International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD)

Volume 5 Issue 5, July-August 2021 Available Online: www.ijtsrd.com e-ISSN: 2456 – 6470

Students’ Perception towards the School’s Level of

Implementation of Ecological Solid Waste Management
Grace N. Alburo
Sustainable and Eco-Friendly School Coordinator,
Agusan Del Sur National High School, Agusan Del Sur, Philippines

ABSTRACT How to cite this paper: Grace N. Alburo

Students must be aware that the world generates 2.01 billion tons of "Students’ Perception towards the
municipal solid waste annually, with at least 33 percent of that not School’s Level of Implementation of
managed in an environmentally safe manner. In the Philippines, the Ecological Solid Waste Management"
Published in
same trend is observed. Contributing factor is the school’s Ecological
International Journal
Solid Waste Management (ESWM). In this paper, the level of
of Trend in
awareness, respondents’ practice and the problems encountered by Scientific Research
the respondents in R.A. 9003 Act are evaluated. One hundred forty- and Development
seven (147) Grade 12 General Academic Strand students were (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-
surveyed using validated structured questionnaires. Scores were 6470, Volume-5 | IJTSRD44972
validated and recorded. Weighted Mean to describe the ESWM Issue-5, August
implementation was employed in this study. Results revealed that the 2021, pp.909-912, URL:
respondents are moderately aware (WA=3.20) of the program, they www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd44972.pdf
always practiced segregation and proper solid waste disposal but are
sometimes did recycling practices (WA=2.32); Minor problems Copyright © 2021 by author (s) and
International Journal of Trend in
(WA=2.45) on cooperation and self-discipline but in dire need of
Scientific Research and Development
waste segregation supplies. Since ESWM is everybody’s concern, Journal. This is an
further dissemination and information drive are required for its Open Access article
effective and improved implementation. It is also recommended to distributed under the
conduct school-wide and further environmental awareness campaign terms of the Creative Commons
at school. Attribution License (CC BY 4.0)
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)
KEYWORDS: R.A. 9003 Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.
of 2000, Solid Waste Segregation

INTRODUCTION
Humans produce large number of wastes brought segregation and encourage cooperation and self-
about by the daily activities they do whether in their regulation on waste generation.
households, offices, schools, streets, and some others.
As a response to this national law, every local
These wastes are all disposed in the environment
government unit is required to implement the same in
different areas of the community. One of the
thus the need for proper management to prevent
implementers of the law is Agusan del Sur National
future problems and calamities. Improper wastes
High School. This paper focuses on the policy
disposal, inefficient wastes collection and lack of
making process particularly the policy
disposal facilities are among the dominant concerns
implementation and policy evaluation processes. It
in the country's solid waste management. To respond
looks into the effectiveness of the policy on
to this, the angle on the protection of the environment
Ecological Solid Waste Management as viewed by
particularly on the proper segregation of garbage and
the respondents. The study makes use of the Six
waste disposal must be addressed. The state has to
Stages Approach to understand and analyze the
promote the policy on the adoption of systematic,
Ecological Solid Waste Management as implemented
comprehensive, and ecological waste management
by schools in response to R.A. 9003 or Ecological
program and to address and strengthen the state’s
Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. As used in the
policy, Republic Act 9003 or Ecological Solid Waste
study, stages include: the problem formation or the
Management of 2000 was adopted. The law ensures
issue formulation, the government agenda, policy
the protection of public health and environment
formulation, policy adoption, policy implementation,
which could be done by proper garbage
and policy evaluation.

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 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
METHODOLOGY of the data gathered. Structured questionnaires are
The study is a descriptive research which looks into used to gather the primary data in attaining the
the views and opinions of the respondents particularly objectives. The questionnaire for the respondents
in the implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste comprised of three (3) parts: (I) The level of
Management in Agusan del Sur National High awareness of the respondents regarding the Solid
School. The respondents of the study are the Grade 12 Waste Management Act of 2000; (II) The
General Academic Strand students of Agusan del Sur respondent’s practice on the Ecological Solid Waste
National High School S.Y. 2017-2018. The Management; (III) The problems encountered in Solid
population of the GAS students S.Y. 2018-2019 is Waste Management Service. In data gathering
two hundred thirty (230) and using Slovin's formula procedure, validated questionnaire was distributed to
with 0.05 margin of error, the sample size is one the respondents with the permission of teachers and
hundred forty-seven (147). For selecting the school administrator. The questionnaire was retrieved
respondents, the researcher used the stratified personally so that 100% of the questionnaire are
sampling where the list of all members of the collected. Weighted Mean is then employed in
population is arranged by level and are randomly analyzing the data. Tables are used in presenting the
picked. The randomization technique insures validity findings of the study.
RESULTS
Table 1 Awareness of the Respondent of the Program
Weighted Qualitative
Mean Description
1. I am aware of the program about R.A 9003 or Ecological Solid
3.29 Extremely Aware
Waste Management Act.
2. I am aware that the school is responsible for the implementation of
3.32 Extremely Aware
the Act.
3. I am aware that our school is complying to the R.A 9003 or
3.20 Moderately Aware
Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
4. I am aware on how to segregate proper waste disposal in our
3.22 Moderately Aware
school.
5. I am aware that biodegradable, non –biodegradable, recyclable and
3.10 Moderately Aware
special waste are collected in our school every day until 5:00 pm.
6. I am aware that our school has garbage truck that collects our solid
3.11 Moderately Aware
waste
7. I am aware of the Ordinance or program of Agusan del Sur
3.19 Moderately Aware
National High School under this R.A 9003.
Overall Weighted Mean 3.20 Moderately Aware
Not aware (1.00-1.75); slightly aware (1.76-2.51); moderately aware (2.52-3.28); extremely aware (3.29-4.00)
The table shows that in terms of Awareness of the Respondent to the ESWM Program, the highest weighted
mean of 3.32 that equivalents to Extremely Aware is the second item where the respondents are aware that the
schools is responsible for the implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. The second item
with the qualitative description of extremely aware is “I am aware of the program about R.A 9003 or Ecological
Solid Waste Management Act.” “I am aware that our school is complying to the R.A 9003 or Ecological Solid
Waste Management Act of 2000.” got a weighted mean of 3.20. The fourth item has a weighted mean of 3.22.
The fifth item got a 3.10 weighted mean.
While the sixth item got 3.11 as its weighted mean. And lastly, the seventh item has a weighted mean of 3.19.
The items from 3 to 7 means that the respondents are moderately aware.
Table 2 Students’ Practices of the Ecological Solid Waste Management
Weighted Qualitative
Mean Description
1. I am practicing the R.A 9003 or Ecological Solid Waste Management Act
2.42 Always
of 2000.
2. I am segregating my waste. 2.44 Always
3. I am disposing my waste properly. 2.34 Always
4. I am recycling my waste. 2.25 Sometimes

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 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
5. I am reusing old stuffs. 2.20 Sometimes
6. I am reducing my waste. 2.23 Sometimes
7. I am complying with the schedule of garbage collection in our school. 2.38 Always
Weighted Mean 2.32 Sometimes
Never (1.00-1.66); Sometimes (1.67-2.33); Always (2.34- 3.00)
It is shown that majority of the students practice ecological solid waste management while the rests only do it
sometimes. The item with the highest weighted mean of 2.44 is the second one where the respondents properly
segregated their waste. It is followed with the weighted mean of 2.42 that states “I am practicing the R.A 9003 or
Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.” which is also always practiced. Items three and seven are
always practiced as well where the respondents dispose (2.34) and comply with the schedule of garbage
collection (2.38). Moreover, results show that the following are sometimes practiced: recycling with a weighted
mean of 2.25, reusing old materials with a weighted mean of 2.20, and lastly, reducing waste has a weighted
mean of 2.23. The overall weighted mean of the practices done by the respondents is 2.32 which means it is
sometimes practiced. This further tells that students are still in need of awareness campaign in 3 Rs – the reduce,
reuse and recycle.
Table 3 Problems Encountered in Solid Waste Management Services
Weighted Qualitative
Problems Encountered in Solid Waste Management Services
Mean Description
1. Lack of administrative financial support 2.40 Minor
2. Poor cooperation of the students 2.45 Minor
3. Poor self-discipline of the students 2.00 Minor
4. Lack of garbage bins 2.56 Moderate
5. Lack of garbage bags 2.55 Moderate
6. Lack of signage of the do’s and don’ts regarding waste segregation 2.76 Moderate
Weighted Mean 2.45 Minor
Not (1.00-1.75); Minor (1.76-2.51); Moderate (2.52-3.28); Serious (3.29-4.00)
In the problems encountered in solid waste management services, there only moderate to minor issues which
ranged from 2.00-2.76 and an overall of minor (2.45) problems. Specifically, the most minor problem is the poor
self-discipline of the students (2.00). The second one with a weighted mean of 2.40 is the lack of administrative
financial support. And the least minor problem is the poor cooperation of the students (2.45). The most moderate
problem in terms of the Solid Waste Management Services is the lack of garbage bags (2.55). This is followed
by the lack of garbage bins (2.56). And the least moderate problem is the lack of signage of the do’s and don’ts
regarding waste segregation (2.76).
DISCUSSION awareness among instructors that resulted to
This study investigated the perception of the students challenges in the implementation of environmental
with the school’s implementation of Republic Act No. education. Moreover, the respondents generally
9003 Ecological Solid Waste Management in Agusan sometimes practice this act. Because of this, the result
del Sur National High School. 147 respondents were specifies that there should be more motivation for the
surveyed and the result of data analysis showed that students to practice segregation, disposal, and to
majority of the respondents are aware, practicing, and comply with the garbage collection schedule. This
have no minor problems of the Republic Act No. will provide a better result for the environment
9003. As seen in the first table, although majority of similar to the result of Dong et. al. study in 2017
the respondents are aware of the school’s where students are identified to be willing to
responsibility to implement this act, the the mean contribute in order to provide solutions for the
score shows that respondents are only moderately environment. Furthermore, there are only of minor
aware of the program. This indicates that they are problems identified in this act. Hence, this indicates
informed about the Solid Waste Management Act of that the ESWM Program is well implemented but still
2000 but the program still needs a better integration needs focus and attention to eliminate these problems.
among students for them to be fully aware. This This outcome is supported by the result of Debrah et.
outcome is comparable to the result of Lee and al. (2021) that government, stakeholders, and other
Williams (2001), Chi-Chung Ko and Chi-Kin (2003), concerned organizations must consider long-term
Pulkkinen (2003), and Eguabor (2006), as cited in development efforts in schools for students to have a
Dong et. al. (2017), where there is a lack of cleaner and greener environment. Overall, the

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 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Management Program is working in Agusan del Sur This research study was supported by everyone who
National High School. Minor issues and concerns contributed in any way they can that includes my
may have resulted from students who are unwilling to family, colleagues, the Eco Savers Club of the school
participate but majority are aware, practicing, and in helping me gather the data and most of all the
complying to the program in order to strengthen and students being the respondents of this study and in
support Republic Act 9003 as it ensures the protection making this research paper possible. More
of public health and environment, and to promote importantly, I am indebted to God for always guiding
cleaner and greener surroundings. me to finish this paper. To God be thy Glory!
CONCLUSION REFERENCES
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of the program and school’s advocacy of helping our Management through Formal Education for
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