Co-Briquetting of Cassava Peels and Paper Waste: Enhancing Fuel Efficiency and Reducing Emission in Alternative Biomass Fuels

Cassava peels are a by-product of Manihot esculenta, commonly known as the “bread of the tropics,” and are produced in large quantities during root processing but are often discarded as waste. Similarly, paper waste includes discarded materials such as newspapers, packaging, notebooks, and office documents that frequently accumulate in landfills and contribute to environmental pollution. Due to increasing concerns about improper waste disposal and the depletion of fossil fuels, these materials are being explored as potential resources for alternative biomass fuel production. This study aimed to evaluate the fuel characteristics and overall performance of briquettes produced through the co-briquetting of cassava peels and paper waste as a sustainable alternative fuel. The study utilized a true experimental research design under the quantitative approach and was conducted at a residence in Barangay Maguikay, Mandaue City, Cebu. Briquettes were produced using different cassava peel and paper waste ratios and were tested to determine key fuel properties, including moisture content, density, heat output, ash content, combustion time, ignition time, and shatter resistance. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to determine significant differences among the experimental setups. The findings revealed that Setup D exhibited the highest mean moisture content at 289.49%, indicating a high water-to-biomass ratio. The results also showed that varying the proportions of cassava peels and paper waste significantly affected the fuel properties of the briquettes. Among the experimental setups, Setup C demonstrated the most balanced performance, while the commercial briquette remained superior in density and consistency. Overall, the study highlights the potential of co-briquetting cassava peels and paper waste as a renewable biomass fuel alternative.