Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices on Solid Waste Management Among Residents of a Riverside Barangay: Basis for Sustainable Policies and Programs

A descriptive-correlational study was conducted among 350 residents of Barangay Consolacion, Cagayan de Oro, Philippines, to assess their Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) regarding Solid Waste Management (SWM) and how these relate to their actual waste management behaviors. The main goal was to understand the residents’ level of awareness about SWM, their attitudes toward it, and how these factors influence their everyday practices. Data were gathered through surveys, and statistical tools, including Pearson correlation, were applied to identify connections between the variables. The findings showed that residents had moderate knowledge of SWM, with awareness of programs (mean = 3.27), environmental issues (mean = 3.32), and the importance of training (mean = 3.41). Positive attitudes were observed in areas like waste separation (mean = 3.17), labeling (mean = 3.32), and volunteerism (mean = 3.29). However, there were gaps in actual practices, such as waste collection methods and disposal consistency, which indicated room for improvement. Alarmingly, open waste burning was still somewhat prevalent (mean = 2.90). The study revealed strong positive correlations between residents’ knowledge, attitudes, and their SWM practices, suggesting that enhancing residents' awareness and attitudes could lead to better waste management behaviors. Ultimately, the study calls for targeted interventions to improve practices, including more emphasis on recycling, composting, and community education to foster long-term sustainable waste management.