Factors Contributing to Innovative and Sustainable Solid Waste

Management of Schools in Tumauini, Isabela

Ibana, Jaynard R.

Palogan, Loriefer A.

Asuncion, Nicole A.

Researchers
 SUMMARY

Improper Solid Waste Management is one of the major problems

encountered by every nation on Earth. It led to the ecosystem’s destruction.

Throughout the years, waste management became more adamant in the

urban areas. Due to the mass utilization of materials that often result to the

excessive production of wastes, nobody shall be spared.

In the Philippines, programs are implemented at local levels. However,

these programs aren’t always followed as what have been expected.

Moreover, the implementation of programs, oftentimes, aren’t consistent.

The endless human activities created a macro impact, both positive and

negative.

This study discusses about the importance of applying consistent and

realistic approach and programs to counterpart the said problem.

Furthermore, it will produce a more reliable solution in order to efficiently

raise awareness to the people, particularly to the students in different

institutions.
Background of the Study

According to United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA, 2023),

“solid waste” refers to any garbage or refuse, sediment from wastewater

treatment plant, water supply treatment plant, on air pollution control

facility and other discarded material, resulting from industrial, commercial,

mining, and agricultural operations, and from community activities.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) stated

that, the Philippines produces garbage that is beyond its solid waste

management policy. The country, with a population of over 100 million,

produces over 21 million metric tons of garbage every year, which resulted

the country having 0.4 kilos average per capita of waste in 2021.

Waste management is the total supervision of waste production,

handling, processing, storage, and transport from its point of generation to

its final acceptable disposal (United Nations Environment Programme,

2020). It remains as one of the most known problems faced by the world.

In the Philippines, different programs are implemented to combat the

improper disposal of wastes. The problem led to the institutionalization of

the Department of Education (DepEd) Order No. 05, s. 2014, aligned to the

Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, which

provides for a systematic, comprehensive and ecological solid waste

management program. However, like most of the other developing countries,

the Philippines finds it difficult to cope with the said problem.

as: increasing amount of solid waste, weak law implementation, scarcity of

sanitary landfills, and improper disposal (Ericson Coracero et al., 2021).

Furthermore, solid waste management is confronted by problems like:

financial constraints, lack of support from localities, ineffective recycling or

composting, ever- changing climate and unclear regulations.

In conclusion, creating solid waste management plans aligned to trends,

with consistency, could be a more effective solution to combat improper

solid waste disposal.

Beneficiaries

This part of the study discusses the significance of the study to

students, the institution, the parents and stakeholders concerned, the

researchers themselves and the future researchers.

Students. The students can demonstrate their skills and talents through

the implementation of solid waste management. It will also heighten their

awareness toward the effect of proper waste management to the school, the

environment, the country and to the world.

School Institution. The school institution shall greatly benefit from this

study in creating new and improved implementation plan in managing solid

waste.

Parents and other Stakeholders. Through this study, parent and other

stakeholders shall be ensured for the safety of their children’s health

condition and education.

and the community can adapt the practices or techniques from this study

beneficial in improving the environment. The findings can also reduce the

rate of people affected from diseases due to improper solid waste

management.

Researchers. The research process of this study is already a beneficial

contribution to the researchers’ awareness toward timely issues in school,

and the results of the study can be a future reference for them to use.

Future Researchers. The results of the study shall be a significant and

reliable source for future researchers’ investigation in the same field. They

can also use the study as a reference in creating new theories about solid

waste management.

Proposed Solution

The researchers shall adopt the use of traditional 3 Rs, which is Reduce,

Reuse and Recycle and integrating it in present curriculum. The researcher

will also add specific changes to promote innovation and sustainability in

solid waste management.

This paper proposes to reduce wastes produced in school by recycling the

non-biodegradable and re-using biodegradable wastes. The biodegradable

waste shall be used to fertilize the soil within to improve all living organisms

in the school such as the plants, trees and other greens that produces

oxygen.
 Furthermore, since paper is very abundant in schools, recycling it is also

possible in numerous ways. Vijay Kumar, J., et al (2019) stated that paper

recycling can reduce the consumption of energy in producing paper,

decreases the need of waste disposal and reduce the intensity of use of

natural resources.

On the other hand, the remaining waste, the non-biodegradable waste,

can be recycled and modified as a decoration through the skills and talents

of students in crafting new things. Plastics such as plastic bottles can be

modified into plastic pots, chairs and can be also used as an material in

construction.

This research proposes to merge the solid waste management to both

academic and TVL track and its different strand in Senior High School as

solution to solid was management. In Junior High School, it will be

implemented through the subject of Technical and Livelihood Program such

as Home Economics, Agriculture, Industrial Arts and Entrepreneurship.

Methods

Problem Description

For schools, managing waste is a big responsibility that can be challenging.

As population increases, waste also increases. Every school generates a big

portion of waste which is not properly managed by the students. Improper

waste management has been an issue that is persisted for a long time, and

numerous efforts to address it but have not been entirely successful. Poor
garbage disposal practices cause serious environmental issues at a location

especially in school which is a negative activity that has risky effects.

Table 1. Generated Cost-Analysis of the study.

COSTS

Item Price Total

Electricity PHP 2,000 PHP 2,000

Labor 3,000 3,000

Internet 1,399 1,399

Connection

Materials 5,000 5, 000

Total PHP 11,399 PHP 11, 399

Expected Results

The goal of this study to reduce the waste and improve solid waste

management of students in a certain school. Moreover, it will also ensure

their safety as it reduce the air, water and soil contamination. This project’s

main objective is a cleaner environment in school. As school plays a vital

role in teaching students on how to manage their waste properly, it will lead

students to keep their surroundings clean, reduce their waste and to

recycle.
References

United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA, 2023). Criteria for

the Definition of Solid Waste and Solid and Hazardous Waste

Exclusions | US EPA.

Vijay Kumar, J. (2019) Process and Environmental Benefit of Recycling of

Waste Papers. International Journal of Recent Technology and

Engineering (IJRTE) ISSN: 2277-3878, Volume-8 Issue-2S12,

September 2019. DOI:10.35940/ijrte.B1020.0982S1219