Awareness and Practices on Solid Waste Management among Grade 6 Pupils

Solid waste management (SWM) is essential for safeguarding environmental and public health, yet many communities struggle with poor waste practices and limited awareness. Integrating SWM into early education helps build responsible habits among young learners, making schools vital in promoting sustainable waste solutions. This study investigated the relationship between awareness and solid waste management (SWM) practices among Grade 6 pupils. Awareness was the independent variable, while SWM practice served as the dependent variable measured through segregation, reduction, reuse, recycling, and disposal indicators. A quantitative approach using random sampling and a descriptive correlational design was employed. Data were analyzed using the mean and Pearson r. The mean awareness score was 4.61 (p = 0.000), and the mean score for SWM practices was 4.68, both statistically significant at 0.05. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between awareness and SWM practices. These further suggest that enhancing students’ awareness of solid waste management contributes to developing more responsible and sustainable waste-handling behaviors at a young age.