CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

We are all aware of the fact that our country is suffering from calamities, economic

crisis, food shortage, poverty and pollution. The prices of the basic commodities keep

getting higher and with the contentious oil price hike, we Filipino people especially the

poor can hardly survive. A lot of people are jobless due to cross cutting among employees.

These are the problem that the government eagerly looks hard for a solution the

government alone could not alone all these problems without help.

Paper industry is a constant contributor to the depletion of our forests.

Moreover, pulp mills contribute to air, water and land pollution. The amount of paper

and paper products is enormous, so the environmental impact is also very significant.

In the near future, the demand and the production of paper will be greater, so great

efforts are needed to ensure that the environment is protected during the production.

Worldwide, the pulp and paper industry is the fifth largest consumer of energy,

accounting for four percent of the entire world's energy use. The pulp and the paper

industry uses more water to produce a ton of product than any other industry.

The Philippines is known to have rich in natural resources, when harnessed

and made into product they would be better source of livelihood to million of

Filipinos. It is just the use of abilities in discovering, something that could would

mean useful. As alternatives, naturally occurring and plant derive paper should be

used, such as Imperata cylindrica (Cogon) is locally grown in our country.

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In order to help our fellowmen, the researchers thought of better ways how to

have an extra income using our natural resources. The researchers tried Imperata

cylindrical (Cogon) in producing paper. It is locally grown and can be used as

materials for papermaking.

Paper used for writing, drawing and decorative design. Hence the purpose of this

study was to utilize Imperata cylindrica (Cogon) in papermaking and can also

contribute to help our country overcome the economic crisis in a very special way.

Objectives of the Study

This research study aimed to utilized cogon leaves in production of paper

(novelty card). Specifically it aimed to:

1. Determine the applicability of cogon leaves as novelty card particularly in folding

endurance and the used of acrylic paint in terms of appearance, texture, and consistency.

2. Find out the significant difference on the applicability of cogon leaves as novelty card

between treatments A, B and C in terms of appearance, texture, and consistency.

3. Find out the significant difference on the acceptability of cogon leaves as novelty card

between treatments A, B and C in terms of appearance, texture, and consistency.

Hypotheses of the Study

1. There is no significant difference on the acceptability of cogon leaves as novelty card

using A, B and C in terms of appearance, texture, and consistency.

2. There is no significant difference on the applicability of cogon leave novelty card

between treatment A, B, and C in terms of appearance, texture, and consistency.

Significance of the Study

The following are some beneficiaries of Novelty Card using Cogon Leaves:

Paper Industries. Cogon grass are abundant which therefore allows entrepreneurs

and industries to produce more paper products.

Entrepreneur. Since cogon grass are abundant in the Philippines, there is a

great opportunity to start a small businesses in the production of earth-friendly paper

products, which could become source of living.

Environment. Pollution would be reduced and forest would be preserved

when the industry adapts the use of plants to create recyclable and biodegradable

products. The world would become a safer and healthier place to live in.

Students. They can make use of the paper made from cogon grass since it

is cheaper than other out there in the market and can save money for their future

need.

Future Researchers. The future researchers could make use of this study as

baseline to provide input for future studies and develop the same product with a

better output.

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

The researchers focused only on the result of the Cogon leaves as novelty card

in terms of its appearance, texture, and consistency.

The board produced in the same manner as manual paper production. However, it

does not use any technology (machines) in its mass production and can be easily

disposed of. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was the statistical tool used in analyzing
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and interpreting the significant difference among the three treatments and was set

at 0.05 level of significance.

Definition of Terms

The following terms conceptually and operationally defined for a clearer

understanding of ideas on this study.

Paper. Matted or felted sheet, usually made of cellulose fibers, formed on

a wire screen from water suspension (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2023). In this study, it

referred to a cellulose fiber of Cogon Grass which was the main ingredient of the

study.

Paper Making Screen. A set that comes with a screen attached to a support

called the 'mould', and a fitted frame on top to gather fibers called the 'deckle'

(Grummer, 2012). In this study, it referred to a patterned screen which was used to

mold and hold baked pulp of cogon grass to produce a paper.

Fibers. A slender, elongated, thread like object or structure (The Free Dictionary,

2013). In this study, it referred to the cellulose from the Cogon Leaves.

Pulp. soft or fleshy plant tissue, such as the succulent part of a fleshy fruit. a moist

mixture of cellulose fibres, as obtained from wood, from which paper is made (Dictionary,

2012). In this study, it referred to a raw material from cogon grass which became a

product of the study.

Novelty. Refers to a new idea or a unique perspective that adds to the existing

knowledge in a particular field of study. It involves bringing something fresh and original

to the table that has not been done before or exploring an existing topic in a new and

innovative way (Oommen, 2023). In this study, it referred to a final product of the study.
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Recycled Paper. The recycling of paper is the process by which waste paper is

turned into new paper products (Wikipedia, 2013). In this study, it referred to the utilization

of waste product from cogon grass in making novelty card.

Appearance. It involves all visual phenomena such as color, gloss, shape, texture,

shininess, haze, and translucency that characterize objects (Harold, 2015). In this study, it

referred to how things look to the visual system.

Texture. The disposition or manner of union of the particles of a body or substance,

a visual or tactile surface characteristic resulting in a certain appearance (NC State

University, 2012). In this study, it referred to the term used to describe the characteristics

of a finished product.

Consistency. It refers to the ability to be asserted together without contradiction

(Merriam-Webster, 2023). In this study, it referred to the quality of producing the same

results even after repeated testing.