Production and Characterization of Biodegradable Handmade Paper Bags from Enset (Enset ventricosum) Waste and Waste Paper

Abstract

Living in the current state of the world environment is becoming more difficult. Manufacturing plants are being established daily, producing harmful products such as single-use plastic bags that are bad for the environment. The aim of this research was to produce environmentally friendly handmade paper bags (HMPBs) using waste paper collected from supermarkets in Sebeta town and Enset waste pulp that was collected from Dilala Kebele, Waliso District. The initial process in making handmade paper bags was soda pulping to make the fiber. The fibers were then mixed with waste paper, sheets were made, pressed, dried, and bags were made. The physical and mechanical characteristics of the handmade paper were measured at the Ethiopian Pulp and Paper Factory Laboratory in Wonji town. The laboratory data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software, and an experimental quantitative research approach was applied. The results indicated that the basis grammage (88–96) g/m2, Cobb value (13–19.3) g/m2, tensile index (55.3–96.4 mN*m2/g), tear index (3–20.2) mN*m2/g, and burst index (1.2–6.45 (kPa.m2/g)) were adequate for manufacturing the paper used to produce paper bags. Paper used to make paper bags typically has the following physical characteristics: grammage between 60 and 120 gsm; Cobb values between 10 and 30 g/m2; tensile indices between 25 and 50 Nm/g; tear indices between 4 and 8 mNm2/g; and burst indices between 1.5 and 3.5 kPa m2/g. It can be concluded from these findings that handmade paper sheets produced from a combination of waste paper and Enset waste pulp are within the standard range of paper and have mechanical and physical characteristics that are comparable to those of the various kinds of commercial and handmade paper manufactured from different fiber sources that have been reported in previous research. By reducing various issues such as global warming, this research will contribute to improving the environmental situation. It is necessary to use HMPB to keep the environment clean. Additionally, it will save foreign currency by reducing the import of paper bags and creating numerous new jobs. Eco-conscious people are proud to use handmade paper and goods. To help develop and spread environmentally friendly alternatives to single-use plastic bags, researchers may investigate the potential use of other agricultural waste materials or natural fibers as alternative raw materials for producing biodegradable bags. This will help reduce plastic pollution and promote sustainable development.