GOOD SHEPHERD CATHEDRAL SCHOOL

Omega Avenue corner Rado Street, Fairview Park, Quezon City

Utilization of Paper Made from Potato and Sweet Potato Peels as a

Substitute to Normal Paper

(Potato – Solanum Tuberosum & Sweet Potato – Ipomoea Batatas)

Submitted by:
Esperanzate, John Marlon G.
Quilang, Crystal Jean Issa S.
Dupaya, Ethan Bradly V.
Declaro, Dan Matthew S.
Chua, Janise Kathryn V.
Andres, Dharzielynn A.
Go, Keanca Chymz C.
Solen, John Denver T.

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 Table of Contents

I. Introduction

o Background of the Study …………………………………………………………. 1

II. Review of Related Literatures ………………………………….…………………… 4 – 13

III. Methodology

o Research Design ...………………………………………………………………... 14

IV. Results and Discussions

o Summary of Findings ……………………………………………………………..

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 I. Introduction

A. Background of the Study

One of the leading causes of global warming was deforestation. As the year passes, trees have

been cut down increasingly. Every year, logging companies cut more than 405,000 hectares of trees..

The Environmental Group Stand Earth and Natural Resources Defense Council (2019) stated that

Americans use more toilet paper than any other nation today and another environmental group reported

that Philippines is one of the world's worst plastic polluters in the ocean and one of the most consumers

of products, such as soft drink straws, plastic bottle caps and labels, instant coffee sachets and food

bags.(Greenpeace, September 2017).

According to Wilber (n,d.) “Paper is made from cellulose which is present in most vegetables

and fruits”. And also Blakesky (n.d.) stated that “A Fibers create a sheet of paper when made from

vegetable and fruits”. Like some vegetable and fruits, Potato and Sweet Potato are high in fiber which

can be used to make a paper. A one medium potato has 2 grams of fiber or 7% of the daily value per

servings, as well as Sweet Potato which contain 6 grams of Fiber.

The researchers find some way of producing an alternative paper that is cost-effective and

environmentally friendly by peeling potatoes and sweet potatoes. This study is basically about the

problem of cutting down trees which led our environment to be prone of floods, In order to prevent

cutting down of trees and reducing the production of plastics, the researchers find a way to make an

alternative paper made by Potato and Sweet Potato peels.

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B. Statement of the Problem

This research study will focus on investigating the quality and texture of paper made of potato and

sweet potato peels as a substitute to normal paper made of trees. In relation to the study, the researchers

aim to solve the following problems:

1. Is there a significant difference between the texture of paper made in potato and sweet potato

peels than using trees?

2. Is there a significant difference between the durability of the paper made in potato and sweet

potato peels than papers made in trees?

3. Is there a significant difference between the visibility of the letter if it will be written in the paper

made of potato and sweet potato peels than papers made in trees?

C. Hypothesis

The hypothesis for problem 1, 2, and 3 of this present study were presented below:

1. There is a significant difference between the production of paper being made by potato and sweet

potato peels than using trees.

2. There is a significant difference between the durability of the paper made in potato and sweet

potato peels than papers made in trees.

3. There is a significant difference between the visibility of the letter if it will be written in papers

made from potato and sweet potato peels than papers made from trees.

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D. Significance of the Study

The results of this study will provide benefits to the following:

1. Researchers - The researchers and other researchers may benefit in this research because they can

make further research and experiments on how potato and sweet potato peels can be more useful and

effective as an alternative paper.

2. Office Employees – The office employees may benefit in this research because they may use sweet

potato and potato peels as an alternative scratch paper in making their working plans and proposals

3. Students- The students may benefit in this research because they can use potato and sweet potato

peels as an alternative paper.

4. Environment – The environment may also benefit in this research to lessen the cutting of trees then

use potato and sweet potato peels as an alternative paper.

E. Scope and Limitations

This research is focused mainly on the use of potato and sweet potato peelings as

ingredient in the production of paper. The researchers assume that it may take approximately 2 –

3 hours for the method and preparation, 24 hours for the outcome or drying of paper, and 1 – 2

hours for answering each statement of the problem, therefore, the researchers assume that it may

take 2 days for the experiment and final results.

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 II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURES

This chapter provides an overview of previous research on making alternative paper. It

introduces the framework for the study that is made up of the main focus of the research

described in this study.

The topics that will be seen in this chapter, answers the questions what and how, this

chapter will also be relevant to the readers because they will know why we shouldn't cut down

trees that causes deforestation and may lead to many harmful things in our environment, and they

will know the importance of making alternative paper using potato and sweet potato peels.

DEFORESTATION

The Earth loses 18.7 million acres of forests per year, which is equal to 27 soccer fields

every minute, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Deforestation occurs around the

world, through tropical rainforests are particularly targeted, increased rapidly. The WWF&

reports that half of the trees illegally removed from forests are used as fuels. To make more land

available for housing and urbanization, to harvest timber to create commercial items such as

paper, furniture and homes, to create ingredients that are highly prized consumer items, such as

the oil from palm trees, and to create room for cattle ranching.

Climate change, Global carbon cycle, Loss of species, Water cycle - pollution in water, Soil

Erosion - roots anchor the soil, Life Quality, Water Quality, and Global Forest Watch has also

initialized a project to counteract deforestation through awareness. To share their personal

experiencess and the negative effects of deforestation. Many believe that to counter

deforestation, people simply need to plant more trees (Derouin,2019) .

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CAUSES OF DEFORESTRATION

People have been deforestating the Earth for thousands of years, primaraly to clear land for crops

or livestock, housing or urbanization, timber, beef cattle ranching, and many more. (Causes of

Deforestation: Direct Causes, 2007). Common producers of deforestation are burning trees, and clear

cutting, economic development such as road and railway expansion have caused significant, and

unintentional deforestation, agricultural subsidies, expanding global markets, or low domestic cost of

land, and many more can also encourage deforestation. (Deforestation, 2019)

First, Policies and management for instance, people usually complain about the government gaining

benefit. To fulfill their requirements and basic needs the local people are unable to follow the rules of

the local community and government, and get the benefit from the forests by their illegal doings.

Poverty and unemployment is also one of the causes if deforestation, and it is always cited when it

comes to deforestation or as the underlying cause of deforestation many scientific analyses study says

that the explanation is an oversimplification. The unemployment of local people to fulfill their daily

basic needs they use these forests as a source of income by illegal manners. (Causes of Deforestation:

Direct Causes, 2007)

The rate of global deforestation is rapid and has increased a lot in these past few years, about half of

the world's tropical forests have been cleared (FAO, n.d). Forests are currently only covering about

31% of the world’s landmass, according to National Geographic, and about 18.7 million acres of

forests per year the Earth is losing, which is equal to 27 soccer fields every minute (World Wildlife

Fund, n.d). It is estimated that 15% of all greenhouse gas emissions come from deforestation (World

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Wildlife Fund, n.d). In 2016, global tree cover loss reached a record of 73.4 million acres (29.7 million

hectares) (University of Maryland, n.d).

EFFECTS OF DEFORESTATION

The dangerous effects caused by deforestation are the loss of habitats of the indigenous tribes

who live and depend in a forest. The Awa a tribe of just 355 is nearly extinct because of loggers kn

brazil keep cutting down trees in amazon rain forest also according to the IUCN (International Union

for Conservation of Nature) dayak tribe from indonesia can also be extinct because of deforestation.

The different types of animal and plant species who live in a forest will also be effected by

deforestation and since Seventy percent of earth's land animals and plant live in a forest we would be

losing alot of different types of animal and plants. St Helena Redwood

This tree was endemic to St Helena, an island located in the South Atlantic Ocean which was also

where the routes of environmentalism were established.

The last wild St Helena Redwood tree died in the 1950s and its extinction in the wild was a result of

deforestation. Following the establishment of a permanent colony on St Helena in the 17th century, the

woodlands were cleared to make way for pasture, timber and fuel. Sitalcicus Gardineri, this is an

extinct species of harvestmen from the Mahe Island in the Seychelles. It would have been found in

woodland where it occurred in leaf litter but its decline has been recorded throughout the 20th century

and it can be attributed to the extensive habitat degradation on Mahe during the 20th century.

Lachanodes Arborea also from the island St. Helena, this was a small tree otherwise known as the She

Cabbage. Its disappearance was due to deforestation and fragmentation of its habitat, many more

animals and plants were extinct.

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Soil erosion and flooding Soil erosion would increase more since trees also function to retain water

and topsoil, which provides the rich nutrients to sustain additional forest life and without trees the soil

erodes and wastes away. Deforestation can also cause flooding because without trees coastal villages

are susceptible to damaging floods. The disaster that swept major areas in Aurora and Quezon

provinces last year (2004) from 14 November to 3 December can be defined as a “100-year event,”

given its magnitude and the devastating impact on the physical and social landscapes. There were four

tropical cyclones Unding, Violeta, Winnie and Yoyong that passed through these areas in the

Philippines and unleashed volumes of rainfall. Everybody agrees the rains were way above normal,

intense, and prolonged over two weeks. After a year, the dispute remains as to whether upland logging

caused the floods; opinions range from this being the primary cause to that of being of no

consequence. Those were also slme examples of floods caused by deforestation.

PAPER

Paper can be used for writing, printing, packaging etc., and thus is considered an all-

round material which we barely notice. In spite of the fact that we usually take it for granted, it is

hard to visualize a world without it; therefore, it is important that we are mindful in exploiting

paper since it requires many resources to be made. Are you aware how many trees are needed to

create paper? It might be difficult to believe, but it takes twelve trees, 540,000 liters of water, on

average, many necessary chemicals to make one ton of paper. Fuel consumption is also present

due to the transportation of trees and paper. Also, the paper recycled is only 37 percent out of the

paper produced. (Aithal, 2016)

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Writing was developed in the river plains of Mesopotamia in 3100 BC before paper was even

created. Clay was used as the writing material of the temple scribes since it was an easily

attained material in that place. Characters were made from the wedge-shaped marks formed by a

reed’s corner when pressed on moist clay. This writing style was called Cuneiform. These clay

tablets were dried through the sun.

However, it was not suited for conveying messages. An easily mobile writing substance was

discovered in Egypt around 3000 BC. People began using an aquatic plant called Cyperus

papyrus which accepted and retained ink without blurring and smudging to create a flexible and

smooth surface. Hence, the word paper originated from the word Papyrus. Paper was used for

writing in Ancient Egypt and other Mediterranean cultures, spanning a period of more than 3500

years before paper was introduced in the Middle East and Europe.

Papyrus in Egypt were as convenient to write with as the bamboo books which was used in

China in 1500 BC. Thins strips of bamboo was used to write in a single column. For longer

documents, two lines of threads were linked to each bamboo strip. The bamboo book were used

for nearly 1000 years during the Shang dynasty. (Aithal, 2016)

In the 5th Century BC, materials that were available in local areas were used by many

civilizations for scribes. Many parts of India and Indonesia used palm leaves. Buddhists used

strips of birch back. Pergamum, parchment and vellum was used during the 2nd Century BC.

Expensive animal skin and membranes were used by people in Mediterranean as an alternative

for papyrus.

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 The word parchment derived from the name of the city, Pergamon, which was a prosperous

center of parchment production during the Hellenistic period. Leather was used at times for

writing since around 2500 BC, though only one side could be written with, but a parchment was

more convenient since it was smoothened and could be written on both sides. It was used in all

famous illuminated manuscript made in monasteries in Europe. A softer and finer version called

Vellum, made from hides of young or unborn calves, sheep and goat, was used for more

expensive books.

French sources define vellum as from calf only, but the British Standards Institution defines

parchment as made from split skin of several species, and vellum from the unsplit skin. Vellum

is normally called calfskin, while any other skin is called parchment in the usage of modern

practitioners of artistic crafts of writing, illuminating, lettering and bookbinding. In India, there

were two general types of writing materials, hard and soft. Stone, shells, and earthenware were

some of the hard materials. Engraving, embossing, painting and scratching were used in writing.

Examples of the soft materials were wooden board, dust, birch bark, palm leaves, leather , cotton

clothes and paper. (Aithal, 2016)

HANDMADE PAPER

Handmade paper can be made from many different materials or a combination of various

materials. Recycled paper can be used in making another paper, this is one of the convenient way

to make an alternative paper because you will use the same substances to produce another kind

of paper.

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HANDMADE PAPER FROM FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Paper is one of the most competent materials which is technically produced by pressing

moist fibers together. These fibers are mainly the cellulose which is derived from wood, rags, or

grasses and then dried into sheets. Paper made with fruits and vegetables skin may seem

unconventional, but they contain substances which is essential in making paper .The fibers create

a sheet of paper when made from vegetables and fruits (Blakesley, n.d.).

A handmade paper is produced from fruit and vegetable residuals like cabbage, lime and orange

pulp, spinach, guava, potatoes and radish leaves with the inclusion of oriental lily leaves, natural

binders, anti-microbial agent and non-chlorinated

POTATO PEELS

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is tuber, which is a kind of plant that have structures that

enlarge to keep nutrients in it. Potatoes contain significant amounts of fiber, potassium, calcium,

and magnesium. These have been found to decrease blood pressure naturally.

Potato belongs to the Solanaceae family, the nightshade family, which includes eggplant,

peppers, and the tomato. It was first seen 13,000 years ago on the Chilean coast of South

America, potatoes were first cultivated by farmers belonging to the Andes Mountains nearly

seven thousand years ago (Berzok, 2003).

USES OF POTATO

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 Potatoes contain vitamins and minerals that can help strengthen our immune system.

They contain diuretic, soothing, anti-spasmodic substances that help with digestion (Kordich, J.

& Kordich, L., 2011).In addition, Potato can also help reduce conditions such as anemia,

arthritis, gastritis and gastric ulcers (Kordich, 2011). It also can be used as treating remedies

because it contains enzymes that can help heal the skin from minor injuries (Isaacs, 2012).

Potatoes are used for several industrial purposes such as for the production of starch and alcohol.

Potato starch (farina) is used in laundries and for sizing yarn in textile mills and the product itself

are converted into dried foods such as potato chips.

USES OF POTATO PEELS

This tuber can help us to considerably improve the beauty of our skin for several reasons,

the starch and vitamin C it contains are ideal for removing skin spots, dark spots that may appear

due to age or sun exposure, such as marks or scars left on the face by acne (AS Blog April 2019).

Potato skin is said to have an amount of 0.21 g oxalic acid present in it, which is used to help

clean stubborn stains and its also contains alkaline which are also essential in producing cleaning

agents.

Potato peel or skin is a rich source nutrients such as starch, potassium, magnesium, calcium,

phosphorus, B-vitamins and vitamin C, iron, copper, manganese, sulfur and alkaline salts,

according to “Contemporary Nutrition: Functional Approach” Potato contains many nutrients

that can prevent or help dissolve most types of kidney stones (Dubois, 2012).

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SWEET POTATO PEELS

Sweet potato are starchy and sweet root vegetables that grown worldwide. Its large, starchy-

sweet-tasting tuberous roots are roots of vegetables that are commonly thought to be a type of potato

but does not belong to the night shade family. Sweet potato is a dicotyledous plant that belongs to

binweed or morning glory family. Sweet potatoes are some of the oldest food known to humanity. Its

roots tubers includes beets, carrots, parnips, celeriac and turnips. It store water and energy like starch

and other carbohydrates underground. The sweet potato is the world’s most important tuber vegetable

a food that contributes energy and nutritional of more than a bilion people worldwide.

 USES OF SWEET POTATO

Sweet potatoes are used to guard our body from some diseases. It contains high antioxidants that

may also enhance eye health to prevent loss of vision. Sweet potatoes are root crops that are rich in

fiber, vitamins and minerals, it is high in beta-carotene and anthocyanins. Sweet potatoes are also

known as ipomea batatas, it does not only contain many nutrients, but also packed with medicinal

benifits.

 USES OF SWEET POTATO PEELS

Sweet potato peel can be used as an alternative to paper because it contains 90-99% of cellulose

fiber which is one of the important ingredient to produce paper. It is rich in nutrients that may help

improve our health which contains potassium, manganese, vitamins A, C, E and fibers. Use of sweet

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potato peels benefits to environment and also to us humans cause of its nutrients that you can get also

to the environment as an alternative paper.

HOW CAN THIS STUDY LESSEN DEFORESTRATION

As we all know, deforestation has a lot of effects in terms of our environment, lifestyle,

and many more, it is also a contributor to one or the major issue in the world, global warming.

Paper production is very important for our use in our daily life, like stuies, mails, and the most

important is toilet paper, hence paper is essential, which means excessive cutting of trees, so to

reduce this problem we may use potato and sweet potato peels as an alternative paper because

potato and sweet potato peel papers can successfully decrease the number of trees cut down and

waste from our surroundings. The product may be accessible, acceptable and feasible for society.

III. Methodology

This chapter will present the researchers’ methodology including the research design, the

materials/ingredients that are needed for the experiment, the purpose of each material/ingredient, and

the desired procedure for the success of the study Utilization of Paper Made from Potato and Sweet

Potato Peels as a Substitute to Normal Paper.

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RESEARCH DESIGN

The application of this study was a method of a quantitative research, this is quantitative

reaseach since the researchers conducted an experiment that determines the relationship between the

paper using trees and paper using potato and sweet potato peels.

The type of quantitative research used in this is an example of Quasi-Experimental research because in

this experiment the researchers used and assigned exact/specific/fixed measurements to make our

paper, the reasearchers also did alternative ways on making the experiment, thus quasi-experimental

research designs uses alternative ways of assigning subjects to the treatment and control groups.

SUBJECT USED

The subject that the researchers used are potato peels and sweet potato peels, these can be used

as an alternative to paper in order to help lessen the problem of deforestation, for it both has

components which are also used in making paper. Potato peels have starch which is one of the

components needed in paper making. The starch plays an important role in coating the paper. Sweet

potato peels have cellulose fiber which is also one of the necessary ingredients of paper. It improves

the quality of the paper making it durable and flexible.

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MATERIALS/INGREDIENTS

The materials that are needed for the experiment of this study are:

 One-fourth cup of potato peels

 One-fourth cup of sweet potato peels

 Half cup of shredded paper

 Water

 Liwayway Gawgaw

 Blender

 Microwave oven

 Basin

 Mold and deckle

 Old news paper

 Plastic cover

PURPOSE OF EACH MATERIAL/INGREDIENT

 One-fourth cup of potato peelings - it is used as the main ingredient

 One-fourth cup of sweet potato peelings - it is used as the main ingredient

 One-half cup of shredded paper - it will be used as an ingredient to give the same paper

consistency.

 Water - to help mix all the dry ingredients.

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 Liwayway gawgaw - to help in combining the potato peelings and the shredded paper, ingredient

to help the paper not absorb the ink when written on

 Blender - to mix all the ingredients.

 Microwave oven – used for heating the potato and sweet potato peels.

 Basin - to be used as for the water when ingredients are strained using the mold and deckle.

 Mold and deckle - to help strain the mixture of potato skins/peelings, shredded paper, and

Liwayway gewgaw.

 Old newspapers - to help the mixture absorb all excess water.

 Plastic cover – to be used as a surface for the drying of the mixture.

PROCEDURES

1. Prepare the materials needed.

2. Put one-fourth cup of potato peels and one-fourth cup of sweet potato peels in a separate container

then heat it in a microwave oven for 15 mins.

3. Crush the potato peels and sweet potato peels until it get fine.

4. Pour one-fourth cup of powdered potato peels, one-fourth cup of powdered sweet potato peels, and

half cup of water in the blender and pulse it.

5. Add half cup of shredded paper and one-fourth cup of liwayway gawgaw into the mixture and pulse

it.

6. Hold the mold and deckle and place it on top of the basin and pour the mixture into it.

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7. When the mixture stops dripping, gently place one edge on the side of the old newspaper. Gently

ease the mold down flat, with the paper directly on the newspaper.

8. Spread the mixture and fold the newspaper, let it absorb the excess water for 3-4 mins.

9. Put the mixture in the plastic cover and spread it again, then put another plastic cover at the top of

the mixture.

10. Leave the mixture in a sunny place but not directly to the sun and let it dry. It will take

approximately 24 hours to fully dry, depending on how thick the consistency the paper is. Leave it to

dry. It will take approximately 24 hours to fully dry, depending on how thick the consistency the paper is.

IV. Results and Discussions

This chapter will present the analysis of the three statement of the problem of this study. It will

determine if there would be any significant differences between the texture, durability, and visibility

of the letter if it will be written in the paper made from potato and sweet potato peels than the paper

made in trees.

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