CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Nowadays, people were struggling to resist the pollution in terms of air, water, and land.

Plastic bottles are one of the factors that pollute the ecosystem due to large manufacture of the

contained products especially in drinking purposes. In Philippine industry, bottled drinks were

strongly sold because of its strong demand in countries with tropical climate, the convenience it

brings in preserving time than waiting for water stations, sought after in athletic activities and

other refreshment routines. However, as the commercial companies continue to manufacture

plastic bottles of beverages, the more wastes it creates, thus contributing to undesirable

aftermaths. Some of these are floods in metropolitan cities due to clogged drainage pipes,

pollution in seas and river system, and biological pools for disease-carrying insects.

In tons of wastes plastic bottle dumped in the city landfills, they are classified according

to handling management, 4 is LDPE or Low-density Polyethylene. 3 is PVC or Polyvinyl

chloride. 2 is HDPE or High-density Polyethylene. And 1 is PET or Polyethylene terephthalate.

Among these four, PET is widely used for large commercial manufacture due to its durability,

good clarity, good moisture barrier, and tends to be impact resistant. PET bottles are also widely

used in water and other drinks. In the production, and manufacture of plastic bottles, the

commercial companies issued that they are not using a “used” bottles to redistribute their

products in the market due to presence of contamination and the risk of poisoning in thorough

cleaning processes. However, reusing of bottles in safe liquids is advisable of USFDA. In

regards to this, the balance between the production and consumption of the bottles are

disproportionate creating more masses in city landfills and communities.

1
 This study entitled “PET Plastic Bottles as multi-purpose solar organizer” aims to utilize

and to retain the balance of production and post-consumption of bottles in the community. It also

helps to lessening the trash plastic bottles while creating a device that is eco-friendly, durable,

and long lasting.

Statement of the Problem

The researchers aim to study the potential of PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) plastic

bottles as multi-purpose solar organizer. It sought to answer the following questions:

1. What is the advantage of using PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) bottles as multi-purpose

solar organizer compared to the commercially made one?

2. Does the product generate a sufficient amount of energy despite changing weather

conditions?

3. What are the other features of the PET Multipurpose Solar Organizer?

Objectives

The Researchers proposed this study as it aims to:

1. Construct an organizer out of trash plastic bottles.

2. Fabricate an organizer that can store solar energy.

3. Reduce and reuse polyethylene terephthalate bottles that pollute our eco-system.

Significance of the Study

The study formulated to find out the possibility of using PET Plastic Bottles as multi-

purpose organizer. This would provide the students an educational companion as bookshelf,

lamp, charger, or all-in-all, a multi-purpose organizer. It also serves as power source during

night, or blackouts. On the other hand, in the economy, the product serves as a new way to

innovate from static to dynamic organizer that will not only serve as placeholder for the objects,

2
but serves also charger, and a light source. As for the environment, it utilizes flashflood causing

trash bottles and reduces its amount in the landfills and community.

Scope and Limitation

The Researchers focused on studying the potential of PET plastic bottles as multi-purpose

organizer. It is limited only in the production or creation of this eco-friendly, multipurpose

organizer.

The product was created with 113 PET short bottles, 1.4 meters of wire, and 4 pieces of

braces to build the organizer with a strong capability in weight.

Definition of Terms

1. PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) – a material widely used in the global food and

beverage industry and is a thermoplastic polymer resin used in synthetic fiber.

2. Plastic bottles – refers to the discarded 230 mL brand of C2 solo.

3. Solar energy – refers to the energy coming from the sun that the battery can store.

4. Solar panel – a 6-volt device installed in the multipurpose organizer that can convert solar

energy to electric charges.

5. Multipurpose Organizer – the organizer made from the discarded plastic bottles that can

be used as lampshade, cellphones and tablet charger.

6. Rechargeable battery – the apparatus (6 volts and 4Ah) used to store energy.

7. Bulb – the incandescent light (1.66 A) used in the multipurpose which serves for lighting

purposes.

8. Switch – opens and closes the circuit.

3
9. Connecting wires – used to transport the battery’s stored energy.

10. Charger – a device that transfers energy from its source to charge mobile phones and

tablet.

11. Frame – braces made from aluminum acting as a framework of the organizer.

12. Soldering Iron – a tool used to melt lead for connecting the wires in the light bulb,

charger, and switch.

4
 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

A plastic bottle is a bottle made of plastic. Plastic bottles are typically used to store

liquids such as water, soft drinks, motor oil, cooking oil, medicine, shampoo, milk, and ink. The

size ranges from very small sample bottles to large carboys.

Plastic bottles were first used commercially in 1947, but remained relatively expensive

until the early 1960s when high-density polyethylene was introduced. They quickly became

popular with both manufacturers and customers due to their lightweight nature and relatively low

production costs compared with glass bottles. Except for wine and beer, the food industry has

almost completely replaced glass with plastic bottles.

Plastic bottles are formed using a variety of techniques. The choice of material varies

depending upon application; High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Low Density Polyethylene

(LDPE), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET, PETE or polyester), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), and

Polypropylene (PP), etc.

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET, PETE or polyester) is commonly used for carbonated

beverage, water bottles and many food products. PET provides very good alcohol and essential

oil barrier properties, generally good chemical resistance (although acetones and ketones will

attack PET) and a high degree of impact resistance and tensile strength. The orienting process

serves to improve gas and moisture barrier properties and impact strength. This material does not

provide resistance to very high temperature applications—max. temp. 200 °F (93 °C).

Polyethylene terephthalate (sometimes written poly(ethylene terephthalate)), commonly

abbreviated PET, PETE, or the obsolete PETP or PET-P is a thermoplastic polymer resin of the

polyester family and is used in synthetic fibers; beverage, food and other liquid containers;
5
thermoforming applications; and engineering resins often in combination with glass fiber. It may

also be referred to by the brand name Dacron; in Britain, Terylene; or, in Russia and former

Soviet Union, Lavsan.

The majority of the world's PET production is for synthetic fibers (in excess of 60%),

with bottle production accounting for about 30% of global demand. In the context of textile

applications, PET is referred to by its common name, polyester, whereas the acronym PET is

generally used in relation to packaging. Polyester makes up about 18% of world polymer

production and is the third-most-produced polymer; polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP)

are first and second, respectively.PET consists of polymerized units of the monomer ethylene

terephthalate, with repeating C10H8O4 units. PET is commonly recycled, and has the number 1

as its recycling symbol.

Depending on its processing and thermal history, polyethylene terephthalate may exist

both as an amorphous (transparent) and as a semi-crystalline polymer. The semicrystalline

material might appear transparent (particle size < 500 nm) or opaque and white (particle size up

to a few microns) depending on its crystal structure and particle size. Its monomer (bis-β-

hydroxyterephthalate) can be synthesized by the esterification reaction between terephthalic acid

and ethylene glycol with water as a byproduct, or by transesterification reaction between

ethylene glycol and dimethyl terephthalate with methanol as a byproduct. Polymerization is

through a polycondensation reaction of the monomers (done immediately after

esterification/transesterification) with water as the byproduct.

Bottles made of Polyethylene terephthalate (PET, sometimes PETE) can be "recycled" to

reuse the material out of which they are made and to reduce the amount of waste going into

landfills. However, they are not truly recycled since plastic beverage bottles must be made from

6
virgin plastic. PET is semiporous and absorbs molecules of the food or beverage contained, and

the residue cannot be removed; heating the plastic enough for sterilization would destroy it.

Beverage companyNaked_Juice switched their line to recycled PET (rPET) packaging in 2009.

In many countries, PET plastics are coded with the resin identification code number "1"

inside the universal recycling symbol, usually located on the bottom of the container. PET

plastic possesses characteristics such as durability, good clarity, a good moisture barrier, and

tends to be impact resistant. These PET plastic bottles are available in a variety of colors and

sizes.

Because PET is an excellent water and moisture barrier material, plastic bottles made

from PET are widely used for soft drinks . For certain specialty bottles, such as those designated

for beer containment, PET sandwiches an additional polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) layer to further

reduce its oxygen permeability.

PET was patented in 1941 by John Rex Whinfield, James Tennant Dickson and their

employer the Calico Printers' Association of Manchester, England. E. I. DuPont de Nemours in

Delaware, USA, first used the trademark Mylar in June 1951 and received registration of it in

1952. It is still the most well-known name used for polyester film. The current owner of the

trademark is DuPont Teijin Films US, a partnership with a Japanese company. The PET bottle

was patented in 1973 by Nathaniel Wyeth.

PET in its natural state is a colorless, semi-crystalline resin. Based on how it is processed,

PET can be semi-rigid to rigid, and it is very lightweight. It makes a good gas and fair moisture

barrier, as well as a good barrier to alcohol (requires additional "barrier" treatment) and solvents.

7
It is strong and impact-resistant. PET becomes white when exposed to chloroform and also

certain other chemicals such as toluene.

About 60% crystallization is the upper limit for commercial products, with the exception

of polyester fibers. Clear products can be produced by rapidly cooling molten polymer below Tg

glass transition temperature to form an amorphous solid. Like glass, amorphous PET forms when

its molecules are not given enough time to arrange themselves in an orderly, crystalline fashion

as the melt is cooled. At room temperature the molecules are frozen in place, but, if enough heat

energy is put back into them by heating above Tg, they begin to move again, allowing crystals to

nucleate and grow. This procedure is known as solid-state crystallization.

For PET bottles, the use of small amounts of isophthalic acid, CHDM, DEG or other

comonomers can be useful: if only small amounts of comonomers are used, crystallization is

slowed but not prevented entirely. As a result, bottles are obtainable via stretch blow molding

("SBM"), which are both clear and crystalline enough to be an adequate barrier to aromas and

even gases, such as carbon dioxide in carbonated beverages.

Studies/reviews conducted by the US FDA and other institutions indicate that reuse of

PET bottles is safe provided that washing and sanitizing is adequate before refilling to remove

previous microbial and chemical contaminants. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

approves Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) for food and beverage applications. This material is

widely used in the global food and beverage industry.

8
 CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

Materials and Equipment

The following materials and equipment were used during the fabrication of the device:

PET Bottles Glue gun Scissors Solar panel

Cutter glue sticks Battery Wires

Plastic bottle caps Switch Voltage Meter Light bulb

acrylic spray paint 44 bolts 2 base plywood 4 aluminum braces

General Procedure

I. Creation of the Organizer

A. Preparation of PET bottles as multipurpose organizer

Gather 113 plastic bottles with same size and shape. Remove the caps and

wash them and give at least an hour for them to become dry.

B. Collection

Sort the materials according to its use. Set a place for the wires, bottles, caps,

and hardware. Equipment should also be in places especially soldering rod

that creates heat for safety purposes.

C. Preparation of set up

After gathering the plastic bottles, group them by tree. Using cutter,

remove the base of the two bottles, giving a room to stack the three forming a

longer body. Prepare at least, 33 already stacked and 2 uncut bottles. With

framework ready, place a group of plastic bottles as walls of the organizer. It

serves also a cover for the wirings and the battery. Lastly, put caps as designs

9
 at the top or any design of your choice for the beautification of the product,

and paint it with acrylic spray paint.

E. Notes

The bottle should be glued properly in order to make the walls compact. The

braces act as a framework to support the bottles making a definite shape of the

organizer. Bottles are also helpful in the light perception because it has an

index of refraction making the light brighter.

II. Installing the Solar Panel

A. Preparation of PET bottles as multipurpose organizer’s solar panel

Set the battery and charge them using solar panel for testing and measure the

voltage along with the length of wires, light bulb, switches, and charger outlet

for mobile devices.

B. Collection

Sort the materials according to its use. Set a place for the wires, bottles, caps,

and hardware. Equipment should also be in places especially soldering rod

that creates heat for safety purposes.

C. Preparation of set up

Set the connection of wires for the light, charger outlet, switch and solar panel

to the rechargeable battery with a voltage of 6 to each. Check each wires

connected to the right terminals of the source. Always connect the wire for

solar panel to the battery to continuously store the accumulated energy it

received.

D. Procedures & Observations

10
First, in the wires, if it is connected to the terminals in reverse, the electricity

still flows. However, it produces smoke and suspicious heat when in wrong

wiring configuration. Second, the charger produces 1% every three minutes.

Even if the switch is turned off, the charger still produces energy to utilize

excess power of the battery provided by the solar panel. Speaking of solar

panel, it won’t work if the device is directly connected to it. The explanation

for this is the energy generated by the solar panel is not stored creating small

amount only that is not capable of providing enough energy for the device.

Third, the size of wire affects the flow of electricity. If the wire is thin, and the

voltage is high, the wire will be burned due to overload. The voltage is also

diminished if the wire is too long. Next, if the voltage of certain device is

different from the source, it produces smoke, heat and it will not work. It also

affects the performance of the device connected to it.

11
 CHAPTER IV

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Findings

Table 1

This table shows the description and the relations of the product’s capacity and the
observation in the experiment.

Set-up Capacity Observation

Upper part - 2 kilograms Load

Strong ability to resist mild forces and
1
distortion of the shape
Lower part – 5 to 10 kilograms Load

Table 2
This table shows the energy usage of the organizer through its mechanisms and the
electrical capacity that it can carry to power a 10W light bulb and a charger.

Set-up Energy Electrical Objects Observation

Stored Current Powered
1 6 volts 1.66 Ampere 1 incandescent It emits a yellowish light and
hour bulb can stand for at least 2-3 hour
if used continuously.
6 volts 1.70 Ampere 1 mobile The charger can be fully
hour phone/tablet charged by continuous
charger charging ( 1% life every after
3 minutes of charging)
Simultaneous use The PET organizer can only
of bulb and be used for 30 – 45 minutes
charger

12
Table 3
This table shows the charging duration in different weather conditions
Weather Energy Charging Observation
Condition Generated Duration
(volts) (hours)
Sunny 6 12 - 16 Strong light intensity produced by the
light bulb.
Cloudy 6 12 - 16 Normal light intensity however it is
not consistent after a long period of
time.
Rainy 6 12 - 16 Light bulb produces dimmer intensity
compared with the two observations

Analysis of Data

Data showed that after a series of thorough investigations of the set-up, the PET

Multipurpose Solar Organizer if charged under ideal condition can be used to light a 1.66 ampere

of incandescent bulb for 2 – 3 hours or can fully charge a cellphone and/or tablet.

The Researchers charged the battery through solar panel under different weather

conditions. Data showed that if charged under sunny condition, the battery can strongly light the

bulb. However, if charged just near window sills under cloudy and/or rainy conditions, the bulb

just emitted a bit dimmer light. The battery’s life can last for 2 hours and 15 minutes at 4Ah and

1.6 A consumption of the battery if continuously charged under direct sunlight for 3 hours.

Multipurpose Solar Organizer can withstand distortion within 2 – 10 kilograms of load.

13
 CHAPTER V

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Conclusion

The product can generate electricity even in different climate conditions as long as there

is light to be converted to produce electricity. The product can also carry weight in at least 2 - 10

kilograms of an object. The light it provides has a life span of 2-3 hours if continuous usage as

calculated and when in full charge capacity, it can sustain both charging for at least 12-16 hours.

The Researchers therefore concluded that the light intensity of the bulb is also affected

and varies in different weather conditions. In sunny weather, the light it produces a bright light

intensity with a short period of charging the battery. During cloudy days, it produces a light

intensity similar to sunny days. However, it is not for a long time thus provides a longer period

of charging compared to sunny time. Lastly, in rainy days, it produces a dimmer light and

requires slower charging rate. The advantages of using PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) bottles

as multi-purpose solar organizer are bottles have lighter weight compared to the materials used in

commercial organizer; bottles are essential to be recycled due to surging waste products and

pollution caused by its’ improper waste disposal and use. This organizer can serve as a

lampshade, a solar charger and placeholder for other stuffs.

14
Recommendations

The researcher would like to recommend the following for the future modification of the

study.

 LED lights should be used instead of incandescent to avoid overheating and

for a long longer lasting life duration.

 Increase the size of the multi-purpose organizer for wider and bigger

capacities.

 Try to use another types of bottles such as High-density Polyethylene

(shampoo containers, hand soaps and etc.), Low-density Polyethylene (glues,

eyedropper, and etc.), and Polyvinyl chloride (cosmetic bottles).

15
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Pet Bottle Recycling

http://www.google.com.ph/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&
ved=0CBoQFjAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Ffanyv88.com%3A443%2Fhttp%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FPET_bottle_recycling
&ei=aKDpU8iLFtbl8AX01YCoDQ&usg=AFQjCNFbx6VRa4j7X1o90mB47iR2eJCLig&sig2=
LPXiN5fAnoK2SRWMHZFPtw&bvm=bv.72938740,bs.1,d.cGU –
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Polyethylene terephthalate
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ved=0CDsQFjAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Ffanyv88.com%3A443%2Fhttp%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FPolyethylene_terephtha
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Facts on PET
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qi=2&ved=0CEQQFjAE&url=https%3A%2F%2Ffanyv88.com%3A443%2Fhttp%2Fwww.factsonpet.com%2F&ei=WKHpU-
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0VgE3iAmDAnnXw&bvm=bv.72938740,bs.1,d.cGU
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Use of Recycled Plastics in Food Packaging: Chemistry Considerations- US FDA

http://www.fda.gov/food/guidanceregulation/guidancedocumentsregulatoryinformation/ucm1207
62.htm
Date Accessed: July 17, 2014

Pet Plastic Bottle Characteristic

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ved=0CE0QFjAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Ffanyv88.com%3A443%2Fhttp%2Fwww.sks-
bottle.com%2F340c%2FPlasticBottles1.html&ei=xaHpU4WeI5W68gW604G4AQ&usg=AFQjC
NGfe6EIA5YpKgUN2dUEHBC1276Kgw&sig2=vmB_7wn_zMzWPXICQy0w-
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16
Plastic Bottle Resins
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ved=0CGUQFjAE&url=https%3A%2F%2Ffanyv88.com%3A443%2Fhttp%2Fwww.ebottles.com%2Fresins.htm&ei=EKXpU9yQG
ZW78gWbsoGQBA&usg=AFQjCNENUSK6yCpqRW_wQ7ibzZGguSk9_g&sig2=f2mP5pAT1
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Types of Plastic Bottles

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ved=0CBoQFjAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Ffanyv88.com%3A443%2Fhttp%2Fwww.qualitylogoproducts.com%2Flib%2Fdifferent-
types-of-
plastic.htm&ei=OaLpU6KXGsLs8AWonIDwDQ&usg=AFQjCNGMRr3cNjltOXm3B5BsVf5tg
FAgwQ&sig2=U_Q2bHwHbLE1i8ysDPVfmw&bvm=bv.72938740,bs.1,d.cGU
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Pet Plastic Bottles in the Philippines

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ved=0CBwQFjAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Ffanyv88.com%3A443%2Fhttp%2Fwww.alibaba.com%2Fcountrysearch%2FPH%2Fpet-
plastic-bottle.html&ei=VqPpU53DCNXk8AXk1IHQDw&usg=AFQjCNGgvU_5IvE_jDUCmD-
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YiUXQ0uFIPpx5iI3Q –
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17
APPENDICES

18
 FLOW CHART

I. Creation of the Organizer

Gather 113 plastic bottles with same density, shape, and ideal characteristics.

Remove the caps and wash them and give at least an hour for them to become dry.

19
Sort the materials according to its use. Set a place for the wires, bottles, caps, and hardware.
Equipment should also be in places especially soldering rod that creates heat for safety purposes.

20
After gathering the plastic bottles, group them by tree. Using cutter, remove the base of the two
bottles, giving a room to stack the three forming a longer body. Prepare at least, 33 already
stacked and 2 uncut bottles. Prepare the framework.

With framework and wirings ready, place a group of plastic bottles as walls of the organizer. It
serves also a cover for the wirings and the battery.

21
Lastly, put caps as designs at the top or any design of your choice for the beautification of the
product, and paint it with acrylic spray paint.

II. Installing the Solar Panel

Set the battery and charge them using solar panel for testing and measure the voltage along with
the length of wires, light bulb, switches, and charger outlet for mobile devices.

22
Set the connection of wires for the light, charger outlet, switch and solar panel to the
rechargeable battery with a voltage of 6 to each.

23