EVALUATING STUDENTS’ AWARENESS AND SUPPORT FOR REDUCING

PLASTIC POLLUTION

A Research Paper Presented to the Faculty of

AGUSAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Senior High School
Butuan City, Philippines

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Subject

Practical Research 2 (Quantitative Research)

ANTIMARO, JENNIFER T.
MONIN, KRISTYL R.
PINCA, DRENZY AMBER S.
VIDAL, ANGEL LEA MAE D.
YONSON, JANRIEL S.

October 2023
 Chapter I

THE PROBLEM

Introduction

Plastic pollution is a serious environmental issue that has an impact on all

ecosystems, including those on land and in the ocean. It can hurt economies, endanger

species, and lessen the beauty of our natural environment. Governments from all over the

world are making efforts to solve this problem. A legally binding international pact to

lessen plastic pollution was backed by 175 nations in 2022. However, the environment is

still being polluted by plastic despite the effectiveness of the current waste management

methods. Many high-income nations export their plastic garbage to low-income nations,

particularly those in East Asia and the Pacific, who frequently lack the means to

adequately handle it. (United Nations Environment Assembly, March 2022)

Each day, the world witnesses the dumping of an amount of plastic waste

equivalent to 2,000 garbage trucks into oceans, rivers, and lakes. This pervasive plastic

pollution poses a global challenge, with 19-23 million tons of plastic waste entering

aquatic ecosystems annually, contaminating vital water sources. This pollution has far-

reaching consequences, disrupting habitats and natural processes. It hampers ecosystems'

ability to cope with climate change, directly impacting the livelihoods, food production,

and well-being of millions of people. UNEP's research emphasizes that plastic pollution

cannot be addressed in isolation. It must be evaluated alongside other environmental

threats such as climate change, ecosystem degradation, and resource depletion,

considering the intertwined environmental, social, economic, and health risks associated

with plastics. (United Nations Environment Programme, 2022)

Global problems with public health and the environment are being brought on by

plastic pollution. Given that plastic materials are created out of fossil fuels, the extraction

and refinement processes for those petrochemicals are causing harmful air and water

quality, which is especially problematic for locals who live close to these locations.

Hazardous compounds like Bisphenol A and PFAS, which have been associated with

negative health effects, can be found in plastic polymers. As these materials are handled

after being used by consumers, they may be burned, dumped, or exported, creating new

health and environmental problems. Reports of whale fatalities brought on by plastic, the

discovery of garbage at the Mariana Trench's bottom, and predictions that the amount of

plastic in the oceans will triple by 2050 are a few examples of how plastic is having an

impact on the oceans. Microplastics have been discovered in bottled water, tap water, the

waters of the Great Lakes, and our rivers, demonstrating the effects on freshwater. All

aspects of the current plastic pollution challenge need comprehensive strategies. To

promote zero waste and a circular economy, methods that minimize and remove these

materials at the source, improve material recovery processes to increase the capacity for

recycling of materials through efficient recycled content strategies, reduce the use of

hazardous materials in these materials, and mandate that producers of the materials

manage their end of life all work together. (United Nations Environment Programme,

2022)

Despite having a law in place to control waste, the Philippines produce more

plastic waste than any other nation in the world. This is brought on by a variety of
circumstances, such as widespread poverty and a tendency to frequently purchase tiny

amounts of items, which results in a large amount of single-use plastic packaging. The

environment and the livelihoods of those who live there are being severely harmed by the

Philippines' plastic pollution issue. The accumulation of plastic debris on land and in

waterways is damaging wildlife and marine habitats. (Jintak Han, April 22, 2023)

Previously, discussions about plastic-related issues mainly focused on adopting

zero-waste lifestyles and individual actions. They've reached a point where plastics have

become an integral part of our daily lives. They use them extensively for packaging food,

goods, appliances, furniture, clothing, and more, only to see them ultimately ending up in

landfills, oceans, or even polluting the air we breathe.. In an economy that promotes high

plastic demand, producers are motivated to supply an increasing amount of plastic

products. In places like the Philippines, corporations such as Coca-Cola, Nestle, and

Universal Robina have been identified as major contributors to plastic pollution. Items

like plastic sachets and containers, which were once considered non-essential, have

become inseparable from everyday life partly due to the influence of these companies.

Given that the demand and supply of plastics aren't decreasing anytime soon, both

corporations and individuals have turned to plastic recycling as a solution. While

recycling appears promising, it falls short of its potential. According to a report from the

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), a mere nine percent

of plastic worldwide is recycled, with the majority being incinerated, landfilled, or

improperly disposed of. Of this nine percent, only two percent undergo effective

recycling, while the rest are downcycled and eventually contribute to plastic waste.

(Stanley Guevarra, July 18, 2022)

 Enviliance ASIA's Southeast Asia branch discusses the environmental legislation

in the Philippines, focusing on the Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022. This

law mandates enterprises with significant assets to establish programs for collecting

plastic packaging waste. The Philippines, a major contributor to global plastic pollution

due to its coastal population and high precipitation, faces severe consequences. Plastic

waste endangers marine life, contaminates organisms, and impacts livelihoods. Despite

China generating more plastic waste, the Philippines' proximity to water bodies magnifies

its ocean pollution impact. Additionally, plastic waste clogs waterways, exacerbates

flooding, and harms tourism, emphasizing the urgent need for effective waste

management strategies. (The Extended Producer Responsibility Bill of 2022)

This coastal city of Cagayan De Oro still has a lot to do to reduce plastic waste on

the beaches and nearby residential areas. According to a cleanup assessment by Barangay

Bonbon board chairman Allan Mabalacad after the annual International Coastal Cleanup

Day (ICC) that covered 13 villages over the weekend, strict procedures must be put in

place to reduce the accumulation of plastic waste. There are many commercial beach

areas in the small town, so there may be more plastic bottle waste there. One of the

cleanup workers, Maria Judelyn Pueblos, stated that plastic bottles and wrappers made up

most of the trash collected. The cleanup in Cagayan de Oro City began on Friday in

Barangay Lapasan, with the participation of the coastal communities of Lapasan, Agusan,

Bayabas, Bulua, Bugo, Cugmani, Gusa, Macabalan, Puntod, Puerto and Tablon. The

purpose of ICC Day is to encourage people around the world to clean up litter and other

waste from rivers, beaches, and other bodies of water. According to Proclamation No.

470, Series of 2003, it is celebrated on the third Saturday of every September. According
to environmentalists, the five most collected items on ICC days are plastic bottle caps,

food wrappers, cigarette butts and whistles. All are different types of plastic waste. The

very properties that make plastic a versatile and long-lasting commodity also make it a

disaster for the environment. Plastics are not biodegradable. Instead, they break into

smaller and smaller pieces under the influence of weather and ultraviolet radiation from

the sun. A statement from the Global Surfrider Foundation said that "when these pieces

end up in the environment, especially the marine environment, they cause damage to

species and ecology. Volunteers and village officials said that most of the trash collected

was plastic, although the Department of Environment and Natural Resources of Northern

Mindanao has yet to provide data on what was removed in 1993, Proclamation No. 244

declared September as National Cleanup Month and the dates 17-23 World Clean and

Green Week celebration. The purpose of the activity is to organize significant voluntary

work to support and complete national environmental cleaning and greening projects,

where waste reduction, recycling, composting and restoration of water bodies have been

institutionalized by many parts of society. The decree stated that comprehensive formal

and informal training on waste management, pollution prevention and training of

educators, teachers and young leaders will be intensified every September. (Ercel

Maandig, September 18, 2022,)

Urban agglomeration in Butuan City caused problems with solid waste

management (SWM) because of institutional weaknesses such as ineffective operations, a

lack of competent labor, subpar facilities and equipment, shoddy law enforcement, and

inadequate budget. Through a survey questionnaire, the socioeconomic profile and

efficacy of SWM programs were investigated. The sample size (n=427) was determined
using a two-stage random sampling with a 95% level of confidence, and a 5-point Likert

scale was used to assess participants' knowledge, attitudes, and practices about SWM.

Additionally, key informant interviews and targeted focus groups were held.

Respondents' average SWM knowledge (3.80) and attitude (4.52), which were correlated

with high wealth and educational level, were both quite high. The majority recycle

(70.4%), compost (61.3%), reuse (83.8%), and segregate their garbage (97.9%).

However, the respondents' lack of familiarity with the locations (35.6%), capabilities

(33.7%), and use (51.3%) of the materials recovery facilities is a sign that local

government entities are not adhering to SWM laws and policies. Due to a lack of

resources and space, a sizable portion of responders (38.7%) do not compost. Facilities

for materials recovery and composting need to be grouped together, and waste collection,

storage, and disposal systems need to be adjusted. An effective SWM system must

include awareness campaigns, incentive programs, and public participation. (Editor-in-

Chief, Dr. Felino P. Lansigan, 2022)

In conclusion, this study aids in developing environmental education and

sustainability strategies by assessing students' knowledge and attitudes, enabling targeted

strategies for responsible consumption and sustainable practices, paving the way for a

more eco-conscious future.

Theoretical Framework

According to the theory of planned behavior (Ajzen, 1991), Intentions have an

influence on behaviors, and intentions are influenced by three things: attitudes, subjective

norms, and perceived behavioral control. Depending on the degree to which a behavior is

actually controlled by the individual and the degree to which perceived behavioral control
is an accurate measure of actual behavioral control, external factors may also directly

force or prevent behaviors, regardless of the intention. (Ajzen, 1991)

Students' attitudes may be influenced by their knowledge about plastic pollution

and its effects on the environment. The more informed they are about the problem, the

more likely they are to support attempts to lessen plastic pollution. The term "subjective

norms' ' describes how people perceive social pressure and effect on their behavior.

Students are more likely to experience social pressure to support anti-plastic pollution

initiatives if they are aware that their peers or other influential persons are doing so.

Perceived Behavioral Control of TPB relates to the perceived ease or difficulty of

carrying out a certain action, students are more likely to engage in such actions if they

believe that supporting initiatives to prevent plastic pollution is within their power and

that they can make a difference. In the TPB model, intentions are a major predictor of

actual behavior. Students are more likely to plan to support pertinent measures if they

have a positive outlook, perceive social support, and feel in control of their actions

regarding plastic pollution.

The tragedy of the commons by british author William Forster Lloyd (1833)

describes a situation in which people who have access to a shared resource, also known

as a common, act selfishly and ultimately deplete the resource. This theory explains

individuals’ tendency to make decisions based on their personal needs, regardless of the

negative impact it may have on others. In some cases, an individual’s belief that others

won’t act in the best interest of the group can lead them to justify selfish behavior

(Spiliakos, 2019).
 According to Ritchie and Roser (2018) individuals who use single-use plastics

enjoy all the product's advantages, such as convenience, yet the cost of using these

plastics is borne by all society as they affect the environment. Each person simply

considers their personal self-interest, ignoring the requirements of the group. In addition,

denying oneself the use of plastics would have a negligible personal influence, as he

would be powerless to solve the problem by ceasing to use plastic products. Therefore,

for the commons to be used in a sustainable manner, a collective strategy that wins the

support of all the stakeholders is necessary. The Tragedy of the Commons can be related

to students' perceptions regarding plastic waste by emphasizing the difficulties in

addressing a common environmental problem, the importance of personal responsibility,

and the necessity of group effort to reduce plastic pollution. It can be used as a

framework to analyze the dynamics of environmental problems and how students see

their involvement in resolving them. (Ritchie and Roser, 2018)

Stern (2000) proposes the Value-Belief-Norm theory (VBN), which takes into

consideration more general views on the biosphere brought on by human activity.

According to a person's personal values, VBN causally explains how environmental

realization initiation occurs at the individual level (Wensing et al., 2019). Real

environmental threats have altered the climate in numerous ways. The conviction

required to act in a particular way is created by awareness of the effects of human

behavior (Van Riper and Kyle, 2014).

According to Lopez Mosquera and Sánchez (2012) and Yildirim and Semiz

(2019), assigning responsibility is the act of an individual being willing to take initiative

and take steps that can prevent outcomes by instilling a clear sense of duty. Perceived
obligations to behave more responsibly serve as the foundation for the interaction of

cognitive, emotional, and social factors. Guilt-based prosocial emotions cause people to

act in the right ways, which reduces harm to others or to themselves, and they encourage

people to adopt new prosocial behaviors, which has a positive impact on the environment

(Chen and Liu, 2020).

The Value-Belief-Norm theory offers a thorough psychological structure for

comprehending the nature of students' awareness and support in relation to reducing

plastic pollution. Students' values, beliefs, and norms play a crucial role in their

environmental consciousness. Those with a strong environmental stance are more aware

of plastic pollution, recognizing its negative effects on the environment and wildlife.

Social norms, such as expectations from peers and the community, also influence

students' behavior. Addressing these interconnected aspects can effectively motivate

students to become environmentally conscious and support initiatives to reduce plastic

pollution, inspiring meaningful change among students and future generations.

Conceptual Framework

This study consists of two variables. Students awareness of plastic pollution as an

independent variable and students support for reducing plastic pollution as a dependent

variable.

AWARENESS
ABM
OF
STEM
PLASTIC
HUMMS
POLLUTION
 Figure 1. Conceptual Framework of the Study

Statement of the Problem

The purpose of this research study entitled “EVALUATING STUDENTS

AWARENESS AND SUPPORT FOR REDUCING PLASTIC POLLUTION” is to

determine the awareness of students about plastic pollution.

Specifically, the study will answer the following problems:

1. What is the level of awareness among ABM students regarding the

environmental impact of plastic pollution?

2. What is the level of awareness among HUMSS students regarding the

environmental impact of plastic pollution?

3. What is the level of awareness among STEM students regarding the

environmental impact of plastic pollution?

4. Is there a significant difference between ABM, HUMSS, and STEM students

on the level of awareness in the environmental impact of plastic pollution?

Null Hypothesis

Ho1: There is no significant difference between ABM, HUMSS, and STEM

students on the level of awareness of the environmental impact of plastic pollution?

Scope and Delimitation

 The scope of this study only focuses on evaluating students’ levels of awareness

of plastic pollution and their willingness to actively support efforts to do such. Only the

Senior High School Students at Agusan National High School in grades 11 and will be

the subject of this study. The researcher’s contributions outside of this research’s scope

will be irrelevant . The researchers’ next step will be to apply comparable methodologies

to evaluate students’ awareness and their support for initiatives to reduce plastic

pollution.

Significance of the Study

The results of this study will significantly contribute much knowledge and

learning that will give substantial benefits to the following:

Students. To educate students about the environmental impact of single-use

plastic consumption, promoting awareness and responsibility to make informed decisions

to reduce plastic waste.

Teachers. To have valuable insights into educators' current methods for teaching

environmental awareness, enabling them to refine their methods and engage students

more effectively.

Parents and guardians. For them to be able to demonstrate the significance of

the impact of the single-use plastic in the environment.

School. To reduce plastic consumption by identifying areas for improvement and

implementing targeted initiatives to create an environmentally friendly environment,

aligning with sustainability goals.

 School administrator. To develop and implement strategies to reduce single-use

plastic consumption in schools, thereby promoting an environmentally conscious and

sustainable learning environment.

Future researchers. This may serve as guidance for gathering information and as

a foundation for a larger study.

The researchers. To improve their skills, strategy, and knowledge in engaging

research.

Definition of Terms

The following terms used in the study are conceptually and operationally defined.

Students: Refers to those who are taking part in a formal education. They enroll

in courses of programs to advance their knowledge and skills and gain information.

Awareness: A state of consciousness or knowledge about an issue or situation. In

this research, it would imply their level of knowledge about plastic pollution.

Plastic Pollution: Refers to the environmental issue brought on by the build up of

plastic garbage in natural areas which has a negative impact on wildlife, ecosystems, and

human health.

Solid Waste Management: The systematic control and disposal of solid waste,

which includes the collection, storage, and disposal of waste materials.