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Feasibility Study
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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?
5
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.
7
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
14
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
18
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
19
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
21
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
22
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
23
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
25
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.