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VIRGEN MILAGROSA SENIOR HIGH

IMPLEMENTATION OF WASTE MANAGEMENT IN SAN CARLOS CITY

by:
Denise Francine DG. Sabangan
Abstract
The critical concerns on waste pollution prompted the conceptualization of this research
study. This study particularly investigated how the residents in San Carlos Pangasinan are taking
responsibility to alleviate such concerns. With the goal to investigate the implementation of
waste management, this study sought answers to (1) how the residents of San Carlos City
contributes to the solid waste management in terms of: awareness of the proper waste
management; type of solid waste produced in their household; type of waste bin used for
collection of solid waste; type of waste disposal; frequency of waste disposal; and (2) what are
the perceptions of the select residents towards the implementation of the solid waste
management in San Carlos City? These residents who represented the subject of the study are
basically selected through convenience sampling. By means of collecting descriptive data, the
identified problems were addressed. This study found out that in general, the subjects were
well informed and actively participating in the waste management of San Carlos City. Also, this
study significantly found out that the subjects were positive about the implementation of the
waste management in the research locale. In conclusion, this study has proven that many are
aware of the effects and consequences of improper waste management hence they opt to
participate actively in the implementation of proper waste management. Furthermore, this
study has made several recommendations based on its findings such as solid waste must
enforced further, a 3-times in a month clean-up drive in every barangay should be imposed and
there should be a campaign to educate the young about protecting the environment for the
future generation so that the community they will live on will be an accommodating and clean
environment. The participation of various stakeholders in the implementation of solid waste
management, strong awareness and campaigns and promotion of sustainable waste
management are recommended to achieve sound waste management and sustainable recycling
industry.

Keywords
Waste pollution, solid waste management, waste segregation, recycling
Introduction
Waste management is one of the many problems faced in the whole world. Humans
produced waste materials on a daily basis. Wastes such as plastics, wrappers, tissues, bottles
and a lot more are being thrown each day. Waste management includes the activities and
actions required to manage waste from its inception to its final disposal. This includes the
collection, transport, treatment and disposal of waste, together with monitoring and regulation
of the waste management process. Inefficient waste management systems due to the shortage
in disposal facilities and insufficient waste collection aggravates concerns on waste
management.
In order to solve the problem, waste management is a must everywhere. Waste
management means management of all the activities of handling waste from collecting to
transporting it to its final destination for disposal. Waste management is essential for the
healthy functioning of human and environment. We are generating waste on a faster pace than
the disposal of waste is being carried out. Many kinds of wastes are generated such as solid,
gaseous and liquid. All forms of wastes created go through different processes of waste
management.
Solid waste management has become a major problem in many underdeveloped,
developing and developed countries. The chief causes of increase in municipal solid waste are
overpopulation, industrialization, economic growth and urbanization. Actually, waste
management is a global issue but its consequences are more pronounced in developing
countries such as the Philippines. The most preferred approach to address the concern is not to
create more waste by having a decreased consumption of goods and services that produce
large amount of waste such as foods that are served in single-use containers and plastics, using
eco-friendly products and recycling. It also includes source reduction by reducing the inputs
that go in the production process, production of durable goods, energy conservation and use of
eco-friendly technology, hybrid transport and the like.
Sustainable waste management practices have become challenging due to our
consumption behavior and changing socioeconomic conditions. Waste management is a
multidimensional problem that requires technology, economics, and sociocultural and political
activities to go hand in hand. Nevertheless, the Philippines has endeavored to improve its
management of solid waste through the passage of RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste
Management Act that provides for a systematic, comprehensive and ecological waste
management program to ensure the protection of public health and the environment. It
mandates the bureau to provide secretariat support to the National Solid Waste Management
Commission in the implementation of the solid waste management plans and prescribes
policies to achieve the objectives of the National Ecology Center that is in charge of information
dissemination, consultation, education and training of various local government units on
ecological waste management. The ecological solid waste management program is expected to
assist Local Government Units in implementing RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste
Management Act particularly in the development of their 10 yr. SWM Plan, closure and
rehabilitation of dumpsites, establishment of Materials Recovery Facilities, and an
environmentally sound disposal system.
 With all that mentioned, this study hoped to contribute to the further realization of the
importance of proper waste segregation, Hence, this study investigated how well San Carlos
City implements the solid waste management in their locality.

Methodology
In facilitating the gathering of data, methods were devised according to the purpose
and scope for which the study was undertaken. The purpose of the study is to investigate the
implementation of the waste management in San Carlos City. A descriptive-survey method of
research was utilized in this study. The descriptive-survey type was utilized in the study which is
a great technique for obtaining and analyzing qualitative data. According to Calmorin (1994),
descriptive-survey method is an organized attempt to analyze, interpret and report the present
status of an institution, group or area and this method signifies gathering of data regarding the
present condition. It was be the most appropriate method for the study because through
survey and description of facts and present condition existing, the analysis on the
implementation of the waste management in San Carlos City was done.

Source of Data
The researcher utilized a convenience sampling technique to select participants.
Convenience sampling is defined as a method adopted by researchers where they collect
research data from a conveniently available pool of respondents. It is the most commonly used
sampling technique as it’s incredibly prompt, uncomplicated, and economical. In many cases,
members are readily approachable to be a part of the sample. The researcher chose this
technique because it is impossible for her to carry on a probability sampling because the
research locale is too big to look for the list of residents and to find them easily. Moreover, the
researcher asked first if the respondents have any idea about the solid waste management.
There are 42 participants in the study.

Instrumentation and Data Collection

The instrument used in this study is mainly comprised of 15 questions which are
purposively divided into 2 sets to (1) describe the respondent’s solid waste management and
(2) determine the perceptions of the respondents towards the implementation of the solid
waste management. In interpreting the data collected, the researcher assigned values to
determine the perception of the respondents towards the implementation of the solid waste.
In data collection, the researcher requested permission from the respondents through an intent
letter in order to receive permission to gather the data from the respondents. The researcher
briefly explained the purpose of the study to the respondents and gave assurance about the
confidentiality of the information that would be sought from them. Hence, filling out the names
of the respondents on the survey sheets was optional. To ensure a clear, understanding, the
researcher gave a vivid instruction on how to answer the survey questionnaires.

Tools for Data Analysis

The responses that were gathered from the survey were subjected to analysis based on
Frequency and percentage. All the data gathered were recorded, tallied, tabulated, analyzed
and interpreted to derive with significant conclusions, recommendations and implications.
Results and Discussion

Awareness on the proper waste f %

management
YES 41 97.62
NO 1 2.38
Table 1. Frequency and Percentage Distribution on Awareness on the Proper Waste Management

Awareness on the proper waste f %

segregation
YES 34 80.95
NO 1 2.38
MAYBE 7 16.67
Table 2. Frequency and Percentage Distribution on Awareness on the Proper Waste Segregation

Type of solid waste produced in their f %

household
Paper and carton 27 64.29
Plastics (Bags/Bottles) 33 78.57
Food Waste 26 61.90
Tin Cans 23 54.76
Fiber Bags 11 26.19
Glass 10 23.80
Table 3. Frequency and Percentage Distribution on Type of solid waste produced in their household

Type of waste bin used for collection of f %

solid waste
Carton 12 28.57
Waste Basket 17 40.48
Old Bucket 8 19.04
Plastic Bag 22 52.38
Tin Can 14 33.33
Plastic Bottles 1 2.38
Table 4. Frequency and Percentage Distribution on Type of waste bin used for collection of solid waste

Type of waste disposal f %

Own compound 20 47.61
Public bin 12 28.57
Open space 5 11.90
Street side 4 9.52
Collecting dump truck 1 2.38
Table 5. Frequency and Percentage Distribution on Type of waste disposal
 Frequency of waste disposal f %
Once a day 13 30.95
Once in two days 17 40.47
Once in three days 8 19.04
Once a week 2 4.76
Twice a week 1 2.38
When the bin is full 1 2.38
Table 6. Frequency and Percentage Distribution on Type of waste disposal

Results on the Perceptions of the select residents towards the implementation of the solid
waste management in San Carlos City

Are there any public bins near your house f %

provided by the local government?
Yes 24 57.14
No 18 42.86
Table 7. Availability of Public Bins provided by Local Government

How do you evaluate the solid waste collection f %

in your house area?
Good 24 57.14
Fair 14 33.33
Poor 3 7.14
Bad 2 2.38
Table 8. Availability of Public Bins provided by Local Government

Do you know the effects of improper waste f %

management?
Yes 42 100
No 0 0
Table 9. Performance of the solid waste collection

Are you aware on the Penalties of Improper f %

waste management?
Yes 34 80.95
No 8 19.04
Table 10. Penalties of Improper waste management

Do you think waste segregation is important in f %

the school or household?
Yes 42 100
No 0 0
Table 11. Importance of waste segregation

Do you segregate solid waste in school? And in f %

 your house?
Yes 37 88.10
No 5 11.90
Table 12. Segregation of solid waste in school and at home

Are there collection of garbage in your area? f %

Yes 22 52.38
No 20 47.62
Table 13. Collection of garbage

Is there penalty for violators of the f %

implementation of waste management in
your area?
Yes 22 52.38
No 20 47.62
Table 14. Penalty for Violators

Is there a schedule being followed for the f %

collection of waste in your area?
Yes 18 42.85
No 24 57.14
Table 15. Scheduled collection of garbage

The results presented in Tables 1 to 15 are discussed below to further elaborate the
findings.
1.1 Out of 42 respondents 41 of them answered that they have heard about solid waste
management. While the other 1 didn’t ever heard about solid waste management.
1.1.1 Out of 42 respondents 34 answered “yes” they know about segregation of waste. 1 of
them answers no. 7 respondents answers maybe.
1.2 Out of 42 respondents 27 of them answered that the type of solid waste comes out from
their household is paper and carton. 33 of them answered Plastics (Bags/Bottles). 26 of
them answered Food Waste. 23 of them answered Tins/Cans. 11 of them answered Fiber
Bags. 10 of them answered Glass.
1.3 Out of 42 respondents 12 of them answered that the type of container do they collect
waste is Carton. 17 of them answered Waste Basket. 8 of them answered Old Bucket. 22
of them answers Plastic Bag. 14 of them answers Tin/Can. 1 of the 42 respondents
answers Plastic Bottles.
1.4 In the question “Where do you usually put away collected wastes?” 20 of them answers
in a hole in own compound. 12 of them answers in the public bin. 5 of them answers on
an open space. 4 of them answers by the road or street side. 1 of the respondents
answers we give it to the collecting dump truck.
1.5 In the question “How often is the waste container emptied?” 17 of them answers once in
two days. 13 of them answers once a day. 8 of them answers once in three days. 1 of
 them answers every first day of the week. 1 of them answers 2 days a week. 1 of them
answers once in a week. 1 of them answers when fully occupied.
2.1 In the question “Are there any public bins near your house provided by the local
government?” 24 of them answers yes while 18 of them answers no.
2.2 In the question “How do you evaluate the solid waste collection in your house area?” 24
of them answers good. 14 of them answers fair. 3 of them answers don’t have. 2 of them
answers bad.
2.3 In the question “Do you know the effects of improper waste management?” all of them
answered yes.
2.4 34 respondents answered that they know the penalties for violation of solid waste
management while the 8 respondents answers no.
2.5 In the question “Do you think waste segregation is important in the school or
household?” all of them answered yes.
2.6 Out of 42 respondents 37 of them answered yes they segregate solid waste in school or
house hold wastes. 5 of them answers no they don’t segregate solid waste in school or
house hold wastes.
2.7 Out of 42 respondents 22 of them answers yes there is a collection of garbage in their
area while 20 of the respondents answers no that states there is no collection of garbage
in their area.
2.8 22 respondents answered yes that there is a penalty with the violation of the
implementation of waste management in their area. While 20 of them answered no.
2.9 Most of the respondents answered that there is no schedule of collection. 24 respondents
out of 42 answered no that represents a percentage of 57.1%

The findings showed that the respondents are well aware of the implementation of the
waste management in their area. However, not all aspects of the implementation are efficiently
performed. Through the findings of the study, the local government may gain knowledge about
what areas are lacking in the implementation of waste segregation in San Carlos City.

Conclusions
Based on the findings of the study, the researcher has come up to the following
conclusions;
1. The residents of San Carlos City are positive about the implementation of the solid waste
management in their area.
2. The best way to reduce waste is to sort out or segregate trash properly. By doing, those
can be recycled can be recycled instead of being disposed immediately. In this process,
we can gain benefits as well as we can help our environment.
3. The local government has a big role in the success of implementing the proper waste
segregation.
4. Every individual, from as young as 2 years old to older ones, must be educated about
proper waste management especially about recycling.

Recommendations
 The following recommendations are offered based on the findings and conclusion of the
study. The results of this study can be relayed to different barangays in San Carlos City for them
to know the effects of implementation of waste management and for them to make solutions
to eliminate solid waste.
1. Solid waste segregation must further be enforced in San Carlos City.
2. There should be a clean-up drive in every barangay 3 times in a month.
3. A campaign to educate the residents especially the young individuals about protecting the
environment and contributing to the sustainable waste management can be supported.
4. The participation of various stakeholders in the implementation of solid waste
management, strong awareness and campaigns and promotion of sustainable waste
management are recommended to achieve sound waste management and sustainable
recycling industry.

References
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Selin, E. (2013). Solid waste management and health effects. Degree Thesis in Environmental
and Health Protection 15 ECTS , 7-8, 29-30
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https://www.denr.gov.ph/index.php/priority-programs/solid-waste-managemen