The Effectiveness of Banana Peelings in the Production of Bioplastic

Chapter I

Introduction

Nowadays, one of the main problem in our environment is pollution. It is caused by our man-made
materials such as plastic - a non biodegradable material. Plastic is a man-made polymer, it is one of the
most important factor in the making of many useful products such as bags, cabinets, tubes, sheets, rods,
and domestic products. Because it takes 20 years for a plastic to completely decompose, the problem of
pollution has been alarming. Though there are recycling programs and different activities to eliminate
plastic, it is still not enough because it is used for convenience.

The researchers found an alternative solution for preventing the increasing rate of non
biodegradable waste materials that causes pollution. Instead of the traditional petroleum based plastic, the
researchers have discovered that Banana Peels contains minerals and nutrients and can be utilized in
producing bioplastic.

Banana is abundant nowadays. However, banana is used on medical purposes like for stronger
bones because it contains potassium, calcium and other minerals & nutrients but the researchers use
banana peels from its fruit as an additive in making of bioplastic to become more effective on preventing
the increasing rate of pollution. Conducting the experiment could have the duration of (days, weeks,
months, years). This is because many trials must be done to prove that it is effective to use Banana peels
as an additive on making bioplastic.

Background of the Study

Scope and Limitation

The study is all about the development of a biodegradable plastic using three (3) kinds of banana.
This includes the Lakatan (Musa acuminata), Latundan (Musa sapientum), and Saba (Musa acuminata
balbisiana), beaker The researchers will conduct an experiment on how the bio-plastic durability
and resistance will be affected by the use of banana.
 The beneficiaries of the study are people who lives in lowland areas. They always experience
floods due to the clogged drainage and canals because of the wastes and petroleum plastics that block the
flow of the water. Also, the produced bioplastic will be a benefit to our environment, because it is
biodegradable and will not cause destruction and pollution unlike the commercial plastics (petroleum
plastics) that degrade after 20 years.

The researchers will conduct the study at (Faeldos Address). Between the second week of
November to the last week of January, the study will undergo series of experiments to support our
research.

In order to support the study, the researchers will barrow .. The produces bioplastic will
undergo various tests to determine the durability and resistance of the bioplastic and to identify which
among the three (3) kinds of banana is more effective in producing bioplastics.

Objectives

General

To produce bioplastics from banana peel waste

To recycle banana peels

Specific

To determine the effectiveness of Lakatan (Musa acuminata), Latundan (Musa sapientum),

and Saba (Musa acuminata balbisiana) in the production of bioplastic in terms of :
a. durability
b. resistance

Statement of the Problem

This study will be geared with the development of bioplastic using different kinds of banana. It aims
to make an inexpensive and environmental friendly bioplastic made up of banana. Specifically, this study
seeks to answer the following questions:
 1. How is the effectiveness of the produced bioplastic using Lakatan (Musa acuminata), Latundan
(Musa sapientum), and Saba (Musa acuminata balbisiana) be decribed in terms of:
a. durability
b. resistance
2. What is the level of effectiveness of a Banana peel extract as an additive in making bioplastic?
3. Is there a significant difference in the level of effectiveness of Banana bioplastic and
commercialized plastic?

Hypotheses

Null

1. There is no significant effect of banana peel to strengthen the bioplastic.

2. There is no significant difference in the level of effectiveness of Lakatan (Musa acuminata),
Latundan (Musa sapientum), and Saba (Musa acuminata balbisiana) bioplastic in terms
of :
a. durability
b. resistance

Alternative

1. There is a significant effect of banana peel to strengthen the bioplastic.

2. There is no significant difference in the level of effectiveness of Lakatan (Musa acuminata),
Latundan (Musa sapientum), and Saba (Musa acuminata balbisiana) bioplastic in terms
of :
c. durability
d. resistance

Significance of the Study

Every study have importance to each other to contribute or to have inspiration to be able to
succeed in this study. The importance of the study are the following:
 This study will inform the community that some waste like banana peel is useful. The community
can help to minimize the pollution and can help our environment. The idea from this study can help create
jobs to have income for their family.

The one that can really benefit from this study are those companies that the main ingredient of
their products is banana. When they use the banana fruit, they always throw away the banana peels. Now
they can make bio-plastic products out of it. With greater development, the companies can improve the bio-
plastics to produce more durable bio-plastics from banana peels.

It is important to the students to have reference in the near future if they also want to study the
banana peels in making bio-plastic. It gives an idea to the students on how to produce bio-plastic from
banana peels to further develop the production of bioplastics. Students are also one of the mediums to
share this study to the others.

This study will give a challenge to the researchers personally to prove if the peels of different kinds
of banana will be an effective bio-plastic. It will also challenge the researchers in terms of making the study
successful and prove to others that banana peel have unique characteristics to make bio-plastic.