“Handmade Paper using Indigenous

Materials”

A Research Paper Presented to the Senior High School Department of Notre Dame

of Talisay

Student Researchers:

Alpiere, Janeph Jr.

Abelada, John Michael

Camaso, Jonathan

Carminales, Aljen

Labios, Niño Anthony

Roque, Jonar Paul

Bionat, Trisha Ann

Bucayani, Ariane
De la Cruz, Lea Jean

Espartero, Thina Rose

Inojales, Ashley

Sareño, Richel Mhej

Villarias, Lhey Shaira

Yusalina, Rowela

Chapter I
 INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Paper was first invented in China by a chief eunuch Cai Lun of the Dong Han

dynasty, in (105 CE) he conceived the idea of making sheets of paper using the bark of a

mulberry tree and other materials (H. Jons et al., 2017). Papers were made of fibers found

in trees or woods. However, it is also the cause of deforestation around the world. In the

year 2000, half of the world's rain forests were destroyed. According to (The World

Counts Organization) in 2016, a world record of 30 million hectares of forests worldwide

disappeared.

Over the past years, paper has become one of the essential and most produced

materials globally. According to a 2021 survey, 417 million metric tons of paper is

produced globally, which is an increase of roughly four percent after three years of

consecutive decline in 2010. Despite the rise of sustainable technologies, paper is still the

most preferable material in writing and printing, not to mention the cheapest. However, it

also costs an increasing amount of waste disposal around the world. Did you know that

about 26 percent of landfill waste consists of paper? And 33 percent of municipal waste.

Major contributors to this, are populated countries and developed areas, even in

developing areas.

Due to the demand for papers worldwide, the supply of wood fiber for pulp is

decreasing due to deforestation in most of the world. In the present studies, researchers

opted to use recyclable waste materials and non-wood materials as an alternative to wood

fibers in pulping and paper making. In Oman, they used agricultural waste from bagasse
and banana fibers as non-wood materials to produce handmade papers (K Al-Sulaimani et

al., 2017).

This fact provides insight to the researchers to use other materials aside from

wood and recyclable materials to make papers. In this study, the researchers will use

indigenous materials, such as leaves, forest tree barks, fruits, and other plant-based

materials, to hand-make a paper. This study could help reduce deforestation and create

eco-friendly and toxic-free Papers. Handmade, eco-friendly paper offers numerous

benefits over commercialized paper products. In addition to being more sustainable and

reducing carbon footprint, these types of paper can also improve air quality.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to determine the quality of different variations of Handmade

Paper using Indigenous Materials in writing and printing.

Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions:

1. Is there a difference in each variation in terms of:

a. Texture

b. Color

c. Thickness

2. Is there a significant relationship between the indigenous materials used in the paper

and to the durability of it?

There is no significant difference in using indigenous materials as a pulp for paper in

terms of:

a. Writing

b. Printing

Scope and Delimitation

This study will focus on producing a paper using indigenous materials as a pulp

without using any machines throughout the process. Hence, the researchers will only use

indigenous materials available in Sitio Mambucano, Brgy. Cabatangan, Talisay City as

pulp.

Significance of the Study

School. The researchers can assist students in understanding how to use native materials

in paper production. The researchers can also utilize this research to educate students on

traditional paper making.

Paper Industries. The research could provide a new, potentially more sustainable source

of raw materials to the paper industry, particularly for companies looking to reduce their

environmental impact.
Environment. This study could benefit the environment by reducing deforestation,

providing clean air, and promoting biodiversity. This study can also reduce the carbon

footprint and produce an eco-friendly paper.

Researchers. The researchers can acquire adequate knowledge of the other uses of

indigenous materials, such as their usage on paper making as a pulp. This research will

help them explore and develop their potential skills in paper making without using any

machines throughout the process.

Future Researchers. This study can contribute to the existing body of knowledge of paper

making and can utilized as a reference material for future studies in this area.

Theoretical Framework

This study is based on the traditional Washi of Japan..

The washi is a Japanese traditional style of handmade paper that uses different

techniques. The process of washi consists of boiling, beating, squeezing, and drying, it

takes a very long time to complete the whole process. This type of paper making does not

use any machine during the duration of the process and relies only on manpower and

nature (Takahashi, 2019).

The conceptual framework for this study will be represented visually. The researchers

will utilize a dependent-independent model to show the relationship between the

variables. The dependent variable is Handmade paper which is affected by the

independent variable Indigenous material which is classified into four variations (Forest

trees, Grasses, Palm family, and Durian). Each of the materials will undergo different

kinds of processes to extract a fiber to get the result.

FOREST TREES
(BARK)

GRASSES
(STEM & ROOTS)

HANDMADE END RESULT

PALM FAMILY
(STEM & LEAVES)
COLOR
TEXTURE
THICKNESS

DURIAN
(SHELL & SKIN)
Definition of Terms

Here are some of the key terms that will be used throughout the study.

Handmade paper. Conceptually, Handmade paper is the manual process of paper

making typically carried out by. an individual. Operationally, it is a process used in this

research.

Indigenous materials. Conceptually, Indigenous materials are materials that are

naturally and locally found in a specific place such as timbers, canes, grass, palms, and

rattan. Operationally, this is the main ingredient in the process of this research.

Pulp. Conceptually, Pulp is made from breaking down the fibrous part of plants,

primarily trees or recycled paper, and refers to the main ingredient in the paper making

process. Operationally, this is important in the paper making process.

Pulping. Conceptually, Pulping is the process where fibers are separated and treated to

produce pulp. Operationally, it is the process used to produce a pulp.

cell walls of plants and is commonly obtained as a white stringy substance from

vegetable matter (such as wood or cotton) which is used in making various products (as

rayon and paper). Operationally, this is what the researchers obtained in the materials

used in paper making.

Fiber. Conceptually, Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that the body can't digest. Though

most carbohydrates are broken down into sugar molecules called glucose, fiber cannot be

broken down into sugar molecules, instead it passes through the body undigested.

Operationally, this is the main ingredient in paper making without it you won't be able to

create a paper.