investigatory project

Chapter I
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Introduction
Recycling waste and used materials for some useful purpose is an effective means of conserving resources, of reducing waste disposal, and, often, of cutting cost (Spectrum, 2005). As human beings, we pollute the environment through many ways. One of the major pollutants is the waste we produce. Everyday millions of tons of trash get dumped into Earth’s landfills, but soon, those landfills will be full and we won’t have anywhere to store our waste. Therefore, as population growth continues to increase, in the future, waste management will play a big role to maintain an ecological balance in our environment. We can no longer generate unlimited quantities of waste, therefore, we must act in the behalf of protecting the earth in the long term. As a result, recycling plays a big role in minimizing the generation of waste and reducing the need of hazardous landfills. In Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, recycling is defined as "the recovery and reprocessing of waste materials for use of new products." Webster’s dictionary defines recycling as "a process (as liquid body waste, glass or cans) in order to regain material for human use." Recycling involves using materials, which are at the end of their useful lives as the feedstock for the manufacture of new products.
Just about everyone knows our environment is in danger. One of the most serious threats is the massive amount of waste we put into the air, water, and ground every year. All around the world are thousands of places that have been, and continue to be, polluted by toxic waste, radioactive waste and just plain garbage. It is imperative that we are aware of all the things that we can do to help our environment by diminishing the amount of trash and garbage that we produce each year. One easy way of doing that is by a method called recycling (Spectrum, 2005). The most effective way of recycling wastes is to separate materials before they become part of the waste stream. This is especially true for municipal wastes. In an attempt to slow the rapid filling, increasing numbers of localities have instituted refused collection programs that require householders to segregate glass, metal, plastic and paper for recycling (Spectrum, 2005). More than 5,000 products can be made from recycled paper. Some of these are masking tape, paper money, globes, bandages, dust masks, hospital gowns, coffee filters, lamp shades, car insulation, animal bedding, planting pots for seedlings and egg cartons (Spectrum, 2005). The printed page you have before you as you read this study, the newsprint of your daily paper, delicate facial tissues – all these varieties of paper are basically the same. Paper is a sheet of interlace fiber – usually cellulose fibers from plants, but sometimes from cloth rags or other fibrous materials – that is formed by pulping the fibers and causing them to felt, or mat, to form a solid surface (Sutermeister, 2003). It has been said that a nation’s consumption of paper is a measure of its civilization. Certainly the scientist, the writer, the teacher, the business man, the manufacturer, the man in the street area so dependent upon paper that it would be almost impossible for them to carry on without it (Sutermeister, 2003). We, the students are the most common example of who typically uses papers. We saw that there are lots of papers being wasted every day. We have the photocopy, notebooks, test papers, etc. After using those materials nothing follows. We will just throw it or burn it just to minimize the stock paper. With this scenario, the proponents come up with the idea of using second hand papers in making bricks. In this aspect, we can contribute to the environment in terms of recycling. As we can notice, all of the houses have their own garden area. Before, they are using stones as a decoration in the garden area. Bricks are not yet common. Of all those products that can be made out of paper, the proponents have decided to make bricks out of paper because of the concept of landscaping. The new trend and passion of designing the different part of the houses have given us the idea to come up with this study.
OBJECTIVES
The main objective of the study is to be able to determine the feasibility of making bricks out of paper. These are the specific objectives of the study:
1. To be able to know the demand and supply of bricks in the market.
2. To be able to learn the process of making bricks.
3. To be able to know how much capital would be needed in manufacturing bricks.
4. To be able to know if the business will have a profit.
5. To be able to determine if it has a contribution to the economy.
DEFINITION OF TERMS The following terms are conceptually and theoretically defined for the readers to properly understand this study.
Brick. Is a block of ceramic material used in masonry construction, usually laid using various kinds of mortar (Lux/Ray, 2004). In this study, it refers to our main product.
Cement. The cement used in concrete is Portland cement. Portland cement is made from a certain kind of limestone that is found in deposits below the earth’s surface (Lux/Ray, 2004). In this study, it refers to the material used to harden the product. We also use colored cement to enhance its color and appearance.
Grinding. A machine process to shape components that are too hard to be machined by conventional methods such as hardened tool steels and case or induction hardened components (Libensky, 2006). In this study it is the process wherein the papers are to be mixed in the water until it thoroughly be fine and combines with the water.
Mixing. It refers to a process that brings materials together into a uniform single mass (Libensky, 2006). In this study it is how the raw materials are placed into the mixer for the cement to be mix well with the paper.
Moulding. It refers to the decorative work in stone (Libensky, 2006). In this study it is the process wherein the mixed raw materials are being placed into the molder to achieve the desired size and shape.
Paper. It is a material made of cellulose pulp, derived mainly from wood, rugs, and certain grasses, processed into flexible sheets or rolls by deposit from an aqueous suspension, and used chiefly for writing, printing, drawing, wrapping, and covering walls. (Santos, 2002). In this study it refers to the primary component of our product.
Soaking. It refers to the process wherein a material becomes thoroughly wet by lying immersed in fluid (Libensky, 2006). In this study it is wherein the papers are to be put in the water to be easily ground.
Scope and Limitations
This feasibility study will focus in the manufacturing, selling and determining the viability of the proposed product “Manufacturing of Bricks out of Paper” to be located at Pinagkawitan, Lipa City.
The study is focused only on the five major aspects such as such as marketing, technical, management, financial, and socio-economic. Its target market is the households here in Lipa City.
In marketing aspect, the study will discussed the data gathered by the researchers using the Slovin’s formula in computing for the sample size and statistical straight-line in computing for the projection. The proponents used a stratified random sampling method wherein the questionnaires are divided and distributed in each of the urban barangays according to their population. The study is limited in terms of getting the historical supply of other suppliers due to confidentiality of the information.
In technical aspect, the study focused on the nature, its uses, and production of the product. The study is also focused on the operational aspects of the firm every start-up to its five years operation on producing quality and innovative product at the most possible cost minimization for maximum profit. The number of workers and its requirement is also covered while sources of utilities like electricity and water is discussed accordingly for its equal production capacity. The study is limited on the right equipment to be used in the process because the retailer we are asking for the equipment does not give information to the outsiders and lastly is about the weather. The proponents will be using direct sunlight for their product to dry up but there are unexpected typhoons that might happen in the province and the production will surely be affected.
In management aspect, the study discusses the management structure suited for the business, salary scales as well as the policies to be implemented for an efficient and effective management.
In financial aspect, the costs and expense that will be incurred in the business will be discussed as well as the financial statement and ratio analysis. Therefore, it is significant for an individual who wants to enter in the business industry to be knowledgeable in finance, awareness on the required capital to start a business, and the possible sources, and how to avail and what funding schemes to take.
In socio-economic aspect, the study deals with its responsibilities and obligation that go with the firm’s operation and existence in the industry.