Philippine School Doha

RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT ACCREDITATION AND PUBLICATION OFFICE

Doha State of Qatar

The Use of Coconut (Cocos nucifera) Husks in making Eco-friendly

Paper Bags

A Research Proposal
Presented to the
Faculty of Philippine School Doha

In Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the subject
Research Paper Writing

Submitted by:
James Apollo T. Carpentero
Jenella Aj V. Abrao
Angela Laura J. Aldover
Nancy S. Darwish
Juliana Mae S. Pituc
Gem Danielle V. Tuquib

March 2019
Philippine School Doha
RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT ACCREDITATION AND PUBLICATION OFFICE
Doha State of Qatar

APPROVAL SHEET

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the subject RESEARCH PAPER

WRITING, this research entitled, The Use of Coconut (Cocos nucifera)
Husks in making eco-friendly Paper Bags, has been prepared and
submitted by GROUP 5 OF 9-RUTHERFORD and is hereby endorsed for
approval.

____________________________
JULIE ANN B. REAL, DEM
Research Teacher

This is to certify that the thesis submitted by GROUP 5 OF 9-RUTHERFORD

has been approved and accepted by the Research Panel on March 2019.

PANEL OF EXAMINERS

_____________________________ __________________________
Maria Sarah V. Garcia, MPhEd. Maidie P. Acosta, RL

_____________________________
Elmerson L. Barañao, MAEd

Approved by the Research Development Accreditation and Publication Office

on Oral Examination with a rating of ( ) Passed ( ) Failed on ______,
_______.

_______________________________
DR. LORINA S. VILLANUEVA
RDAPO Vice Principal

_______________________________
DR. ALEXANDER S. ACOSTA
School Principal
Philippine School Doha
RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT ACCREDITATION AND PUBLICATION OFFICE
Doha State of Qatar

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT v
DEDICATION vi
CHAPTER
I. THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING 1
Introduction 1-2
Background of the Study 2-3
Statement of the Problem 4
Hypothesis 4
Significance of the Study 5-6
Scope and Limitations 6-7

II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES 8

Eco-friendly Paper Bags 8-9
Coconut Husks 9
Conceptual Framework 10
Definition of Terms 11

III. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 12

Research Design 12
Research Locale 13
Materials and Equipment 14-15
Procedure 16
Schematic Diagram 17

IV. END REFERENCE………………………………………………………18-

19

V. CURRICULUM VITAE…………………………………………………20-22
Philippine School Doha
RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT ACCREDITATION AND PUBLICATION OFFICE
Doha State of Qatar

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The researchers wish to express their gratitude and appreciation to all

those who offered assistance and guidance in the development and

completion of this scientific research, especially to the following:

Dr. Alexander S. Acosta, Dr. Lorina S. Villanueva, and Dr. Caridad

A. Cañete, for allowing the researchers to conduct the study;

Dr. Julie Ann Real, the researchers’ Research teacher and adviser,

for her help and guidance during the making of the research paper;

The panel members, Ms. Maria Sarah V. Garcia, MPhEd., Ms.

Maidie P. Acosta, RL, and Sir Elmerson L. Barañao, MAEd for their

innovative suggestions to improve the study;

Mr. and Mrs. Carpentero, Mr. and Mrs. Darwish, Mr. and Mrs.

Abrao, Mr. and Mrs. Tuquib, Mr. and Mrs. Pituc, Mr. and Mrs. Aldover, the

researchers’ parents, for their kind and unwavering support;

Encouraging friends and classmates;

Above all, the Almighty God, for the strength, wisdom, guidance and

divine protection in order to accomplish this task.

v
Philippine School Doha
RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT ACCREDITATION AND PUBLICATION OFFICE
Doha State of Qatar

DEDICATION

The researchers would like to dedicate this study to their classmates,

teachers, friends, and to their families. The said people helped and guided

the researchers to complete this Experimental research and for that, the

researchers express their gratitude. The researchers thank their classmates

for constructively criticizing their work which led the researchers to improve

the project.

The researchers thank their teachers who guided and taught the

researchers how to do this study properly. The researchers thank their friends

for supporting and encouraging them in good and hard times. Their moral

support was what the researchers needed to boost their performance in doing

this project and thus leading them to success.

The researchers thank everyone who was involved in the study and for

the people who helped and provided the researchers the guidance to

complete the study.

Philippine School Doha
RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT ACCREDITATION AND PUBLICATION OFFICE
Doha State of Qatar

vi
1

CHAPTER 1
THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING

INTRODUCTION

Plastic bags are cheap, affordable, and are often used as shopping bags,

packaging, and sacks making them extremely useful in a person’s day-to-day

life, they can also be kept and reused for future purposes. No matter how

useful plastic bags may be, they are still harmful to the environment due to the

multiple problems they bring including dangerous chemicals and pollution.

Paper bags may be a better solution but the process it takes to manufacture

these also involve the use of deadly chemicals being released into the

atmosphere, the reusable paper bag made from coconut husks is an

affordable and cost-effective way to make life easier, at the same time,

contribute to the improvement of the environment’s condition.

Coconuts are primarily used for their pulp and milk, but they have

also been known for their extreme usefulness and significant economic

value, the contributions of coconuts to construction-making and the

furniture industry are also not ignored going as far as being called “the

tree of a thousand uses” in Malay. However useful coconuts may be,

the harm they bring to the environment must certainly not be

overlooked, if large amounts of husks are left in a landfill, a long-term

problem is caused due to the time it takes for coconuts to decompose.

Retting is another concern brought about by coconuts due to oxygen

depletion and remarkably high concentrations of hydrogen sulphide,

thus causing extensive damage to the living, aquatic resources.

2

The importance of this study to society is its contribution in turning

materials that can soon be a threat to something productive and useful

that can benefit not only the consumer, but also the environment. It

uses wastes and prevents them from further harming the natural world

by making them into something that can be sustainable and further

used. It also helps in businesses and financial purposes as well as

enhancing one’s own productivity and skills.

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

It is essential to dispose our garbage properly and as much as possible,

recycle these wastes to prevent them from going to landfills. Waste disposal

management still remains a rampant issue amongst nations. Manufacturing or

industrial wastes are one of the leading contributors to this problem.

According to Awuchi (2017), Industrial waste is the waste produced by

industrial activity which includes any material that is rendered useless during

a manufacturing process such as that of factories, industries, mills, and

mining operations. It has existed since the start of the Industrial Revolution.

Some examples of industrial wastes are chemical solvents, paints,

sandpaper, paper products, industrial by-products, metals, and radioactive

wastes. Waste generation is linked directly to the size of population and the

various activities undertaken by different categories of the population

including large scale industries, small-scale industries, trading/businesses,

municipal, farming, household, schools, among others. Hence, it clearly

3

means that waste generation will increase with increasing population growth.

Food waste is a recurring problem and is a primary cause of the pollution

of the environment globally. According to Vido (2017), food waste is a national

problem, with a third of the environment food produced for human

consumption failing to reach anyone’s stomach. GCC states produce

tremendous amounts of food wastage, especially in proportion to the size and

population of these countries. Furthermore, Adema (2016) stated that In 2012,

1.4 million tonnes of food was consumed and wasted in Qatar, with an extra

14 percent, which is about 20 million kilograms, thrown away before it even

reached the end-consumer. Additionally, Topaloglu (2015) mentioned that

given that the staggering majority—more than 90 percent—of Qatar’s food is

imported.

The objective of this research topic is to help people lessen the

use of plastic bags. It is sustainable at the same time, environment

friendly, because it uses materials that are friendly to the environment,

the study aims to open new discussions about societal and

environmental issues concerning the materials used in the study, and

to make a better and more eco-friendly substitute to plastic bags that

are harmful to the environment.

4

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM  

The study investigates the use of Coconut (Cocos Nucifera)

Husks in making eco-friendly paper bags. It seeks to answer the

following questions, specifically: 

1. Is the paper bag out of coconut husks effective in terms of:

1.1. tensile strength; and

1.2. sheer strength?

2. Is the paper bag out of coconut husks better than the paper bags available

in the market in terms of:

2.1. tensile strength; and

2.2. sheer strength?

HYPOTHESIS

H0: It is impossible to make eco-friendly paper bags using coconut husk.

5

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The results, recommendations, and implications of this study may help

different sectors along with significant contributions to the following:

A. PSD community

This study will help PSDians in terms of lessening the production of

waste made by the community everyday. This study can also help in

raising awareness about the current events and inform the PSD

community about certain issues.

B. Qatar community

This study will benefit the Qatar community by giving it a much

better environment to live. In addition, it can also help in reducing the

wastes being produced by Qatar. By means of having an eco-friendly

paper bag in comparison to plastic bags, it can give benefits to the

surroundings and its society.

C. Philippine community

This study will help the Philippine community by diminishing the

garbage waste in an economy that abuses the use of products that are

detrimental to the environment so that the bodies of water and land

would not be clogged by overflowing rubbishes. It can also warn the

Philippines about the seriousness of these threats.

6

D. Future Researchers

This study will benefit the future researchers for this study could

propose new ideas if ever the future researchers would choose to

continue this study. This study can serve as their basis for making their

study. It can also add more knowledge and information to the future

researchers and furthermore improve their study.

SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS

This aim of this study is to determine the components of coconut

husks in order to find out the feasibility of making eco-friendly paper

bags- the methods and strategies involved- effects of conducting this

study- problems and proposed solutions to the problems.

The study will require coconut husks, specifically matured brown

coconuts from India, and paper chunks which are made from used

papers that are crushed and boiled, which will be made and bought.

The materials needed to make the paper bag will be bought at the

supermarkets and hardware stores located in Doha, Qatar.

This study is an experimental research. The results of this study

will determine whether paper bag made from coconut husks is better

than a regular paper bag. Its objective is to help conserve the

environment by producing a functional paper bag that reduces the

space a waste material takes up by making it into something that is

useful. The study will be conducted at the State of Doha, Qatar, during
7

the school year 2019-2020.

CHAPTER 2

This chapter presents the Review of Related Literature and Studies,

Conceptual Framework, and Definitions of terms.

Review of Related Literature and Studies

This part presents the related literature and studies reviewed by the

researchers that have significant bearing with the present study. It is

composed of related literature found in books, journals, and other

publications not to mention the very important contributions of the

information found on the Internet. It also discusses the related studies from

different academic researches. The related studies show experts’ ideas,

information, and reports about the topic specifically of what is already known

in the field of paper bags and what is still need to be done for this research

undertaking.

Based on the study of Tripathi (2014), one major disposal issue that

environmental proponents fight about in regards to plastic bags is the way

recycling plants handle them. While recycling has been welcomed by many

as a safe way of getting rid of plastics that have outlived their use, it has

since been discovered that they are incinerated thereby releasing harmful

toxins into the atmosphere.

Eco-friendly paper bags. According to Al Naimi (2018), one-time using

plastic bags should be replaced with paper bags which could be used many

times, bags made of other stronger materials rather than plastic could be used
8

for longer and plastic waste takes years to discompose posing threats to the

environment and human being.

Furthermore, Kimmel (2014) mentioned that the main sources of

recycled materials used in the manufacture of Paper bags are not recycled

bags, but other sources of paper and ethylene polymers. Paper bags can be

recycled through municipal curbside collection and get mixed with other

sources of recycled Kraft paper, especially corrugated boxes.

Coconut Husks. Based on the study of Ganiron (2013), disposal of

agricultural waste materials such as coconut shell have constituted an

environmental challenge, hence the need to convert them into useful

materials to minimize their negative effect on the environment.

In addition, Nieves (2017) stated that coconut is famous as multi-

function plant that all parts of its plant can be used for various activities. The

use of this agricultural waste due to an assumption is that it can replace the

existing material used in commercial product in order to reduce cost or

improve mechanical proper-ties of the composite material.

Lastly, Husin (2016), mentioned that Coconut coir contains cellulose

fiber which is high enough and it can be used as pulp manufacturing. It can

also be used in the manufacture of composite materials consisting of a

combination of coir fiber paper pulp and pulp formation of HVS. Furthermore,

fiber pulp fibers having the highest levels of alpha cellulose, mixed with pulp

from waste paper is used as raw material in the manufacture of composite

paper. This forms a composite paper features such as strong pull, the ability

to absorb ink, writing ability and endurance has been tested.

9

Research Framework

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Gathering all the

materials
Mixing the paper
chunks and coconut
husk in a bowl
Setting the mixture
Extracted Coconut in a screening
Eco-friendly
Husks and Paper material to drain and
Paper Bags
Pulp flatten
Blotting the mixture
with sponge to soak
up excess water
Drying the mixture by
leaving it overnight

Figure 1: Conceptual Framework

Figure 1 shows the Conceptual Framework of this study. The Input-

Process-Output (IPO) Systems Approach is used. As shown on the diagram,

the first frame is called the inputs. The inputs on this research include the

independent variable. The Process box shows the research procedure such

as mixing the paper chunks and coconut husk in a bowl, setting the mixture in

a screening material to drain and flatten, blotting the mixture with sponge to

soak up excess water, and drying the mixture by leaving it overnight. The
10

result will be an eco-friendly paper bag made out of coconut husks as shown

in the Output box.

Definition of Terms
In order to clarify the parameters of this study, the definition of
certain terms is important. The following definitions may guide the
readers the meanings of certain terms:

Coconut Husk - is the fibrous material found between the hard, internal shell
and the outer coat of a coconut.

Cost-effective - effective or productive in relation to its cost.

Durability - the ability to withstand wear, pressure, or damage.

Eco-friendly Paper Bags - A packaging made from organic and biodegradable

materials in order to protect the Environment.

Economic Value - is a measure of the benefit provided by a good or service to

an economic agent.

Essential - absolutely necessary; extremely important.

Feasibility - the possibility that can be made.

Overlook - fail to notice

Rampant - (especially of something unwelcome) flourishing or spreading

unchecked.

Retting - soak (flax or hemp) in water to soften it.

Staggering - deeply shocking; astonishing.

Sustainable - the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level.

Staggering - deeply shocking; astonishing.

11

CHAPTER 3

Research Methodology

This chapter presents the research design, materials, equipment

and procedure that will be employed on this study.

Research Design

The study utilizes the Experimental research design. Bhat (2019)

described Experimental research as any research conducted with a

scientific approach, where a set of variables are kept constant while the

other set of variables are being measured as the subject of experiment. The

word method signifies the collecting of data with regard to the study which is

efficient in providing the value of facts and focusing attention on the most

important things to be reported.

Experimental design will be used because it is the most suitable to the

come across to the research objective that is to gather the needed data in

order to summarize, analyze, and recommend implications in view of th

research topic.
12

Research Locale

The study will take place in Philippine School Doha, Qatar. The

researchers selected the place for the reason that the researchers

spend most of their time in the said setting.

The location map of Philippine School Doha (PSD), Doha, Qatar

Materials

Materials Picture Quantity Unit Price

13

Coconut
6 piece N/A
Husks
Source:
https://www.123rf.com/photo_33581283_coco

nut-coir-isolated-on-white-background.html

Paper Scraps 50 grams N/A

Source:
https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail/waste-

paper-scraps-4348100597.html

Food Coloring 4 liter 11QR

Source:
https://picturesso.com/pics/food-dye-bb.html

Equipment

Equipment Picture Purpose

Mixing bowl
To incorporate the
ingredients including paper
chunks, food coloring and
a fair amount of warm
Source: water.
https://www.everythingkitchens.com/rsvp-
14

endurance-4-qt-mixing-bowl.html

For blending the paper

Blender scraps and warm water
together to form paper
chunks.
Source:
https://www.vitamix.com/us/en_us/shop/a3
500

For draining the water out

Screening Material
of the mixture.

Source:
https://www.metroscreenworks.com/screen
-mesh-wire-mesh/

To soak up excess water

Sponge that remained in the
mixture.
Source:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/QEP-7-1-2-
in-x-5-1-2-in-x-1-7-8-in-Extra-Large-
Grouting-Cleaning-and-Washing-Sponge-
70005Q-24/202329543

Procedure

Below are the procedures in making eco-freindly paper bags from

extracted coconut husks.

1. Gather all the materials and equipment to be used.

2. Grab 6 pieces of Coconuts (Cocos Nucifera) and extract the coir from

the shells.

3. Place the paper scraps in a different mixing bowl with warm water and
15

let it soak overnight.

4. Put the soaked paper scraps in a blender and fill it with warm water

until it is 2/3 full and blend it until it resembles cooked oatmeal.

5. Place a handful of the coconut fibers in a mixing bowl with the paper
pulp and mix them together with your hands.

6. Coat the screening material in the mixture and let it drain. Set the
mixture aside with the screening material on top to dry and soak up
excess water with sponge.

7. Assemble the dried up and flattened mixture together by stapling it in

order to form a paper bag.

Schematic Diagram
16

Figure 2 shows the Schematic Diagram of this study. It gives you an idea

about the process and the testing procedure of the experiment. The first four

boxes demonstrate how to create the eco-friendly paper bags and lastly, the

last illustration shows the finish product which is the eco-friendly paper bag.

REFERENCES

Adema, S., (2016, March 9). Food Waste Woes in Qatar. EcoMENA.
Retrieved from
http://www.ecomena.org/food-waste-in-qatar/

Al Naimi, O.S., (2018, June 16). Qatar launches nationwide drive to reduce
plastic waste. The Peninsula. Retrieved from
https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/16/06/2018/Qatar-launches-nationwide-
drive-to-reduce-plastic-waste

Awuchi, C., (2017, January). Industrial Waste Management: Brief Survey and
Advice to Cottage, Small and Medium Scale Industries in Uganda.
International Journal of Advanced Academic Research. 3. 26-4

Darwish, Tripathi, G., (2014). Comparative Study of Paper Bags and Plastic
Bags (Fashion Always Changes with Standard Paper Bag).
International Journal in Management and Social Science. 2.

Defoor, B., (2015, March 16). The Definitive Guide to Waste Reduction for
Manufacturer. MFG. Retrieved from
https://www.mfg.com/blog/definitive-guide-waste-reduction-
manufacturers

Ganiron Jr, T., (2013). Sustainable Management of Waste Coconut Shells as

Aggregates in Concrete Mixture. Journal of Engineering Science and
Technology Review. 6. 7-14. 10.25103/jestr.065.02.
Ganiron, Jr., Ucol-Ganiron, N., & Ganiron III., (2017). Recycling of Waste
Coconut Shells as Substitute for Aggregates in Mix Proportioning of
Concrete Hollow Blocks. The Scientific World Journal. 77. 107-123.

Kimmel, Sc.D., Robert M., (2014). Life Cycle Assessment of Grocery Bags in
Common Use in the United States. Environmental Studies. 6.

Lober, D., (2018, February 12). The Truth About Paper Bags. ReuseThisBag.
Retrieved from
https://www.reusethisbag.com/articles/the-truth-about-paper-bags/
17

Nandan, B.S., (2007, February 4). Retting of coconut husk ‐ a unique case of
water pollution on the South West coast of India. Retrieved from
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00207239708711110

Tapaloglu, Z., (2015, October 28). GU-Q researchers in survey on food

waste. Gulf Times. Retrieved from
https://www.gulf-times.com/story/460778/GU-Q-researchers-in-
survey-on-food-waste

Vido, Q. L. (2017, May). WATCH: Food wastage in Qatar. Qatarliving.

Retrieved from https://www.qatarliving.com/forum/welcome-
qatar/posts/watch-food-wastage-qatar

Zafar, S., (2018. September 20). Waste management in Qatar. Bioenergy

consult. Retrieved from
https://www.bioenergyconsult.com/waste-management-qatar/
18

CURRICULUM VITAE

Name: James Apollo T. Carpentero

Birthday:January 23, 2004
Address: Old Airport, Doha, Qatar
Achievements: Top 2 in 1st Quarter in
Grade 8, Top 3 in 1st Quarter in Grade 6,
Top Performer in English Subject in all of
Grade 8 in School Year 2017-2018.
Participated in Balagtasan in Grade 8.
Best performer in Achievement Test in
School Year 2017-2018, Best in English in
1st - 4th Quarter in school year 2017-2018

Motto: “Education is the hope of

the youth”

Name: Nancy Darwish

Birthday: January 27, 2003

Address: Ad Dawhah, Doha, Qatar

Achievements: Best in Drafting in

3rd

Quarter, Best in Mathematics award

in
19

Grade 6, Student of the week in

Grade 4,
Graduated from Primary to
Secondary (6th
to 7th Grade)
Motto: “If you want it, make it
happen”

Name: Angela Laura Aldover

Birthday: April 20, 2004

Address: Al Hilal, Doha, Qatar

Achievements: Graduated Preschool and

Elementary. Perfect Attendance in 1st to 3rd
Quarter in School Year 2018-2019

Motto: “If you believe, you will achieve.”

Name: Jenella Aj Abrao

Birthday: September 15, 2003

Address: Madinat Khalifa, Doha, Qatar

20

Achievements: Graduated Preschool and

Elementary. Perfect Attendance in 1st to 3rd
Quarter in School Year 2018-2019

Motto: “Success is no accident. It is hard

work, perseverance, learning, studying,
sacrifice and most of all, love of what you
are doing or learning to do.”

Name: Juliana Mae Pituc

Birthday: June 1, 2004

Address: Al Muntazah, Doha, Qatar

Achievements: Graduated
Preschool and
Elementary. Perfect Attendance in 1st
rd
to 3
Quarter in School Year 2018-2019
Motto: “No regrets in life, just
lessons
Learned.”

Name: Gem Danielle Tuquib

21

Birthday: April 4, 2004

Address: Bin Omran, Doha, Qatar

Achievements: Graduated Preschool and

Elementary. Pilot Section in Preparatory.

Motto: “ Education is the most powerful

weapon which you can use to change the
world.”