USING PET PLASTIC (POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE) AS STRINGS FOR

BADMINTON RACKETS: AN ASNSHS ANALYSIS

A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

In partial fulfillment for the subject

Research

ANDREI BARRIGA
 February 2024

CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND LITERATURE REVIEW

1.1 Background of the Study

In the sport of Badminton, Badminton Rackets are what you use to hit the shuttlecock and

score. These Rackets can come with different materials, but the materials used traditionally

are well established to be the norm. While the world of Badminton may not have many

problems, the same cannot be said for the real world. Plastic pollution has been an ongoing

issue in the world accumulating every year, however humanity has come up with ways to

fight plastic pollution. One of these ways is recycling plastic and one of these plastics is

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET plastic) which are commonly used for plastic bottles.

Plastic pollution is a worldwide issue, with some countries being better off than other

countries. The country we will be focusing on the Philippines. The Philippines suffers as well

from plastic pollution, having some of their beautiful heritages tainted with pollution. In

ASNSHS, the plastic problem is maintained, however it is still noticeable. There is much

research about plastic pollution, but the same cannot be said for alternative materials for

Badminton racket string materials, thus highlighting a big research gap.

If we combine both the worlds of Badminton and plastic pollution; by using PET plastic

as strings for Badminton Rackets, we may gain insights into the impact this has on the

environment, its viability, comparability, and cost against traditional material, help pave way

for future researchers, and help players get a better idea of what materials they should
 choose. Our scope will be limited to only testing the PET plastic material and only with local

Badminton rackets.

1.2. Statement of the Problem

This study aimed to explore the benefits and viability of using non traditional

material: PET plastic (Polyethylene Terephthalate) for strings in a Badminton Racket.

Specifically, we aim to answer the following questions:

1. What are the benefits and/or disadvantages of using PET material as strings for

Badminton Rackets?

2. Is the PET material comparable and viable to that of traditional material?

3. How will the new usage of PET plastic impact problems in the environment?

1.3 Scope and Delimitation

The focus of this study is to assess the benefits and viability of using the synthetic

material polyethylene terephthalate as the strings of Badminton Rackets. The study

examines the comparativeness of PET plastic and traditional materials. Opinions of

players in ASNSHS will also be examined and the study does not get address what

professional players think of the concept. The study was limited to badminton players of

ASNSHS using the modified rackets in games and data was gathered through surveys and

in match results.
1.4 Significance of the Study

The findings of the study will benefit the following:

 Future Researchers: This study will help provide foundation for research

regarding alternative string materials for badminton rackers and environmental

research.

 Players: This study will help them gain a better understanding regarding the

material they should choose for their badminton strings and help save money.

 Manufacturers: The findings will help manufacturers judge whether they should

start manufacturing PET plastic strings.

 Environment – This study will show if recycling plastics into Badminton strings

will be effective or not.

1.5 Definition of Terms

 Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET plastic) - is a common type of plastic

material that is used commonly in water bottles and packaging. It is a reliable and

durable material. It is a material that contributes greatly to the plastic pollution in

the world.

 Badminton - a game with rackets in which a shuttlecock is played back and forth

across a net. (Shorten & Moorley, 2014)

Badminton.

 Plastic Pollution – the ongoing harmful accumulation of plastic material in the

environment. (Moore, 2024)

 Nylon - the material traditionally used for Badminton Rackets as they are very

tensile strong and reliable for play in Badminton.

 Player(s) - The people who play the sport of Badminton.

 Gameplay – term used to describe playing a game of Badminton.

 Tensile Strength – how much load material can withstand when loaded with

tension. (Xometry, 2023b)

 Singles match – a type of match in badminton where only 1 player on each side

of the court play against each other.

 Agusan Del Sur National Science High School (ASNSHS) – a science high

school in the Philippines that have above average standards. The place where the

study was based in.

METHODS

2.1. Research Method and Design

The researchers chose a quantitative approach, gathering data through surveys, data

sheets, and win rate of rackets. The research design is descriptive, aiming to describe the

relationships between rackets with traditional material and experimental material.

2.2. Data Gathering Procedure

The researchers chose players of varying skill ranges which is classified into

categories: high skill and low skill. The researchers will first obtain the informed consent of

the players. After obtaining consent, the chosen players conduct singles matches against

similarly skilled players and the win rate is recorded, as well as the players’ answer on the

survey. Subsequently gathering data, followed by analyzing the data.

2.3. Research Instrument

The respondents and participants are all students of ASNSHS, meaning any grade is

allowed if they are enrolled in Science High. The type of sampling methodology used is

selection. This means it relies on the judgement or practical knowledge of the researcher to

identify and pick participants. Not every student is given an equal chance, however the

researcher picks the students that best suits their research, such as students who are very
skilled and vice versa. All players of different skill ranges will be represented, ensuring that

the sample represents players of all skill ranges.

2.3. Ethical Considerations

For ethical considerations, we obtained informed consent from participants, ensuring the

confidentiality of the data. Also ensuring that the research will not harm the participants in any

way.
 REFERENCES:

Shorten, A., & Moorley, C. (2014). Selecting the sample. Evidence-Based Nursing, 17(2), 32–33.

https://doi.org/10.1136/eb-2014-101747

Moore, C. (2024, February 3). Plastic pollution | Definition, Sources, Effects, Solutions, & Facts.

Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/plastic-pollution

Xometry, T. (2023b, March 23). Tensile Strength: Definition, importance, types, and examples.

Xometry.

https://www.xometry.com/resources/3d-printing/tensile-strength/#:~:text=Tensile

%20strength%20is%20a%20term,by%20performing%20uniaxial%20tensile%20tests.