Using Dagami eco bags as substitute to reduce plastic pollution,

Panglao, Bohol, Philippines

Authors: Ralph Zeus Lorejo, Joy Dalut, Arnel Jay Pernia, Adriam Loreniana Pogoy, Melody
Appare, Zsaira Janelle Sancha, John Michael Bongo, Lyko Angelo Lorejo

School of Basic Education, Cristal e-College

Tawala, Panglao, Bohol, Philippines

Senior High School Department,

Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics
Cristal e-College
Tawala, Panglao, Bohol, Philippines

ABSTRACT
Due to the increasing rate of plastic waste pollution in Panglao Bohol, a study was
conducted in 3 Barangays, Baranggay Tawala, Bolod, and Baranggay Lourdes. The study was
conducted to identify the primary causes of plastic pollution and provide an environmental
friendly alternative from waste naterials. The findings of the research resulted that 60% of plastic
waste came from single use plastic bags. A group of farmers in South Cotabato combatted the
same problem by utilizing dayami fibers from rice stalks and turning it into eco bags as an
alternative for single use plastic bags. This research aims to use the same methods to solve
Panglao’s plastic pollution problem by utilizing the dayami stalks produced by local rice farms.
The study aims to contribute to the development of eco friendly bags made from dayami fibers,
the observations were conducted in two-month time frame. The researchers formulated a product
that can withstand a considerable amount of water and weight.

Keywords – Eco bag, Plastic Pollution, Dayami, Single use plastic bags,

INTRODUCTION across the Philippines followed by the Covid

As of 2020, a significant spike in the number 19
of plastic waste were found in beaches Pandemic, studies show that 97% of plastic
waste pollution found in beaches came from
human activity. The increasing rate of global warming through emissions
plastic waste may be related to a growing of greenhouse gases (GHGs). This research
population, tourism, increasing urbanization, aims to incorporate both 1. The aim to
and the increase in the use of plastics. On a decrease plastic waste pollution 2. Using the
global scale, 32% of packaging waste leaks dayami fibers for eco bags.
into the environment. In low-
income countries, the costs for waste MATERIALS AND METHODS
management comprises of, on average, Study Site
19% of the municipal budget, compared to
Baranggay Tawala, Bolod and
only 4% in high-income countries
[The World Bank, 2018]. Low- and middle- Lourdes are three of the 10 towns in Panglao
income countries often face budget Island, Bohol. On the year 2019-2020 an
shortfalls for waste management. The increase in plastic pollution followed by the
collection of packaging waste is essential
for building up the reuse and recycling increase in tourism was observed. Results
system towards a circular economy. showed that, at sampling time, the beach had
In the Philippines, plastic waste makes up a a high level of plastic contamination. The
significant share of the overall
Clean-coast index was calculated at 13.14
generated waste. Despite government data
on the shocking figures of waste (classified under ‘dirty’) and, indeed,
generated each year, the recycling rate of plastics comprised 85% of the beach litter.
post-consumption plastic packaging
The most abundant plastic litter was plastic
among Filipinos is still relatively low.
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) wrapper as sachet, which is a ubiquitous
management is constantly challenged by the packaging type in the Philippines. (2019
increasing amount of waste with
Marine Pollution Bulletin, vol. 141). Since
the limited resources and infrastructures in
place. On April 2021, a group of farmers in Panglao is surrounded by beaches, the
South Cotabato, caught the attention of the increase in plastic pollution could potentially
public by creating an eco friendly paper bag affect both terrene and marine ecosystems.
made out of waste dayami. Dayami (Hay)
are The barangay of Tawala, is the most
cut grass from rice stalks that have been populated town among the three, it is near
dried and burned. Rice straw burning has the coast with a recorded population of
advantages in terms of farm operations but
4477 (2015 census) with an area of 8.92km²
disadvantages from an environmental
perspective. The burning process eliminates served as the main study site.
many pathogens and the practice is less
laborious than straw incorporation (Kutcher Methods and Instrument
and Malhi, 2010, Mendoza and Samson,
1999). This process heavily contributes to
 The researchers prepared and
Figure 2. Dayami malt; strained and
gathered half a kilo of dried dayami and
molded, left to dry
soaking it with water to soften it. It was left
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
to soak for one day and after the dayami
started to fall apart, The reseachers strained The result was based on the product
test gathered during the late stages of the
research with the participation of different
variables like water resistance and weight.
Overall, there are 2 samples used for water
resistance, weight and durability. The 1st

the mixture and razor blended the now soft sample underwent strength and durability

dayami. After the process, the researchers test measuring the total weight capacity of

mixed the blended with glue. The mixture the dayami eco bag. Figure 3 shows the test

consumed 2 - 225ml of glue and was put done with 3 different weight categories with

into a large basin half filled with water and 10 mins interval using 10 - 1/2kg sugar

was left for 3 days. The researchers used an packets. The eco bag was able to hold

old ½ sized canvas as deckle to mold the almost 3kg of weight before it broke after 20

dayami malt into a thick layered paper. The mins of load time.

researchers left the paper to dry for 2 days

1.5kg 3.0kg 5.0kg
and was glued together to form a 12”x14”
10 mins Passed Passed
eco bag.
20 mins Passed Fail
Figure 1. Razor blended dayami with glue 30 mins Passed Fail
and water.
Figure 3. Weight testing over time

The next sample proceeded using the results

of the weight test, and underwent water
resistance test to measure its durability
when: 1. it is raining 2. When wet materials
are placed inside. In order to simulate rain,
the researchers used a water hose, using a
sprinkle cap. Figure 4 shows the results of member, this research would've not been
the water durability test. successful. We would also like to express
our deep and sincere gratitude to our
Weight 10 mins 20 mins 30 mins
research capstone adviser, Mr. Romar
1kg Passed Passed Fail Bergado, for giving us the opportunity to do
2kg Passed Fail Fail the research and providing invaluable
Figure 4. Durabilty under weight + water guidance throughout this research. It was a
great privilege and honor to work and study
During the testing, it was found out that the
under his guidance. We would also like to
dayami eco bag can hold up a maximum of
thank the parents/guardians of the
2kg weight without breaking, it was also
researchers for the financial support, friends
found out that the material is easily
for the encouragement and moral support,
susceptible to damage when in contact with
and teachers for the advice. We, the
water for long periods of time. This is likely
researchers, would like to give our
because of the dayami plant absorbing the
appreciation and gratitude to all who have
water and weakening its bond. However, It
helped in completing this study. Thank you
is worth to note that the dayami eco bags are
and God Bless!
a solid alternative for single use plasic bags,
other than its benefit in nature, it is cost
efficient and utilizes waste materials like
REFERENCES
dayami and is strong enough to hold a
considerable amount of weight for long Ryan R. Romasanta, Bjoern Ole Sander,
Yam Kanta Gaihre, et. al,
periods of time. How does burning of rice straw affect CH4
and N2O emissions? A comparative
experiment of different on-field straw
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
management practices,
Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment,
We give our thanks to the one and only
Volume 239,
God, Almighty, for His guidance and 2017,
Pages 143-153,
blessings throughout our research work to
complete the research successfully, WWF Philippines, EPR Scheme Assesment
especially during the pandemic. We would for Plastic Packaging waste in the
also like to thank the researchers, without Philippines, 2020, Page 8,
coordination and collaboration of each
Ma. Kristina O. Paler, Ma. Charisma T.
Malenab, Jennifer R. Maralit, Hildie Maria
Nacorda,
Plastic waste occurrence on a beach off
southwestern Luzon, Philippines,
Marine Pollution Bulletin,
Volume 141,
2019,
Pages 416-419,