Julian Paolo Biyo Jason Andrei Temelo I-Ruby Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus Investigatory

Project TITLE: Effect of the Different Types of Substrates on the Biodegradability of SM Plastic Bags I. Background of the Study Official figures show that plastics make up around 25% of the garbage that metro manila churns out, while an independent survey conducted by Ecowaste Coalition and Greenpeace on the composition of discards on manila bay in 2006 found that 51% were plastic bags, 19% sachets and junk food wrappers, 5% Styrofoam, 1% hard plastics, 10% rubber, 13% biodegradable wastes (Cayetano, 2008; www.senatorpiacayetano.com/psc/pressreleasedetails.php?recordID=1 75) Biodegrada ble plastics are degradable plastics on which the degradation results from the action of naturally occurring microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi , and algae (info@epi-global.com). These plastics are broken down into water, carbon dioxide, methane and biomass primarily through enzymatic action on microorganisms (Azios, 2007 www.csmonitor.com/2007/1219/p16s01 -sten.html ). Biodegradable will fully disintegrate in six months or less. It turns into powder and blends with the soil after a few months (Demetillo, 2008 www.smprime.com/News.php?BlurbID=1113). Many biodegradable plastics will decompo se in industrial plants, backyard compost piles, or open environments. The inherent biodegradability of plastics depend on several environmental factors such as moisture, temperature, surface area, and the manufacturing method of the finished product. (Nolan-ITU Pty Ltd, 2002 www.environment.gov.au/settlement/publications/waste/deg) Although some brands claim to be biodegradable in open air and saltwater, virtually no decomposition occurs within a closed landfill that has been capped, preventing air circulation. (Azios, 2007 www.csmonitor.com/2007/1219/p16s01 -sten.html) The SM mall chain has started shi fting biodegradable plastic bags for its supermarkets and department stores (Cay etano, 2008). The use of biodegradable plastics help lessen the burden of the ev er- growing garbage problem in the Philippines and in the whole world II. Proble m of the Study This study was conducted to answer the following problem: Will ex posing the SM plastic bags to different substrates such as compost soil, loam so il, tap water, and seawater over a period of time affect its biodegradability? I II. Hypothesis of the Study If SM plastic bags will be placed in different subst rates over a period of time, then its biodegradability will be affected. IV. Obj ectives of the Study A.General Objective: To determine the effect of different s ubstrates on the biodegradability of SM plastic bags. B.Specific Objectives: 1.T o expose SM plastic bags to different substrates such as compost soil, loam soil , seawater and tap water for a duration of several months. 2.To measure the weig ht of the plastic bags (grams) before and after different exposure periods to th e substrates. 3.To compare the percent weight loss of the SM plastic bags expose d to different substrates after a period of time.

V. Design of the Study A. Variables A1. Independent variables/ manipulated varia ble: substrate 1.Compost soil 2.Loam soil 3. Seawater 4. Tap water A2. Dependent variable/ responding variable: biodegradability (percent weight loss) B. Materi als 6, 1-litre glass jars 6, 7x9 aluminium trays 12 pcs. 3x4 SM plastic bags 50 am soil 500g compost soil 500mL seawater 500mL tap water Analytical balance Grad uated cylinder Weighing scale C. Procedures We cut the SM plastic bags into 3x4siz es strips. We labelled the plastic strips into C1, C2, C3 for compost soil, L1, L2, L3 for loam soil, S1, S2, S3 for seawater, and T1, T2, T3 for tap water trea tments. We then determined the initial weights of the plastic strips in grams us ing the analytical balance. The initial weights (W1) of the plastic strips were

then recorded in our log book.