CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
One of environments problems in this era is the trash getting more difficult to
prevent. Especially plastic garbage is one of garbage that has large volume in this earth.
This is happened because the decomposer like bacteria cannot dissolving it. One of the
example is styrofoam. Styrofoam, also called polystyrene, mostly used for food containers.
Since it made from plastic, styrofoam is very light, waterproof, and hardly leak. Hot food or
another liquid in it is hardly leaked out so it makes styrofoam are comfortable to be touched
while eating. Many people use styrofoam as food containers because it is cheap and easy to
use.
People would just throw styrofoam away after use it and it will become a trash,
since styrofoam is a single-use eating equipment. Styrofoam is not the kind of plastic which
can be used over and over again even though it has been washed. Since styrofoam cannot
decompose naturally after used, then it will only turned into a big pile of styrofoam waste.
Beside hardly to decompose, styrofoam is also dangerous for our body. This problem
caused of styrofoam decomposed by million hazardous chemical substances that can be
absorbed by other materials, e.g. food, in high temperature, its can make the food
contaminated with the chemical substances in styrofoam.
Because of that problem, people should have good solutions about their healthy by
decreasing the utilization to use styrofoam as food packs. Today experts study deeper how
to recycle styrofoam using natural substances. Based on discrepancy between fact and
hope, writer interested to investigate observation and research about investigating extract
galangal and citrus peel on dissolving styrofoam.

1.2. Problem of Study

The problem formulation of this study:
1. Can extract galangal dissolve styrofoam?
2. Can citrus peel dissolve styrofoam?
3. Which one is better between extract galangal and citrus peel to dissolve
styrofoam?
1.3. Objective of Study
Based on the problem formulation, the objectives of this scientific paper are:
1. To investigate if extract galangal can on dissolving styrofoam.
2. To investigate if citrus peel can on dissolving styrofoam.
3. To describe the better one between extract galangal and citrus peel to dissolve
styrofoam.
1.4. Significance of Study
In general, the benefits that gained from this paper is both the writer and the readers
able to know the utilization of extract galangal and citrus peel to treat the styrofoam trash.
To readers, especially for school that has Adiwiyata program, this report also could be one
of references in students learning. Not only for school but also for housewife, they could
apply this report as an alternative way to decrease styrofoam trash in their house.

CHAPTER II
LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1. Styrofoam Waste

Styrofoam or Polystyrene is a petroleum-based plastic made from the styrene
monomer. Most people know it under the name Styrofoam, which is actually the trade name
of a polystyrene foam product used for housing insulation. Polystyrene is a light-weight
material, about 95% air, with very good insulation properties and is used in all types of
products from cups that keep your beverages hot or cold to packaging material that keep
your computers safe during shipping. Styrofoam does not breakdown easily and it releases
chemicals when it gets wet that contaminates water that touches it thus contaminating the
water supply.
There are several reason why styrofoam very dangerous for our environment and body :

The biggest environmental health concern associated with polystyrene is the danger
associated with Styrene, the basic building block of polystyrene. Styrene is used
extensively in the manufacture of plastics, rubber, and resins.

A 1986 EPA report on solid waste named the polystyrene manufacturing process as
the 5th largest creator of hazardous waste.

The National Bureau of Standards Center for Fire Research identified 57 chemical
by products released during the combustion of polystyrene foam. The process of
making polystyrene pollutes the air and creates large amounts of liquid and solid
waste.

Beside that Toxic chemicals leach out of these products into the food that they
contain (especially when heated in a microwave). These chemicals threaten human
health and reproductive systems.

These products are made with petroleum, a non-sustainable and heavily polluting
resource.

The use of hydrocarbons in polystyrene foam manufacture releases the

hydrocarbons into the air at ground level; there, combined with nitrogen oxides in
the presence of sunlight, they form tropospheric ozone
Most polystyrene products are currently not recycled due to the lack of incentive to

invest in the compactors and logistical systems required. Polystyrene is actually

easily recycled. Due to its light weight (especially if foamed), it is not economical to collect
in its original form. However, if the waste material goes through an initial compaction
process, the material changes density from typically 30 kg/m3 to 330 kg/m3and becomes a
recyclable commodity of high value for producers of recycled plastic pellets. In general, it
is not accepted in curbside collection recycling programs.
Many people are not aware of the harmful effects of polystyrene. When polystyrene
is sent to the landfill, it is quickly covered and this process deprives it of water and oxygen,
which would normally help it to break down. Much of the disposable packaging that we eat
from today will therefore still be around in 500 years.
The Styrofoam is then burned. The problem is it can be very toxic when burned and
produces very little energy from combustion. There really isnt a good disposal method for
Styrofoam. Recycling of Styrofoam may not be realistic for small quantities.
2.2 Family of Citrus
Citrus fruits, widely used edible fruits of plants belonging to citrus and related
general of the family rutaceae (orange family). Included are the tangerine, citrange, tangelo,
orange, pomelo, grapefruit, lemon, lime, citron, and kumquat. Almost all the species
bearing edible fruits are small trees native to SE Asia, Indonesia, or Malaysia. The citron
was introduced to the Mediterranean area from Asia before the advent of Christianity; the
others were spread chiefly by the Arabs during the middle ages. Commercially they are
now the most important group of tropical and subtropical fruits in the world.
The fruits are rich in vitamin C (ascorbic acid), various fruit acids (especially citric
acid), and fruit sugar. The rind, which contains numerous oil glands, and the fragrant

blossoms of some species are also a source of essential oils used for perfumes and similar
products. Citrus fruits can be damaged by freezing temperatures, pests (scale insects, rust
mites), and various bacterial, viral, and fungal diseases (e.g., citrus canker, greening,
tristeza, and melanose).
2.3 Galangal
Alpinia galanga (L.) Willd is commonly known as galangal, greater galanga;, Java
galangal and Siamese Ginger. Related species A.Offcinarum is lesser galangal. Galangal is
the source plant for Ayurvedic raw drug Rasna, a popular remedy for rheumatism and
respiratoty ailments. It is also used as a spice and the volatile oil attracts more international
interest because of its high medicinal value.
Greater galangal is native to Indonesia but has become naturalized in many parts of
South and South-East Asian Countries. The oldest report about its use and existence is from
Southern China and Java. It occurs frequently in sub-Himalayan region of Bihar, West
Bengal and Assam. In Asia, galangal is used against arthritis, diabetes, stomach problems,
and difficulty in swallowing. Young rhizome is a spice and is used to flavour various dishes
in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and China.
Composition of galangal rhizomes / 100g dry matter is moisture- 14g, total ash-9g,
matter soluble in 80 % ethanol-49g, matter soluble in water-19g, total sugar-9gr, total
nitrogen-3g, total protein-16gr, essential oil content-0,2-1,5% (dry wt). Fresh rhizomes
yield about 0,1% oil on steam distillation with a peculiar strong and spicy odour.
(Medicinal Plants: Vol.02. Horticulture Science series).
2.4 Extract Galangal
Extracts is a preperation obtained by combing an hebral subtances and a solvent
(grain alcohol, vegetable glyceria, water, vinegar, etc.) and then evaporating the solution
down to the required concentration, or to a complete or approximate dryness. (Rayburn,
Debra.1961. Lets Get Natural with Herbs).

While, extract galangal itself means the flavoring extract prepared from galangal
and contains in each one hundred cubic centimetres the water or soluble matters from not
less than twenty grams of galangal. extracts of galangal plants that already seperated from
their plup or waste, and the result is on solid form. Usually, to get the extract, we must
blend that galangal and then we seperate it from their waste or plup.
2.5 D-Limonene
D'Limonene is obtained as a by-product of the citrus juice industry. It is the major
component of the oil extracted from the rinds of citrus fruits. There are two main grades of
d'Limonene which are called food grade and technical grade. When citrus fruits are juiced,
the oil is extracted out of the rind. The juice is separated from the oil and the oil is distilled
to recover certain flavor and fragrance compounds. This is called food grade d-limonene
which is 96% to 97% pure and has a mild orange aroma. After the juicing process, the peels
are taken to a steam extractor. More oil is extracted from the peel. When the steam is
condensed, a layer of oil floats on the surface of the condensed water. This is called
technical grade d'Limonene which is 95% pure and has a strong orange aroma. Both
products are called orange terpenes. Both are kosher-certified. Food grade d'Limonene is
usually used for consumer products and technical grade is used for industrial products.
Depending on the composition, d-limonene can dissolve paraffin waxes, greases, plastic
(Styrofoam, etc). During the last ten years, the use of d'Limonene has grown immensely.
Much of the product is used to give an orange fragrance to products, used as a secondary
cooling fluid and used in making paint solids. However, the largest growth has been in both
household/institutional and industrial products. D-Limonene can be used as a straight
solvent or as a water dilutable product.

CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY

3.1 Operational Definition

Operational definition is conclusion from theories or opinions that quoted from the
literature review. The operational definition of this research will be written as follows:
1. Alpinia galanga (L.) Willd is commonly known as galangal, greater galanga;,
Java galangal and Siamese Ginger. Related species A.Offcinarum is lesser galangal.
Composition of galangal rhizomes / 100g dry matter is moisture- 14g, total ash-9g, matter

soluble in 80 % ethanol-49g, matter soluble in water-19g, total sugar-9gr, total nitrogen-3g,

total protein-16gr, essential oil content-0,2-1,5% (dry wt). Extract galangal itself means the
flavoring extract prepared from galangal and contains in each one hundred cubic
centimetres the water or soluble matters from not less than twenty grams of galangal.
2. Citrus fruits, widely used edible fruits of plants belonging to citrus and related
general of the family rutaceae (orange family). Included are the tangerine, citrange, tangelo,
orange, pomelo, grapefruit, lemon, lime, citron, and kumquat. The fruits are rich in vitamin
C (ascorbic acid), various fruit acids (especially citric acid), and fruit sugar.
3. Styrofoam or Polystyrene is a petroleum-based plastic made from the styrene
monomer. Most people know it under the name Styrofoam, which is actually the trade name
of a polystyrene foam product used for housing insulation. Styrofoam does not breakdown
easily and it releases chemicals when it gets wet that contaminates water that touches it thus
contaminating the water supply.
4. Dissolving is the process by which a solute forms a solution in a solvent. The

solute, in the case of solids, has its crystalline structure disintegrated as separate ions,
atoms, and molecules form. In this study, The meaning of dissolving is the transformation
of the styrofoam from a big size into the small one, in order that, will be easier for
recycling.
3.2 Variables of Research

Research variable consist of independence variable, control variable, and correlation

variable. Independent variable in this reasearch areextract galangal and citrus peel. The
Variable control are the volume of solvent, the room temperature, vessel to dissolve
styrofoam and the size of styrofoam. And the dependent variable of this research is the
condition of the syrofoam after blended with extract galangal and citrus peel.
Table 3.1
Variables of Experiment
No.
Variables
1.
Independent
2.
Controlled

Factors
Extract galangal and citrus peel.
Volume of solvent, room temperature, vessel

3.

to dissolve styrofoam, size of styrofoam.

Condition of styrofoam.

Dependent

3.3. Method of Research

The method applied in this research is an experiment. Experiment method is a
research method which is both scientific and also systematic where the author manipulate
one or more variable, control and measure it with the other variables

3.4 Techniques of Collecting the Data

This research is done by experimental researches. The technique of collecting data
that used by the researcher in this research is observation.
The author will observe a styrofoam with different media, there are citrus peel and
extract galangal. In this observation the author will see and analyze how can both of extract
galangal or citrus peel can dissolve the styrofoam. The meaning of dissolving on this case is
the transformation of the styrofoam from a big size into the small one, in order that, will be
easier for recycling.
3.5 Techniques of Analyzing the Data
The technique to analyze the data of this research is qualitative analysis. Qualitative
analysis is examination of non-measurable data. (http://www.uncp.edu)

In this study, the author will analyze the data from the experiment by writing a note,
which include condition of styrofoam, to find out if the solvent can dissolve the styrofoam.
The author will record the result everyday. The author also will use a camera to take
pictures of the study from the first day until the end of the study.
Table 3.2
Observation Result
No.
1.

2.

Styrofoam
Solvent
Extract Galangal

Citrus Peel

Day
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th

Size

Condition

CHAPTER IV
RESEARCH FINDINGS AND INTERPRETATION

4.1 Materials and Procedure

a.) Materials

Citrus peel, 200 gr for each experiment which will be replaced in every 2

days.
Galangal, 200 gr for each experiment which will be replaced in every 2

days.
Styrofoam

Water

b.) Equiptment

1 Blender
1 Knife
2 isolated plastic container (800 ml)
1 Ruler
1 Neraca

c.) Procedure

Cut two piece of styrofoam in a same size. Each piece is 5 x 1.5 cm. This is

small enough to fit on the isolated containers.

Peel the citrus, until the amount of the peel is 200 gr.
Blend citrus peel 200gr and mix it with a little bit of water so the blending

process goes smoother.

Dissepear it from the plup and put the substance into the container.
Cut the galangal into the small pieces, until the amount is 200 gr.
Blend galangal 200gr and mix it with a little bit of water so the blending

process goes smoother

Dissepear it from the plup and put the substance into the second container.
Put each piece of styrofoam above the substance and close the container.
Measure the size of styrofoam every day, and note the condition of the
styrofoam everyday. The experiment hold for 5 days.

4.2 Observation Result

a.) Observation result for citrus peel, the researcher took the data as follows:
On the first day, there is a difference for the styrofoam on citruss peel. The
styrofoam becomes small and little bit elastic. The effect actually could be seen after a day
after putting the styrofoam into the substance. On the next day it becomes really elastic it is
even able to be pulled exactly like a rubber, and it is also happend on the , third, fourth, and
the fifth day. Everyday the styrofoam become smaller.
Especially, on the second day the color changed to be a little bit yellow-ish. The
shape is become more and more smaller, and the color changed from pure white to a little

bit yellow-ish. It looks like a tiny and still elastic like a rubber until the last day. On the
fourth day the shape is become smaller and looks like rice. The styrofoam becomes even
more thinner, elastic and wet than before.
Table 4.1 Observation Result for Citrus Peel
No.
1.

Day
1st

Styrofoam Size
3.5 x 1 cm

Condition
Quite elastic and a little bit soaky. There is

2.

2nd

2.3 x 0.8 cm

already a huge difference in a day.

Its elastic, like a rubber. The styrofoam didnt
even shaped like before. The color changed to be
a little bit yellow-ish. And the size getting

3.

3rd

2 x 0.7 cm

smaller.
The Styrofoam becomes more elastic. The shape
is changed, and there is a size difference from the

4.

4th

1.5 x 0.5 cm

other day.
The Styrofoam becomes more elastic like a
rubber. The shape is changed, and there is a size

5.

5th

1 x 0.5 cm

difference from the other day.

Very elastic and a little bit soaky. There is
already a huge difference in a day.
The colour become yellow-ish.

On the last day of this observation, there is a huge difference for the styrofoam on
citruss peel. The styrofoam becomes really small just 1 cm x 0.5 cm, much smaller than
the first day. Still, citruss styofoam is the best solvent that can dissolving a styrofoam.
b.) Observation result for extract galangal, the researcher took the data as follows:
Table 4.2 Observation Result for Extract Galangal
No.
1.

Day
1st

Styrofoam Size
5 x 1.5 cm

Condition
Did not affect the styrofoam yet. It is pretty stiff

2.

2nd

5 x 1.5 cm

just like before. Nothing changes.

There is no effect for this second days. The

styrofoam is just stiff as before. The shaped and

3.

5 x 1.5 cm

structure didnt change.

The structure, shape, and size are not change.

4.

4th

4.9 x 1.5 cm

The styrofoam still stiff like the first day.

Finally, there is a small effect for four days. But,

rd

the styrofoam is just stiff as before. Only 1 mm

5.

5th

4.9 x 1.5 cm

length difference.
The length and width still same with the fourth
day. It is pretty stiff just like before. Nothing
changes about the structure.

For the styrofoam of extract galangal, the effect is not seen, there is no an effect.
The width and length still same until the third day. The styrofoam is still pretty stiff. Until
the last day, there is still no other physical effect like becomes elastic or soaky yet.
Everyday for the styrofoam of extract galangal, theres no such react like a little bit soaky
or elastic. On the fourth and fifth day the size finally, there is a small effect for the
styrofoam of extract galangal. But, the styrofoam is just stiff as before. Only 1 mm length
difference, but it just look like there are no difference with the first day. Since there is a
little physical react, that means the extract galangal is not able to dissolve styrofoam.
4.3 Interpretations
From the research that has been done in the five days, it can be see that all kinds of
citrus species are able to dissolve styrofoam naturally. Citrus is able to dissolve the
styrofoam matter in a couple hours in the first day, because in citrus peel has the highest
amount of d-limonene, which is the chemical substance that able to dissolve styrofoam
naturally. D-Limonene is obtained as a by-product of the citrus juice industry. It is the
major component of the oil extracted from the rinds of citrus fruits . Depending on the
composition, d-limonene can dissolve paraffin waxes, greases, and plastic (Styrofoam, etc).

On the other hand, extract galangal is not able to dissolve styrofoam because during
five days, the size of the styrofoam keep constant and the condition just pretty stiff, nothing
changes. That is caused extract galangal does not has d-limonene component. Based on the
experiment result we can conclude that citruss peel is the most efficient to dissolve
styrofoam naturally than extract galangal.

CHAPTER V
CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
5.1. Conclusions of the Research
Based on the research, it can be concluded that :
1. Extract galangal takes many days to dissolve the styrofoam and there is just a little
difference. It is because extract galangal does not has the highest amount of dlimonene, which is the chemical substance that able to dissolve styrofoam naturally.
2. Citrus peel is able to dissolve styrofoam naturally. From the time point of view,
citrus peel is the fastest media that can dissolve a styrofoam than extract galangal in
this experiment.
3. Therefore, citrus peel is the best and most effective kind of natural plant or fruit to
dissolve the styrofoam naturally. Because citrus is able to dissolve the styrofoam
matter in a couple hours in the first day.
5.2. Suggestions

For the readers, we should be able to reduce the inedible waste on our daily life.
One of the inedible wastes that usually used in household is styrofoam. Try to decrease of
using styrofoam as a pack. Since styrofoam is unable to dissolved naturally in our
environment, we should use the citrus peel that we could easily find.
Other people may apply any other natural waste to dissolve styrofoam. So in a same
time people may reduce both the amount of natural waste and styrofoam waste in their
surroundings.