable as well, with a
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weighted mean of 4.45. However, the quality of the handbag gained the least, with a mean of
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4.4, but the result is interpreted as very highly acceptable by the respondents.
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Table 3 reveals that the developed product is very highly acceptable in terms of
durability, design, quality, appearance, and general acceptability as well.
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4. Discussion
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The fashion industry has a significant environmental impact, with growing global
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consequences (Environmental Sustainability in the Fashion Industry, n.d.). It is obvious that
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fashion consumers and stakeholders must assess the current situation in light of sustainability
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and circular economy principles. Circularity is expected to be a key business trend over the
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next decade (Lee & Magnus, 2021). The circular economy can serve as a model for the
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fashion industry by encouraging product development that is focused on sustainability and
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recyclability.
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This study was conducted to quantify the acceptability level of the product – handbag,
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using fabric scraps and banana fibers. Based on the data gathered, Table 2 shows that there is
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a very strong agreement among the respondents on the acceptability of the product for the
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market or the consumer. Table 3 shows very high acceptability in the product’s overall
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characteristics.
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The researcher has observed that the respondents have been attracted to the handbag
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which shows that even if there are male participants, they seem to appreciate the beauty of
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the developed product. It also indicates that the respondents strongly agreed on the
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acceptability of the developed handbag for the market in accordance with the different
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indicators which indicate their needs and preferences. It is therefore important to understand
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what customers need, perceptions, expectations, and behaviors about the developed product
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according to Faradilla et al. (2022).
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Concerning the product’s evaluation, it specifies that the product is high in terms of the
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respondents’ taste in fashion and likes. Wherein, the developed product with regards to
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appearance, durability, quality, and general acceptability are highly acceptable since the
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respondents strongly agreed with the indicators. The researcher considered that one of the
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respondents’ bases in rating the product at such a high level is the benefits it has, wherein
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fact, in a study by Mochane et al. (2019) and Mohd Bakhori et al. (2022), combining natural
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and synthetic fibers can improve mechanical performance, moisture resistance, and, most
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importantly, balance the environmental impact of waste composite materials.
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Considering the results, this shows that even fabric scraps and agricultural waste like
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banana stem waste put together can be upcycled, innovated, and transformed into fashionable
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items or new products. The high level of market acceptance is primarily due to consumers'
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widespread awareness of the negative effects of waste on the ecological balance of the
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environment. It also shows that innovating raw materials from waste into a possible
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commodity can restore the future of the industries involved and can even help the
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environment reduce possible damages that come along the way.
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5. Conclusion
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Challenges bring innovative opportunities for sustainable development. This study
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presented a way in valorizing textile waste while also maximizing the value of agricultural
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waste as a commodity with limited practical value and application. Its main purpose is to
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utilize unused fabrics and natural fibers extracted from the banana stem making it a raw
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material for developing a new product – a handbag. The researcher then developed an eco-
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friendly handbag using unused fabrics and natural fibers from the banana stem. This means a
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meaningful alternative to lower the risk and burden caused by millions of tons of leftover
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fabric accumulated from the past.
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Moreover, the idea to utilize materials that can be salvaged from waste must be
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emphasized incorporating sustainability and circular economy principles. According to Gano-
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an (2018), this kind of initiative must also be shaped by incorporating consumer preferences,
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durability, and convenience. Sustainable innovations promote responsible, ethical, social, and
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environmental practices all over the world. Innovations really are important because they
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highlight the need to change old ideas and concepts while increasing creativity and beauty,
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even if the industries involved are not yet ready for it.
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6. Recommendation
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Acceptability of unused fabrics and natural fibers from banana stems in developing a
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handbag is still in process of improvement. But it will serve as a foundation for creating other
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items from textile waste (i.e., fabric scraps) and agricultural waste (i.e., fibers extracted from
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banana stem waste) in the interest of waste management and environmental revitalization.
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However, it is recommended to create handbags and high-value items, including hats,
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furniture covers, and clothing, out of these materials. As a result, this product is accepted and
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subject to further improvement for the benefit of the product and the consumer's safety. It is
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also subject to planning ideas and concepts for additional products that could be made from
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these materials.
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7. Acknowledgement
With deepest gratitude and appreciation, the researcher humbly gives thanks to the people
who, with all they can, helped him in making this study a reality.
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To his family, for their unending love and support, for meeting all of his financial and
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moral needs, for their patience and understanding during the exhausting days when he can't
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help them with the chores, for their unfailing advice, and for always being there for him.
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To the institution, Mariano Marcos State University – College of Teacher Education,
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where he is continuously growing as a Bachelor of Technical Vocational Teacher Education
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Major in Garments and Fashion Design Technology for giving the students, the opportunity
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to be educated without spending too much.
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The researcher would like to express his heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Mark R. Limon, for his
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patience and guidance in finishing the study and for sharing everything he knows, the
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knowledge needed, and for his unending support.
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To all of the professors who have shared and continue to share their knowledge with
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students, shaping learners into better people. And to everyone who has participated in the
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conduct of this study.
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Above all, I to our Almighty God for His unfailing love and all the blessings He bestows
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on me every day of my life. I thank Him for guiding me during the conduct of this study. For
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the provision and wisdom, He has bestowed upon me, for always keeping me and my loved
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ones safe, and for providing me with sufficient knowledge and ability to complete each task
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assigned to me. By His grace, I was able to complete this study.
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