Introduction

The world today is suffering from various problems, one of which is environmental

crisis. With over seven billion people living on the planet, production rate has increased.

Consequently, waste accumulation surged as well. Every second, waste is generated and so,

everyone must manage this properly. One of the ways on how this could be controlled is through

waste management and segregation. However, these have been very difficult to implement.

Waste Management is a complex issue that involves institutional, political, socioeconomic, and

environmental dimensions. It has emerged as one of the major issues confronting urban areas in

developing nations due to rapid urbanization (Debrah et al., 2021). It would really be a helpful

method if only it is practiced by everybody. Unfortunately, it is often perceived as a job for

politicians only. Waste Segregation is a subject that should be given concern by every single

resident of a nation. The responsibility for managing the produced waste does not solely fall on

the municipal authority (Anshuman & Pankaj Kumar., 2019). This study aims to support that and

promote awareness, as the sustainability and well-being of the planet lies on the people and not

only on government officials. Starting with the municipality of Pinamungajan, the researchers

plan to spread consciousness and knowledge on waste segregation especially to the younger

generations. According to Yaacob et al. (2019), the future environmental decisions will be made

by the youth. As Dr. Jose Rizal stated in his poem, “A la Juventud Filipina” in 1879 (Drona,

2020), “The youth is the hope of the fatherland” (Imado, 2017), the researchers decided to begin

this step for change and betterment with the youth. The future depends on them, their decisions

and most importantly, their actions. Considering all the threat and harm humanity has caused to

Earth, the youth should be educated on the real dilemmas that the world is currently facing. They

should be made aware on significant matters such as waste segregation, be initiators of change
and, learn how to actively engage in environmental programs and causes. For as Ortega-Dela

Cruz & Nabor (2022) stated, “awareness is crucial but, it is not sufficient, especially without

application”.

Due to the tremendous population growth, industrialization, and urbanization of recent

years, collection and segregation of waste has become the greatest burden for all large cities

globally. At the residential level, there is a lack of understanding regarding the segregation of

garbage. Poor waste management has led to a number of serious difficulties, including risks to

human health and environmental concerns (Santhosh Kumar et al., 2017). Waste management,

according to Flores & Tan (2019), plays a vital role in maintaining the ecological environment.

Sorting at the base level is greatly aided by efficient garbage disposal at the dump sites.

Moreover, Nordin & Adman (2019) stated that a good waste management strategy depends on

public awareness. Despite being aware of recycling and solid waste separation methods, the

public has not taken part in these programs. Studies on household awareness of solid waste

segregation, particularly in sub-urban areas, are largely lacking. On the other hand, Han et al.

(2018) asserted that enhancing environmental awareness and domestic waste management in

rural areas will need the conduct of demonstration projects and effective environmental

promotion, raising people's incomes, and luring young people to participate in domestic waste

management. Meanwhile, Dolipas et al. (2020) emphasizes on proper disposal which is one of

the most crucial elements of a waste management program in an educational institution.

Nevertheless, Mofid-Nakhaee et al. (2020) assures that governments employ a variety of

practical strategies to promote municipal solid waste management practices, including educating

families about trash generation reduction and rising recycling and composting rates.
 The study focuses on youth awareness on waste segregation. Although the

aforementioned research talks about waste management as well, they vary much on their

respondents. Some of the studies are on the residential or public level of waste management

which differs from this research. There are also some that stresses the same issue but in terms of

educational or household settings. Different places and countries were also the center of other

studies while there is also a study that includes persuasion on youth in participating in waste

management. Their research also ponders on other branches such as environmental promotion

and raising people’s income, which sets this study apart from it. There are also those that extend

the study on a municipal level, on governments, and strategies. Moreover, there are those that

aim to educate families and not only the youth. Even though these previous and existing studies

contain a larger scope on the matter, the researchers have confidence on the uniqueness of the

study. This is so since from the beginning of its creation, it was directed to be accordingly

specific and attainable. Nevertheless, the study aims to know the level of awareness among the

youth of our locality and that distinguishes it as its own.

Through the findings of this study, the researchers intend to organize and develop a few

enhancement programs that could possibly aid on raising the awareness of the youth on waste

segregation. These are the planned programs that the researchers were able to formulate: 1)

Campaign Advertisement 2) Seminar on Waste Segregation and 3) Project. The first one aims to

contain significant and relevant information that could give the youth more knowledge on waste

segregation. An animated video would be posted through the official social media page of the

Sangguniang Kabataan of Pinamungajan, Cebu and if possible, on the Municipality’s official

social media page as well. The second program would be conducted in cooperation with the

Sangguniang Kabataan officials. It is intended to be a half-day seminar with at least 25-50

project shall easily be followed but uniquely created aiming to be the first of its kind. Most

importantly, this shall help those Out-of-School Youths to have a source of income and

livelihood through this. Ultimately, the researchers have the objective of raising awareness on

waste segregation among the youth and contribute something to this issue through a suitable

program.