CHAPTER 1

The Problem and Its Setting

Introduction

Biodegradable shopping bags are now making a trend these days.

The world now tends to produce and start the usage of products that do

not harm the environment. Industrialized countries are starting and an

advanced extensive research on construction of biodegradable plastics

has finally begun.

A biodegradable shopping bag is a plastic that degrades from the

action of naturally occurring microorganism, such as bacteria and fungi

over a period of time.  During the 1920’s, Maurice Lemoigne (2013), a

French researcher, discovered the first biodegradable plastic but her work

went unnoticed for many years. As nations faced the reality of rising oil

prices, they encouraged research for synthesizing alternatives to

petroleum-based products. In the 1990s, research in biodegradable

plastics has become steady and profitable. Researchers have discovered

a way to make biodegradable shopping bags more environmental friendly.

Years of research in pursuit of bio-based and compostable alternatives to

traditional plastics has led to the development of a process that converts

corn, particularly corn kernels transformed into a starch, successfully into

a material which displays plastic characteristics it contains Polylactic acid

(PLA) which poised to play a big role as a

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viable, biodegradable replacement. PLA helps reduce greenhouse gas

emissions. Corn plastic products look and feel like traditional petroleum-

based plastic, but they are biodegradable and compostable. Corn plastic

was developed as a less expensive, stronger biodegradable shopping bag

that could compete with oil-based plastics.

The world has experienced so many changes in the past years.

There are the great technological advancements, continuous growth of the

world population and a lot more. Global warming, climate and

environmental changes are just some of its effects. Improper way of

disposing wastes specifically ‘plastic’ which is non-biodegradable is a

major problem of this world. Plastic accumulation in landfills takes up

valuable space and threatens the environment.

The economic and ecological drawbacks of petroleum-based

plastics have pushed the proponents to develop and investigate

biodegradable shopping bags as environmentally-friendly alternative.

Living green has become a popular trend in the last twenty years and here

in the Philippines, one way to establish an environmental advocacy is the

prohibition of using plastic bags in some places in Metro Manila like Pasig

City and Marikina City.

Corn kernels are the primary raw materials of the shopping bag.

Corn is the second largest crop in the country next to rice and the country

is rich of it and can be used in saving the Mother Earth. Corn kernel is the

part of the corn that people eat and is said to be a staple food in some

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parts of the country. The production of shopping bag made from corn

kernels will not greatly affect the necessity of the Filipino people to eat

corn as a substitute for rice because only 20% of the Filipino people

consume corn and the other 80% eats rice. This is just a few percentage

compared to the number of people who eat corn as a replacement of rice.

The proposed business is planning to have its own corn plantation in the

next five years after it has earned enough profit to have its own production

of corn and to avoid competition with the need of the Filipino people for

corn.

In view of this, the main objective of the study is to determine the

viability of manufacturing biodegradable shopping bags from corn kernels.

The results of this study will provide important information about the

usefulness and marketability of the said product after presenting and

comparing its benefits to existing products similar in nature.

Statement of the Problem

This study is aimed at determining the viability of manufacturing

biodegradable shopping bags made from Corn Kernels in Baliuag,

Bulacan.

Specifically, the feasibility study sought to answer the following

questions related to the different aspects of business operations:

The Marketing Aspect

1. What are the opportunities and threats of the business?

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2. What are the factors that could affect the business operations in the

external environment?

3. Who is the target market of the business?

4. What benefits can the consumers get from the product?

5. What will be the price of the product?

6. How and where will the proponents distribute the product?

7. What promotional strategies will be used in introducing the

product?

The Management Aspect

1. What is the form of ownership of the business?

2. What is the nature of the business?

3. What is the schedule of the activities of the business?

4. What are the job descriptions and specifications of each personnel?

5. How will the organizational structure look like?

6. What would be the compensation scheme of the business?

The Technical Aspect

1. What are the components needed to produce the product?

2. Where will the raw materials come from?

3. What are the steps in manufacturing the product?

4. What are the facilities required by the business?

5. What are the machines required for production?

6. What should be the layout of the factory to facilitate production?

7. What would be the schedule of production?

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The Financial Aspect

1. How much will be the initial working capital?

2. How much would be the total project cost?

3. How do the financial statements perform over a 5 – year operating

period?

4. How much would be the anticipated return of investment in a year?

5. What are the techniques that the business will use in order to

maximize its income?

The Socio – Economic Aspect

1. What will be the firm’s environmental responsibilities?

2. In what way can the firm be useful to the chosen community?

3. What are the contributions of the firm to the community?

4. How will the government benefit from the firm?

5. How can the firm contribute to the economic status of the

Philippines?

Objectives of the Study

The study on manufacturing biodegradable shopping bags made

from Corn Kernels in Baliuag, Bulacan aims:

The Marketing Aspect

1. To know the opportunities and threats of the business.

2. To be familiar with the factors that could affect the business

operations in the external environment.

3. To determine the target market of the business.

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4. To identify the benefits can the consumers get from the product.

5. To determine the price of the product if sold to the market.

6. To determine how and where will the proponents distribute the

product.

7. To identify promotional strategies that will be used in introducing

the product.

The Management Aspect

1. To identify the form of ownership of the business.

2. To determine the nature of the business.

3. To establish the job descriptions and specifications of each

personnel.

4. To identify the schedule of the activities of the business.

5. To determine the organizational structure.

6. To determine the compensation scheme of the business.

The Technical Aspect

1. To determine the components needed to produce the product.

2. To identify where the raw materials come from.

3. To determine the steps in manufacturing the product.

4. To know the facilities required by the business.

5. To identify the machines are required for production.

6. To establish the factory’s layout where the production will be

facilitated.

7. To determine the schedule of production.

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The Financial Aspect

1. To distinguish how much would be the initial working capital.

2. To determine the total project cost of the business.

3. To determine the performance of the financial statements perform

over a 5 – year operating period.

4. To determine the anticipated return of investment in a year.

5. To know the techniques that the business will use in order to

maximize its income.

The Socio – Economic Aspect

1. To identify the responsibilities to be performed by the firm to the

environment.

2. To identify the ways in which the firm can be useful to the chosen

community.

3. To know the contributions of the firm to the community.

4. To know benefit of the government from the firm.

5. To identify the contributions of the firm to the economic status of

the Philippines.

Significance of the Study

This study may serve as guide to readers by providing data

concerning the manufacturing of biodegradable shopping bags from corn

kernels. They will get insights into the different aspects of the business,

such as marketing, management, financial, technical, and socio-economic.

Those interested to undertake similar business may find this study

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valuable for it includes information about the viability of the business, as

well as the basic procedures in production.

On the part of the public, this study will promote their awareness

regarding what a biodegradable shopping bag could do for the

environment. This will encourage the public to help the environment by

using biodegradable shopping bags from corn kernels.

On the part of the future researchers, this study can be their

reference for their study in future.

This study can be used by future entrepreneurs as a basis for

putting up a new business that will offer eco-friendly products and this will

guide them to assess the viability of manufacturing and selling similar

products.

Through this study, the manufacturers will learn and have an idea

of what further enhancement they should apply in developing

biodegradable plastic shopping bags from corn kernels.

Scope and Delimitations of the study

This study focuses on determining the viability of manufacturing

biodegradable shopping bags made from Corn kernels. It is intended to

provide alternative plastics in the Philippines especially in Baliuag,

Bulacan. The study covered the five components of a feasibility study

particularly in marketing, management, technical, financial and socio-

economic aspects.

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The Marketing Aspect determines the target market, and the

marketing technique adopted by the firms. It also includes the marketing

strategies developed by the proponents related to product, price, place

and promotion.

The Management Aspect identifies who are the proponents of the

business. It presents the form of ownership and organizational structure

used by the firms. It also discusses the different qualifications and

specifications of the personnel required for the position.

The Technical Aspect contains the different raw materials needed

in manufacturing the product. It also includes the machines and equipment

that will be used to produce the product. It also discusses the step by step

process of manufacturing the product.

The Financial Aspect includes the assumptions used in creating the

projected financial statement. The total business capital investment in the

proposed business was determined. It also determines the necessary

financial arrangement to ensure that the project will have the cash needs

when required.

The Socio-Economic Aspect presents the benefits that the society

will get from the proposed business including its effect to the economy and

society.

This study, however, has a limited time in completing the study due

to time constraints because of its strict one- semester duration. Financial

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resources were also limited as the proponents were students and thus, did

not have their own money.

Definition of Terms

The terms included in this research paper were defined to facilitate

easy understanding of the study.

Biodegradable plastics. It is capable of being decomposed by

bacteria or other living organisms.

Biodegradable shopping bags. These are bags that are capable of

being decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms.

Biofibers. The solid material separated from the effluent stream

after treatment by an anaerobic digester.  This is the solid material that

could not be volatilized into biogas.

Bioplastic. These are plastics derived from biomass sources such

as vegetable fats and oils, and starch such as corn or pea starch.

Corn Kernels. It is the seeds of maize. Though technically a grain,

maize kernels are used in cooking as a vegetable or starch.

Dextrose. The dextrorotatory form of glucose found naturally in

animal and plant tissue and derived synthetically from starch.

Ecological. It is the scientific study of interactions among organisms

and their environment, such as the interactions organisms have with each

other and with their biotic environment.

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ENSO Renew. It is a unique Renewable Thermo Polymer (RTP)

derived from the waste process of agriculture, a high heat renewable

biopolymer that provides home and industrial compost ability.

ENSO Restore. It is the latest development of biodegradable

additives offering superior improvements to biodegradable performance

and process-ability/compatibility and eliminating the historical higher scrap

rates of competing additives, creating a huge environmental and cost

advantage.

Global warming. This is the rise in the average temperature of

Earth's atmosphere and oceans since the late 19th century and its

projected continuation.

Greenhouse. It is a building in which plants are grown. These

structures range in size from small sheds to industrial-sized buildings. A

miniature greenhouse is known as a cold frame.

Lactic acid. It is a colourless syrupy carboxylic acid found in sour

milk and many fruits and used as a preservative for foodstuffs, such as

soft margarine, and for making pharmaceuticals and adhesives. 

Landfill. It is a site for the disposal of waste materials by burial and

is the oldest form of waste treatment. It’s been the most common methods

of organized waste disposal and remains so in many places around the

world.

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Oxo-biodegradable plastic. A petroleum based plastic with metal

salt additives that enables the plastic to degrade when subject to certain

environment conditions.

Poly-3-Hydroxybuturate. It is a polymer belonging to

the polyesters class that are of interest as bio-derived and biodegradable

plastics.

Polyethylene. A polymerized ethylene resin, used especially for

containers, kitchenware, and tubing, or in the form of films and sheets for

packaging.

Polyethylene terephthalate. A synthetic resin made by

copolymerizing ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid, widely used to make

polyester fibers.

Polystyrene. A rigid clear thermoplastic polymer that can be molded

into objects or made into foam that is used to insulate refrigerators.

PLA (Polylacticacid). It is a thermoplastic aliphatic polyester derived

from renewable resources, such as tapioca roots, chips or starch,

or sugarcane.

Thermo Polymer. These are polymers that exhibit a drastic and

discontinuous change of their physical properties with temperature.

Review of Related Literature and Studies

This chapter includes the review of the related literature and studies

which the researchers have perused to shed light on the topic under

study.

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Foreign Literature

In an article by Ted Duboise (2012) “Bright Future Forecast for

Biodegradable plastic Packaging”, “the demand of biodegradable plastics

in United States has a big chance to expand in the year 2016. Polylactic

acid (PLA) is expected to remain the most extensively used resin in the

bioplastics market through 2016, Freedonia forecasts. It is made from

fermented plant starch – corn in the United States, tapioca in Asia, and

sugarcane in the rest of world – PLA-based biodegradable plastic is used

in producing loose-fill packaging, compost bags, food packaging, and

disposable tableware. In the form of fibers and non-woven textiles, PLA

can be used to make upholstery, disposable garments, awnings, feminine

hygiene products, and diapers. PLA is also used in biomedical

applications, such as sutures, stents, dialysis media and drug delivery

devices. It is being evaluated as a material for tissue engineering.”

The article shows the increasing demand of biodegradable plastics

especially in the year 2016. Some Raw materials in making biodegradable

plastics are Corn, Tapioca and Sugarcane; these are the source of

fermented plant starch. PLA-based biodegradable plastics plastic is used

for producing loose-fill packaging, compost bags, food packaging, and

disposable tableware. Biodegradable plastic is now in the early stage of

development, it is now making a small niche within the overall plastic

industry. Technical innovations and increased production capacity should

combine to enhance the properties of biodegradable plastics.it can make

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them more competitive in the business industry. The Demand for

Biobased products like the Biodegradable plastics increased when the U.S

President Barack Obama announced an expanded biobased products

initiative” by the Federal government.

The proponents resulted with the idea of using biodegradable

plastics from corn kernels in the Philippines because of the succeeding

forecast of biodegradable plastics in USA by the year 2016.

In an article by Fiona Wagner (2010) “The truth about Bioplastics”,

almost all of the packaging of product are made from plastic. Plastic is one

of the major environmental problems because it is non-biodegradable. “A

biodegradable plastic breaks down and can be derived from either

agricultural or petro chemical sources. Polyethylene and polystyrene come

from bioplastics and fossil fuels that are made from renewable resources

like corn starch.” Starch is a natural polymer which can be processed

directly into a bioplastic. With the use of biodegradable plastic, the non-

biodegradable plastic litters will be reduced and the quantities of plastic

waste will decrease.

The proponents used starch from corn kernels to manufacture

biodegradable shopping bags. This will help lessen the plastic waste

because it is a biodegradable shopping bags.

The article published in ecoKloud.com (2012), a website that offers

the highest quality eco-friendly, plant based and compostable food service

products discussed biodegradable plastics on one of their articles. First is

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its component PLA, according to the website “PLA stands for

Polylacticacid and is made from corn starch. Lactic acid is made from

Dextrose by fermentation. Dextrose is made from corn starch, and corn

starch is made from carbon dioxide and water. PLA can be formed into a

variety of products. Corn plastic products look and feel like traditional

petroleum-based plastic, but they are biodegradable and compostable.

The article also differentiated a biodegradable plastic to a regular plastic

and these are as follows: 1.) Regular plastic is made from petroleum that

is pollutant and has toxins; while PLA is from derived from corn based

resin, which is non-toxic and renewable resource; 2.) Regular plastic takes

approximately 400 years to degrade, leaving toxicity in the environment.

PLA plastic biodegrades in less than 60 days, and it is 100%

biodegradable and compostable; and 3.) the article also said that the

production and use of PLA, Bioplastics are generally considered as a

more sustainable activity compared to petroleum based plastic production,

because it relies less on fossil fuel as a carbon source, and also

introduces less greenhouse gas emission when it  biodegrades. They

significantly reduce hazardous waste.”

This article is related to the proponent’s present study because it

talked about corn plastics, mainly about its component PLA and the

difference of using biodegradable plastic bags instead of regular plastics.

The proponents can use this as a good basis for their study about the

manufacturing of biodegradable plastic from corn kernels.

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Local Literature

The article published in Radyonation (2013) entitled “The provincial

government of Bulacan strictly implement the ban on use and sale of

plastic bags in the entire province”. The Governor of the province

Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado made the announcement at the launching of

the implementation of the ordinance at Mc Donald's-BSU where they

posted tarpaulins for public information. Alvarado signed the Implementing

Rules and Regulations of the Provincial Ordinance No. 2012-09 also

known as "Panlalawigang Kautusang Nagbabawal sa Paggamit ng Non-

Biodegradable Plastic Bags, Styrofoam at mga Kauri Nito Bilang

Packaging Material sa Lalawigan ng Bulacan at Nagtatakda ng

Kaparusahan sa Paglabag Nito" on the December 12, 2012.

The governor said that is part of the seven-point agenda to protect

the environment, health and welfare of the Bulakenyos.

The ordinance prohibits the sale and use of non-biodegradable plastic

bags, styrofoam and other kinds as packaging materials in the 21 towns in

Bulacan and three cities in the said province.

Violators will pay a fine of Php1000 to Php5000 or imprisonment of not

less than six months to one year (depending on the number of offenses

done).

For those who do not have the capacity to pay the fine, he/she

must serve the community through environment-related services for three

months or longer upon the discretion of the court.”

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This article is related in the proponents’ study because the setting

of the study is in Bulacan. The ordinance helps the proponents to know

more about the environment and the current trends in the place. The

article may also help the proponents in developing the product.

The article published by Estrella Z. Gallardo (2012) entitled “Bt

Corn Dominates Non-Bt Yellow Corn Production”. This was admitted by

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Edilberto de Luna, also the chief of the

National Corn Program (NCP) of the Department of Agriculture (DA). De

Luna revealed that the pest- and disease-resistant Bacillus thuringiensis

(Bt) corn is now preferred by farmers owing to its durability and its higher

yield.

According to De Luna “The farmers in Northern Luzon have opted

for the genetically-modified Bt corn in spite of earlier resistance by many

quarters that feared the crop’s deleterious impact on human health and

the environment. De Luna’s disclosure means that out of the 3.47 million

metric tons (MMT) of corn harvested for the first semester, Bt corn

comprised 2.082 MMT. The projected output is 7 percent better than the

2011 output of 6.97 MMT. The corn was tested first in South Cotabato but

resistance led to the transfer of the testing sites. Eventually, the crop was

cleared for commercialization in 2002, with farmers now producing the

crop in Isabela, Pangasinan, Cagayan and other provinces.”

In a press briefing, De Luna said “while the cultivation of the corn

has been widespread in Luzon, many farmers in the Visayas and other

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regions are hindered from planting the crop due to existing prohibitions at

the provincial and city levels. Negros Occidental has a provincial

ordinance banning the introduction of any genetically-modified organism

(GMO), which prevents the entry of the corn and other crops”.

This article helped the proponents to know that there were enough

resources of corn in Luzon where the setting of the study conducted. This

may be used by the proponents to justify that in case of lacking in

resources the proponents may get some resources from other places in

Luzon.

Joy M. Lazcano (2007) in her article, “Biodegradable plastic now in

RP”, discussed about the new generation of plastic materials that

decomposes along with composting plants in less than a year. She said in

her article that it was unveiled recently by Japan’s New Energy and

Industrial Technology Development Organization, and local counterpart

Metals Industry Research and Development Center of the Department of

Science and Technology. According to Lazcano, the new biodegradable

plastic offers an environment-friendly and cost-efficient option to industries

and the government in resolving the perennial garbage problem in the

country. The biodegradable plastic’s raw materials come from renewable

resource based biopolymers such as cellulose, corn, starch, and soy

based plastics that is turned into powder form and mixed with a solution.

She stressed that the government data showed that Metro Manila

produces 600,000 tons of garbage every day, 30 percent of which is

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identified to be plastic materials.  The mounting of daily garbage output in

the metropolis is projected to swell to 800,000 tons in 2010. Lastly,

Lazcano said that when combined with hemp or other biofibers, the

biodegradable plastic is guaranteed to be as durable as the regular

polyethylene terephthalate or PET plastics used as container for many

food products including bottled water, yet it can easily be decomposed by

breaking it down into its basic substances with the help of living organisms

in composting plants. The technology to produce biodegradable plastic is

being introduced in the Philippines through the help of NEDO-Japan.  The

technology is now on its trial stage at the MIRDC facility in Bicutan, Taguig

City. The project is funded by NEDO-Japan in cooperation with MIRDC,

leading plastic manufacturing leader Daiwa Plastic Co., Ltd., Matsuoka

Institute of Technology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, and Kobe Steel Ltd.

The article talked about the introduction of cellulose, corn, starch,

and soy based biodegradable plastics. The study is about manufacturing

of corn based plastics here in the Philippines particularly in Baliuag,

Bulacan. This article also discusses that the Philippines is currently going

through about garbage disposal that made a way for a solution to use of

biodegradable plastics and the proponents also gave priority for the same

reason in having a study to manufacture plastics that are biodegradable to

lessen the plastic wastes and eventually, to have no plastic wastes at all

that cause disturbance in the environment.

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An anonymous author on his article (2013), states: “ENSO Plastics

Announces Biodegradable Plastic Solutions for the Philippines” the article

tells about the solution that ENSO Plastics has offered the Philippines its

plastic ban in some places in Metro Manila particularly in Makati City. It

was said in the article that in order to help manufacturers comply with the

city ordinance of Makati City, ENSO Plastics announced two new

biodegradable technologies for the Philippine market, ENSO RENEW and

ENSO RESTORE. The author of the article defined “ENSO RENEW as a

unique Renewable Thermo Polymer (RTP) derived from the waste

process of agriculture, with a carbon footprint 75% lower than

polyethylene. It is a high heat renewable biopolymer that provides home

and industrial compost ability as well as being marine degradable. It is

designed to meet the needs of applications looking for renewable

solutions to meet new legislative requirements utilizing fast growing plant

based material and rapid biodegradation and on the other hand ENSO

RESTORE is the latest development of biodegradable additives offering

superior improvements to biodegradable performance and process-

ability/compatibility and eliminating the historical higher scrap rates of

competing additives, creating a huge environmental and cost advantage.”

ENSO RESTORE is a leading edge technology that accelerates the

natural biodegradation without any disruption to disposal method or

performance. ENSO Plastics solutions are quick to implement with

minimal or no change in current manufacturing. It’s quick and easy to

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integrate biodegradable technologies that comply with the recently

implemented laws without difficulty or expense.

This article stated the mainly deals about solutions to have

biodegradable plastics because of Makati City’s plastic ban ordinance.

The proponents suggest biodegradable plastics made from corn kernels to

use as the substitute of non-biodegradable plastics, to help protect and

preserve the environment.

In an article written by Justine Tagonera (2012) “Sustainability #7:

No more Plastic Bags in Some Philippine Cities but Education needed”.

She said that the Philippine House of Representatives passed the Plastic

Regulation Act Last 2011. Local ordinances have been implementing bans

on the use of plastic bags and Styrofoam, especially in the Business

establishments like malls and supermarkets. It takes months before it was

implemented in the Business establishments. To do that Business

Establishments like malls and supermarkets posted several signages that

indicated that plastic bags would no longer be used in the place and

consumers needed to use eco-bags or be charged for using plastic bags.

Some of the Business establishment use paper bags. Some people

agreed about the ordinance passed by Congress. Plastic bags had a big

role to play in clogging local waterways and causing more damage during

floods. But businesses also opposed the ban on plastic bags.

Tagonera also said that in order to solve the problem as regard to

“No plastic”, the government should come up with the alternative solution

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to it. The education on recycling and proper waste disposal (trash

segregation) can be one of the solutions but not all are willing to do that.

The article stated that the Philippines has now passed a No plastic

Regulation Act of 2011, that is why the proponents want to bring the use

of biodegradable plastics as an alternative for packaging materials

especially in the business establishments in the country made from corn

kernels.

The article published in Negroschronicle.com (2012) entitled “ Are

biodegradable – Environment friendly”, Now that the City Government of

Dumaguete is implementing Ordinance 231 to regulate the use of plastic

bags, some controversy has arisen referring to the use of the so-called

biodegradable plastic bags. Biodegradable plastics refer to a packaging

material that can be broken down within a reasonable amount of time into

their base compounds of carbon dioxide and water. It comes from

renewable sources that are plant-based using starch and/or carbohydrates

from corn, cassava, wheat, potato, etc. This is safe and is a biodegradable

product referred to as bio-plastics.

“Plastics with the prefix OXO or OXY (oxo-biodegradable,

oxydegradable) are traditional petroleum-based plastics made with an

additive which allows it to degrade when exposed to oxygen and sunlight.

They disintegrate into pieces, but their toxic leftover still affects the

environment. Only biodegradable plastic bags that conform to

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compostability standards ASTM D6400 or EN 13432 are truly

biodegradable and can be trusted.”

In the article “Are biodegradables environment-friendly?”,

Negroschronicle.com clearly stated that there are biodegradable plastics

which are not really biodegradable plastics. Using a certain amount of

chemical, the so-called biodegradable plastic will only just fasten up the

decomposition of the plastics. The proponents can make the consumers

and suppliers aware about this so that they can possibly prevent their

continuous usage of fake biodegradable plastics.

In an article in Philippine Daily Inquirer (2011) “The Plastic

Problem”, Plastic is one of the problems why Philippines is always flooded

every time it rains. Filipinos use, reuse and throw away the plastics which

clogs the sewage system. ” The Senate Bill 2759, authored by Sen. Loren

Legarda, asks the supermarket, restaurants and retail stores to stop using

plastic bags.” the companies should use biodegradable bags as an

alternative. In 2010, the Muntinlupa city mayor banned plastic bags and

containers made from polystyrene. The business establishment used

paper bags as the substitute for plastic bags.

There are many plastics in the country which are non-

biodegradable. The proponents would like to propose the manufacturing of

biodegradable shopping bags made from kernel which is renewable.

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Foreign Studies

AsafKleopasSugih (2008) had a study entitled “The synthesis and

properties of starch-based biomaterial”. It has the general overview of

starch properties given with the potential to be a starting material for a

wide range of green biomaterials. Different routes to modify starch to

improve the product properties and to extend the application range were

also provided in the study.

Sugih’s study is related to present study because his study

defended starch as a material to produce green biomaterials and the

present study is a starch based material which is a biodegradable plastic.

The proponents used this as a proof that corn is viable as a raw material

in producing biodegradable plastics that can really be a factor to help in

the ‘greeneration’ of the environment.

Brian Momani (2009) , in his study on “Assessment of the Impacts

of Bioplastics: Energy Usage, Fossil Fuel Usage, Pollution, Health Effects,

Effects on the Food Supply, and Economic Effects Compared to

Petroleum Based Plastics” discussed biodegradable plastics can be a

substitute to petroleum based plastic. They are made from the renewable

materials like vegetable oils and starch. He made an analysis regarding

the societal issues involving bioplastics that has been carried out. Health,

economic, and environmental concerns related to a switch to bioplastics

were studied. Brian Momami stated the possible impacts on energy

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usage, petroleum usage, and food production, including land usage were

studied.

Bioplastics were found to be superior to petroplastics in terms of

energy efficiency, petroleum consumption, and carbon emissions, but

inferior to petroplastics in cost and applicability. Negative effects on the

food supply were also predicted with a switch to bioplastics. Pollution and

safety varied on a plastic-to-plastic basis but in general bioplastics were

found to be safer. It has been concluded that bioplastics are not viable for

wide scale use in their current form.

The proponents can use this as a basis for manufacturing the

biodegradable plastics from corn and its impact in the Philippines in terms

of Energy Usage, Fossil Fuel Usage, Pollution, Health Effects, Effects on

the Food Supply, and Economic Effects Compared to Petroleum Based

Plastics for this will be of a big help in making the study feasible in the

market.

In the study conducted by Kathryn Palko (2005) entitled “Shifting

the Pollution Problem: Recycling Plastics in Southern China”, she included

that even recycling is integrated into the global market system. As she

discovered working in the Solid Waste-Resource of the Nova Scotia

Department of Environmental and Labor, decisions determining the fate of

the material from North America’s recycling programs are based on

economic, rather than environmental goals. As a result, some of the

plastic bottles and bags that environmentally conscious consumers place

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diligently into their blue bags or boxes are sent to other nations for

recycling – often in Asia. The export of these materials is the result of

decisions made by variety of economic actors in an intricate global trading

network in plastic waste.

This study is quite critical especially to the people living in Asia. As

stated in the article, such plastic wastes are sent to other nation

specifically in Asia. This is relevant in the proponent’s research since it

makes them aware that the production of biodegradable plastics made

from corn will truly help and lessen the use of petroleum-based plastics.

Local Studies

Bravo (2012) had a study that aimed to produce biodegradable

plastic using cassava starch as its main component. “Cassava starch was

mixed with water, epoxidized soya bean oil (ESBO), glycerol, and

polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The mixture was then compressed and tested.

Three preparations were made from the mixture. The first preparation

contained 50 grams starch, 50 grams water, 50 grams PVA, 2.5 grams

ESBO, and 2.5 grams glycerol. The second preparation contained 65

grams starch, 65 grams water, 50 grams PVA, 2.5 grams ESBO, and 2.5

grams glycerol. The third preparation contained 80 grams starch, 80

grams water, 50 grams PVA, 2.5 grams ESBO, and 2.5 grams glycerol.

The first preparation exhibited the most desirable mechanical properties. It

was concluded that the material produced was proven to be

biodegradable.”

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The study is about starch-based biodegradable plastics. The

proponents may use this as the basis in manufacturing biodegradable

plastics from corn kernels.

According to Rona Joy Alderite (2012), in their review “Effects of

the mechanical and biological control strategies in sweet corn production

in Davao City”, they found out that “Corn is an important crop in the

Philippines. Just like rice, it is also a staple food for Filipinos specifically

those from the Southern Philippines. Data from the Bureau of Agricultural

Statistics reveal that the country is almost sufficient in corn at 99%. The

sufficiency ratio has gone up over the years from 96% in 2001 to 99% in

2004-2005. However, if one looks at the country’s needs on a per corn

variety basis, the country is deficient in yellow corn production. The

general varieties of corn planted are yellow and white corn. Yellow corn is

the one used for feeds. The requirement for yellow corn for feeds is

pegged at 3.414 MMT in 2005while production was at 3.01 MMT only.

This places the self-sufficiency ratio for yellow corn at 88%. The demand

for feeds is around 64% of the total demand for corn and only about 22%

of supply is consumed as food. Other uses of corn are for seeds (1%) and

processing (13%).The production doesn’t seem to match this demand for

yellow corn. About 43%of the total corn production is devoted to white

while the rest is for yellow. In terms of production areas, 61% of the total

area for corn is devoted to white corn production and only 39% was

devoted for yellow corn production. The corn sector is a vital industry.

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Addressing the needs of the corn sector would also lead to benefiting its

allied industries livestock and poultry sectors, etc. The competitive

advantage of local livestock and poultry in the domestic and export

markets will depend on the cost-efficiency of the domestic corn industry.

Corn, on the other hand will have to contend with cheaper imported corn

and feed substitutes. Corn in terms of importance, remains second only to

rice. The sector received very little public investment compared to rice.”

In this study they stated that the Philippines has a good source of

corn, So it would be easy for the proponents to establish the

manufacturing of biodegradable plastics from corn kernels because of the

viability of raw materials in the Philippines.

Solid waste disposal has become a big problem especially in urban

areas. With the rapid increase in population and industrialization, the

problem will rise faster.

In the study conducted by Salvacion S. Tidon (2000) entitled

“Management and Utilization of Urban Solid Waste”, she stated that urban

or growth centerspread now facing the problem of waste disposal. The

large concentration of people, animals, manufactured goods, automobiles,

and all kinds of commodities, altogether contributes to waste management

problem. If not properly disposed of, domestic and industrial waste can

look ugly, emit foul smell and become a haven of insects, rats and animals

that spread diseases. These kinds of waste are called agricultural waste,

industrial waste, and municipal waste. This study also included waste

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management that includes four options: 1. Waste reduction by preventing

its creation/accumulation, 2. Land filling waste, 3. Incinerate waste or treat

it in other ways to reduce volume, 4. Recycle and produce compost as

much as possible.”

This study is relevant to the proponent’s research since plastic

wastes are considered as industrial waste. The use of biodegradable

plastic from corn kernels can be a solution to the fast growing problem in

using non – biodegradable plastics.

Research Methodology

The proponents used a combination of descriptive methods, which

is normally conducted to illustrate and determine patterns or

characteristics of variables in particular instances or events. It is a method

in which characteristic of situations can be identified, and relationship

between behaviours can be documented through carefully constructed

observations.

Moreover, it is a process which includes gathering, analyzing,

classifying and tabulating data about prevailing conditions, practices,

beliefs, processes, trends, and cause-effect relationship and the making

adequate and accurate interpretations about such data which or without

the aid of statistical method.

Instruments and Techniques Used

The proponents used the questionnaires in gathering data from the

respondents in Baliuag, Bulacan. The type of questionnaires have short

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Yes or No and multiple choices that are easy for the respondents to

complete. Each questionnaire was divided into two parts: Part I which

aims to obtain the profile of the respondents regarding the name of the

business, the type of their business and their location. Part II aims to

determine the preferences of the respondents regarding various items

packaging materials use in the different business establishments.

Copies of the questionnaires were distributed to the business

establishments operating in Baliuag, Bulacan. After the accomplishment of

copies, the researchers retrieved the answered questionnaires

immediately to prevent biases.

The data gathered were arranged in quantitative form and were

expressed in frequencies and proportions.

The questionnaire were pre-tested by distributing copies to the

classmates of the proponents who are not included in the actual survey.

Sampling Procedure

The proponents used the purposive sampling, taking a portion of

the population that is appropriate for the study. The proponents chose this

sampling technique for its simplicity that makes it relatively easy to

interpret the data collected. There are 223 business establishments in

Baliuag, Bulacan, and they were classified into group like dry goods,

restaurants, Fast food chains, grocery stores, and Supermarkets.

The method of computing the number of respondents needed in the

study is through the Sloven’s formula, which is:

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n= N

1 + N (e)2

Where n= Represents the sample size

N= Total population

E= Margin of error (5%)

n= 712

1 + 712 (0.05)2

n= 712

1 + 1.78

n= 256.12 or 257 business establishment respondents

Note: The proponents used Purposive Sampling Technique Method that is

why the Feasibility adviser recommends not use the Sloven’s Formula.

Computation of 70% Disqualification

498 = Number of Business Establishments in Baliuag, Bulacan not using

Shopping Bags in their transactions

721 = Number of Business Establishments in Baliuag, Bulacan using

Shopping Bags in their transactions.

498/721 X 100 = 70%

Computation in Solving the number of respondents

721 – 498 = 223 number of respondents

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Statistical Treatment of Data

Upon collection of survey questionnaires, the proponents used the

following statistical formulas which are the Percentage formula in order to

determine the weight or magnitude of the responses for an item in the

questionnaire and Frequency distribution to show the frequency of facts of

each possible outcome.