BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Plastics play an essential role in the society, almost all modern product contains a few

plastic components but the major problem is its non-biodegradable nature. Nowadays, people are

becoming more aware about the effects of plastic pollution. This study aims to inform the people

that switching to bioplastic could be a long term solution to plastic pollution. The use of

biodegradable polymers allows composting as an additional way for waste disposal. These

bioplastic waste will be decomposed by microbial degradation in the environment at proper

condition such as sunlight, moisture and oxygen (Zulkafli, 2014). More or less, through this

alternative will give us solution to preserved our environment.

Sanitation, as used in International Year of Sanitation communications, refers to the

collection, transport, treatment and disposal or reuse of human excreta, domestic waste water and

solid waste, and associated with hygiene promotion (Marinne Kellen, 2012). In relation to

sanitation and plastic pollution, menstrual waste seems to be a problematic but largely ignored

issue. Used sanitary feminine pads are considered as residual waste which means they are not

compostable or recyclable and, therefore goes to dumpsites and landfills.

In 1890s, according to the Museum of Menstruation and Women’s Health, the first

disposable menstrual pads were produced and menstrual tampons in 1920s (Sabrina, 2013).

Since then, the use of disposable menstrual products has increased rapidly, in both developed and

developing countries. This led to unmitigated rises in the quantities of used menstrual products

clogging up sewer lines, entering wastewater treatment facilities and, subsequently ending up in

rivers, lakes and seashores (Marinne Kellen, 2012). Using of reusable cloth pad is seen as good

solution, many women find the concept unpleasant and uncomfortable with their use. Some

reasons are that menstrual pads takes time to wash and dry the pads compared to throwing away
disposables. Special care may need to be taken if the user has thrush or blood diseases. It is

generally more socially acceptable to use disposable pads.

Biodegradable menstrual pads become an interest of many researchers, as an alternative

to regular menstrual products. They are made with plant-based materials and can degrade within

six months. But the switch to biodegradable plastics has the potential to affect the world’s food

supply in a number of ways. Bioplastics derived from food crops like corn, soy, sugar cane, and

others would directly decrease the amount of those crops that would be available for food. Given

the fact that food shortages exist in many regions of the world interfering with the world’s food

supply is a major concern. (Momani, 2009)

Menstrual pads contain two grams of non-biodegradable plastic.

(https://www.hindustantimes.com/fitness/plastic-based-sanitary-pads-are-not-only-harmful-to-

the-environment-but-also-your-body/story-Kk4wrI6QOyJCkP7bwEh0rI.html) Overtime, the

environmental impact of these pads accumulate and becomes a real threat to the biological

balance of the ecosystem. Fish for example thrive in the lake, in the sea or in the ocean, however

due to the detrimental effects of plastic pollution, some fish die from too much plastic ingestion.

Thousands and thousands of fish die each year due to plastic wastes. The menstrual pad is a large

contributor to this problem as it is one of the most used products for female care. Assuming a

single female uses one per menstrual cycle, that is twelve times a year. The number is then

multiplied by the population of females in the reproductive age group of 15-49 years old in the

Philippines which is 26,928,000. The results come to approximately 323,136,000 menstrual pads

used annually or about 626 tons of non-biodegradable plastics. (http://www.psa.gov.ph/gender-

stat/wmf) (https://psa.gov.ph/content/women-15-49-years-old)
 The solution will be a biodegradable alternative to the industry standard menstrual pads.

Using biopolymers instead of non-biodegradable plastic tremendously helps the environment

when it comes to the plastic pollution dilemma that is facing the country as well as the world

today. Even if just 20% of reproductive females used biodegradable menstrual pads, that will cut

about 125 tons of plastic waste that doesn’t easily breakdown even if hundreds of years passed.

PHB (Polyhydroxybutyrate) is a type of biodegradable plastics produced by fermentation

using various types of bacteria (Javen Chee Chuan Yeo, 2017). PHB become one of the

favorable option for developing an environment-friendly polyester due to its numerous

advantages such as biodegradability, biocompatibility and availability. Thus, many attempts have

been employed to improve the performance of toughened PHB so as to achieve greater

competitiveness and sustainability. However, it still facing a problem for an industrial

production scale. Its major limiting factor for its production is its highly cost of substrate which

used as carbon supply for bacteria in its fermentation process (Zulkafli, 2014). Therefore, this

research aims to minimize plastic waste by utilizing sugar waste as raw material in production of

PHB that will be apply in producing biodegradable menstrual pads.

PHB belongs to the polymer class PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoates) as indicated by its

biological attributes. The research focuses on using two bacteria, Bacillus subtilis and

Escherichia coli which will be derived from industrialized soil. Sugarcane will be used as the

substrate. PHA production from recombinant E. coli is already proven to improve polymer

recovery and polymer yield. (Lee et al. 1994; Lee and Chang 1995; Lee 1997). E. coli is an ideal
host for PHA production because they grow faster and they greater density utilizing easily

available cheap carbon sources (Lee 1996; Madison and Huisman 1999).

50% of the PHA production cost goes into recovery of polymer from bacterial cell mass

(Samori et al. 2015a, b). An ideal polymer extraction process should be simple, cheap,

environmental friendly, yielding pure polymer and faster recovery rate (Heinrich et al. 2012).

Several studies cited organic solvents, chemicals, enzymes, mechanical disruption, etc. being

used for polymer recovery (Ramsay et al. 1994; Berger et al. 1989; Kapritchkoff et al. 2006;

Pötter and Steinbüchel 2005; Tamer et al. 1998; Heinrich et al. 2012).

Focusing on providing the industrial production of plastic for menstrual pads with a bio-

friendly alternative gives rise to an ecological breakthrough. The research is especially feasible

as it is cheaper to produce PHB than the traditional non-biodegradable plastic. This gives rise to

a more affordable menstrual pad that is not only eco-friendly but is budget-friendly as well.

Using research and experimentation, the researchers aim to come up with such a product.

References
Javen Chee Chuan Yeo, J. K. (2017, November). Recent advances in the development of biodegradable
PHB-based. Material Science & Engineering C. Retrieved September 10, 2018, from
www.elsevier.com

Marinne Kellen, C. P. (2012). Global Review of Sanitation System Trends and Interactions wit menstrual
Management Practices. Retrieved October 6, 2018, from https://www.sei.org

Momani, B. (2009). Assessment of the Impacts of Bioplastics: Energy Usage, Fossil Fuel Usage, Pollution,
Health Effects, Effects on the Food Supply, and Economic Effects Compared to Petroleum Based
Plastics. Retrieved September 10, 2018, from www.researchgate.com

Sabrina. (2013, June 23). Femme International. Retrieved from http://www.femmeinternationl.org

Zulkafli, N. N. (2014). Production of Bioplastic from Agricultural Waste. Retrieved October 5, 2018, from
http://umpir.ump.edu.my.com
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/03/17/baguio-bans-plastic-styrofoam

BAGUIO CITY – The local government has banned the use of plastic bags in stores, groceries, and
other establishments, as these are supposedly among the city’s main source of garbage.

To lessen the amount of plastics being disposed of by locals, the Baguio city council approved on
final reading ordinance number 35, series of 2017, or the “Plastic and Styrofoam-Free Baguio
Ordinance” on April 24.

Stated in the ordinance are regulations banning the use of plastic bags polyethylene, polypropylene,
polystyrene foam container or “Styrofoam”, in stores, groceries, supermarkets and other
establishments.

Customers will be asked to use eco-friendly bags or reusable bags made of cotton, coco cloth, abaca,
buri, water lily, and other recycled materials instead, to carry items or goods.

Penalties ranging from P1,000 to P3,000, or cancellation of business permit will be imposed if any
establishment or stall fails to follow the regulation.

However, the business establishments are given a period of one year to fully comply with the
provisions.