COALikasan: Sustaining Natural Resources by Converting Paper Waste into Alternative Firewood

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The prevalent destruction of natural resources which rapidly changes the earth into a big ball of burning dumpsite is the biggest threat that the entire human race can ever face. According to DENR, the Philippinesislosing approximately 47,000 hectares of forest cover yearly. The alarming effects of global degradation have influenced individuals in the field of Science to exert hefty efforts in saving the world from the entire destruction. This chain of events has compelled the researchers to develop alternative burning coals out of waste paper and dried leaves. Through this, cutting down trees and global waste can also be reduced to the fullest extent which can result to sustainable development and bring positive change to the community.

METHODS

This study utilized mixed research specifically descriptive research design to decode the perception and to determine the acceptability of environmental charcoal in terms of durability, availability of resources, market demand, and social impact. Prior to the data gathering process, the researchers made alternative firewood and presented it to the respondents. Researchers interviewed 60 respondents from Brgy.III-C, San Pablo City. After gathering the data, the researchers utilized weighted mean and chi-square as the statistical treatments in the study.

RESULTS

After analyzing and interpreting the data gathered, it was seen that majority of the respondents perceived that the environmental charcoal was a good alternative firewood. After applying the statistical treatments, the computed assessment of the product was interpreted as Strongly Agree (4.20-4.99) in terms of Durability (4.74), Availability of Resources (4.902), Market Demand (4.76) and Social Impact (4.81). Using the degrees of freedom 0.05, the computed value was 42.81 which was greater than the critical value, 21.026. This led to the rejection of the null hypothesis stating that the respondents did not accept environmental charcoal as an alternative firewood.

DISCUSSIONS

The results demonstrate the rate of acceptability of environmental charcoal as an alternative firewood. The researchers are looking at new inventions such as the environmental charcoal which can help reduce environmental problems like pollution and massive cutting of trees without the use of money. This endeavor will not be successful without the support and involvement of the community.