Banana Pseudo Stem As an
Alternative Eco bag
By:
Nor-ain Pandapatan
12 – STEM C
Cluster 3
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Background of the study
3
Methodology 4
Research Design
4
Research Environment
Data Sources
4
Research Instrument
Data Gathering
4
4
6
Product Evaluation 7
Result 8
Discussion
11
Conclusion
12
Research Questionnaire
Reference
14
13
INTRODUCTION
Humans are beginning to develop an alternative solution to the issue of plastic
waste in today’s generation. To help minimize the use of plastic bags, eco bags made
out of eco-friendly materials are being used as alternatives to plastic bag usage. Using
the stem fiber from a banana tree, it is now possible to replace plastic bags.
In this study, the researcher plans to utilize cellulose fiber from a banana stem,
using lye or caustic soda also known as sodium hydroxide to loosen the pseudo stem
and isolate the fibers. To use it to help reduce usage of plastic bags in our community, to
create low cost yet durable and eco-friendly bag.
Banana fiber is obtained from the pseudo stem of the banana plant. It is the best fiber
with perfect mechanical properties. It has a lower density than glass fiber. It has high
strength, light weight, fire resistance and is biodegradable. 1
It is used for making handmade bags and covers. It is used to make products like filter
paper, paper bags, greeting cards, lamp stands, pen stands, decorative papers, rope,
mats and composite material etc. Waste of the banana fiber is not utilized properly and
all of the banana fiber is at the waste.2
German currency is used in banana fiber and now in India it’s also being used. There
are many demands in banana fiber. In the future, it is cheaper, lighter and environmental
friendly compared to other fibers. It is one of the rhizomatous plants and its growth is in
129 countries in the world. The fiber is extracted from pseudo-steam and is used for
making many products. It is also used for building and construction materials and also in
textile materials.3
Banana fiber is environmentally friendly like fiber and is in demand in many countries
like Japan, Germany, Australia and many. Bananas are the fourth most important global
food crop.4
1 “Banana Pseudo-Stem Fiber: Preparation, Characteristics, and Applications.”
https://www.intechopen.com/books/banana-nutrition-function-and-processing-kinetics/banana-pseudo-stem-fiberpreparation-characteristics-and-applications
2 “A Study of Banana Fiber: A Review.”
https://www.coursehero.com/file/73715905/A-Study-of-Banana-Fiber-A-Review-IJSRDV6pdf/
3 “A Study of Banana Fiber: A Review.”
https://www.academia.edu/37909668/A_Study_of_Banana_Fiber_A_Review
4 “Banana Fibre: A revolution in textiles.”
Plastics and papers are essential goods sourced from non-renewable sources
such as petroleum and forest trees. Thus, we also need to find alternatives to plastic
polymers due to its environmental effects. It pollutes the environment over its entire life
cycle from mining to processing to disposal in the oceans and rivers, soils and the air
we breathe in by burning and incineration.
Paper consumption was expected to go down steadily with the onset of the
electronic age, but it is nowhere near reduction. Further, the conventional method of
making paper is highly polluting, which uses numerous chemicals for treating the wood
fibres to form pulp, and in the process of getting papers of acceptable properties.
5
Banana plants not only grow easily, it does not require additional water and
therefore a sustainable option compared to the other textiles such as cotton, however,
1
its fibers are completely biodegradable. Moreover
it’s long, virgin cellulose fibers are
super resistant and durable.6
Paper bags are biodegradable. This means that bacteria helps make the paper
bags decompose in soil quickly. Plastic bags on the other hand, will take a thousand
years to breakdown.
Paper bags are one hundred percent recyclable because they don’t contain toxic
and poisonous gas that plastic emits during recycling. They are reusable and when they
are reused more than three times, they have a lower environmental effect than
shopping plastic bags. Using paper bags rather than plastic bags help reduce litter in
the environment. It also entails preventing marine animals such as whales and sea
turtles from ingesting potential fatal plastic waste.
The study is mainly focused on using one variant of the banana tree which is
Saba banana (Musa paradisiac) -- this is a common banana tree in Region 8 and we
will be extracting its stem’s fibers. The researcher aims to make a low-cost eco-friendly
bag where only the banana trees’ stem fiber is being used. This kind of bag is likely to
be subjected to more vapor and more susceptible.
https://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/7654/banana-fibre-a-revolution-in-textiles
5 “Producing Banana Fiber and Paper from Waste.”
https://www.ecoideaz.com/innovative-green-ideas/producing-banana-fiber-and-paper-from-waste
6 “Banana by-products: an under-utilized renewable food biomass with great potential”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4252442/
2
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Eco bags are a type of shopping bag which can be reused many times. It is an
alternative to single-use paper or plastic bags. It is often a tote bag made from fabric
such as canvas, natural fibers such as Jute, woven synthetic fibers, or a thick plastic
that is more durable than disposable plastic bags, allowing multiple use 7.
Plastic or paper shopping bags are not as good as reusable shopping bags. They
are used to deflate the waste in the environment. The materials used for the production
of these bags have no negative impact on the environment. Jute, cloth and recycle
plastics are popular materials for these bags, as well as canvas and organic cotton.
These reusable bags are sanitary and easy to clean. These items can be used for a
variety of purposes. 8
Eco bags not only recycle material that would be going to waste, they also
eliminate the need for single-use plastic bags that have proven to harm the
environment. Made from petroleum, plastic bags fuel extraction of fossil resources.
They also present a serious disposal problem. It takes centuries for plastic bags to
break down in nature, burning them releases poisonous chemicals, and in oceans,
plastic trash harms a number of marine species. Non-toxic Eco bags, on the other hand,
conserve the environment by harmlessly biodegrading after numerous uses. 9
Every day, almost 48 million shopping bags are used throughout the Philippines,
or roughly 17.5 billion pieces a year. 10As the result, the researcher came up with the
concept of eco bag, as the perfect alternative to plastic bags. Although the experiment
could take several days or weeks to complete, however, with the help of the conducted
research and own dedication, the researcher will achieve the desired result.
7 Debbie Meyer “Reusable shopping bag.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reusable_shopping_bag
8 Sarah Exim (2016) “Sustainable Shopping—Which Bag Is Best?”
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/media/sustainable-shoppingwhich-bag-best/
9 Pahal “Ecobags – Innovative, Eco-Friendly Paper Bags.”
https://unfccc.int/climate-action/momentum-for-change/activity-database/momentum-for-change-ecobagsinnovative--eco-friendly-paper-bags-by-pahal
10 Plastics Exposed: How Waste Assessments and Brand Audits are Helping Philippine Cities Fight Plastic Pollution
https://www.no-burn.org/waba2019/
3
METHODOLOGY
RESEARCH DESIGN
This study is a quantitative research and uses experimental research design
which includes conducting an experiment in order to produce the desired result for the
research.
In this study, the researcher will mainly focus on producing an eco-friendly paper bag
from utilizing the cellulose fiber or the banana stem fiber.
RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT
The research environment in which this study will be conducted is secured to be
appropriate for the experiment. The locale of this study is in Eastern Samar, Borongan
City and the experiment will be conducted at the researcher’s home which is in
Baranggay F Eastern Samar, Borongan City. The data will be gathered through the
experiment and evaluation.
DATA SOURCES
The data that is relevant to this study will be procure through primary source
using observing moderated discussion amongst people that the researcher choose to
gather the data for the study. The secondary data will be collected through the use of
Social media. Tables/tabular presentation of the data will help the demonstration of
data.
RESEARCH INSTRUMENT
In this study, the researcher will use Likert Scales. Likert Scale is a question that
uses a 5 or 7-point scale, sometimes referred to as a satisfaction scale that ranges from
one extreme attitude to another. Typically, the Likert survey question includes a
moderate or neutral option in its scale. In which the participant will rate the product
accordingly, if they acknowledge a shopping paper bag consist of Banana pseudo stem
fiber regarding its texture, odor and acceptability.
RESEARCH PROCEDURE
4
The researcher will require the following
materials and follow the procedure to
create the product and make the experiment successful
Required Materials and Tools:








Banana stem
Knife
Big cooking pot
A mesh screen or you can use a window screen
Sodium Hydroxide
A large strainer
A tub filled with water
Mixer or blender
Procedure
Banana paper making (steps by step)
•
Banana bark fibers cut into pieces of 1-2 inches.
•
The pieces cooked for around 2 hours.
•
Pour 1 cup of sodium hydroxide
•
Washed the cooked fiber with water.
•
Convert into a pulp with a help mixer or mechanized beater.
•
The pulp is mix with some water in a small tank or bucket.
•
Place the pulp into the mesh screen or window screen and shake it to spread the
pulp evenly
•
A sheet of pulp is formed over a mold by pouring it into a small tank or bucket
containing pulp.
•
Keep it in the sun to dry.
•
Then you can cut, fold and design it to turn it into a useable paper bag.
DATA GATHERING
The researcher will use Convenience sampling. Convenience Sampling is a type
of sampling where the first available primary5 data source will be used for the research
without additional requirements. In other words, this sampling method involves getting
participants wherever you can find them and typically wherever is convenient, which is
the researcher’s family and friends. This participants will answer the survey
questionnaire through interview and with the help of Social media/internet to acquire the
data that will be needed.
DATA ANALYSIS
In this study, the researcher will prepare few sets of questions that indicates in
regards with texture, odor, color and acceptability.
Table 1: Score card to measure Texture, odor, color and usefulness of the
alternative paper bag made from pseudo banana stem
Rating
Description
Texture
Odor
Color
Usage
5
The Texture is
excellent
The odor is
pleasant
The color is
attractive
Would use
frequently
4
The Texture is
satisfactory
The odor is
satisfactory
The color is
slightly
attractive
Would use
occasionally
3
The Texture is
fairly
satisfactory
The odor is
tolerable
The color is
fairly
satisfactory
Average
2
The Texture
could use
some
improvement
The odor
needs to be
toned down
The color is
slightly
unattractive
Difficult to use
6
1
The texture is
unsatisfactory
The odor is
unpleasant
The color is not
attractive
Would not use
PRODUCT EVALUATION
Each of the evaluators was provided an individual score sheet to evaluate the
product which is the Paper bag made of banana pseudo stem fiber’s physical
appearance, odor, texture and the general acceptability of the product. The participants
rated the texture, odor, physical appearance and acceptability with the use of likert scale
and hedonic scale. The participants rated the desirable aspects by using the numerical
rating from 1-5, where 5 is the highest and 1 is the lowest. 5
RESULTS
7
Summary of Ratings
Number of Ratings
Statement
1.The texture of
product is excellent
Strongly
Agree
the
3
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
3
2
6
Strongly
Disagree
1
2.I am satisfied with the
color of the product
3.The paper bag’s odor
has a nice scent
7
5
3
0
0
5
4
3
3
0
4.The paper bag is better
than other similar product
3
3
4
4
1
5.I would use this product
frequently
8
4
2
1
0
6.I am likely to recommend
the product to others
6
5
2
2
0
Table 1. Distribution of vote in the statement number one
“The texture of the product is excellent”
Statement
1.The texture of
product is excellent
Strongly
Agree
the
3
Agree
3
Neutral
2
Disagree
6
Strongly
Disagree
1
Table 1 shows that the most frequent response given to the statement “ The texture of the
product is excellent” six (6) out of the fifteen respondents Disagreed to the statement, while 3
respondents agreed and strongly agreed to the statement. This shows that the Texture of the Paper Bag
made out of Banan pseudo stem was not desirerable and needs further improvement.
8
Table 2. Distribution of vote in the statement number two
“I am satisfied with the color of the product”
Statement
2.I am satisfied with the
color of the product
Strongly
Agree
7
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
5
3
0
Strongly
Disagree
0
Table 2 shows that most chosen response to the statement “I am satisfied with the
product” Seven respondent’s strongly agreed to that statement and five respondent also
agreed, while 3 respondents remain neutral. This indicates that the Color of the product
desirable and is closely similar to other similar product.
Table 3. Distribution of vote in the statement number three
“The paper bag’s odor has a nice scent”
Statement
3.The paper bag’s odor
has a nice scent
Strongly
Agree
5
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
4
3
3
Strongly
Disagree
0
Table 3 portray the most chosen response to the statement “the paper bag’s odor has a
nice scent”5 respondents strongly agreed and 5 respondent agreed while 3 respondents
remain neutral and 3 respondents disagreed to that statement. This indicates that the
Scent of Banana Pseudo stem fiber is considered pleasant and the scent add on its
likeability.
Table 4. Distribution of vote in the statement number four
9
“The paper bag is better than
other similar product”
Statement
Strongly
Agree
4.The paper bag is better
3
than other similar product
Agree
Neutral
6
Disagree
2
4
Strongly
Disagree
0
Table 4 shows the most voted response to the statement “The paper bag is better than
other similar product” Six respondents agreed to this statement while 3 strongly agreed,
however there are also four respondents who disagrees and 2 respondents are neutral.
This shows that the product is more likeable than other similar product because of its
distinctive features.
Table 5. Distribution of vote in the statement number five
“I would use this product frequently”
Statement
Strongly
Agree
5.I would use this product
8
frequently
Agree
Neutral
4
Disagree
2
1
Strongly
Disagree
0
Table 5 shows that twelve out of fifteen respondents agreed to use the paper bag made
out of pseudo banana stem fiber frequently, this secures the product’s popularity if it will
be made as an alternative eco bag to reduce the plastic waste in our community.
Table 6. Distribution of vote in the statement number six
“I am likely to recommend the product to others”
Statement
Strongly
Agree
6.I am likely to recommend
6
the product to others
Agree
Neutral
5
2
Disagree
2
Strongly
Disagree
0
Table 6 shows that 11 respondents agrees to the statement “I am likely to recommend
the product to others” This indicates that the product is highly recommended as an
10
Alternative Eco bag and if this product became an actual product to our society, it will
help lessen the plastic bag usage to our society and even the world.
DISCUSSION
The outcome of the product has the same physical features and acceptability to
the other similar product in terms of their descriptive meaning of the means which is
excellent. Paper bag made from Banana pseudo stem, the product is more preferred
and acceptable than other similar product moreover it is highly recommended, based on
result. Furthermore, the product is more acceptable and preferred by the respondent
than using the plastic bags. During the application of the product, there were no
occurrence of problems or implications for this reason the majority of the respondents
chose the first or the latter choice which are Strongly agree and agree. Based on the
ratings of the evaluators using the Likert Scale, the product was interpreted as like very
much.
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CONCLUSION
Every year, around 500 billion plastic bags are used worldwide. 500,000,000,000. Five hundred
followed by nine zeros. That's a lot of bags. So many that over one million bags are being used every
minute and they're damaging our environment. However, almost banana parts can be utilized
and be used to make innovations toward making new products that can be used
everywhere (Sabagyo &Chafidz 2018) and the banana pseudo stem has also been
considered for use as pulp and paper raw materials. According to the results, The
product Banana pseudo stem eco bag can be used as an Alternative eco bag to reduce
plastic waste in our community.
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RESEARCH QUESTIONNAIRE
Name:____________________________________ Sex:_________ Date:__________
Put a check (/) mark to rate the following using the description below:
5 – Strongly Agree
4 – Agree
3 – Neutral
2 – Disagree
1 – Strongly Disagree
Description
Strongly
Agree
Agree
Neutral
1.I like the texture of the
product
2.I am satisfied with the
color of the product
3.The paper bag’s odor
has a nice scent
4.The paper bag is better
than other similar product
5.I would use this product
frequently
6.I am likely to recommend
the product to others
13
Disagree
Strongly
Disagree
FINAL PRODUCT
REFERENCES
● Subramanian, Yi Li, Junyan Hu, Tracy P.Y. Mok: Eco-Impact of Plastic and Paper
Shopping
Bags:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/234028369_EcoImpact_of_Plastic_and_Paper_Shopping_Bags
● An Exploratory Comparative Study on Eco-Impact of Paper and Plastic Bags
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/234028400_An_Exploratory_Comparati
ve_Study_on_Eco-Impact_of_Paper_and_Plastic_Bags
● Exploration of banana fibre as low cost eco-friendly waste management:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/304743030_Exploration_of_banana_fib
re_as_low_cost_eco-friendly_waste_management
● Handmade paper from waste banana fibre
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/234028369_EcoImpact_of_Plastic_and_Paper_Shopping_Bags
● Paper Making from Banana Pseudo-Stem: Characterization and Comparison:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263011237_Paper_Making_from_Bana
na_Pseudo-Stem_Characterization_and_Comparison
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