CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

Plastics have become the modern material of choice because they allow the balancing of

the needs of today with environmental concerns. It is one of the source of innovations which

contribute to sustainability, safety, longer lives, and improved performance, however, it is also

the reason why earth is facing a huge catastrophe that humans and animals could ever

experience. A tremendous consumption of plastic quickly ends up in the garbage. For decades or

even centuries, non- biodegrable plastics refuse to dispose properly and continually pollutes the

land, sea and air. A mountain of garbage is piling up nowadays in garbage dumps and in the

natural world. There is an increasing need for farsighted and systematic solutions to this as one

of the major problem that we are facing today.

According to Parker (2019), about 8 million tons of plastic waste flees into the seas each

year. That is the equivalent of putting five trash-filled garbage bags at every foot of the world’s

coastline. The production of plastics increased exponentially from 2.3 million is 1950 to 448

million in 2015, and expected to double by the year 2050. Non- biodegrable plastics take

centuries to completely dispose because of its components which make it stronger and flexible

over a long period of time. The usage of plastic must be slowed down, and the way of managing

it has to be improved as well for it gives a lot of problems in the environment.

As the population of the world continues to grow, so does the amount of garbage that

humans produce. One of the most used supplies or things that we use in our daily life are plastics

such as Polyester, High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Low-Density

plastics are not handled properly, some forms of plastics such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) leach

chemicals such as additives and plasticizer compounds. The European Commission’s report

aimed at providing a detailed analysis and overview of the evidence available on polyvinyl

chloride (PVC) behavior in landfills. The study concluded that while leaching substances is

either not detectable or at a very low concentrations, a precautionary approach would only be

deemed controllable if landfills are equipped with adequate liner and leachate treatment.

Similarly, based on EU harmonized toxicity classifications and other current list, 148 is

classified as the most hazardous to human health and the environment. 35 of the chemicals are

known to be endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC’s) chemicals which could inflict adverse

effects on the hormone system. This included chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA) and a variety

of endocrine disruptors, the use of which was prohibited in certain goods within Europe because

of their harmful properties. The 148 most dangerous chemicals are unlikely to be a complete list

as harmonized toxicity classification data were not available for many of the other plastic

packaging-related chemicals. Non-biodegrable plastics also contain harmful effects on humans

and animals that is why certain goals must have to be done in order to lessen the adverse effects

of it (Watson, 2018).

Furthermore, Vila (2018) stated that Philippines generates for about 2.7 million tons of

plastic waste and half a million tons that leaks into the ocean. Masses of plastic waste swirling in

waterways, garbage clogging drainage canals, and dumpsites are among the most visible

manifestations of the Philippine waste crises. The Filipinos that live near coastal areas, and

riverbanks contribute the most number of plastic waste due to its improper disposal and lack of

discipline. Since Filipinos use a lot of single use plastics every day, plastic wastes also increase,
not just in garbage dumps but also everywhere. One of the example is the habit of dumping

garbage in the river which generates tons of different wastes, especially plastic waste as it floats

on the surface of the water. It does not only affect the people and sea animals that lives in the

area, but also the environment because it could lead to a serious problem.

An article published by Perez (2019) states that “The garbage you dump goes back to

you” is a saying made by Filipinos for it represents the plastic pollution that is prominent in the

country. The floods hitting Philippines is caused by large amounts of plastic wastes that’s been

clogged in sewers and rivers. With that, there are certain policies made by environmentalists and

government which reduce the increase of wastes especially plastics, since Philippines is known

to be one of the world’s top three worst offenders of plastic pollution. Residents are expected to

separate non- biodegrable and biodegrable items and if they refuse to cooperate, they will be

fined. There is also major drainage improvement projects currently underway to specific places

in the Philippines.

Single use plastics are the major concern of environmental groups in the Philippines for

it greatly contributed to the degradation of the environment. Examples include plastic bags,

straws, soda and water bottles, coffee stirrers and most food packaging. Also, contributing to

plastics proliferation was the so-called “sachet economy” of the country. Instant coffee,

shampoo, cooking oil, food seasoning and toothpaste are products found in single-use sachets. A

ban of single-use plastics must be implemented and instead of using plastic bags, the use of eco-

bags can be reused because it also does not contribute to solid waste (Edge Davao, 2018).
Significance of the Study

The results of the study would be beneficial for the following:

Environment. Since plastic wastes is one of the reason of floods, learning new ways to

reduce it would essentially help the environment. Bioplastics are generally compostable. They

instantly break down in a matter of weeks and decay into natural materials that blend harmlessly

with the soil.

Residents living in coastal areas. The residents will have a more complex idea about

reducing the amount of plastic waste being thrown in the coastal or water areas which worsen

floods. This would also help them to be aware about the harmful effects of plastics and the

chemicals it has inside of it which could lead to water pollution, and how biodegradable plastics

are essential as new kind of plastic that will not harm the environment.

Land and Marine Animals. These animals would not suffer anymore with the harmful

effects of non-biodegradable plastics which are mistakenly recognize as their food. Alternative

bio-plastics would not harm them even though they try to consume it because it does not

compose of dangerous chemicals which are found in common plastics nowadays.

Students. The results of this study will give students more ideas to reduce the

consumption of plastic waste, and also to raise awareness about the negative impacts of plastic
waste to the environment. Students would be encourage also to lessen the usage of plastics,

especially the single-used ones because it contributes most of the plastic wastes in the dumpsites.

Other Researchers. Researchers with a similar study can use the paper as a basis or

guide of their research and to improvise methods of the study, and to create new products or

materials that will make a more effective alternative biodegradable plastic.