Investigatory Project TITLE: Effect of the Different Types of Substrates on the Biodegradability of SM Plastic Bags I.

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 Biodegradable plastics are degradable plastics on which the degradation results from the action of naturally occurring microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi , and algae. These plastics are broken down into water, carbon dioxide, methane and biomass primarily through enzymatic action on microorganisms. Biodegradable will fully disintegrate in six months or less. It turns into powder and blends with the soil after a few months. 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. 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. The SM mall chain has started shifting biodegradable plasticbags for its supermarkets and department stores.The use of biodegradable plastics help lessen the burden of the ever-growing garbage problem in the Philippines and in the whole world II. Problem of the Study This study was conducted to answer the following problem: Will exposing the SM plastic bags to different substrates such ascompost soil, loam soil, tap water, and seawater over a period of timeaffect its biodegradability? III.Hypothesis of the Study If SM plastic bags will be placed in different substrates over a period of time, then its biodegradability will be affected. IV.Objectives of the Study A.General Objective: To determine the effect of different substrates on the 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 V. 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, 7x9 aluminum trays 12 pcs. 3x4 SM plastic bags 500g loam soil 500g compost soil 500mL seawater 500mL tap water Analytical balance Graduated cylinder Weighing scale C. Procedures We cut the SM plastic bags into 3x4sizes 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. Three aluminium trays (7x9) were labelled C1, C2 and C3.Five hundred grams of compost soil were measured using aweighing scale and placed in each tray. Another three aluminium trays (7x9) were labelled L1, L2, and L3. Five hundred grams ofloam soil were placed in 3 each tray. One hundred mL of tap water were mixed with the soils.Plastic strips labelled C1, C2 and C3 were placed in trays labelledC1,C2 and C3 containing compost soils. Plastic strips L1, L2 and L3were placed in trays L1, L2 and L3 containing loam soil. Five hundred mL of seawater were placed each in three glassjars. The jars were labelled S1, S2 and S3. In another three jars,500mL of tap water were placed. The jars were labelled T1, T2 andT3. Plastic strips labelled S1, S2 and S3 were placed in jarscontaining seawater while plastic strips T1, T2 and T3 were placedin jars containing tap water. The plastic were immersed in thedifferent substrates last September 9, 2008.

The set-ups were placed in the Biology laboratory room and wereobserved from time to time. Physical observations of the plasticstrips were made on the following dates: September 24, 2008,October 6, 2008, and November 15, 2008. Last November 15, 2008, the plastic strips were harvested fromthe different substrates. They were washed with tap water and airdried for 48 hours. Physical changes in each strip were noted and recorded. Pictures of the plastic strips were also taken to observechanges before they were immersed in the different substrates andafter immersion for about two months. The dry weights in grams ofeach plastic strip were measured using an analytical balance. Results were recorded in the log book. The plastic strips were again were submerged to the different substrates for further observations. 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 VI.Results of the Study On September 24, 2008, 22 days after the plastics were submerged tothe different substrates, the plastic strips were harvested to observe anyphysical change. No physical change was observed in any of the strips. OnOctober 6, 2008, a month after the immersion, the plastic strips were againobserved. No physical change was seen in any of the plastic strips. On November 8, 2008, 66 days after the plastic strips were immersed,they were harvested, washed with tap water and air dried for 48 hours. Thistime, almost all the strips showed physical changes such as the appearanceof small holes, thinning in some portion, and discoloration. Table 1. Percent weight loss in SM plastic strips exposed to different substrates after 68 days exposure period. Treatment Compost Replicate C1 C2 C3 Loam L1 L2 L3 Tap Water T1 Initial weight(g) 0.3474 0.4230 0.3524 0.3902 0.4013 0.3945 0.4114 Final Weight (g) 0.2422 0.4266 0.2256 Mean = 0.3490 0.3440 0.3895 Mean = 0.4099 % Weight Loss 30.28 0.09 24.47 18.28 10.56 14.27 1.26 18.28 0.37

T2 T3 Sea Water S1 S2 S3

0.3618 0.4275 0.3643 0.3563 0.3487

0.3248 0.4240 Mean = 0.2788 0.2630 0.3175 Mean =

10.22 0.82 3.80 23.47 26.8 8.95 19.74

Overall Mean = 12.63 Substrate Compost Soil 16 Days Exposure 28 Days Exposure 68 Days Exposure Thinning in some portions of the plastic strips. Discoloration in some areas of the plastic strips. Tearing was observed Thinning in some portions of the plastic strips. Discoloration in some areas of the plastic strips. Tearing was observed Thinning in some portions of the plastic strips. Discoloration in some areas of the plastic strips. Tearing was observed Thinning in some portions of the plastic strips. Discoloration in some areas of the plastic strips.

No Physical Change No Physical Change Observed Observed

Loam Soil

No Physical Change No Physical Change Observed Observed

Sea Water

No Physical Change No Physical Change Observed Observed

Tap Water

No Physical Change No Physical Change Observed Observed

Tearing was observed Summary of Results: Weight loss was observed after about two months 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 on October 26, 2008,after 28 days of exposure. On November 15, 2008, after 68 days of exposure to 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 ofthe plastic strips, these were again returned to the different treatment substrates for further observations.