Basura, I-Segregate Ta: (Our Wastes, Let's Segregate) a Program to Improve Solid Waste Management Practices of Florita Herrera Irizari National High School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Waste is one of the essential problems our school is facing today. Bundles of wastes are being collected every day but not properly segregated. Pursuant to R.A 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, it provides the legal framework for the systematic, comprehensive and ecological solid waste program. Therefore, each institution shall comply with the mandate to sustain its implementation. This study would like to determine the solid waste management practices of Florita Herrera Irizari National High School for its further improvement.

METHODS

Comparative Observation Method was used wherein the waste disposal practices were compared before and during the program was implemented. Each section is required to place three (3) recycle bins in their classroom with color coding. The recycle bin with green color is for plastic wrappers, the blue one is for biodegradable materials and the orange color is for plastic bottles while hazardous materials were automatically placed in a designated area in the school campus. The means being used in monitoring the problem is intensive checking wherein the DRR Club Officers checked each section garbage bins twice a day. A total of twenty (20) sections in all grade levels were being monitored every day.

RESULTS

The following results were indicated: On the first month of the implementation (July), out of 20 sections, only three were able to segregate properly. On the month of August from three sections, it became five sections. On September, from five sections it rose to eight sections. On October, 10 sections were being noted. The month of November, 12 sections out of 20 followed the proper waste disposal and in the month of December, 14 sections were reflected in the checklist who performed great in the implementation of the program. It has been observed that before the program was implemented, wastes of the school such as papers, plastic bottles, and wrappers were placed on the same garbage bins. During the project implementation, it can be seen on the result that wastes were now properly segregated.

DISCUSSIONS

The researcher could say that the program is effective since there was an increase in the number of sections who supported the program and it was continuously monitored for further improvement. It can be suggested that this program must be sustained. Also, from three recycle bins,it is recommended to make them six in total so that each waste will have its proper place.