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 Eco waste 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=175) 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, 2007www.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, 2008www.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, 2002www.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 land fill that has been capped, preventing air circulation. (Azios, 2007www.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
II. Problem of the Study: This study was conducted to answer the
Official figures show that plastics make up around 25% of the garbage that metro manila churns out, while an independent survey conducted by Eco waste 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=175) 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, 2007www.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, 2008www.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, 2002www.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 land fill that has been capped, preventing air circulation. (Azios, 2007www.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
II. Problem of the Study: This study was conducted to answer the