COGON

GRASS CARDBOARD

PAPER

PRODUCTION

AS FOOD PACKAGING

MEMBERS:
SOTTO, ANGELA MERCE
TANGGAWOHN, CAYAO
ESTOQUE, FERDINAND
ANONUEVO, JAZZMINE
KIM, HAEUN

ABSTRACT
The feasibility of cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica) as a
substitute for cardboard food packaging was studied in this research project.
The cogon grass was cut in a 1-inch length, boiled for about 2 hours, stirred
every 30 minutes, and crushed/rinsed in order to get the pulp. The pulp was
then subjected to five different treatments before it was made into a card
board like material. The amount of resin or soda ash and other additives was
kept constant while the amount of starch was varied in every treatment.
After the treatments, the researchers let it dry for a day to see if the product
was firm and smooth.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Ms. Angela Sotto, would like to thank her loving parents for
supporting them financially and guidance for the completion of the study.
She also like to thank Ms. Arianne Shiara T. Sotto for walking them through
the completion of their project. Mr. Cayao Tanggawohn would like to thank his
parents for helping him financially. Mr. Ferdinand Estoque would like to thank
his parents for helping him in getting the materials for the experiment. Mr.
HaEun Kim would like to thank his parents in supporting him in this research
project. Ms. Jazzmine Anonuevo would also like to thank her parents.

The researchers would like to thank their teachers duration of

the project. They also like to thank google.com for giving them the most
reliable information about their research project. They also like to thank Mr.
Erwin Supremido for helping them with their research and Mr. Fort David for
helping them with the completion of their paperworks. Lastly the researchers
would like to thank God.

Without all of them this research would not be possible.

Table of Contents
*Chapter I
a. Introduction
b. Objective of the Study
c. Scope and Delimitation of the Study
*Chapter II
a. Review of Related Literature
b. Definition of Terms
c. Conceptual Framework
*Chapter III
a. Methodology
*Chapter IV
a. Results and Discussion
b. Table and Graphs
c. Documentation/Photos
*Chapter V

a. Conclusion/Recommendation
b. Bibliography

Chapter I
INTRODUCTION
Non-Biodegradable waste is a major concern everywhere in the
world. The bulk of the worlds waste consists of the hard-to-break-down
products, such as Styrofoam. Styrofoam is commonly used as food
containers in fast food restaurants. Because it cannot be recycled, this
particular waste contributes largely to the worlds increasing garbage
problem. To lessen this environmental problem, one logical solution is to use
biodegradable materials or recyclable ones. Paper is being reconsidered and
encouraged for use. This material can be recycled over and over again.
However, trees still need to be cut for paper production. This spells trouble
for the already depleted forests. Because of this, we, researchers thought of
another alternative. This alternative uses cogon grass for making the pulp
and the paper. Cogon grass is found abundantly in many places and is
sometimes considered a nuisance.
Cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica) can invade and overtake
disturbed ecosystems by displacing a large variety of native plant species. It
is a very strong competitor for water, nutrients and light because it sprouts
and grows faster than most crops. Papermaking is the process of
manufacturing paper, a substance which is used ubiquitously today for
writing and packaging. Cogon grass basically consists of cellulose fibers,
hemicelluloses and lignins which are common to non-wood pulps especially

grasses. Thus, this study was conducted to determine the feasibility of cogon
grass as a material in paper making.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

Our study aims to know if Cogon grass can be a material in
making a food packaging. The researchers want to know if it is an effective
food packaging. They also want to share a great way to use biodegradable
food packaging instead of non biodegradable packaging such as plastic. This
Cogon grass paper product is really important because it is safe and natural.
Besides, no chemical substance was added into this paper.

SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The research limits itself to study of the properties of Cogon
grass that makes it suitable for packaging food, and the study will not
include the following topics, other methods and materials of food packaging,
comparing Cogon grass with the other materials use for food packaging.

Chapter II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
It was in China in 105 A.D. that the paper was invented. The
inventor, Tsai Lu, used the inner bark of the mulberry tree to get fibers.
These fibers were mixed with other substances and produced smooth pulp
that later became sheets. The Chinese found out later that rags, hemps,
ropes, and old fish nets were potential materials for good papermaking.
The spread of education and industry steadily increased the
demand for paper. That is why the search for paper materials are carried on
until today. Listed as possible sources are vegetable fibers such as wood,
flax, cotton, and biogases. For mineral and non mineral or synthetic
materials, there are gypsum, asbestos, glass fibers, and synthetic fibers.
Plant fibers are not the only substances needed for making
paper pulp achieve desirable properties. Resin, the sticky substance from
plants, and alum are added to make the paper resistant to water. Pigments

and dyes give colour to the paper while china clay increases its smooth
texture. These are additives that are blended together to produce paper.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Feasibility- the state or degree of being easily or conveniently done

Hemi cellulose- any of a class of substances that occur as constituents of
the cell walls of

plants and are polysaccharides of simpler structure than

cellulose.
Nuisance- a person, thing, or circumstance causing inconvenience or

annoyance.
Biodegradable- capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other living

organisms.
Fibre- a thread or filament from which a vegetable tissue, mineral

substance, or textile is formed.

Resin- a sticky flammable organic substance, insoluble in water, exuded by

some trees and other plants (notably fir and pine).

Alum- a colourless astringent compound that is a hydrated double sulfate of
aluminum and potassium, used in solution medicinally and in dyeing and

tanning.
Dioxin- a highly toxic compound produced as a byproduct in some
manufacturing processes, notably herbicide production and paper bleaching.
It is a serious and persistent environmental pollutant.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

INPUT

Materials:
1kg of cogon grasses
Stainless Steel Cauldron
20L of water
180g of caustic soda
20g resin
16g of powdered alum

PROCESS

Cut into pieces

Boil for 3-4 hours
Crushed in a mortar and
pestle.
Filtration process
Five treatments (for paper OUTPUT
production)
Turned into sheets using Cogon grass
mould and deckle.
Set in the sun to dry.
Cardboard
Food packaging

Chapter III
MATERIALS
Our research needed the following materials: Scissors,
Colander, Sauce pan and lid, Soda ash, Paper bag, Bowl, Blender, Papermaking screen, Cogon grass, Rolling pin, 2 layers of cotton material, Paper
bag (for filler) and Iron (for clothes). These are the materials we used to
make a cogon grass paper product.

PROCEDURE AND METHODS

The procedures in making cogon grass paper product are
the following: first the researchers cut the cogon grass into 1-inch lengths
using a pair of scissors. Then, the researchers placed the grass into a
colander and washed the strands under a running tap to remove dirt and
grit. Second, the researchers placed the cogon grass into a saucepan. Then,
added

1tbsp. of soda ash per quart of water to the saucepan and

completely covered the cogon grass with the liquid. Then, bring the
saucepan up to boiling point, and reduce the heat to simmer. Third, the
researchers simmered the cogon grass in the caustic soda solution for a
minimum of 2 hours, stirring once every half an hour. Then, drained the
cogon grass pulp and rinse under running water.

Fourth, the researchers used a paper bag as a filler to provide a

high cellulosic content to the cogon grass for effective paper making. Then,
tear up a paper bag into a bowl and soaked it to soften and then drained the
water and put the paper bag pulp back into the bowl. Fifth, the researchers
added 4 cups of cogon grass pulp to 1 cup of paper bag pulp and mix in
blender with enough water to amalgamate the two ingredients. Then, placed
a paper-making screen over a container to allow excess water to collect
below. Sixth, the researchers poured the blender contents onto the papermaking screen. Then, spread the cogon grass mixture evenly over the screen
and using a rolling pin they rolled over the mixture to compress the pulp and
release excess water. Seventh, the researchers removed the wet cogon grass
paper sheet from the screen. Then, used a hot iron to press and dried the
paper by ironing over the top of the cotton.

Chapter IV
RESULTS AND DATA
The researchers formulated a product that can be an
alternative paper production, but without the paper filler the paper
production wont be successful. Also without the pulp of the grass the paper
will not be firm, so what the researchers did is they put a paper filler and
more pulp extract to have a successful product.
The interpretation as stated in the graph that when the
researchers put 50 grams of caustic soda on the first day, the paper broke
and it was not hard, so it easily crumpled into small pieces. The second day
of making the researchers put 100 grams of caustic soda it was almost
perfect but some part of the paper broke and it turn into small pieces so its

almost perfect. The third day, the researchers added 150 grams of caustic
soda and it was successful. The paper did not break and you can even write
on it without breaking it but of course the paper was not flat because of the
pulp.
GRAPHS AND TABLES
Amount of Baking Soda/Caustic Soda
(first day):50 grams

Paper cracks/break.

(second day):100 grams

Paper is firm, but some part

of the paper broke and turn

(third day):150 grams

into small pieces.

Paper is very firm and hard.

DOCUMENTATION AND PHOTOS

MATERIALS
Baking Soda

Saucepan and lid

filler)

Scissors

Paper bag (for

Rolling pin

Silk screen/Paper-

making screen

Flat Iron

Colander

Cotton Material

Blender

Cogon Grass

PROCEDURE
Cut the cogon grass into
1-inch lengths.

Place the Cogon grass

and the strands under
running tap water.

After washing it, place it in a

saucepan.

Put a tablespoon of baking soda

and water into the cogon grass,
then put it in a stove.

Once it reaches the boiling point,

simmer it for about 2 hours.

Stir the mixture once every

30 minutes.

After 2 hours, remove the

Cogon Grass pulp from the heat.
Then rinse the pulp into running
water and get the pulp of the
grass.

Then, mix the paper filler and the

Cogon grass pulp into a blender.

Spread the paper mixture into a

silkscreen or paper-making
screen then, try to make it flat
using rolling pin.

Place the cogon grass paper

into a cotton material.

Then use an iron to dry up the

cogon grass paper.

Then, let it dry for 1 day and the

Cogon Grass Paper is finish.

Chapter V
SUMMARY
The final product was almost a success in terms of the surface of
the paper. The firmness and hardness of the paper was successful and
therefore, Cogon grass can be used in paper production and an alternative
for Styrofoam as food containers in fast food restaurants, and can also be an
alternative for paper as the biodegradable alternative for Styrofoam.
CONCLUSION
We therefore conclude that this experiment can help our country to
reduce plastic wastes, but, of course, this experiment needs to be studied
deeper.
FINAL PRODUCT

The final product was almost a success in terms of the surface of

the paper. And the firmness and hardness of the paper was successful
therefore, Cogon grass can really be used in paper production.
RECOMMENDATION
In our previous trials, the more amount of baking soda in the
mixture, the more the paper goes firmer and harder. And the less the amount
of baking soda in the mixture the paper turns brittle and easily cracks into
pieces. So we recommend to focus on the baking/ caustic soda, so that the
product will be firm and hard.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
~http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_effective_Cogon_Grass_Cardboard_Food_Pa
ckaging
~http://www.studymode.com/essays/The-Feasibility-Of-Cogon-GrassImperata-1475566.html
~https://www.google.com.ph/url?
sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB8Q
FjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freewebs.com%2Fcatipay%2Fdocuments
%2Fyoshio%2520project%2520in%2520chemistry.ppt&ei=fj-9UGrOZGzuASHo4KYDQ&

~http://www.investigatoryprojectexample.com/science/cogon-grass-as-asubstitute-for-cardboard-food-packaging.html
~https://ph.search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AwrwNFEJqbhURjAAr6iyRwx.;_ylc
=X1MDMjExNDczNDAwMgRfcgMyBGZyA2hwLWRkYy1iZC10YWIEZ3ByaWQDN
2o3c0tPN05RZjJobWVpRVlHUUdxQQRuX3JzbHQDMARuX3N1Z2cDMARvcmlna
W4DcGguc2VhcmNoLnlhaG9vLmNvbQRwb3MDMARwcXN0cgMEcHFzdHJsAwR
xc3RybAM0NQRxdWVyeQNjb2dvbiBncmFzcyBjYXJkYm9hcmQgZm9vZCBwYW
NrYWdpbmcgYWJzdHJhY3QEdF9zdG1wAzE0MjEzODgwODc-?
p=cogon+grass+cardboard+food+packaging+abstract&fr=hp-ddc-bdtab&fr2=sb-topph.search&type=608_na__alt__ddc_dsssyctab_bd_com&iscqry=
~http://www.industrialfocus.com/cogon-grass-cardboard-food-packaging770.html