1.

0 PROBLEM STATEMENT
1.1 Background
Waste materials have been burden earth since long time ago, the amount of solid waste are
enormously such as plastic bottles, papers, white goods, kitchen waste, and moreover the huge size of
waste like concrete waste from construction activities. This kind of material may affect the environment
which comes out with result of pollution.
Poor managing of waste like papers may result huge bad effect to environment. Burning out of
paper without any treatment may release a huge amount of gasses. It is not the only causes to
environmental pollution, but also to human health. Besides, non-dispose waste paper that didn’t manage
properly may clog drainage as it is non-carbonaceous material naturally. This is some factor that causes
open burning, especially in rural area.
Asbestos refer to six naturally occurring fibrous mineral that have the ability to resist heat, fire
and electricity. Although asbestos fibers are microscopic in nature, they are extremely durable and
resistant to fire and most chemical reactions and breakdowns. These properties of asbestos supported
its use for many years in a number of different commercial and industrial settings, as well as in a wide
range of consumer products. Although its use has diminished in recent decades, there are still many
products that contain asbestos, especially in older homes, schools, and public buildings.
Asbestos is made up of microscopic fibers that can easily become airborne and inhaled. Because
of their shape, the asbestos particles cling to tissues of the lungs and other areas of the respiratory
system. Over time, these tiny fibers can cause inflammation, causing a number of health problems, the
three biggest of which are:

• Mesothelioma — This aggressive cancer forms in the thin membrane (mesothelium) that
protects vital organs in the chest and abdomen. Exposure to asbestos is the only medically-
verified cause of the disease.
• Lung Cancer — Most commonly associated with factors like smoking and radon, lung
cancer is also known to be exacerbated by exposure to asbestos.
• Asbestosis — This degenerative respiratory condition results from the formation of scar
tissue plaques on the surface of the pleura (lung linings). It can be a precursor to the onset of
mesothelioma.

Therefore in order to reduce this kind of problems, our group decided to do some research and
produce a new product which is “Recycled Paper Insulator Replacement”. In this project we are
focusing on 3R concept, which is Reduce, Recycle and Reuse. Our main concern is about the
environment pollution and extinction that happen nowadays. So in order to fulfil that goal, we used to
reduce the problem by replacing hazardous asbestos used in construction by making a new type of
material for ceiling which is from recycled paper. This ceiling material made from recycle paper that
had been submerge in the water and mold into the shape of the asbestos. The excessive water than
withdrawn from the mold by putting a necessary load on top of the mold so that it can be shape to the
desirable shape.

1.2 Objectives

• To decrease the used of asbestos in construction.

• Decrease overharvesting hazardous mineral used in the making of the insulator.

• Changing the waste material to the new product.

• Making new brand of insulator material.

• Reduce wastage in construction material.

• Decrease environmental pollution.

1.3 Research

Asbestos is a natural mineral found in soil and rocks and are formed from fibres of varying size
and shape. It also has high resistance to heat and most chemicals. It is widely used for making various
industrial products, mostly for roofing, insulation materials, ceramic floors, asbestos cement products,
automotive products (brake and clutch), textiles, gasket and protective clothing.

Nevertheless, asbestos as a toxic chemical that can cause lung cancer and its use was banned in
41 countries around the world. In 2006, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has urged all
countries to ban the use of asbestos.

Control of asbestos usage in workplaces was carried out through legislation and enforcement of Factory
and Machinery Act (Asbestos Regulation) 1986 and Occupational Safety and Health Act (Use and
Standards of Exposure of Chemicals Hazardous to Health) 2000 on industries involved. This is to create
awareness and understanding among employers in addressing problems and controlling employees’
exposure to asbestos material. Occupational Safety and Health Act (Prohibition of Use of Materials)
1999 including Crocidolite (Asbestos) also came into force on August 2, 1999, prohibiting the use of
Crocidolite chemicals in workplaces.

However, percentage of industries compliance to the Occupational Safety and Health Act (Use
and Standards of Exposure of Chemicals Hazardous to Health) 2000 is not very favourable. Hence,
improvement notices were given out to employers to ensure that proper control measures were
exercised.
 Although there are only 17 listed manufacturers of asbestos based products, the number of
people involved in using and handling these products could not be determined. This is very concerning
as exposure to asbestos could not only affect the health of employees in the long run and cause loss of
lives, it could also involve large amount of compensation that needs to be given to those affected.

Therefore, to reduce the effect of long term exposure to asbestos on workers, legislations should
be enforced to prohibit the use of all kinds of asbestos in workplaces, as done in a lot of other countries.
If this could be implemented, the use of recycle material or recreate new product based product can be
reduced and the number of occupational disease caused by asbestos could be minimized.

2.0 Idea Generation and Refinement. (Innovation Process)

2.1 Idea Generation

The course, Creativity and Innovation assessment required students to form a team
consisted of 4/5 persons. A team then asked to create new product based on recycle material in
which specified based on engineering product. The command of our lecturer for each team to
generate ideas in the first session of our project.
Brainstorming blends up a relaxed, informal approach to problem solving with sidelong
of thinking. It boosts up people to come up with views and ideas, at first those ideas might seem
a bit out of mind. But further analysis of some of these ideas can be worked into original,
creative solutions to a problem, while others can spark even more ideas. This helps to get people
think out of box. Therefore, during brainstorming sessions, people should avoid criticizing or
rewarding ideas because to open up possibilities and break down incorrect assumptions about
the problem's limits. Negative press and analysis at this stage stunts idea generation and limit
creativity. Ideas then only being evaluated at the end of the session.

2.2 Idea Screening

The idea came from the experiences of everyone, some to improve and some to invent.
However, the best idea has to contain its original to prevent any duplicates, even though some
references from outsourcing is allowed. Our ideas do not have limits, this to prevent the
creativity blackout during the process of brainstorming. Brainstorming is conducted in a fun
way, this is to encourage ideas production of everyone and helped issuing the ideas besides
tackling their stage fright. From this idea, a discussion had done in the class to choose only best
ideas based on the vote of members in the group. Before this idea, every member will then have
to introduce their ideas together with an explanation. Each idea is chosen based on the
possibility of local materials for the making process and economic along with the originals of
an idea. Lastly, the group decided to create a new insulator that made from 100% wasted
materials.
 2.3 Refinement
There a few improvements can be made to our idea generation process as below. Shut
off the network such as Wi-Fi connection and browsing hand phone (browser) because this will
limit the way of students produce their creativity, also prevent plagiarism of idea. Guide about
the access of equipment for students use in their production because lack of apparatus and
equipment will affect the quality of product and safety of students. Responding in the group is
very important to arrange suitable schedule and gain more solutions.

3.0 Solution
3.1 Existing Solution
Malaysia has partially banned the use of asbestos. The prohibition of asbestos
building materials in schools, clinics, and hospitals built by government started in 1999.
Since 2005, prohibition has also been applied to all government buildings. However,
asbestos construction materials such as roof and ceiling tiles are still sold in the market.
There are no acts or regulations prohibiting the use of asbestos in private buildings in
Malaysia. Asbestos was first used for industrial purposes in Malaysia in the 1960s and
the first regulations related to asbestos have been around since the 1980s. Non-
governmental organizations have been pushing the government to impose a total ban
since the 1980s. Asbestos is still used in the manufacturing sector under the "control
use" concept. The study found difficulties in established and validated medical record
data on asbestos-related diseases.

3.2 The Innovation

The insulator made from wasted material is named “Recycled Paper Insulator
Replacement”. The name defined that as use of reduce, reuse and recycle the wastage
material that had the problem in our country. The process is which the recycle paper
firstly submerge into the water, allowing it to dissolve and easily to mold. The molder
can be built with a wood material in various sizes. Then the excessive water was
removed and the suspended material which is the paper were put into the mold for
drying and for strength purpose, a load been put on top of the mold to help eliminate
excessive water and making the mold harder with the help of temperature. In order to
help it from resisting heat a substance been sprayed or layer on the surface of the
recycle insulator.
 3.3 The Features
“Recycled Paper Insulator Replacement” are made from wasted material by
submerge and drying it with a medium or low temperature or just simply put it under
the Sun. This action of drying will bind together the paper to make a stronger and
sturdier. With the load being put on top of the mold in the drying process helps the
product to achieve high strength.

3.4 Flexibility in Application

“Recycled Paper Insulator Replacement” are simply the construction process
or material to save materials, time and labour. Beside that the product can be mold in
various sizes to achieve the goal which reduce wastage of product in the construction.

3.5 The Function

Our product targeting on the insulator on the house as well as in the building.
Consider the making of the insulator of this “Recycled Paper Insulator Replacement”
where it can be made easily into any sizes and shape wanted. Therefore this product
can be used as ceiling insulator, or in the colder climate country it can be use as heat
insulator on their home by replacing hazardous asbestos wall and ceiling.

4.0 Conclusion
There is no standard for the size of the insulator where in can come in various type of
sizes and can be use from ceiling insulator, wall insulator to the floor insulator. The sizing were
not standardized where there is insufficient or lack of equipment in the study. Therefore some
improvement can be done in this project. The main purpose here is 3R in which is Reduce,
Recycle and Reuse. Where our team wish to reduce the wastage of paper, recycle the paper and
reuse it to create new material for the insulator. Although the product may be less resistance to
heat or not as strong as previous material used in making insulator, a specific or certain
substance can be use or lay on the surface of the product to make it more resisting to heat and
also making it resist to sound. This can used in recording studios as for theatre studios.