CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM

INTRODUCTION

Paper is an integral part of our daily life, used and utilized in schools, homes,

community, and all over the world. It provides the means of handwritten recordings,

storage, and serves as a transport of handwritten information (Quader, 2018). Books,

magazines, newspapers, and photographic paper are all made from paper. Paper

napkins, paper towels, facial tissues, boxes, wrapping paper, paper plates are all

produced with it. With how essential paper is in our lives. Paper makes up about 26% of

total waste in landfills. Paper manufacture causes deforestation, consumes vast

quantities of energy and water, and adds to air pollution and waste concerns (Kinsella et

al., 2016). Paper pollution is another important problem caused by paper waste. Pulp

and paper manufacturing is the third-largest industrial contributor to pollution of air,

water, and soil. And during manufacture, chlorine-based bleaches are used, resulting in

harmful compounds being emitted into our water, air, and land. When paper rots,

methane gas is released, which is 25 times more harmful than CO2 (The World Counts,

2019).

Traditionally, handmade paper is manufactured from wood-free raw materials

such as cotton, sugarcane, banana fibers, and jute waste and this originated in China

(Muraleedharan and Perumal, 2015). Handmade paper is the most environmentally

friendly kind of paper. The main benefit of making handmade paper is a double
reduction in environmental stress, often known as a reduction in environmental impact

(Ideas Afresh Inc., 2016).

This study uses Banana Fiber and Carabao Grass as the compounds for the

study. Banana Fiber and Carabao Grass are present within the area where the

researchers are located and have discovered that the banana fiber often don’t have

uses after bearing bananas and extra carabao grass from growing too much only

increase the environmental waste after cutting the excess. If these two waste products

will be left to decay and rot, these will be constituting pollution and waste disposal

problem. According to Conserveatree, leaves release a lot of carbon when they start to

rot that gives them their stench, therefore should be removed from certain areas.

The objective of this study is to produce and test the acceptability of Banana

Fiber, and Carabao Grass as Alternative Source for Writing Paper. Similarly, this

research study intends to reduce the following environmental issues, such as paper

pollution, and to identify a solution to the unpleasant stench caused by leaf litter. The

researchers intend to carry on this research so that individuals within the community will

try to adopt because it is beneficial to the environment.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study focuses on developing and determining if Banana Fiber and Carabao

Grass is an acceptable alternative source for writing paper. Specifically, it attempts to

answer the following questions:

1. Can Banana Fiber and Carabao Grass meet the required qualities of a quality

writing paper? In terms of;

 a.) Smooth Finish

b.) Feathering

c.) Opacity

d.) Drying of ink

2. Will Banana Fiber and Carabao Grass have significant difference between the

commercialized writing paper? In terms of;

a) Thickness

b) Tear strength

HYPOTHESIS

Null Hypothesis:

1. Banana Fiber and Carabao Grass could not create a writing paper.

2. There will be no significant difference between commercialized writing paper

and Banana Fiber and Carabao Grass.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

This study aims to use Banana Fiber and Carabao Grass as Alternative Source

for Writing Paper.

Figure 1's schematic illustration demonstrates the conceptual framework used for

this research. Using IPO model, the inputs in this study are the amount of water and the

amount of Banana Fiber and Carabao Grass. It takes between 2 and 13 liters of water

in producing paper. Boiling the Banana Fiber and Carabao Grass softness is the first
step in the process phase. Next, it is blended and pulped to create the paper pulp

compound for finer fibers. Finally, the blended fibers and grass are formed into paper

and dried using the heat of the sun before being peeled off the fabric. Overall, the

output of the study is writing paper derived from Banana Fiber and Carabao Grass.

Hypothetically, this research is anchored on Lebrun et al. (2016) production

process. As stated by Lebrun et al. (2016), water-dispersed pulp is sprayed within the

plastic container to cover the porous interior surfaces with a thin layer of wet layers. The

bound water seeps out from the wet pulp layer as a result of centrifugal force at work.

The process of making a nature-friendly paper is quite laborious but with enough

perseverance and diligence, in the end, it will be beneficial.

-INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

- OBSERVATION

- 8 Liters water
- BOILING OF
LEAVES

Banana Fiber and

- 1 Liter Banana - BLENDING Carabao Grass as
Fiber Alternative Source for
Writing Paper
- PULPING

- 1 Liter Carabao - SHAPING THE

Grass PAPER

- DRYING
 Figure 1. The Conceptual Framework of the Study

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

With the help of Banana Fiber and Carabao Grass, we can create an Alternative

Source for Writing Paper. The results of this study might be used to create writing

papers from waste products that are only left to decay and rot that causes waste

disposal problems. On the basis of the study's findings, it is vital that the researcher

would be able to suggest ways to use these wastes as a recycled product that is kind to

the environment.

In conclusion, the following people, organizations, and institutions that could

someday have access to the information acquired from this study will find it useful:

Community. Because this study will employ waste leaves to minimize the

quantity of solid trash on site and protect the nearby villages from the risk of floods after

heavy rain.

Environment. The results of the study will be able to aid the environment since

they only use two (2) natural items, Banana Fiber and Carabao Grass and Paper Pulp

Compound which are entirely vegan, all-natural, and devoid of dangerous chemicals.

The Government. The results of the study will be able to assist the society in

using Banana Fiber and Carabao Grass and Paper Pulp Compound as recycled paper

as their choice for everyday usage in life. Additionally, it will aid them in reducing

deforestation and production that consumes a considerable amount of energy.

 The People. They will benefit from the study's findings since they will be able to

stop spending money on paper purchases. We may utilize this study to adopt the use of

natural materials or waste products as alternatives to produced ones in line with the

community objective to have more papers. Additionally, making these Banana Fiber and

Carabao Grass into recycled papers doesn't take too much time and will enable us to

make some financial savings.

The Future Researchers. The outcomes of this experiment can benefit to the future

researchers for motivation and ideas for their own the results of the study will educate

them and inspire them to come up with more proposals or solutions that are related to it.

SCOPE AND LIMITATONS OF THE STUDY

The research focuses on determining and developing the acceptability of

Banana Fiber and Carabao Grass as Alternative Source for Writing Paper produced

by utilizing water, Banana Fiber and Carabao Grass that will be boiled, pounded, and

blended then processed to a writing paper. Other materials for the study will be recycled

from the community as well, easing the financial load on the researchers. This kind of

analysis will concentrate on the acceptability of the study's final product.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

For the benefit of the researchers and their better comprehension of the words'

significance, the following terms are defined.

Alternative - of one or more things; available as another possibility (Oxford

Languages).
 Banana Fiber - natural fiber with high strength, which can be blended easily with
cotton fiber or other synthetic fibers to produce blended fabric & textiles. Truents.
(2018, March 27). Banana fibers - natural plant/bast fibers. Textile School.
Retrieved January 16, 2023, from https://www.textileschool.com/131/banana-
fibers-natural-plant-bast-fibers/

Carabao Grass - a tropical to subtropical perennial grass. (Wikipedia).

Devoid - entirely lacking or free from (Oxford Languages).

Handmade - made by hand, not by machine, and typically therefore of superior

quality.

Waste - of a material, substance, or byproduct; eliminated or discarded as no longer

useful or required after the completion of a process (Oxford Languages).

Wet Pulp - paper pulp from a wet machine usually containing 50 to 65 percent of

water (The Merriam-Webster).

 CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter examines related literature that is related to the topic and will serve

as the foundation of information. This chapter examines the relevant literature on the

use of Banana Fiber and Carabao Grass as alternatives to traditional writing paper

sources around the world. These will serve as the foundation for assessing the

information that will be gathered eventually.

Paper is created by combining a raw material that has been pounded and broken

down into microscopic fibers with water, forming the mixture into sheets on a screen

surface that captures the fibers as the water drains through it. When pressed and dried,

the individual fibers interlock to create a sheet of paper. The bast plants, tree bark,

grass stalks, and other types of flora are among the raw materials used to make these

fibers (Acharya et al., 2015).

The pulp and paper industry has long been regarded as one of the largest users

of water, wood, energy, and other natural resources, as well as a major cause of

environmental pollution (The World Counts, 2019). Alternatives are required because to

the need for paper and the unacceptably enormous ecological footprint of present paper

production. The amount of paper consumed annually per person is 52.45 kg, which is

16.32% more than it was in 1991, according to a 2005 research. Between 1980 and
2000, the use of writing and printing paper increased by more than 10% (Ganesan, et.

al., 2015).

Handmade paper is paper made by hand. People create handmade paper by

sifting pulp onto a screen and letting each individual sheet of paper dry. This creative

process has been used in Nepal, Japan, China, and Thailand for centuries to produce

exceptionally beautiful paper. Experienced and novice crafters alike can make their own

customized paper at home, with just a few pieces of specialized equipment (S. Mertha,

2022).

Saraexim (2016), Traditional handmade paper has the advantage of being 100%

wood free which makes it most eco- friendly form of paper. Handmade paper is

excellent for writing as well as printing. It has greater tensile, bursting, tearing and

double fold strength compared to conventional papers.

Handmade paper sector is considered to be eco-friendly, utilizing non woody and

waste raw materials in its manufacturing process. The durability of the paper is high with

exclusive look and texture. The paper is available in a saga of rich varieties, designs,

shapes and colors. Most of the handmade paper units in India have been traditionally

using cotton hosiery waste as the main source of raw material, which produce paper

with excellent strength characteristics.

Banana fiber is a raw bast fiber that has a wide range of uses in the production of

handcrafted goods, such as matting, rope and twines, but only 10% of its pseudo stem

is used to make products and the left over ones are left to rot (Vigneswaran et al.,

2015).
 Banana fibres obtained from the pseudo-stem of banana plant which is a waste

product from banana cultivation has not been utilized properly. The extraction of fibre

from the pseudo-stem is not a common practice and most of the stem is not used for

production of fibers. At present, the banana fibre is considered as waste product of

banana cultivation and is left to decay and rot thereby constituting pollution and waste

disposal problems.

Carabao grass is a gregariously stoloniferous grass. Stems are spreading and

stretching underneath with the blooming branches 20 to 70 centimeters high. Leaves

are tight lanceolate, level and slim, glabrous, 8 to 20 centimeters in length, 5 to15

millimeters wide (Bureau of Plant and Industry). Spikes are two, terminal, slim and 6 to

12 centimeters in length. Grass is found in bounty in open waste places and settled

territories, about towns, along trails, streams all through the Philippines. In any case,

carabao grass is considered as a parasite since it overrunning various harvests for the

most part in focal and Southeast Asia. It ingests the supplements of the dirt

consequently making lesser yield of harvests and deferred reap.

Based on the findings of the study "Pulp and paper production from grass fiber"

by Sonia Rani, Anita Singh, and Pinki Kashyap. They measured and tested various

types of grass, including carabao grass, that are compatible in pulp and paper

manufacturing for use as a non-wood material and it showed great potential.

Atul Kumar, B. P. Singh, R. K. Jain, and A. K. Jain conducted another study.

"Banana Fibre (Musa sapientum): A Suitable Raw Material for Handmade Paper

Industry," by K. Sharma, demonstrates the potential and likelihood of banana fiber being

used as a raw material in the study. Banana fiber's inherent properties, such as lower
lignin content, higher alpha cellulose content, and average higher fibre length, may

demonstrate its suitability for the production of high-quality h andmade paper that has

the potential to be made true with the banana fiber and carabao grass.

CHAPTER III

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The primary goal of this study was to see if there was a statistically significant

difference between Banana fiber and Carabao grass as an alternative source of writing

paper. This chapter describes methodology, including how the study will be carried out,

an overview of the study, a description of the study's participants, the data collection

process, data analysis procedures, and statistical treatment that will be required in the

study.

RESEARCH DESIGN

A large proportion of all scientific research studies used an experimental

research design, which will be used in this study as well. It provided a clear statement of

the relationship between two variables. Good defines the experimental method of

research as a method or procedure that involves the control or manipulation of

conditions in order to study the relative effect of various treatments applied to members

of a sample, or the same treatment applied to members of different samples.

 Manuel and Mendel describe the experimental research method as follows. The

basic goal of experimental research is to discover the influence of one or more factors

on a condition, group, or situation, the goal of which is to discover the influence of which

is to discover "what will be". It describes and analyzes variables under carefully

controlled conditions in order to infer or conclude. An experimental study entails

manipulating an experimental variable under highly controlled conditions in order to

determine how and why a specific event occurs. (p. 37, Manuel and Mendel)

Pretest-Posttest Control Group Design may utilize as many groups as necessary

to determine the experiment's Cons and Pros, as well as a control group to serve as a

comparison group. The subjects are measured both before and after the experiment.

MATERIALS

The materials and ingredients required to carry out this research investigation are

water (8 liters), Banana Fiber (1 liter), and Carabao Grass (1 liter). To improve the

brightness of the paper, another component of this research study is chlorine or bleach

(3 cups). The supplies and components required to carry out the research investigation

are listed in Table 3.1.

Materials and Ingredients Quantity

Water - 8 liters

Banana Fiber - 1 liter

Carabao Grass - 1 liter

Chlorine or bleach - 3 cups

 Table 3.1. Materials and ingredients used in preparing the components for

Banana Fiber and Carabao Grass as Alternative Source for Writing Paper.

EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS

This study's equipment and utensils include a large pot, sieve, gas stove, plastic

tub, processor or blender, knife, and frame strainer. The tools and equipment utilized in

the preparation and execution of the research study are listed in Table 3.2.

Equipment and Utensils Quantity

Large pot - 1 unit

Sieve - 1 unit

Gas stove - 1 unit

Plastic tub - 1 unit

Processor or blender - 1 unit

Knife - 1 unit

Frame Strainer - 1 unit

Table 3.2. Equipment and Utensils used in preparing the components for Banana

Fiber and Carabao Grass as Alternative Source for Writing Paper.

Data Gathering Instrument

 For the purposes of this research, in depth interviews were used. In depth

interviews are personal and unstructured interviews, whose aim is to identify

participant’s emotions, feelings, and opinions regarding a particular research subject.

Personal interviews have the advantage of involving personal and direct contact

between interviewers and interviewees, as well as eliminating non-response rates;

however, interviewers must have developed the necessary skills to successfully conduct

an interview.

In terms of data collection tools, the research was conducted using a semi-

structured questionnaire that served as an interview guide for the researcher. Some

specific questions were prepared in order for the researcher to guide the interview

toward the achievement of research objectives, but additional questions were

encountered during the interviews.

The researchers will also use the second questionnaire to determine who is a naturalist

and who is not; the naturalist will be the controlled group, and they are unlikely to care

about the health of the environment. Then we will prepare a brief discussion with the

controlled group so that they are fully aware of the product, whereas the experimental

group will only be aware of the product's physical appearance and will not be aware of

our full title until the researchers inform them of it, using the data collection preparation

video.

STATISTICAL TREATMENT
 The following statistical measures were used to determine the effects of banana

fiber and carabao grass and paper pulp compound as alternative source for writing

paper.

Mean. This was used to assess the average performance of the control and

experimental groups on the pretest and posttest give.

Standard Deviation. This was utilized to determine the average distance or dispersion

of the testscores from the mean.

T-test of Independent Means. This was applied to know the significant difference in

the pretestand posttest results of the control and experimental group.

MEAN FOURMULA

STANDARD DEVIATION