A Comparative Study of Capra aegagrus hircus (Goat) Manure and Imperata cylindrica (Cogon Grass) as an Alternative Source of Paper

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Paper is widely used for storing information, printing books, newspapers, and magazines. Despite being part of our daily lives, severe environmental impacts are posed, particularly the loss of trees (Udeajah, 2013). To solve this crisis, this research study used the manure of a pure herbivore goat in producing an alternative source of paper and compared its effectiveness to the paper made out of cogon grass.

METHODS

Three (3) kilograms of air-dried goat manure underwent washing, rinsing, sieving, and handpicking, on a screen box, to further remove physical residuals. It was then mixed with water and caustic soda, and subjected to a cooking vessel to soften the fibers. Further processes were made, and the whole paper-making out of cogon grass were handled by the institution. Three set-ups were made: 100% goat manure paper, 100% cogon grass paper, and 50%-50% cogon-manure paper. All the set-ups were then subjected to different physical property testing:(1) tensile strength index, (2) burst index, (3) tear index, and (4) folding endurance. Data collected were analyzed using t-Test: Two-Sample Assuming Unequal Variances.

RESULTS

The test values of the physical properties between set-up 1 and 2 indicate that 100% goat manure paper has less basis weight, thickness, tensile index, tear index, burst index, and folding endurance compared to 50% goat manure-50%cogon grass paper. While the values between set-up 1 and 3 indicates that 100% goat manure paper had more basis weight and thickness, but less tensile index, tear index, burst index, and folding endurance compared to 100% cogon grass paper. Following the greatly varied values of each set-up, results on the statistical analysis using T-test: Two sample assuming Unequal Variances shows that there is a significant difference between the values of set-up 1 and 2 and set-up 1 and 3 subjected under different physical property testing.

DISCUSSIONS

The results revealed the possibility of producing paper out of goat manure and cogon grass. Among the three set-ups, the set-up with 100% goat manure is the least effective to use as paper. Hence, it is recommended to use a different animal waste or manure that has greater cellulosic fibers. Meanwhile, the set-up with 100% cogon grass is found to have the greatest number of test values in all the physical properties tested. It is an effective way to produce paper out of non-wood materials to reduce cutting of trees and other negative environmental impacts.