Chapter 1

Studying Waste Management Practices Of San Manuel National High

Introduction

Background Of The Study

Annie Leonard, a well-known advocate for sustainability, once

stated, “There is no such thing as ’away.’ When we throw anything

away, it must go somewhere.” This highlights the growing concern

of solid waste management (SWM), especially in the Philippines and

other developing countries.

The increasing amount of waste due to rapid urbanization,

changing consumer habits, and limited resources makes waste

disposal a pressing issue. According to Dickella Gamaralalage

(2013) Effective SWM is crucial for sustainable development,

environmental conservation, and public health. One of the key

challenges faced by schools is the proper disposal of daily waste

generated in classrooms and other areas. At Puerto Elementary

School in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental, the Solid waste

Management Committee (PESSWMC) is dedicated to implementing

Republic Act (R.A) 9003, which promotes responsible and

sustainable waste management. By following the principles of this

law, the school aims to minimize waste’s environmental impact and

plays a vital role in shaping students' perspectives and behaviors

regarding waste disposal. Schools, as educational institutions, are in

the best position to instill environmental responsibility in students.

In developing nations, solid waste management (SWM) which

includes actions to reduce the negative effects of solid waste on the

environment and human health, is a major environmental concern.

According to Zurbruegg(2003) Public health problems and

environmental hazards can result from improper handling, storage,

collection. Effective waste management in schools is crucial to

installing environmental consciousness in kids. According to a study

conducted at San Pedro High School (Reyes, Almonte, and Cruz,

2021), pupils sorting and recycling skills improved significantly

when the school had an effective waste management system. The

study also noted that if you want a clean and environmentally

friendly school, it's important to keep teaching children about these

topics and involving them. Everyone must work together to manage

school waste effectively, including the principal, staff, instructors,

and students.This was brought home by a 2021 study conducted by

De Guzman, Santos,and Dela Cruz at Quezon City High School. They

discovered that the school's garbage problem significantly improved

when kids were actively sorting and recycling. The importance of

continuous training and awareness initiatives to keep everyone

informed was also underlined by the researchers.

waste management practices of teenagers are crucial. Abdon and

Farin's 2022 study, which examined schools in Zambales, the

Philippines, made this argument quite clear. They discovered that

students play a crucial role in recycling trash sorting, and ensuring

that waste is disposed of properly. The Department of Education's

(2016) WinS guidelines, which emphasize the necessity of robust

policies to support such practices, are in line with this. Another

study, conducted in 2023 by Kilaton, Aguilor, and Zamayla,

examined Grade 11 students in the Jasaan South District and found

that active waste management instruction has a significant impact

on students' behavior. When considering all of this information, it is

evident that educating high school students about solid waste

management is crucial to helping them form eco-friendly Behaviour.

Understanding students' current waste management practices

can help identify problem areas and develop targeted interventions

for promoting more sustainable habits. This study focuses on how

students at San Manuel National high school manage solid waste. It

aims to assess their attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge regarding

waste generation, disposal, recycling, and segregation. By

examining these aspects, the research seeks to evaluate the

effectiveness of the school’s current SWM programs and explore

ways to enhance environmental education. The findings will be

developing and implementing strategies to improve SWM practices

in schools while contributing to broader efforts to address the

country’s waste management challenges.

It's not a one-and-done thing, you have to stick with it. The

DENR's "Zero Waste School Program" (DENR, 2019) has also been a

great help, giving schools tools and a framework for implementing

sustainable waste management. Additionally, research from Tarlac

National High School (Garcia & Mendoza, 2020) indicates that trying

waste management to what students are learning in class is a great

way to go, as children are more likely to become environmentally

conscious when they comprehend the larger picture how waste

impacts the environment and society. Therefore, all of these studies

point to the need for a comprehensive, community-wide approach

within schools (De Guzman, Santos, & Dela Cruz, 2021; Garcia &

Mendoza, 2020).

Schools plays an important role in promoting environmental

sustainability by using eco-friendly designs, reducing waste and

managing resources wisely. Simple actions like recycling, sorting

waste properly, and reducing plastic use in canteens can greatly

Help in minimizing waste.

In this study, we aim to understand how students manage their

waste, including how they dispose of, recycle, or reduce trash.

environment clean and safe. Through this research, we want to find

out if students are aware of proper waste disposal and what factors

affect their habits, such as school rules or the availability of trash

bins. Our goal is to analyze their actions and suggest ways to

improve waste management in schools so that we can all contribute

to a cleaner and healthier environment.

Statement Of The Problem

The way we manage waste has a significant impact on human

health and the condition of our world. The main goal of this study

project is to determine how San Manuel National High School

students dispose of their belongings. A few important aspects are

what we truly desire to comprehend:

1. How do students at San Manuel National High School currently

dispose of their waste?

2. What elements affect how pupils dispose of their waste?

3. What attitudes and views do the pupils have regarding

environmental sustainability and trash management?

By delving deeply into these issues, we can uncover

significant insights that will enable us to pinpoint areas where

effectiveness of our current waste management initiatives

comprehensively. We strongly believe that by investigating the

myriad factors that shape students' behaviors and viewpoints

regarding waste management, this research can provide valuable

contributions to the development of more impactful teaching

methods and curricula. These enhanced educational approaches will

aim to genuinely inspire students to embrace the role of

environmental stewards, fostering a lasting sense of responsibility

and care for our planet.

Ultimately, our goal is to instill in students a deep-rooted

appreciation for sustainable practices and empower them to make

informed and conscientious choices that benefit the environment.

Through this process, we hope to nurture a generation of individuals

who are not only aware of environmental issues but are also

motivated to take meaningful action towards creating a cleaner,

greener future.

Significance Of The Study

The goal of this study is to clarify the behaviors and

motivations of San Manuel National High School students about

waste management. We can determine what is effective and what

procedures. In order to develop instructional programs that

genuinely connect with them, we will also investigate the factors

that influence their garbage disposal practices.

Furthermore, knowing how students feel and think about

environmental sustainability and waste management can help us

better understand the social and cultural elements influencing their

behavior. Finding workable solutions that school administrators and

legislators may implement to significantly impact the situation is the

goal of this research, not only gathering data.

Insights into efficient waste management programs and regulations

may make this study a useful resource for other educational

institutions. It contributes to a more comprehensive understanding

of the problem and establishes the framework for further study on

this subject.

The ultimate objective is to motivate students to develop into

ecologically conscious adults. In order to contribute to the creation

of a more sustainable future for everybody, we hope that they will

embrace these sustainable behaviors in both their everyday life and

the school environment.