This study set out to explore the effect of different recycled plastic codes and plastic content on the mechanical and morphological properties of wood fiber plastic composites (WFPC). The combination of polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and Acacia fibers was labeled as PP-WF, HDPE-WF and LDPE-WF with different plastic content at 100%, 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, and 50%. Mechanical properties include tensile strength (TS), modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR). While morphological property tests were performed using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The result showed that the TS of PP-WF, HDPE-WF, and LDPE-WF was decreased by 68.5%, 68.6%, and 82%, respectively, with a 50% decrease in plastic content. Meanwhile, the MOE of PP-WF, HDPE-WF, and LDPE-WF was decreased by 48.9%, 58.37% and 56.32%, respectively. The MOR of PP-WF, HDPE-WF, and LDPE-WF was decreased by 77.8%, 84% and 77%, respectively. Generally, the trend result of TS, MOE, and MOR decreased as the plastic content decreased. The highest TS, MOE, and MOR were achieved by PP-WF compared to HDPE-WF and LDPE-WF at every combination. SEM results revealed the presence of voids and many pulled-out of wood fibers as the plastic content decreased.

Nowadays, industry is searching for an alternative to reduce the usage of petroleum-based non-degradable conventional seedling plant pots. In this study, three different types of bioplastic pots incorporated with newspaper pulp fibres (the ratio of B75%:N25%, B50%:N50% and B25%:N75% denotes percentage of bioplastic to percentage of newspaper pulp fibres) were produced while B0%:N100% acted as the control. All cylinder square shape moulded bioplastic pots with 100mm height and 2mm thickness were planted with Leucaena leucocephala seedlings for 60days in two ground levels (below ground and above ground). Weight loss for bioplastic pots was evaluated. Results showed that bioplastic pots tested below ground had a higher percentage of weight loss than those planted above ground. For percentage of weight loss of bioplastic pots, most bioplastic pots that were tested in both ground levels only showed a significant difference at p⩽0.05 after 30days. Bioplastic pots B75%:N25% that were tested below ground have the highest percentage of weight loss with 77.93%. As conclusion, B50%:N50% is the most suitable ratio for the production of bioplastic pot

Plantation forests are perceived to be the supplementary source of wood material for the large wood products industry in Malaysia, amidst the steadily reducing supply from her natural forests. Despite the government’s initiated plantation forests scheme, the participation of smallholder farmers has been limited. Smallholder farmers constitute the largest proportion of private farmers involved in all sectors of agricultural and plantation tree crop cultivation, including commodities such as rubber and palm oil. Therefore, this study examines the lack of interest among smallholder farmers to participate in establishing forest plantations, although they have a strong presence in the palm oil and rubber sectors. A structured questionnaire survey was conducted among 12,895 smallholder farmers currently involved in palm oil, rubber and other tree-crop cultivation. The study found that this group has little knowledge and awareness of the forest plantation scheme available, and there is a prevailing perception that the establishment of forest plantations is not environment-friendly and leads to biodiversity loss. The poor economic return, small land holding, and poorly structured market and supply chain are perceived as the significant constraints faced that limit the interest among the target groups to participate in this sector. Any effort to reverse this trend and garner higher interest from the target group will necessarily require a new policy framework that boosts the economic outlook of forest plantations among smallholder farmers.