The Effect of Environmental Awareness Programs on Waste Disposal Practices in Secondary Schools

This study analyzes waste disposal practices after implementing the programs to increase awareness of the environment in secondary schools. This study was set to achieve these objectives: assess the awareness of both students and teachers about the environmental programs, determine the impact of the programs through the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle) on students’ waste disposal practices, and find the correlation between the environmental awareness programs and proper waste disposal. This study used a descriptive quantitative research design and the primary data was collected using structured questionnaires developed on Google Forms. The collected data was analyzed through descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, and percentages. The respondents’ mean scores revealed an improved self-perception on environmental programs. Therefore, it was concluded that both teachers and students have a significant participation in school programs leading to a greater awareness on the environment. Most significantly, the student’s behavior in and out of school improved through the enhancement of the school awareness programs. This is also emphasized in the literature, which indicates the positive relationship between students’ environmental education and students’ responsible behavior toward the environment. This study finds that environmental awareness programs are successful in instilling proper waste disposal practices among secondary school children. It suggests that the school management, the teachers, the policymakers, the NGOs, and the children themselves have to work together to reinforce awareness campaigns, supply sufficient resources, and embed environmental education into the school curriculum. Further research could look into the sustainability of behavioral change and study other ways, like online campaigns, to advocate for sustainable practices in schools.