Biodegradability Characterization of Cotton Waste Planting Bag Prototype

摘要

Currently, polymer-based planting bag is utilized in agriculture industry, either in nursery or commodity plantations. Due to environmental concerns, biodegradable type planting bag had been introduced globally. One of the proposed biodegradable planting bag is made from cotton waste. However, the feasibility of cotton type biodegradable planting bag is still under studies due to its mechanical properties. Hence, this research is conducted to characterize the cotton waste planting bag by differentiating the quantity of the binders. Cotton waste planting bag are made from nonwoven cotton waste fabric and starch (amylum) as matrix binder between the cotton fibres to enhance the nonwoven fabric strength. In this research, three samples were developed with 20, 30 and 40% starch concentration. Each of these sample underwent three testings which were the bursting test, water vapour permeability test and biodegradability test. The biodegradability test was analysed by observing the physical properties by using video analyser for visual inspection of the cotton waste planting bag after being buried in the soil for 60 days. The results showed that less starch concentration cotton waste planting bag has lower bursting force resistance but higher water vapour permeability. The average weight and the thickness of the cotton waste planting bag was extremely reduced within 60 days after being buried in the soil with not much difference between the three studied samples.