Chapter I

Problem and It’s Setting

Introduction

Today, the earth is facing environmental dilemmas namely global warming,

climate change, natural disasters etc. The indiscriminate disposal of solid wastes

is one major threat to environmental and human well- being (Ejaz, Akhtar,

Hashmi & Naeem,2010; Neller & Neller, 2015; Domato, 2002). The environment

in which we are living is significant and directly influence our lives. Environmental

issues is a world-wide concern. It has no limit. Around the globe; a lot of

information is made to make people knowledgeable about the environment. One

of the causes of these problems is the lack of discipline of the people towards

disposing of solid waste and lack of knowledge about waste management. Some

people are throwing their garbage and their solid wastes anywhere. Solid wastes

are any rubbish or refuse generated from undesirable or useless material or

substances ( Desa, Kadir, & Yusooff, 2011). People do not think the possible

outcome of their actions on the surroundings as well as on health.

Waste Management is the processing, disposal, managing and monitoring of

waste materials. This term usually refers to materials produced by human

activity, and the process is generally undertaken to reduce their effect on health

and the environment. Here in Sta. Cruz, Laguna specifically in Laguna Senior

High School (LSHS) the students are not practicing waste management. The

students keep on throwing their garbage in one trash bin, even they have a lot of
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trash bin in the school the students keep on throwing plastic, paper, liquid items

or even left over foods in a one trash can. In this situation maybe we can infer the

lack of discipline of the students of LSHS perhaps the lack of program of the

Supreme Student Government (SSG).

Every individual in the school whether it is teachers, students or even utilities

should take the responsibility of handling their waste properly. Orientation about

waste management is one of a campaign that should be done in order to orient

every individual in the school and to know the importance of waste management.

Practicing waste management in school and in every classroom is an essential

tool for environment protection. Thus, it is a need to encourage the students to

be part of this objective, preserving our environment through practicing waste

management.

Our study entitled “LSHS’ SSG Waste Management Program and their Mentality

Towards Proper Waste Management” aims to know the program of LSHS’ SSG

in waste management in the school and identifying the materials that they will

use in managing the waste. Furthermore, this study gives knowledge to the

students of LSHS on how waste management should be done and also helps the

student to become an eco-warrior.

Background of the Study

Waste in general, is associated with almost every human activity, in other words

their lives circle in using and then disposing of these materials. Furthermore, the

Waste complexity is directly in relation to the Mentality or the Behavior of the

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particular Community or the people which are in these communities. Now in the

case of our school, it is deemed of complex issues on Proper Waste

Management resulting to the consultation of the Mentality and the behavior of the

students in LSHS towards the issue.

Moreover, The SSG of LSHS manages everything in the school, which implies

that they should be the ones to lead LSHS in the matters of Proper Waste

Management. To add to this, Waste Management in LSHS or in any Community

should be a business of everyone as the careless attitude to Waste Management

could be very devastating, because the result can become that of a plague. The

curiosity of that is the mentality or behavior of the students inside LSHS really

affects the way they manage their Waste is a mere fact. They affect it because

the outcome will ultimately depend on their behavior and mentality towards the

subject.

Statement of the Problem

This research aims to answer the questions:

General Problem

1. How do improper waste management affects the humanity, environment, and

school vicinity?

Specific Problem

1. What do the students of LSHS practices to handle this kind of situation and

what is their mentality about the issue?

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2. What vital role does the SSG plays to raise awareness among the students of

LSHS?

3. What programs does the SSG implements to help the students improve their

understanding on proper waste management and likely develop their attitude

towards the reduction of waste problems on the school?

Objectives

The aim of this study is to observe how LSHS' SSG manage to mitigate the

global crisis on waste in the school, to know their mentality towards waste

management, and to get the response of the students around the school. The

objectives for this study are:

1. To identify if SSG does enough actions, and what strategic approach do they

perpetrate to address waste problems in the school.

2. To educate the students and invite them to participate in waste management

programs.

3. To raise awareness about the waste issue and its consequences on human

and environmental health.

Significance of the Study

The outcome of this research aims to help the students, community, readers and

future readers in the following ways:

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The Students. Having this kind of study will help the students of LSHS to know

how waste management should be done and the importance of doing that in

order to minimize the waste of school. In addition, students will have an idea on

how they manage their own waste properly.

The Community. This study want to urge every household in the community to

get hold of their waste with discipline and responsibility.

The Readers. This research aims to help the readers to know what is/are the

program of LSHS' SSG in managing the waste of the school and identify the

materials that SSG used in waste management. It also helps the readers to know

the manner of the students of LSHS in managing their waste.

The Future Researchers. This study will help the future researchers as their

guide and basis of their study and additional literature for their future inquiry.

Scope and Limitation

This study will focus on how student proper segregate solid waste in the school

vicinity. This research also focuses on how the SSG officers of LSHS will

manage the proper waste disposal not only the student but also the teacher,

facilitators and utilities of the school. The activities or programs will encourage

the student of LSHS to be discipline in their waste disposal. They can have a

proper knowledge on how to manage and how to be productive when it comes in

segregation. Having this research aims to help the environment by utilizing the

behavior of each and every student of LSHS

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This research is limited only to this study, it can’t be used in any other research

unless if it is related to the specific topic of the study.

Definition of Terms

The following terminologies were hereby defined conceptually and operationally

Environment. It is everything that surrounds us, which is directly effected of

Wastes.

Mentality. The way people think or perceive about Waste Management.

Segregation. The process of separating the Different types of Wastes.

Waste. Is any solid, liquid and gaseous wastes emitted by the people. It could

either be biodegradable or non-biodegradable wastes.

Waste Management. Is the collection, disposal and managing of waste

materials.
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Chapter II

Review of Related Literature and Studies

This Chapter comprises the review of related literature and review of related

studies after the methodical and rigorous search done by the researchers, the

researchers also aims to shed light on the topic that underlies on the study. This

will present the syntheses of the art, theoretical and conceptual framework to

understand the research and studies to be done.

Related Literature

According to Iyyanki Muralikrishna and Valli Manickam from “Research

Gate” (December, 2017). “Without an effective and efficient waste management

program, the waste generated from various human activities, both industrial and

domestic, can result in health hazards and have a negative impact on the

environment.” An effective and efficient waste management program is a way for

an area to have a clean and safe environment. The researchers have formulated

a way to accomplish the aim of Iyyanki Muralikrishna and Valli Manickam. Based

on their research, it is also said that various human activity can result a negative

impact that can also cause health hazards to the residents. Proper discipline and

awareness of residents is needed. Nowadays, the main problem of everybody

about solid waste management is the lack of discipline of some people that

causes growing rate of garbage problems that also affects air pollution, water

and soil contamination, floods and excessive breeding of rodents and vermin.

Treatments and disposal methods depends on the type of problem that any
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community has. Residents or any responsible citizen of the community are able

to conduct an appropriate solution for the sake of their environment. Based on

their research, it is also said that various human activity can result a negative

impact that can also cause health hazards to the residents. Proper discipline and

awareness of residents is needed. Nowadays, the main problem of everybody

about solid waste management is the lack of discipline of some people that

causes growing rate of garbage problems that also affects air pollution, water

and soil contamination, floods and excessive breeding of rodents and vermin.

As claimed by Rahmaddin [Link] (2015) in the Article “Knowledge, Attitude,

and Action of Community towards Waste Management in River Bank of

Martapura”. One strategic approach to address this environmental problem is

through solid waste management. Waste management is needed to reduce or

mitigate the mounting global crisis on waste which endangers humanity, pollutes

the environment, and damages communities. In particular, solid waste

management is "a form of waste control, often associated with storage,

collection, transport, process, and disposal of solid waste following quality

standard of conservation, public health, engineering, economics, and other

environmental concerns.”

On the Authority of Madrigal (2018) in his article “Solid Waste Management:

Awareness, Attitude and Practices in a Philippine Catholic Higher

Education Institution”. States that the stronger integration in the academic

curricula of formal and non-formal education of Ecological Solid Waste

Management and the resource conservation and recovery topics to promote

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environmental awareness and among the citizenry. Given this context,

educational institutions play a vital role in this environmental education. Their

educational programs and activities are potent means to raise awareness among

the members of the academic community about this pressing environmental

issue and to take active roles in the protection and care of the environment.

According to Taguti, Francoso, Viera (2017) in their book “Biodegradable

polymers modelling: A review of mechanical behavior during degradation”

claimed that, “Biodegradable materials are substituting the conventional

materials in many different applications. Among these, an important class is the

biodegradable polymers, also known as eco-friendly polymers mainly due to their

ability to erode fast by composting without any toxic effect.” Solid waste

management can be done in different eco-friendly ways. Some of these are:

Creating less waste through reusing, re-homing for waste removal and refining

footprint example is using plastic bags from mall and using it again instead of

throwing it away, as well as plastic cups that can be use as pot of plants or

people could try and sell the reusable products. Another way is composting as

waste removal, where in waste can be put in compost pit, will decompose, and

eventually turn into fertilizer. Also, food waste can be fed to farm animals like

cows, pigs and goats rather than throwing it.

As stated by Barthod, Rumpel and Dignac, 2017 in their review entitled

“Composting with additives to improve organic amendments”. Composting

and vermin composting are examples of eco-friendly ways of solid waste

management that can turn biodegradable wastes into fertilizer that nourishes the
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soil condition. Composting is valuable as potting media and soil conditioner as

they increase plant available nutrient contents from the wastes, while decreasing

leaching, and heavy metal mobility. It can also reduce the carbon footprint from

the human activities that produce greenhouse gases emissions during waste

degradation. Organic household waste containing food remnants (citrus fruit and

vegetable peels, fat, dairy products, etc.) can determine what can be composted

in home gardens (Neugebauer and Sołowiej, 2017). Compost pit can be done

in house, school and community that has a various ways, in a pit dug in the

ground and in a container and can be placed in the backyard and a vacant lot. It

can also be beneficial to everyone in the area. Compost is one of the important

organic amendments that can be use in home and community that attaining the

sustainability in soil and in the environment. The analysis made by US

Environmental Protection Agency of the impact of compost production and

use in greenhouse gas (GHG) makes use of modeling programs that are

currently used for understanding soil carbon balances. This article reveals that

compost can have minimal effect on some emissions related to compost

manufacture and some potential sequestration associated with end use (Brown,

2017). Compost pit can control the carbon footprint that an area can produce. It

can also limit the negative ways on disposing garbage that can pollute the

environment like burning of the garbage.

Related Studies

Improper waste disposal is one of the existing problems that the Philippines is

facing right now with difficulty as humans are the root of this problem. There are
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several studies conducted throughout the past years that deduced the

importance of proper waste disposal in the community and the effects of

improper disposal of the waste to the community, environment, and the health of

the residents. All of these are introduced in this part of the research.

According to Tumala (2015) from her study in The Effects of Improper

Waste Disposal in the Philippines, “Improper waste disposal is one of the

biggest environmental issues here in the Philippines. It caused bigger problems

that affect not only the environment but also the health and life of the people.

This problem may be resolve or it will remain problem to the country in the next

few years”. A law in the Philippines approved by the Office on the President on

2001 was created in response to the rapidly growing rate of garbage problems in

the country caused by improper waste disposal. Unfortunately, even though there

is a law, improper waste disposal in the Philippines was ranked 3rd as top source

of water contamination in a study on February 2015.

Based on UKEssays (2015), waste disposal is different from waste

management. Proper waste disposal is needed to properly execute waste

management. Waste Management refers to the recycling, processing, transport,

assortment, and monitoring of waste products. The waste products are mainly of

three types: solid, liquid or in gas state. Solid waste commonly is known as non-

biodegradable waste. Their study centered on the waste hierarchy or 3R’s –

reduce, reuse, recycle – and explored waste management as a concept and

effect of waste disposal. Without properly executing waste disposal, difficulties in

waste management also emerge. It is also proven that human activities and lack
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of discipline are the main reason of improper waste disposal that makes the

problem difficult to resolve.

One of the significant studies that can also be applied to this research is the

“Environmental Impacts of Improper Solid Waste Management in

Developing Countries: A Case Study of Rawalpindi City” (Ejaz, Akhtar,

Nisar & Ali Naeem, 2010), which discussed and highlighted the main causes of

improper solid waste management in developing countries like improper ways of

waste disposal. An inefficient municipal solid waste management system may

create serious negative environmental impacts like infectious diseases, land and

water pollution, obstruction of drains and loss of biodiversity.

Furthermore, Marianne and Fred Sandford (2015) also claimed that improper

hazardous waste disposal doesn’t just contaminate soil and the local water

supply, but it can also pollute the air. An area with a reputation for a toxic

environment can also be susceptible to lower property values, so not following

proper disposal procedures can even affect the cost of houses' properties. Long

term execution of improper waste disposal of municipal wastes can affect soil

and water properties and productivity. It also produces lethal gases such as

carbon monoxide and methane gas. Disposal of refuse without proper

supervision often amounts damage to the environment and ultimately to the

human body system.

Another study, which is about Effects of Improper Garbage Disposal

(Boehlke, 2017), also implied that humans are not the only ones who are
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affected but also animals. As water can be contaminated, marine life is also in

danger. When wastes cluster and form algal bloom, it can suffocate and

contaminate everything near it – may it be a habitat which includes corals or an

organism like fishes, mollusks, etc.

However, based in the study in Ecuador which centered on the

development of organic fertilizers from food market waste and urban

gardening by composting (Jara-Samaniego, Pérez-Murcia, Bustamante,

Paredes, & Pérez-Espinosa, 2017) can reduce the effects of improper waste

disposal and even prevent the pile up of wastes. Biodegradable wastes can be

used for agricultural purposes because of the high concentration that can be

found on organic matters and nutrients contents of the wastes like in food market

and urban gardening wastes that can be managed and recycled through

composting obtaining end-products like compost or fertilizer.

Solid waste management remains a major challenge in the Philippines especially

in urban areas like Metro Manila. Improper wastes disposal, inefficient wastes

collection and lack of disposal facilities are among the dominant concerns in the

country’s solid waste management. Unless these are addressed, the wastes

generated from various sources will continually lead to health hazards and

serious environmental impacts such as ground and surface water contamination,

flooding, air pollution and spread of diseases. Republic Act No. 9003 otherwise

known as the “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, enacted on

January 26, 2001, aims to address the growing problem on solid wastes in the

country. It provides the legal framework for the country’s systematic,

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comprehensive, and ecological solid waste management program that shall

ensure protection of public health and the environment. It also provides for the

necessary institutional mechanisms with the creation of the National Solid

Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) which shall oversee the

implementation of solid waste management plans and prescribe policies as well

as incentives to achieve objectives of the Act.

Syntheses

Synthesis of the Reviewed Related Literature

The collections of both foreign and local studies are about the effective and

efficient waste management. The information we gathered can help the

proponents to build their knowledge on waste disposal. The good impact has

brought us a new option that can help us improve.

The collections of studies above are related in the area of the importance in

keeping our surroundings better. It will give us clean and safe environment

therefore it can lessen the negativity result in health hazard to the resident. They

can now have proper discipline and awareness in the growing rate of garbage

problems that also affects air pollution, water pollution, and soil contamination.

In addition Taguti,Francoso,Viera (2017) claimed that "Biodegradable materials

are substituting the conventional materials in different application. Good

examples are the reusable products and recyclable products.

Synthesis of the Reviewed Related Studies

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The related studies presented about the effects of improper waste disposal to

environment and to the health and life of the people. Tumala (2015) included in

her study that due to rapidly growing rate of garbage problems, a law was

approved on 2001 in response to this issue. On the other hand, this law has no

immediate effects as the Philippines ranked 3rd as top source of water

contamination on 2015. Furthermore, the difference within waste disposal and

waste management were explained together with how human activities and lack

of discipline are the main reason of improper waste disposal.

Besides, improper hazardous waste disposal doesn't just affect soil and water. It

can also pollute the air. Long term execution of wastes can cause damage to the

environment and ultimately to the human body system. By improper waste

disposal, humanity is not the just the only one suffering, animals can also be in

danger. Water contamination could be alarming to marine life and cause several

problems in the ecosystem.

However, biodegradable wastes can be used for agricultural purposes and can

be managed and recycled through composting and convert into fertilizer. This

can be a huge step to reduce improper waste disposal. Otherwise, improper

waste disposal is still a major problem in the Philippines. This should be the

concern of the government to prevent health hazards and environmental impacts.

Consequently, “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 ", was implied

on January 26, 2001, which aims to address the growing problem on solid

wastes in the country.

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Conceptual Framework

Mentality of the Students

Waste Management in LSHS Behavior of the Students

Practices of SSG and Students

Fig. 1

Dependent Variable Independent Variable

Figure 1 represents the dependent and independent variable of this research

entitled: “LSHS’ SSG Waste Management Program and their Mentality towards

Proper Waste Management.” The independent variable of this study is the

mentality and behavior of the students as well as the practices or programs that

SSG has. These variables are important to perform waste management in LSHS.

The dependent variable is the Waste Management. Since it is dependent

variable, it depends to the variables that the researchers discuss later on. To be

able to execute waste management in LSHS the researchers should consider the

mentality and behavior of the students (the students has knowledge about waste

management and they practice or doing it). In addition, to successfully

accomplish waste management the researchers should go to SSG and seek

information in the office to gather programs and plans to mitigate the improper

waste disposal in LSHS.

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Chapter III

Research Methodology

In the previous chapter, having the related literature and studies made a definite

solution we’re it is identified as connection to the objectives of this study which

are relevant to the study of proper waste management. This part of the research

presents the methods that the researchers used in their study. It includes the

Research Design, Sample and Sampling Techniques, Research Local,

Population, Instrumentation, Procedure and lastly the Validation. The purpose of

this study was to determine the Mentality of the SSG official towards proper

waste management in Laguna Senior High school.

Research Design

The research method used in this study is descriptive research. A descriptive

research aims to accurately and systematically describe a population,

phenomenon and situation. It can use in quantitative and qualitative methods to

investigate one or more variables. (S. Mc Combes)

This design is appropriate choice when the study or research aims to identify the

trends, characteristics and frequencies. It involves gathering, analyzing,

organizing, summarizing, and interpreting of the data gathered, it also aims to

describe accurately the Mentality of SSG in proper waste management in LSHS.

It provides useful information in waste management in the school and

indentifying the materials that SSG used in managing the waste and the

programs of the officials to help the students improved their understanding on

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waste management. Descriptive method was used since the study focused on

waste management in LSHS. By way of observing and interviews made the

result of this study valid and reliable.

Sample and Sampling Techniques

Sample

The Sample of the population of this Study stood at 3 total respondents, which

are 3 of the Supreme Student Government (SSG) officers of Laguna Senior High

School, each having their respective positions.

Sampling Techniques

A Judgment (purposive) sampling was used for selecting the respondents in this

study. This technique was implemented to get respondents which were judged by

the Researchers to give their opinions which will suit or satisfy their needs.

Judgment Sampling was done to Select 3 SSG Officers from Laguna Senior High

School. The basis of selecting these respondents is that they have more

knowledge on the given Topic, which is Waste Management.

Research Local

The study will be conducted in LSHS (formerly known as Santa Cruz Capitol

Senior High School), a prestigious School founded at November 2016, to be

specific in the SSG of LSHS. Located at Laguna Provincial Capitol Compound,

4009 Santa Cruz, Laguna. At present, LSHS is the only PUBLIC Senior High

School in Santa Cruz that offers Academic Track: Science and Technology,
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Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Strand alongside Accountancy, Business,

and Management (ABM) Strand and Humanities and Social Science (HUMSS).

This area or population was chosen to have a better and more accurate grasp of

the information, and because it's easy to cover the topic with observation on the

chosen population.

Population

Before the sample was collected, the researchers had to determine the

population. The estimated population is 1,600 students but our research is

focusing on the role of SSG Officers of LSHS.

Instrumentation

Instrument for Data Collection

The researchers designed an interview schedule as one of the data collection

instrument for this study. The primary interviewees are the SSG Officers of

Laguna Senior High School. The provided questions were the information that

tackles the waste management. Questions were asked during the interview

schedule.

A questionnaire designed by the researchers to enhance the capability of a

person in waste disposal. The content of the questionnaire was based on the

findings that researchers gathered. Everyone was need to interview but the

researchers prefer to interview the SSG Officers.

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Procedure

This study will consist of five stages:

Stage I- deals with selection of respondents in this study. Three respondents that

will be chosen based on their own existing knowledge are supposed to answer

and give opinions to satisfy the data needed for the research.

Stage II- distributes with the construction of the questionnaires and the validation

of the contents. The adviser of the class will be requested to validate the

questionnaires presented by the researchers.

Stage III- assigns with the actual conduct of the study using judgment sampling.

Stage IV- deals the administration of questionnaires. Answers and opinions of

the three officers of the Supreme Student's Government will be gathered through

an interview.

Stage V- deals with the organizing, evaluating and interpreting of the data

gathered from the selected respondents.

Validation

The Class Adviser will validate the questionnaire constructed by the researchers.

Corrections and the comments of the Adviser will be consolidated in the

questionnaire for the next validation. The three selected respondents will be

asked to answer the validated questions and their responses will be tested and

analyzed.