Design – based research in sustainable bag with insulation made from coconut husk: assessing practicality and environmental benefits among fsm students/
Avril Lei V. Llave, Eliza Mae N. Manalo, Alyssa A. Masola, Hannah Michelle A. Rosales, and Sara Mae Veloria.--
- Manila: Technological University of the Philippines, 2025.
- xiii, 101pages: 29cm.
Bachelor's thesis
College Of Industrial Education.--
Includes bibliographic references and index.
The Food and Service Management students face challenges with the natural wastes, like coconut husk fibers, which are usually thrown away and just getting the coconut meat and coconut milk/water. This study aimed to design, develop and evaluate sustainable bags with insulation made from coconut husk and assess their practicality and environmental benefits. The data used a purposive sampling to select 1st to 4th year Food and Service Management students with the total of 72 respondents and used Semi-structured. The study used Design Based Research to guide the development of the said product, including four phases. Phase (1) Problem Identification and Exploration. The study revealed the theme prior knowledge of coconut husk, perceptions of sustainable bags with insulation made from coconut husk, Challenges in Utilizing Biodegradable bags, environmental impact of using these biodegradable bags, noting that they help reduce plastic waste and contribute to decreased pollution, aligning with broader sustainability goals. Phase (2) Design and Development emphasized functionality, practicality, durability and strength, highlighting several key design features and practicality for carrying various items. The need to address issues of performance, cost, and consumer awareness. The Phase (3) Iterative testing and Refinement Both FSM students and teachers suggested to improve the product by putting insulator into the bag itself showed interest in the versatility of the bags, proposing that they could also be used as temporary plant pots. Finally, Phase (4) Synthesis of Design
Principles evaluates the bags' performance in They generally agreed that these bags could hold heavy items without breaking and were suitable for packaging
food in real-world applications, focusing on durability, flexibility, and eco- friendliness. The findings revealed FSM students have a foundational
understanding of coconut husk and its ecological benefits, favor features like practicality, size variations and functional design elements, illustrated areas requiring improvement in durability and functionality and exhibit significant practicality and environmental benefits. Suggesting conducting further research to explore additional uses for coconut husk beyond bags. Investigating its potential in packaging and other eco-friendly products can maximize the benefits of this renewable resource.