Towards Sustainable Waste Management: Profiling the School Waste in Eastern Potia National High School

Abstract

The management of solid waste at rural schools is relatively overlooked, given its potential for environmental sustainability. In this study, Eastern Potia National High School, Alfonso Lista, Ifugao, Philippines, was monitored daily for 20 days. Using the Waste Analysis and Characterization Study (WACS) protocol, we assessed the volume, composition, generation rate, and density of waste from the waste sources within the school. The analyses showed that biodegradable waste with a predominantly food waste component was the highest at 71.82%, with the school canteen providing the greatest proportion. Recyclable and residual waste comprised 16.73% and 11.45%, respectively, with no special waste generated. The volume of waste, particularly, increased on special events such as exam days, Valentine’s Day, and parent–teacher conferences, displaying the influence of school events on waste generation. Therefore, school-based interventions such as the implementation of composting, waste segregation, and integrating environmental education within school curricula are recommended. This research supports UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by providing actionable information regarding context-based and activity-driven waste management in rural educational institutions.