From mountains to lowlands

Inadequate solid waste management (SWM) continues to be a significant issue, primarily due to gaps in knowledge, attitude, and practices. This study aimed to determine and compare the levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding SWM among upland and lowland residents of Tangub City, Misamis Occidental, Philippines. A total of 833 respondents, 370 from the upland and 463 from lowland areas, were randomly selected and interviewed using a structured questionnaire with a 5-point Likert scale. The results revealed that participants had relatively adequate knowledge (3.67) and positive attitudes (4.13), but poor actual waste management practices (2.53). Lowland residents showed significantly higher knowledge, suggesting a better access to local government programmes and environmental education. While positive attitude reflects both communities' sense of responsibility and the need to comply with SWM policies, this does not resonate into actual practices, as residents tend to disregard household-level practices and engage more in locally-facilitated initiatives. Only knowledge and attitude showed a moderate significant association with rs values ranging from 0.48 - 0.61 for both areas, indicating that increased awareness shaped residents' perceptions. The study's findings suggest the importance of enhanced educational campaigns and adequate SWM facilities to encourage community participation and enhance compliance.