Effect of the Different Types of Substrates on theBiodegradability of SM Plastic Bags I.

Background of the Study Official figures show that plastics make up around 25% of thegarbage that metro manila churns out, while an independent surveyconducted by Ecowaste Coalition and Greenpeace on the compositionof 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=175)Biodegradable plastics are degradable plastics on which thedegradation results from the action of naturally occurring micro-organisms such as bacteria, fungi , and algae (info@epi-global.com). These plastics are broken down into water, carbon dioxide, methaneand biomass primarily through enzymatic action on microorganisms(Azios, 2007www.csmonitor.com/2007/1219/p16s01 -

sten.html).Biodegradable will fully disintegrate in six months or less. It turns intopowder and blends with the soil after a few months (Demetillo,

2008www.smprime.com/News.php?BlurbID=1113).Many biodegradable plastics will decompose in industrial plants,backyard compost piles, or open environments. The inherentbiodegradability of plastics depend on several environmental factorssuch as moisture, temperature, surface area, and the manufacturingmethod of the finished product. (Nolan-ITU Pty Ltd,

2002www.environment.gov.au/settlement/publications/waste/deg Although some brands claim to be biodegradable in open air andsaltwater, virtually no decomposition occurs within a closed landfillthat has been capped, preventing air circulation. (Azios, 2007www.csmonitor.com/2007/1219/p16s01 -sten.html) T h e started shifting biodegradable p l a s t i c bags for SM its mall chain has and

supermarkets

department stores (Cayetano, 2008). The use of biodegradable plastics help lessen the burden of the ever-growing garbage problem in the Philippines and in the whole world

II.Problem of the Study This study was conducted to answer the following problem:Will exposing the SM plastic bags to different substrates such ascompost soil, loam soil, tap water, and seawater over a period of timeaffect its biodegradability?

III.Hypothesis of the Study If SM plastic bags will be placed in different substrates over aperiod of time, then its biodegradability will be affected.

IV.Objectives of the Study

A.General Objective: To determine the effect of different substrates on the biodegradabilityof SM plastic bags.

B.Specific Objectives:

1.To 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 weight of the plastic bags (grams) before and after different exposure periods to the substrates.

3.To compare the percent weight loss of the SM plastic bags exposed to different substrates after a period of time.

V . D e s i g n

o f

t h e

S t u d y

A . V a r i a b l e s A1. Independent variables/ manipulated variable: substrate 1.Compost soil 2.Loam soil 3.Seawater 4.Tap water

A2. Dependent variable/ responding variable: biodegradability (percentweight loss)

B.Materials 6, 1-litre glass jars 6, 7x9 aluminium trays 12 pcs. 3x4 SM plastic bags 500g loam soil 500g compost soil 500mL seawater 500mL tap water Analytical balance Graduated cylinder Weighing scale

C . P r o c e d u r e s We cut the SM plastic bags into 3x4sizes strips. We labelled theplastic strips into C1, C2, C3 for compost soil, L1, L2, L3 for loam s o i l , S 1 , S 2 , S 3 for seawater, and T1, T2, T3 for tap w a t e r treatments. We

then determined the initial weights of the plastic strips in grams using the analytical balance. The initial weights (W1)of the plastic strips were then recorded in our log book.

hree aluminium trays (7x9) were labelled C1, C2 and C3. F i v e h u n d r e d g r a m s o f c o m p o s t s o i l w e r e m e a s u r e d u s i n g a weighing scale and placed in each tray. Another three aluminiumtrays (7x9) were labelled L1, L2, and L3. Five hundred grams of loam soil were placed in 3 each tray. O n e h u n d r e d m L o f t a p w a t e r w e r e m i x e d w i t h t h e s o i l s . Plastic strips labelled C1, C2 and C3 were placed in trays labelledC1,C2 and C3 containing compost soils. Plastic strips L1, L2 and L3were placed in trays L1, L2 and L3 containing loam soil.F i v e h u n d r e d m L o f s e a w a t e r were placed each in three glass jars. The jars were labelled S1, S2 and S 3 . I n a n o t h e r t h r e e j a r s , 500mL of tap water were placed. The jars were labelled T1, T2 and T 3 . P l a s t i c s t r i p s l a b e l l e d S 1 , S 2 a n d S 3 w e r e p l a c e d i n j a r s containing seawater while plastic strips T1, T2 and T3 were placed i n j a r s c o n t a i n i n g t a p w a t e r . T h e p l a s t i c w e r e i m m e r s e d i n t h e different substrates last September 9, 2008. The set-ups were placed in the Biology laboratory room and wereobserved from time to time. Physical observations of the plastic s t r i p s w e r e m a d e o n t h e f o l l o w i n g d a t e s : S e p t e m b e r 2 4 , 2 0 0 8 , October 6, 2008, and November 15, 2008.Last November 15, 2008, the plastic strips were harvested fromthe different substrates. They were washed with tap water and airdried for 48 hours. Physical changes in each strip were noted andrecorded. Pictures of the plastic strips were also taken to observechanges before they were immersed in the different substrates andafter immersion for about two months. The dry weights in grams of e a c h p l a s t i c s t r i p w e r e m e a s u r e d u s i n g a n a n a l y t i c a l b a l a n c e . Results were recorded in the log book. The plastic strips were again were submerged to the differentsubstrates for further observations.Percent weight loss in each plastic strip was determined using theformula: Percent weight loss= Initial weight (W1) Final weight (W2)/ Initial weight x 100