COMMUNITY AWARENESS ON SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT: A BASIS

FOR INTEGRATED SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

(ISWM) FRAMEWORK

A Research Study
Presented to
The Research Committee, Department of Teacher Education
UM Panabo College,Panabo City

In Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the Course
GE 2 (88)-Purposive Communication

SILVIR JIRAH L. ESTABAYA

CRISTY MAE L. CAJES
MARIEL B. MILLAMA

November 2024
 INTRODUCTION

The improper management of solid waste had been a pressing

problem that caused many prevalent predicaments in today's society. From a

global perspective, the study of Deshpande et al. (2020) in India discovered

the state of plastic waste management in India commercial fishing practices.

Their static Material Flow Analysis (MFA) revealed that 300 tons of plastic

garbage accumulate annually as abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear

(ALDFG) in the ocean ecosystem, regardless of local clean up measures.

Moreover, a study done by Andrade et al. (2019) found that freshwater fish in

the Amazon had already been affected by plastic pollution. After looking

through the stomach contents of 172 specimens belonging to 16 different

species of Sargasalmus, they discovered that 80% of the species had

consumed plastic debris. In a parallel study of Tariq and Mushtaq (2023),

Moreover, water contamination caused by population expansion,

industrialization, ineffective waste treatment systems, and poor sanitation puts

8–25 million people in Latin America, 32–164 million people in Africa, and 31–

134 million people in Asia at risk to water-borne illnesses.

Understanding community awareness regarding solid waste

management is crucial for developing effective and sustainable waste

management strategies. Increased community awareness can lead to greater

participation in waste reduction, recycling, and proper disposal practices,

ultimately minimizing the environmental and health impacts of waste.

According to the study of Rangeti (2021) states the importance of community

participation as a cost-effective solution for sustainable waste management,

highlighting the need for comprehensive community involvement. It

underscores the positive impact of community clean-up campaigns, not only

for environmental cleanliness but also for fostering community unity and

shared responsibility. Promoting community awareness is therefore essential

for creating a sense of ownership and responsibility, leading to more effective

and sustainable waste management practices. A study done by Thao T.

Tran's (2018) at UC Berkeley's International House demonstrated the

effectiveness of educational interventions like sustainability-themed events

and informational campaigns. These initiatives fostered behavioral changes,

with participants reporting improved recycling habits and greater

environmental awareness. Solid waste management is crucial for reducing

pollution, conserving resources, and minimizing health risks. It promotes

environmental sustainability by decreasing landfill contributions, reducing

greenhouse gas emissions, and fostering cleaner, healthier communities.

More information about the study can be accessed.

The United States faces considerable challenges in the realm of solid

waste management, driven by high waste generation rates, limited recycling

efficiency, and an ongoing dependence on landfilling. According to Kaza et al.

(2018), the nation generates approximately 292 million tons of municipal solid

waste annually, with a per capita generation rate among the highest globally.

Despite increased efforts to enhance recycling and composting, only about

32% of waste is diverted from disposal pathways such as landfilling and

incineration, reflecting systemic inefficiencies in waste recovery and material

lifecycle management. The predominance of landfills as a disposal method

raises critical environmental concerns, including land degradation and the

emission of potent greenhouse gases such as methane. Furthermore,

regional disparities in waste management infrastructure and policy

implementation underscore the need for a more cohesive, federally

coordinated approach. Addressing these issues necessitates the adoption of

innovative waste minimization strategies, investments in advanced recycling

technologies, and comprehensive public education campaigns to promote

sustainable waste management practices.

In a national context, a study by Coracero (2020) found that the

Philippines is one of the world's worst plastic polluters, with hundreds of

thousands of tons of plastic garbage dumped in the nation's rivers and 0.28 to

0.75 million tons of plastic debris spilling into the waterways annually from

coastal spots in Manila Bay. Furthermore, according to Oxford University's

"Our World in Data" study from 2021, 81% of the plastic that ends up in the

ocean comes from Asian rivers, with the Philippines contributing almost 30%

of that amount. Furthermore, according to study by Filipeciano (2023), the

Pasig River contributes more than 6% of the plastic that is discovered in other

rivers, such as Agusan, Jalaur, Pampanga, Rio Grande de Mindanao, Tambo

in Pasay, heoruitTullahan, and Zapote.

The Davao Region generates 600 to 650 tons of garbage daily, with

25% dumped in rivers, 55% in landfills, and 80% of the waste being

biodegradable, contributing to flooding and health risks like leptospirosis,

especially in Carmen, Davao del Norte. The area’s recurring heavy rainfall

worsens drainage blockages, emphasizing the urgent need for effective solid

waste management to mitigate environmental and public health hazards.

According to Cardinal (2018), solid waste management is crucial in Carmen,

Davao del Norte, where improper disposal contributes to flooding and health

risks like leptospirosis, and local efforts such as clustering LGUs to share

resources and create sanitary landfills can improve efficiency and reduce

costs. Successful inter-LGU partnerships, like those in South Cotabato,

emphasize the importance of community involvement in promoting

environmental sustainability, reducing public health risks, and fostering

economic benefits.

Waste Management Theory (WMT) by Pongrácz et al. (2006) was

used in this study as this study mainly dwell on the management of solid

wastes within the community. Since this theory focused on how wastes are

managed so that it would benefit the environment and humans, this could be

related to the unmanaged wastes within the community because as proper

waste disposal is not given importance it would result in tampering with the

clean environment and all its respective areas. Furthermore, this theory

emphasized the prevention of harm due to practices connected to the ignoring

of proper waste management; hence, it was coupled with this research as this

study was associated with how aware a community was of the effects of

improper waste disposal. Similarly, this study was also anchored through the

lens of the Theory of Pollution Policy (TPP) by Gloria Helfand et al. (2003).

This theory focuses on the optimal levels of different environments and

indicates when you can label a specific area as ‘polluted.’ Moreover, this

theory highlighted feasible ways to achieve an acceptable amount of pollution

within a region, meaning that pollution is necessary for urban and

technological development but no longer essential when it corrupts the health

and environment of the world that we live in. Likewise, this theory also stated

that pollution is brought by pollutants, and most of these pollutants are

dissipated throughout the environment, it could only be considered ‘pollution,’

when the scattered pollutants are at enormous amounts.

Solid waste management remained a major issue in the Philippines,

especially in large cities like Metro Manila. The three primary problems with

the country's solid waste management system are inadequate disposal of

garbage, inefficient collection of waste, and a lack of disposal facilities. The

trash generated from many sources will continue to have a significant

negative impact on the environment and public health if these issues are not

resolved. These effects include flooding, air pollution, contaminated ground

and surface waters, and the spread of illnesses. In Metro Manila, more than

10,000 tons of waste are created every day; by 2030, this amount is expected

to triple. There is a lot of rubbish that ends up in the environment since the

Philippines has 4820 rivers that discharge over 356,371 million metric tons of

plastic litter into the ocean each year (Meijer et al., 2021). A large portion of

the trash was burned outside or dumped in rivers, streams, and Manila Bay,

which reduced the amount of clean air the city had and consequently caused

air pollution (Kangasmäki, 2020).

According to the study of Jerumeh (2020), it was revealed, globally,

that poor management of solid waste is responsible for public health issues.

The data was collected from 174 households in Akure metropolis, and the

result shows diseases like: measles, diarrhea, malaria, and typhoid fever

associated by the poor environmental sanitation. Also, this issue has led to

the alignment of the community's improper disposal of waste. Furthermore,

the study of Dharwal et al. (2022) on water pollution and its effects on health

and environment at Dala LGA, Nigeria investigated the effects of water

pollution in the Dala Local Government of Kano State, Nigeria, found that 57%

of the people have been infected by cholera while 29% had malaria and the

remaining 14% had asthma.

For land pollution, harmful solid or liquid materials are disposed of in

landforms causing the land to be exposed to chemicals and absorb the toxins

involved (Admin, 2022). Rather than disposing of the rubbish in designated

dumping areas, people frequently dump waste illegally in ditches, open fields,

and forests resulting in the degradation of the land that was filled with plant

life. Trash that can be recycled or reused, automobiles, and asbestos trash

are common categories of waste that are unlawfully dumped. Not only that,

but plastics that are not easily disposed of and are the main contributors of

toxins, are also wastes that remain unmanaged in certain regions (Texas

Disposal System, 2024).

For future researchers, this study will serve as a valuable reference in

conducting related studies on solid waste management. It highlights gaps and

unexplored areas, encouraging researchers to employ innovative techniques

and methodologies to address these limitations and build upon the findings.

By doing so, they can validate, refine, and expand the results, contributing to

a more comprehensive understanding of solid waste management. Moreover,

this study provides an opportunity for future researchers to enhance the

existing body of knowledge, offering fresh perspectives and solutions that can

further improve policies, practices, and community awareness in managing

solid waste effectively.

 This study underscores the global, national, and local importance of

proper solid waste management by shedding light on the harmful effects of

unmanaged waste on communities and the environment. Globally, it supports

international organizations like the International Solid Waste Association

(ISWA) and the International Waste Working Group (IWWG) by promoting

practices that could reduce their workload in monitoring and managing

municipal waste. In the Philippines, it serves as baseline information to

address the widespread issue of improper waste disposal in communities,

emphasizing its contribution to problems like pollution, health risks, flash

floods, and climate change. The study encourages national organizations,

such as the Department of Natural Resources (DENR) and Greenpeace

Philippines, to develop and implement stricter policies, training programs, and

awareness campaigns to mitigate waste-related challenges. Locally, it draws

attention to the pressing need for municipalities and barangays, particularly in

Carmen, to enforce consistent waste management practices and address

neglected waste issues. Furthermore, it seeks to educate individuals in

homes, schools, and communities about the detrimental effects of improper

disposal on their health and surroundings, fostering behavioral change. This

study also serves as a foundation for future research, offering insights to

guide policies, initiatives, and environmental restoration efforts while

emphasizing collective responsibility in managing solid waste.

Further, the research objectives include three questions it aims to

explore various aspects of solid waste management within the barangay: (1)

What are your experiences regarding proper solid waste management that

you encountered in your barangay? (2) What are your coping mechanisms on
how to handle solid waste management in your barangay? (3)What are your

perceptions on solid waste management in your barangay?

 METHOD

This study involved 5 participants from Barangay Ising selected

through purposive sampling to gather in-depth insights from a diverse cross-

section of community members. From a population of 300 individuals,

participants were chosen based on two inclusion criteria: they needed to be

residents of Barangay Ising and fall within the age range of 12-60. If a

participant chose to withdraw, a replacement of the same gender and age

range within the same barangay was sought, maintaining voluntariness and

diversity. A purposeful approach was used to ensure that participants with

varying perspectives on solid waste management were included, and non-

residents or those unwilling to participate were excluded. Throughout the

study, the researchers prioritized participant's rights, ensuring they felt

comfortable and respected, with the option to withdraw at any stage.

MATERIALS/INSTRUMENTS

For this study, we used a constructed interview guide specifically

developed to explore community awareness and practices related to solid

waste management. The interview guide, constructed by the researchers,

included carefully formulated questions designed to elicit participants’

experiences, challenges, and perspectives. The questions were adapted to be

clear, concise, and free of technical jargon, making them easy for participants

to understand and answer comfortably. To ensure validity and reliability, the

guide was reviewed and validated by an expert in the field, who provided

feedback to refine question clarity and relevance. This validation process

helped to enhance the instrument’s effectiveness in gathering accurate and

meaningful insights from participants.

DESIGN AND PROCEDURE

This study employed a qualitative phenomenological research

technique to gain insights into the challenges and experiences individuals

faced in understanding and engaging in effective solid waste management

practices. The phenomenological methodology was deemed appropriate as it

focuses on exploring individuals’ lived experiences, enabling participants to

share personal insights and meanings they attribute to their daily waste

management practices. By capturing these subjective experiences, the study

aimed to deepen the understanding of community awareness and behaviors

regarding solid waste management (Carr, 2000).

The data collection process commenced after we obtained permission

from local community leaders and adhered to ethical protocols by securing

informed consent from each participant. Given limitations on face-to-face

interactions, virtual in-depth interviews were conducted to explore participants’

experiences, coping mechanisms, and perspectives on waste management.

The study was conducted over three months, covering data collection,

transcription, and analysis. Thematic analysis was then performed on the

interview transcriptions to identify key themes related to the participants’

experiences and challenges. Each theme was reviewed and validated by

experts to ensure accuracy and relevance. Although no statistical tests were

employed due to the qualitative nature of the study, the thematic analysis

allowed for a comprehensive interpretation of participants’ insights on solid

waste management practices within their communities.

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