Factors affecting solid waste management on Libong Island, Kantang District, Trang Province

The purposes of the study were to examine the context of the area and factors affecting solid waste management for residents and tourists on Libong Island. The study included three target groups: the Health Assembly steering group of 28 people selected by purposive sampling, 126 households from Villages No. 1 and No. 4 with the sample group comprising 322 people, selected by stratified sampling, in addition to 122 tourists using random accidental sampling. The research tools were questionnaires and interviews, and the data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and multiple regression analysis. The study findings revealed first of all that solid waste generation on Libong Island averaged 17.25 kilograms per household per week. The largest proportion of organic waste is recycled. The important issue is that waste is only collected and transported for disposal once per week, resulting in waste accumulation, particularly during public holidays. Most residents have a lack of awareness and therefore there is limited participation in the separation of waste illegally dumped in public places, at sea, or burned outdoors. In addition, tourists also leave solid waste at tourist attractions. Second, the factors affecting solid waste management among residents of Libong Island included participation, awareness, attitudes, and knowledge about solid waste. Variables with negative predictive power included receiving information from publicity signs. These five variables were able to predict the solid waste management practices of residents by 26.6 percent (R2=0.266). Factors affecting the solid waste management of tourists on Libong Island included awareness, level of education, and knowledge. Variables with negative predictive power included receiving information from newspapers and brochures, and occupation. These five variables were able to predict the solid waste management behavior of tourists by 35.7 percent (R2=0.357).