Abstract

The paper and fashion industries are thought to be the highest polluters in the world due to their high rate of paper consumption. High percentage of paper consumption leads to high deforestation rate. This leaves most cities littered with paper waste; creating horrible visual disorders and other community health issues. Many communities in Cameroon, especially Buea struggles with the problem of waste management e.g. poor paper waste disposal.

This research work, which is made up of five chapters is therefore aimed at investigating the process or method of recycling waste papers into fashion accessories. A careful investigation was carried out on the types of waste papers that can be recycled into paper beads; and how the beads can be used in the production of fashion accessories.

A research was carried out on the “waste hierarchy theory” of AD Lansink; Charles Frederick Worth’s “Fashion theory”; Sangeetha Murali’s project on “10 ways to reuse waste papers”; and Anthony Crabbe’s investigation on “the ways of processing waste paper in its dry state”. From these findings, it was discovered that certain kinds of waste papers cannot be recycled into paper beads, and that certain processes cannot be used in the production of beaded fashion accessories from waste papers.

The research design used was a quantitative design which focused on the experimental approach. Based on the results, an estimated cost was made on some paper beaded products; and it was evident that paper beading craft was quite lucrative; and also beneficial to both the designer and the society. These findings became motivating factors to the researcher who saw a need of creating a paper beading business upon graduation which would be called: CHIMAV CREATIVE BEADS.

The research work was limited by time, financial and material constraints. However, other scholars could carry out further research to discover other items that could be produced from paper beads.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background Of The Study

The paper industry is considered one of the world’s largest consumers of fossil fuels and the biggest industrial polluter. The industry is criticized by environmental groups for being responsible for deforestation around the world because 35% of harvested trees are being used for paper manufacturing. According to World Wide Fund for Nature (WWH), the pulp and paper industry uses over 41% of all industrial wood traded globally. It is the fourth largest contributor of greenhouse gas in the world.

The life of a product begins with the raw material and then moves on to the manufacturing, distribution, and sale; ending with its use by the consumer or buyer. Once the product wears out, it is disposed of by the user and automatically finds its way to the landfill. Actually, at the end of the life cycle of a product, it should not be sent to the landfill; rather, it should be recycled. Paper is highly recyclable and can be recycled up to five to six times before being discarded.

The concept of recycling is defined as the act of processing used materials into new products to prevent the waste of potentially useful materials.

The Public Recycling Official of Pennsylvania published that: recycling one ton of old paper, can save up to 17 trees, 350 pounds of limestone, 275 pounds of sulphur, 60.000 gallons of water, 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space, 9.000 pounds of steam, and 225 kilowatt hours. In the digital age, one would think that paper usage is on a decline as newspapers and magazines switches to online version; bank bills or receipts, being requested on soft copy. One may also think that with the invention of emails, letter writing has become an out-dated thing and would cause a decline on paper consumption. This is not true because most companies still rely on paper to print important documents, carryout advertisements or package their products. Schools and Universities still use exercise books, A4 papers and text books for studies. In Buea Municipality – South West Region of Cameroon, about1,087,919 kilograms (kg) of paper is consumed annually (Mukete Backline, Sun Yujun, Zama Eric, Monono Samuel Kato, 2016). Paper products are estimated to constitute up to 25% of all landfill waste. Tissue products like toilet papers, paper towels and facial tissue, costs a lot on the earth. This makes paper among all other materials, the most widely produced and attainable type of waste in the world.The numbers of trees being cut down continue to grow at an alarming rate. These statistics are a major wake-up call for all concerned stakeholders to cut down on paper consumption and adopt paper recycling in a big way.

Waste recycling process is one of the best ways to protect the environment. The use of the 3Rs of waste management will help to reduce water pollution (from landfilling), reduce air pollution (from incineration), reduce energy usage, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, conserve natural resources, and also generate revenue (Fatima Al-Banna, 2021).

Wet pulping recycling is one of the methods of transforming paper waste into raw materials for other products and dry paper reuse is a way of extending the product’s life by slowing its journey to the landfill. A pertinent problem faced by the society may be how to recycle waste papers in a sustainable way.

This study therefore aims at investigating answers to this problem by recycling waste papers into beaded fashion accessories.

This idea simply came about when the researcher looked at the bulk of waste papers around, and pondered what else could be done with them. Could these wastes be turned into wealth?

1.2 Statement Of The Problem

Printed a document for your report? Just bought a magazine? Did an entry in your diary? Got a gift from a loved one? Every day, we are handed stacked of papers at school or at the office. But what do we do with all these paper wastes afterwards?

Many communities in Cameroon struggle with waste management like paper waste, especially in cities like Buea-Cameroon. Buea is an academic hub complimented by booming administrative, religious, and commercial activities which leads to a high paper consumption.

The paper littered streets, gutters, streams, and landfills are evidences of high paper consumption and waste within the municipality. Businesses, companies and households produce enormous amount of paper waste which is usually incinerated in public or dumped into streams, backyards or taken to the landfills instead of being recycled. All these deface the town and also serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The large output of trash and poor waste management creates enormous environmental pollution and health hazards. Waste recycling is one of the civic responsibilities which have been taken for granted.

This researcher is therefore tired of seeing paper waste clog the streets, backyards, streams and landfills of Buea. She considered the problem and thought of what contribution she can make toward a sustainable solution. She realized that there is a need to think about how to get more creative with waste papers as a way of keeping our town clean – the main purpose of this research.

1.3 Research Questions

1.3.1 Main Research Question

How can waste papers be recycled into beaded fashion accessories?

1.3.2 Specific Research Questions

1. What type of waste papers can be recycled into beaded fashion accessories?
2. Which process can be used to recycle waste papers into beaded fashion accessories?

1.4 Research Objectives

1.4.1 Main Objective

To recycle waste papers into beaded fashion accessories.

1.4.2 Specific Objectives

1. To determine the types of waste papers that can be recycled into beaded fashion accessories.
2. To investigate the process of recycling waste papers into beaded fashion accessories.

1.5 Research Hypothesis

Ho: Certain types of waste papers can be recycled into beaded fashion accessories.

H1: Certain processes are not suitable to be used in the production of beaded fashion accessories

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