Wooden Utensils To Replace Single-Use Plastics 1

Unida Christian Colleges Research Department | June 2023

Perception of Selected Cafe Owners on Using Wooden Utensils as Alternatives

in Coffee Shops to Reduce Plastic Waste
Xarieth Jane M. Bautista1, Jameela Mae M. Tingkao2, Mark Yohan P. Sabangan3, Audrey
Claire D. Alviso4, Joshua B. Reyes5, Renante N. Tiquin6
Senior High School Student-Researchers

ABSTRACT
The usage of plastic has been useful for everyone's daily needs. However, it has come to attention
that plastic usage has become a large percentage risk to the environment. This study focuses on obtaining
the perception of selected cafe owners regarding using wooden utensils as substitutes, as well as
determining eco-friendly utensils to help minimize the plastic waste problem. Upon doing this research, it
aims to identify the factors that helped encourage the informants to switch from single-use plastic to
wooden utensils, including the benefits acquired by it.

The purpose of this study was to determine the benefits of using wooden utensils as alternatives,
how it assists the informants in their shop, along with lessening the issue of plastic in Cavite, and what
reasons persuaded them to switch. The cafe owner, representative, or senior barista was aware of the
wooden utensils as an alternative because of its benefits and the positive impact it brought to the
environment. Based on the findings of this study, wooden utensils have encouraged coffee shops to have
an eco-friendly setting. Wooden utensils as a substitute may bring a possible invitation and influence to
other coffee shop businesses as an initiative action in reducing the plastic waste in Cavite and promote
ways to have a sustainable and environmentally friendly community.

Keywords: Alternative, Eco-Friendly, Reduce Plastic Waste, Substitute, Switch to Wooden

Utensils, Wooden Utensils

INTRODUCTION Plastics Management: Trends, policy

responses, and the role of international
Plastics have been a part of our daily co-operation and trade,” 2018). Every
consumption. It is used by folk due to its individual has their way of using plastics, as
material that is easy to handle and they can be utilized in any manner needed.
conveniently available for large-scale Moreover, when the pandemic hit, the rise of
consumption. Plastics have a high new cafe shops boomed, especially in today’s
strength-to-weight ratio, can be easily shaped situation of post-pandemic, wherein businesses
into various forms, are impermeable to liquids, come back to work, as it developed a trend
and are highly resistant to physical and that most people are into. Coffee shops play a
chemical degradation. Plastics can also be big role in contributing to the usage of plastic.
produced at a relatively low cost. It is these
properties that have led to the substitution of However, overuse and waste of plastic have
traditional materials (e.g., concrete, glass, also been one of the major problems that our
metals, wood, natural fibers, and paper) by world is currently dealing with, and many
plastics in many applications (“Improving studies have been made to find potential

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Wooden Utensils To Replace Single-Use Plastics 2

solutions that could help decrease plastic use, consequences of enlarging usage of plastic
yet the plastic waste issue continues to go wherein health risk factor is included.
uphill. Plastic utilization continues to expand
due to poor handling, which is a serious matter As stated in a study by Gozum (2021), The
in advanced countries. In 2018, Cavite current literature shows that plastic straws and
generated an average of 1,514 tons of waste stirrers are among the top plastic items that
daily – 22% of which was still recyclable, end up in oceans, together with other plastic
according to the Environmental Management packaging such as wrappers, bottles, and
Bureau (EMB), as stated in a study by Mirasol containers. In response, many individuals who
(2022). Data was collected regarding the waste care for the environment tried to devise a
situation in one targeted locale of the study, solution, including reusable cutleries. Gozum
which shows that human beings are not (2021) added that while the Philippines has yet
exercised to practice methods that could help to pass a law banning plastics, several bills are
reduce plastic waste. In addition to the recent already pending before the Senate and the
research of Mirasol (2022), the average House of Representatives seeking a ban on
volume of waste generated within the single-use plastics in restaurants. None of
Calabarzon region, where Cavite is located, is them were approved today as the sudden
about 5,694 tons a day. A lot of plastic waste transition may be hard to bear for the business
can still be recycled or reused, but a lack of owners and consumers. That is why
knowledge and practices are possible reasons enterprises are making adjustments slowly,
for the rising plastic waste population. In although the climate is rapidly changing for
addition, as cafe shops continue to emerge, the worst, and the action for reducing plastic
plastics also arise, as most cafes use plastic waste should be immediate. The researchers
cups and utensils to serve their uniquely aim to find out the perception of cafe owners
brewed coffee and sweet pastries. in selected cities in Cavite, which is a relevant
and convenient locale to the study, by using
There is a jump up happening in the wooden utensils in coffee shops and how open
widespread use of plastic waste that results in they are to change their lifestyle for the
unending inconveniences daily for individuals betterment of the community.
affected by it. Excessive use of plastic also
influences many factors, such as greenhouse This study strives to examine the possible
gas emissions and plastic pollution. These ways or outcomes of the increasing plastic
factors include threats that can harm living waste problem in terms of cafe owners'
things and habitats. Plastic pollution also poses insights which is one of the main providers of
risks to human health. The presence of plastic plastic as of the current generation, and
in seafood, including fish and shellfish, and whether they are available in using alternatives
their subsequent consumption by the public as initiatives that could assist plastic waste to
has led to concerns about chemical go down and may influence other people. The
bioaccumulation in the food chain. However, researchers' goal was to observe the awareness
empirical evidence for this is currently limited and viewpoint about this huge issue of plastic
(“Improving Plastics Management: Trends, and unfold the potential methods in which the
policy responses, and the role of International cafe owners could help to enlighten their
Co-operation and Trade,” 2018). It is a customers into using wooden utensils to
concern that a lot of people do not focus on the decrease the plastic problem in certain cities of
Cavite. As the cafe culture continues to
expand, resources should also be maximized

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Wooden Utensils To Replace Single-Use Plastics 3

because the probable influence of plastic waste of selected cafe owners around the cities of
will also increase, which could lead to many Cavite that utilizes wooden utensils as
elements such as health issues, way of living, substitutes to disposable plastic utensils in
etc. This research also provides insights and their coffee shop. The researchers are guided
narratives of the cafe owners that are in deciding what research questions must be
significant in the future studies of future asked and how the data was gathered to
researchers. answer the research questions. (1) The cafe
owners were influenced by using wooden
As an approach to this ongoing utensils as alternatives in coffee shops to assist
phenomenon, this descriptive-narrative study in aiding the waste problem in plastics. (2) The
aims to assess the cafe owners’ take regarding cafe owners experienced difficulties in
using wooden utensils as alternatives to possible cost addition and customer
single-use plastic. preferences when switching to wooden
utensils from single-use plastics; thus,
The key informants of this study were
canvassing and feedback acknowledgment
chosen by specific criteria made by the
were done to help reduce plastic waste. (3)
researchers, wherein it is selected within the
Wooden utensils are environmentally friendly,
cities of Cavite only to obtain the quality
producing less waste than single-use plastic
responses to reach the objectives of the study.
and fewer resources which can be initiated in
The researcher evaluated the common
utilizing coffee shop businesses.
attributes of each informants’ answer to the
questions after the interview. The key In addition, to maintain the quality and
informants were selected according to the uniqueness of the study, this research is
informants' validation to be conducted by the limited to the chosen cafe owners that are
researcher. The main goal of this study is to qualified with at least three months of
analyze the cafe owner’s perception of experience using wooden utensils in the cafe
replacing disposable plastic with wooden industry. If the owner is not available, at least
utensils. the informant has a high position in the
business in the selected location in Cavite,
To critically describe the result of the study,
wherein four participants are needed for the
this study seeks to get the insights of selected
data collection of the study. The study applies
cafe owners about using substitutes which are
solely to the key informants’ take and insights,
wooden utensils to be utilized in coffee shops
such as factors and regulations contributing to
to reduce plastic waste. Specifically, answer
their perception of using alternatives. The
the following questions. (1) What reasons
researchers limit this study to those with the
influence cafe owners’ use of wooden utensils
characteristics needed to obtain quality
as alternatives in coffee shops? (2) What
answers.
challenges and obstacles of the cafe owners in
reducing plastic waste, and how do they This research provides information on how
overcome that situation? (3) How can using cafe consumers are open to making small
wooden utensils aid in waste reduction? changes to improve cafe shops businesses and
the environment by using eco-friendly utensils
Primarily, the phenomenon is derived from
to help minimize the plastic waste problem.
a certain experience. This study was based
upon assumptions and beliefs of the Specifically, (1) the cafe owners who wish
researchers who aim to locate the perception to implement sustainability in their business

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Wooden Utensils To Replace Single-Use Plastics 4

by replacing their single-use plastic utensils water activities, was closed for six months in
with non-polluting materials, such as wooden 2018 to allow a period of rehabilitation from
utensils that could spread awareness and high levels of pollution (GAIA, 2019).
initiative to other cafes, (2) the cafe consumers Government projections were made to mitigate
may change their perception in using plastic pollution, resulting in revenue loss
disposable plastics and encourage customers to because of rehabilitation and closure.
normalize and adapt the use of eco-friendly Additionally, the Filipinos’ way of disposing
utensils. (3) lastly, the future researchers may of trash is through the collection of garbage
be used as an instrument, reference, or guide men known as ‘basureros’ together with their
for future researchers who are planning to garbage trucks that come by weekly. The
conduct a similar study. collected trash is not segregated and just goes
straight to landfills. This practice of getting rid
of waste led the Philippines to be the third
largest contributor of mismanaged plastics,
RELATED STUDIES
meaning it is ineffective, causes harm to the
Plastics are utilized in many routines on a environment and public health, and only
daily basis, such as for food packaging, contributes to the increase of the plastic
furniture, appliances, etc. However, the problem.
overuse of plastic could destroy ecosystems
There are many contributors to the plastic
and living systems, as it contains chemicals
issue, especially the big brands that use and
that cannot be degraded easily. It certainly
manufacture plastic and those in food
brought serious concern to the environment.
businesses, such as coffee shops, that became
Waterways and drainage systems quickly
popular after the pandemic because of the
become clogged by waste runoff, threatening
influence and promotion in social media. This
the livelihood and sanitation of residents
has made them a popular spot for younger
(Braganza, 2017).
generations who enjoy documenting their
The Philippines is the third largest expenses and sharing them with their
contributor, with an estimated 0.75 million followers. Nowadays, a lot more coffee shops
metric tons of mismanaged plastic entering the are still popping up all across Metro Manila, as
ocean every year (World Bank Group, 2021). well as in the more urbanized regions and
In the chosen locale of the study, which is provinces. Filipino consumers prefer going to
Imus, reported by PEMSEA (2022), that the coffee shops to relax and enjoy their favorite
sources of plastic waste and areas of expected beverages. Many of these customers are
high levels of plastic waste generation were students doing their homework, digital nomads
mapped in the Imus River Watershed in the working from home, especially during this
Province of Cavite, in the Philippines. Plastic epidemic, and those who just want to
pollution is rampant in the Philippines and decompress (Mingoy, 2022). Due to this
dominating the world. phenomenon and relevancy, it can be
considered one of the top plastic polluters
Most of the plastics are not used in today.
recycling but end up in the ocean affecting
marine and aquatic life, including landfills. Many individuals and organizations are
Boracay, a popular tourist island in the trying to come up with a solution to overcome
Philippines known for its pristine beaches and this issue. Still, even though many are trying,
anyone has yet come up with a solution that

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Wooden Utensils To Replace Single-Use Plastics 5

will definitely reduce plastic pollution. sustainability development of our

However, using alternatives is useful for environment.
humans and our environment. Adapting to
using alternatives may assist the environment
by reducing plastic waste. There are currently
RELATED THEORY
a lot of alternatives, and one of those is
wooden utensils which can be seen utilized by Sustainable Consumption was the most
coffee shops. Alder-Tek Manufacturing (2020) appropriate theory to support the study. This
explained they use fewer resources, produce theory described in Quoquab and Mohammad
fewer byproducts, and create less waste than (2020) that various authors have defined
single-use plastics. Adjusting to involving it in sustainable consumption differently, yet, it
our day-to-day routines can be valuable to the generally suggests a consideration of basic
climate, as it lessens squandering and human needs and an avoidance of excessive
eco-accommodating. Wooden utensils have a consumption. It also focuses on caring for
lot of benefits and can be continually made as environmental welfare and fulfilling the needs
they come from fast-growing trees such as of future generations. Additionally, it also
birch and bamboo. Because of this, its benefits considers quality of life over material
played a significant role in encouraging more standards of living (UNEP, 2010). At this
customers to use it. point, this illustrates that bringing initiatives
which are alternatives in our daily necessities
Wooden utensils are not new to our country
in order to promote sustainability enhances
since we have used wooden kitchen wares for
efficiency and living quality as well as
cooking. According to Eco Bravo (2021),
minimizing waste that assists to resolve the
wooden utensils have a lot of benefits, such as
current issue of plastic. It is evident that the
they do not scratch, are strong, and are assured
desire to reach and provide for the betterment
of safety from bacteria. There are a lot of
of the environment could be executed by
advantages that are beneficial for the users and
implementing the usage of wooden utensils
economy since it can be recycled or used
that help develop in the economic growth at
again. Using wooden spoons will not only
the same time influencing the cafe
reduce the numerous amounts of plastic waste
establishments to switch due to its incentives.
but will also help our country to be sustainable
and encourage individuals to use
environmentally friendly alternatives once
spread across the country. Traditional wooden SYNTHESIS
cutlery contributes environmental, financial,
and health benefits to the planet. It is also less In this paper, the researchers reviewed
energy for processing; it is more sustainable some significant issues relevant to the usage of
than plastic and can be decomposed. wooden utensils among coffee shop owners.
Nowadays, many people use wooden straws to The literature review indicated that coffee
support the environment. Wood is reusable and shops are an integral part of Filipino society,
has zero waste which contributes to reducing offering a warm and inviting setting for
thousands of junk (Elevera et al., 2021). individuals to socialize, conduct business, and
savor delicious coffee and food. Studies have
In the Philippine food industry, coffee shown that coffee shop ambiance increases
shops could invite a lot of people to engage in creativity, alertness, and learning ability. Thus,
using substitutes for single-use plastics for the making it an absolute locale for our research

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Wooden Utensils To Replace Single-Use Plastics 6

study. The Philippines is the third largest Eco-friendly/Environmentally friendly - Safe

contributor of mismanaged plastics, with an for the environment.
estimated 0.75 million metric tons entering the
ocean every year (World Bank Group, 2021). Substitute - Term used to replace something
To reduce plastic waste, owners are finding instead of the other one.
alternatives such as wooden utensils, which
Sustainability - Exercise on how long and how
use fewer resources, produce fewer
strong something is to stand.
byproducts, and create less waste than
single-use plastics. Wooden utensils have been
used in cafes to reduce plastic waste and are
environmentally friendly. Whereas plastic METHODOLOGY
utensils are flimsy and harmful to the
environment, wooden utensils are safer than
plastic and stainless steel utensils, as they do RESEARCH DESIGN
not scratch cookware and can be used for
years without the risk of scratches or This research is a Descriptive-Narrative
blemishes. Cutleries made of wood are durable Research Study. The purpose of
and can withstand daily use, and last a descriptive-narrative is to reflect on collected
lifetime. Traditional wooden cutlery ideas and stories from the key informants in
contributes environmental, financial, and detail. These stories will be used to describe
health benefits to the planet. Bamboo is also the outcome of the study Creswell, J. W.
beneficial due to its flexibility and (2013).
fast-growing features. Wooden utensils have
natural qualities that make them safer and Descriptive-narrative research design is
more sanitary. They also have antibacterial relevant to this study as the researchers' goal
properties that help trap and eliminate germs was to perceive the alternatives that were used
and bacteria, making them safer to use and and the key informants’ experiences and
more sanitary. Additionally, they can be perceptions after changing to alternatives. This
composted, making them environmentally research was conducted in the cities of Imus,
friendly and durable. The Sustainable Bacoor, and Dasmariñas in Cavite. The
Consumption Theory was selected as making population for the study was cafe owners or
use of alternative strategies can increase those with a high position in the business. To
productivity, improve living conditions, and reach the needed informants, the researcher
decrease plastic waste. The use of wooden provided a permission letter to serve as
utensils can boost the economy and motivate consent to show their willingness to participate
cafe businesses to adopt sustainable practices. in the study.

DEFINITION OF TERMS CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Alternative - Usage of other things that are

available for replacing something that may be
more convenient for everyone.

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Wooden Utensils To Replace Single-Use Plastics 7

Meet or Zoom application. Informant

validation was done at the beginning of the
Figure 1: Wooden Utensils Utilized in Cafe interview to ensure that all chosen informants
Shops to Reduce Plastic Waste would be the most qualified for the study.
After the interview, transcripts were evaluated
using thematic analysis. Lastly, the researcher
In Figure 1, the researchers gathered the ensures that all gathered information will
experiences of participants in cafe shops, remain confidential.
which are the cafe owners, representatives, or
senior baristas who had insights about wooden
utensils in coffee shops. In this framework, the RESEARCH INFORMANTS
key informants could explain their findings of
how wooden utensils affected them. It presents The researcher selected a total of four (4)
the impact of wooden utensils on the cafe informants using a purposive sampling
owners when switching, which includes technique, comprising the chosen cafe owners
factors that persuaded them. Hence, it is and representatives of cafe shops. These target
helpful to the researchers in answering the informants are from the cities of Imus, Bacoor,
research questions as this paradigm comes and Dasmariñas in Cavite.
with the benefits of using wooden utensils.
The researcher provided a set of criteria to
According to Lindwall (2020), reducing use in selecting the informants for the study in
plastic use is the most effective way to avoid order to guarantee the validity of responses.
this waste (and the impacts of plastic (1) The participant must have a high position
production and use). Instead of investing in (owner, representative, senior barista) in the
quality goods that will last, individuals often coffee shop he/she is working at. (2) They
prioritize convenience over durability and must have at least three (3) months experience
consideration of long-term impacts. of using wooden utensils in the coffee shop.
Consequently, the responses of the chosen Lastly, (3) The participant must have the
participants in this study could affect the ability to understand and acknowledge the
general outturn of this study in regard to the interview questions in a quality manner.
proposed alternative to reduce plastic waste.

RESEARCH PROCEDURES
RESEARCH INSTRUMENT
The researcher formally dispatches a
To reach the goal of the study, the physical letter or e-mail containing an
researcher used a semi-structured interview to invitation to be part of the research study. This
fulfill the needed data from the selected letter serves as a consent form for the potential
informants of the study. This type of interview informants of the study. For validation
is ideal for acquiring the informant's views purposes, the researcher provided the
about a phenomenon (DeJonckheere et al., informants with the option to decline the
2019). In this matter, the researcher formulated invitation or withdraw the agreement. If it
a set of questions and met the target happens, all information the informant gives
informants both through face-to-face will be pulled out from the study.
interaction and online, using either Google

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Wooden Utensils To Replace Single-Use Plastics 8

The researcher scheduled an interview after TESTING OF EMERGENT ANSWERS

verifying the qualified informants. The
researcher used a semi-structured interview in To evaluate the reliability of data, the actual
gathering the data to willingly encourage the experiences of the informants are classified
informants in sharing their experiences either thematically. It was demonstrated using a data
through virtual or face-to-face communication. sheet and informed them about the right to
Follow-up questioning would only be possible withdraw in cooperation. The chosen
if the informants agreed after the probing informants have the right to participate
questions. The goal of this semi-structured voluntarily and are not required to disclose any
interview is to establish a casual conversation detailed or personal information. The contract
between the interviewer and interviewee to is presented along with the audio recordings to
avoid possible barriers that will hinder the assure that all given responses are well
informants from sharing more about their documented. All with the approval of the
personal experiences. participants.

Following the Republic Act 10173 - Data

Privacy Act, all gathered information will
DATA ANALYSIS
remain confidential, and an assurance that the
research study is free from any plagiarism, The researcher transcribed the collected
falsification, and other legal matters, including data using thematic analysis, which is used in
copyright. arranging all information according to its
theme, labels, and codes (Kiger & Varpio,
2020). Verbatim from the recorded interview
ORGANIZING DATA was properly transcribed with the help of a
research validator. After in-depth checking of
The data was gathered through the analysis the transcript and organizing the ideas based
of patterns in order to be familiarized with the on themes, the researcher began to check the
data, which includes coding and detecting relevance of the gathered data and interpret it
themes. according to the comparison and generated
summary of the documentation. The process
includes checking of comprehensive structure
and analysis of the result comparison.
THEMES AND PATTERNS
The interview transcript was evaluated and
transcribed by detecting necessary themes, ROLE OF THE RESEARCHERS
recurring ideas, and patterns of belief,
including the facilitated results. The dissection The researcher ought to fulfill an academic
of steps involves the noting of patterns and study in continuous progress with no signs or
codes in the analysis of participants that any form of bias. The researcher broadened
illustrates the similarity, distinctions, and gaps the data collected to have an in-depth
of each lived experience. Both the pattern and understanding of the pattern utilized. This
coding used will be disclosed. process released all the information and
excluded the unnecessary verbatim not needed
in the study. All detected patterns will be
merged as one idea to develop the general

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Wooden Utensils To Replace Single-Use Plastics 9

viewpoint and identify the lived experiences of mentioned that social media are one of the
the participants involved. factors that influenced them to start using
eco-friendly alternatives.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

“Sa social media. Oo, tsaka aesthetic din.”
(Informant B)
The findings from the study will be
presented in this section.
Participants mentioned plastic utensils
being one of the most kinds of plastic that are
being disposed of and only contributing to the
Research Question 1: What reasons
increasing plastic problem issue in the
influence cafe owners' use of wooden utensils
province of Cavite.
as alternatives in coffee shops?

“It’s wooden, among straws, I would

The informants have distinct motives on
assume na plastic utensils ang isa sa
what driving force persuaded them to use
pinakamaraming dinidispose.” (Informant A)
wooden utensils as alternatives in their coffee
shops. The purpose of this research question is
to dissect what is the most effective and
suitable way to influence other business Motives in Switching From Single-Use
establishments, especially coffee shops, to Plastic to Wooden Utensils
start switching to environmentally friendly and
biodegradable utensils.
The informants’ shared the distinct
circumstances which influenced them in using
Presented are the following themes and wooden utensils, and the cafe owners, cafe
sub-themes in data analysis. The topics representatives, and or senior barista
described in the table below are represented by mentioned that convenience, social media,
bold letters, whereas italics represent the peers, consumer preferences, and eco-friendly
sub-themes. The statements below are the were the motives in changing
participants’ responses regarding their non-biodegradable to biodegradable utensils.
perception of using wooden cutleries as From a technical perspective, in this 21st
substitutes for single-use utensils. The table century, social media are the topmost factor
provided also includes a summary of themes that can easily influence business
and sub-themes together with a discussion of infrastructures.
the result.

“Lets say vision mission nila na ang

The first theme that emerged was about an ipupush nilang products is eco-friendly so
understanding of context. Participants ‘yung mga binibili namin na lets say paper

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Wooden Utensils To Replace Single-Use Plastics 10

wrap is for pastries ganon, we get it from the

same place so might as well utensils nila
which is wooden doon na lang rin namin “If I’m not mistaken hindi na sila
kunin.” (Informant A) nangongolekta kapag hindi naka segregate
ang garbage mo, so I think that’s big deal din
atsaka malaking bagay rin na kung ‘yung
n—L— LGU’s natin mismo sila na ‘yung
“Uhh, para maano na rin, ano tawag dun? maglabas ng policies and possibly siguro
Recycled yung ano, mareduce mo yung gamit umm.. incentives para ‘yung mga businesses
ng plastic.” (Informant B) establishments nila is mag-switch na to
wooden utensils from plastic.” (Informant A)

“Peer, social media, and consumer

preferences were motives for switching to Considerations to Settle When Using
wooden utensils.” (Informant C) Wooden Utensils as Alternatives

“Wooden utensils kasi, ‘di ba pagkagamit Informants said that the price difference
mo syempre ididispose mo na, so mas earth when it comes to plastic and wooden material
friendly siya since wooden nga siya hindi siya does not have that much difference and might
plastic. Nakaka reduce ng waste sa as well use the one that is more
environment natin.” (Informant D) environmentally safe to use. Other
considerations to settle were customers’
preferences; whether they are comfortable
Research Question 2: What challenges and using it.
obstacles of the cafe owners on reducing
plastic waste and how do they overcome that
situation? “Especially now na pinupush na rin naman
‘yung eco friendly items so it’s not like yung
wooden utensils is ganon na kalayo ‘yung
As our participants’ job positions are price point niya as opposed to plastic.”
business owners, cafe representatives, and or (Informant A)
senior baristas, they bear a huge responsibility
when it comes to managing their coffee shops
and being environmentally aware. In having “Si owner as much possible gusto niya
such an immense duty to keep everything in talaga hindi nakakasira sa environment. Siya
place, cafe owners and others have already lang talaga. Choice niya.” (Informant D)
seen and handled worse-case scenarios. They
already have experience using single-use
plastics and weigh the advantages and
disadvantages of serving products with “May mga feedback kami na okay daw na
non-biodegradable material. They overcome ang ginagamit namin is mga wooden
this situation by being sensible of materials, utensils.” (Informant D)
therefore using wood.

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Wooden Utensils To Replace Single-Use Plastics 11

Research Question 3: How can using “I think it’s a good advantage na since
wooden utensils aid in waste reduction? ngayon mas nabibigay na ng emphasize ang
gobyerno sa segregation, kapag nag wooden
utensils ka, you can just put it all in one
place.” (Informant A)
Observing the data gathered, the informants
have come up in sharing their experiences and
thoughts regarding the usage of wooden
utensils as substitutes. This research question “Nakakatulong yan pag-ano, depende sa
aims to identify what are the positive ano kasi kung nagsesegregate ka talaga ng
consequences of using wooden utensils as ano, ng trash mo. Pero ano naman, uhh, good
alternatives in reducing plastic waste din naman na kasi na dito sa Mambog,
according to the cafe owner, representative, or nagsesegregate sila dito eh.” (Informant B)
senior barista’s answers. Based on the
interview responses, the key informants have
described the application and attributes that
“Having fewer harmful buy-products and
wooden utensils possess compared to
ability to be composted basically provides all
single-use plastics. They also consider how
the solutions to the drawbacks that single-use
wooden utensils could assist in quality living.
plastics have introduced.” (Informant C)
These experience-based explanations help the
informants to illustrate the advantages of using
wooden utensils.
“Kasi nga mas mura (plastics), unang una
mas mura siya tapos tinatapon na lang kung
saan-saan, atleast yung wooden utensils
“I think less likely siyang masira compared
itapon man natin safe.” (Informant D)
sa plastic utensils.” (Informant A)

Table 1: Themes and sub-themes generated

Obtained Utility from Wooden Utensils
after coding and analysis of interview extracts.

The informants were able to express their

encounters when switching from single-use
plastic to wooden utensils which helped in Themes Sub-Themes
encouraging other business establishments to
be influenced. Along with this, they have
stated as a response to the interview questions Motives in Convenience
the benefits of using wooden utensils. These Switching from
include easy segregation, sustainability, and Single-Use Plastic to Influence by Others
less harm to the environment, which are Wooden Utensils
Environmentally
among the frequent and quality traits when Friendly
using wooden utensils.

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Wooden Utensils To Replace Single-Use Plastics 12

impact on their coffee shop and its promotion

Considerations to Almost Same Price as initiatives in reducing the plastic waste in
Settle When Using with Plastic Cavite. This study stated that the informants
Wooden Utensils as have an understanding of the ongoing plastic
Alternatives Owner Preferences issues in Cavite and their assistance and
initiation in switching is a potential way to
Customers Feedback lessen the waste.
An in-depth acknowledgment of the usage
Obtained Utility Easy Segregation of wooden utensils as alternatives should be
from Wooden discussed in order to provide enlightenment to
Utensils Less Harmful invite other cafe owners to participate in the
action plan. Improvement in sharing this act
Sustainable enables the environment to spread awareness
on how switching to wooden utensils could
support managing the plastic waste in Cavite.

The table presents the collected patterns

from the analysis of interviews conducted with CONCLUSION
selected cafe owners, representatives, or senior
baristas in cities of Cavite. It shows how the The study's findings and analysis led the
informants were persuaded in using wooden researchers to conclude that wooden utensils
utensils, how it benefits them and the plastic as an alternative have successfully promoted
waste issue in Cavite, and what considerations selected coffee shops to create an eco-friendly
they have to visualize when switching from environment that can accommodate various
disposable plastic to wooden utensils that conditions such as owner preferences,
affect the perception of the key informants. customer feedback, pricing, and impacts. The
cafe owners, representative, or senior barista
The key informants shared their perceptions have their own factors with switching to
regarding the utilization of wooden utensils as alternatives and are environmentally aware of
alternatives in their coffee shops. The good the said phenomena. Due to the influence and
points are: (1) The informants were social media trends, wooden utensils as
encouraged to switch because of who or what alternatives were introduced. Moreover, the
influenced them. (2) The advantages of selected informants have not encountered any
wooden utensils are a lot more beneficial to hindrances to utilizing wooden utensils as
the informants as well as to decrease the alternatives to single-use plastic, but they are
plastic problem in Cavite. (3) The price point considerations to sort out. Assessing its
of wooden utensils as opposed to plastic is effectiveness and customer preferences helped
almost the same. (4) The preferences and the informants to determine its benefits before
feedback from the owner itself including from using the wooden utensils as a substitute. Its
the customers were motivations and advantages make it more accommodating to
contributed to the shift. With the experiences the informants as it helps in their coffee shop
perceived, the informants were knowledgeable as well as in reducing the plastic waste in
about the topic, specifically the wooden Cavite.
utensils as alternatives including its positive

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Wooden Utensils To Replace Single-Use Plastics 13

It was also mentioned that wooden utensils comes with great incentives can
assist easy segregation and sustainability provide a positive capacity to preserve
which creates less harm to the environment. natural resources and maintain
Accordingly, utilizing wooden utensils and ecological balance in our natural
spreading the awareness to change to wooden environment for the benefit of present
utensils will be valuable to reduce plastic and future cafe premises if this act
waste which cafe owners, representatives, or requires all of them to join.
senior baristas could perform. Hence, it is
important to explore the desirable features of ● Future researchers should not limit the
wooden utensils and explore other alternatives number of participants and start
that are suitable and available in the food researching a huge population and area
industry to commence reducing plastic waste in the entirety of Cavite to assess the
in Cavite. perception of the selected cafe owners
on utilizing wooden utensils as
alternatives in coffee shops. The
addition of informants allows the
RECOMMENDATIONS researchers to obtain precise data and
clear outcomes.
To have a further comprehension of a
variety of perceptions among selected cafe ● Future researchers should make a
owners on using wooden utensils as substitutes comparative analysis of alternatives
in coffee shops to reduce plastic waste, below used by the cafe shops in Cavite to
are the researcher recommendations: assist in reducing plastic waste.
● Cafe owners should evaluate all waste
management strategies in their
business premises to be able to develop REFERENCES
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decrease the rate of overuse of plastic Implementation of the Plastic Bag
in the province of Cavite. Reduction Ordinance in Quezon City
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Research Publishing (n.d.). trade. (2018). OECD.

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APPENDICES

APPENDIX A
REQUEST LETTER FOR DATA GATHERING

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APPENDIX A
REQUEST LETTER FOR DATA GATHERING

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APPENDIX A
REQUEST LETTER FOR DATA GATHERING

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APPENDIX A
REQUEST LETTER FOR DATA GATHERING

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APPENDIX A
REQUEST LETTER FOR DATA GATHERING

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APPENDIX A
REQUEST LETTER FOR DATA GATHERING

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APPENDIX A
REQUEST LETTER FOR DATA GATHERING

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APPENDIX A
REQUEST LETTER FOR DATA GATHERING

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APPENDIX B
LETTER OF REQUEST FOR VALIDATOR

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APPENDIX C
LETTER OF REQUEST FOR ENGLISH CRITIC

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APPENDIX D
CERTIFICATE OF VALIDATION

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APPENDIX E
CERTIFICATE OF PROOFREADING

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APPENDIX F
CERTIFICATE OF ORIGINALITY

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APPENDIX G
INFORMED CONSENT

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APPENDIX G
INFORMED CONSENT

APPENDIX G
INFORMED CONSENT

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APPENDIX G
INFORMED CONSENT

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APPENDIX G
INFORMED CONSENT

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APPENDIX G
INFORMED CONSENT

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APPENDIX G
INFORMED CONSENT

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APPENDIX G
INFORMED CONSENT

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APPENDIX G
INFORMED CONSENT

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APPENDIX H
RESEARCH INSTRUMENT

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APPENDIX I
CODING SHEET (CODING SCHEME - THEMES - SUB-THEMES)

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APPENDIX I
CODING SHEET (CODING SCHEME - THEMES - SUB-THEMES)

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APPENDIX I
CODING SHEET (CODING SCHEME - THEMES - SUB-THEMES)

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APPENDIX J
AUTHORS BIONOTE

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APPENDIX J
AUTHORS BIONOTE

APPENDIX J

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APPENDIX J
AUTHORS BIONOTE

APPENDIX J
AUTHORS BIONOTE

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APPENDIX J
AUTHORS BIONOTE

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APPENDIX J
AUTHORS BIONOTE

APPENDIX J
AUTHORS BIONOTE

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APPENDIX J
AUTHORS BIONOTE

APPENDIX K
SUMMARY OF PANEL RECOMMENDATIONS AND ACTION TAKEN

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APPENDIX K
SUMMARY OF PANEL RECOMMENDATIONS AND ACTION TAKEN

APPENDIX L
APPROVAL SHEET

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APPENDIX L
APPROVAL SHEET

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