Effect of the Different Types of Substrates on the

Biodegradability of SM Plastic Bags

Proponents:

Godard Barbosa

Adviser:

Mrs. Charito Barazona

Background of the Study

Official figures show that plastics make up around 25% of the

garbage that metro manila churns out, while an independent survey
conducted by Ecowaste Coalition and Greenpeace on the composition
of discards on manila bay in 2006 found that 51% were plastic bags,
19% sachets and junk food wrappers, 5% Styrofoam, 1% hard plastics,
10% rubber, 13% biodegradable wastes (Cayetano, 2008;
www.senatorpiacayetano.com/psc/pressreleasedetails.php?recordID=1
75)

Biodegradable plastics are degradable plastics on which the

degradation results from the action of naturally occurring micro-
organisms such as bacteria, fungi , and algae (info@epi-global.com).
These plastics are broken down into water, carbon dioxide, methane
and biomass primarily through enzymatic action on microorganisms
(Azios, 2007 www.csmonitor.com/2007/1219/p16s01 -sten.html).
Biodegradable will fully disintegrate in six months or less. It turns into
powder and blends with the soil after a few months (Demetillo, 2008
www.smprime.com/News.php?BlurbID=1113).

Many biodegradable plastics will decompose in industrial plants,

backyard compost piles, or open environments. The inherent
biodegradability of plastics depend on several environmental factors
such as moisture, temperature, surface area, and the manufacturing
method of the finished product. (Nolan-ITU Pty Ltd, 2002
www.environment.gov.au/settlement/publications/waste/deg)
Although some brands claim to be biodegradable in open air and
saltwater, virtually no decomposition occurs within a closed landfill
that has been capped, preventing air circulation. (Azios, 2007
www.csmonitor.com/2007/1219/p16s01 -sten.html)
The SM mall chain has started shifting biodegradable plastic bags for its supermarkets
and department stores (Cayetano, 2008).The use of biodegradable plastics help lessen the
burden of the ever-growing garbage problem in the Philippines and in the whole world

Problem of the Study

This study was conducted to answer the following problem:

Will exposing the SM plastic bags to different substrates such as compost soil, loam soil,
tap water, and seawater over a period of time affect its biodegradability?
Hypothesis of the Study

If SM plastic bags will be placed in different substrates over a

Period of time, then its biodegradability will be affected

Objectives of the Study

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

B.Specific Objectives:
1. To expose SM plastic bags to different substrates such as compost soil,
Loam soil, seawater and tap water for a duration of several months.
2. To measure the weight of the plastic bags (grams) before and after
Different exposure periods to the substrates.
3. To compare the percent weight loss of the SM plastic bags exposed to
Different substrates after a period of time

Design of the Study

A. Variables
A1. Independent variables/ manipulated variable: substrate
1. Compost soil
2. Loam soil
3. Seawater
4. Tap water

A2. Dependent variable/ responding variable: biodegradability (percent

Weight loss)

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

C. Procedures

We cut the SM plastic bags into 3”x4”sizes strips. We labelled theplastic strips into C1,
C2, C3 for compost soil, L1, L2, L3 for loamsoil, S1, S2, S3 for seawater, and T1, T2, T3
for tap watertreatments. We then determined the initial weights of the plasticstrips in
grams using the analytical balance. The initial weights (W1)of the plastic strips were then
recorded in our log book.

Percent weight loss in each plastic strip was determined using the
Formula:

Percent weight loss= Initial weight (W1) – Final weight (W2)

/ Initial weight x 100

Results of the Study

Days after the plastics were submerged tothe different substrates, the plastic strips were
harvested to observe any physical change. No physical change was observed in any of the
strips. A month after the immersion, the plastic strips were again observed. No physical
change was seen in any of the plastic strips.

Days after the plastic strips were immersed; they were harvested, washed with tap water
and air dried for 48 hours. This time, almost all the strips showed physical changes such
as the appearance of small holes, thinning in some portion, and discoloration.

Summary of Results:

Weight loss was observed after about two month’s exposure to different soil and water
medium. Percent weight loss ranged from 0.09% to 30.28%.Weight loss was higher in
plastic strips submerged in seawater and compost soil. This was followed by weight loss
in plastic strips submerged in loam soil. Weight loss was lowest for plastic strips
submerged in tap water. Mean weight loss for all was plastic strips was 12.63% (Table 1).

No physical changes were observed in all plastic strips on September24, 2008, 16 days
after exposure to different substrates. Likewise, no physical changes were observed on
the plastic strips. After 28 days of exposure. After 68 days of exposureto the different
substrates, physical changes were observed in all plastic strips. Some plastic strips have
small holes. Other portions of the strips have thinned out, while some showed
discoloration (Table 2, Plates 7, 8, and 9).

Results showed that after about two months exposure to loam soil, compost soil, seawater
and tap water, the SM plastic strips manifested signs of degradation such as weight loss,
changes in physical appearance like tearing, thinning and discoloration. However, it is
too early to tell whether the degradation observed are due to physical and chemical
factors such as temperature, moisture, and enzymatic reactions, or these are due to the
action of microorganisms like bacteria (biodegradation).
After observing the physical changes and measuring the dry weight of the plastic strips,
these were again returned to the different treatment substrates for further observations.