INTRODUCTION Background of the Action Research Refuse, or solid waste, consist of solid or semisolid materials with two major

components: garbage, or food wastes, and trash, or solid waste without garbage. The increasing production of waste materials is a by-product of a wealthy society. Waste generation continued to grow with industrialization and with ever higher standards of living (Comptons Encyclopedia Vol. 9, 1995). Tossing everyday items into the trash can seem like second nature to many people. If you are implementing recycling techniques into your lifestyle, you are taking a positive step toward helping the environment. Learner.org notes that in the U.S. alone, over 230 million tons of trash is produced each year. Less than 25 percent of that waste is recycled and the rest ends up in landfills, incinerated or in ditches and roadsides. Improper garbage disposal isn't just an eyesore; it poses a serious threat to nature (Boehlke, 2010). The Philippines is looming with garbage problems despite the passage of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act or the Republic Act (RA) 9003. 2007 first quarter data from the National Solid Waste Management Commission shows that there are 677 open dumpsites, 343 controlled dumps, and 21 landfills in the country. An additional 307 dump sites are subject for closure or rehabilitation plans but without definite schedules for enforcement. About 215 additional landfills are being proposed to be set up nationwide. About 1,000 open and controlled dump sites exist in the country (Imagine Echo Projects, 2008).

Improper waste management results to air contamination, soil contamination, spread of diseases and water contamination. In addition, this would also result to natural and environmental disasters. There are several ways to dispose wastes in which it includes incineration, land filling, recycling, biological reprocessing i.e. composting, and etc. The Philippine government implemented the Republic Act 9003 or the Solid Waste Management Act an act providing for an ecological solid waste management program, creating the necessary institutional mechanisms and incentives, declaring certain acts prohibited and providing penalties, appropriating funds therefore, and for other purposes.

Objectives of the Action Research This action research about the proper waste disposal and proper waste management aims to have a clean and green environment. Specifically, it aims to: 1. implement a proper waste management;
2. reduce the harmful environmental effects and health issues

due to improper waste disposal;

3. teach the school children and the school community on simple

ways to dispose garbage; 4. educate everybody involved about the importance of having a clean and green environment, and the harmful effects of wastes.

Significance of the Action Research

This action research about the proper waste disposal and proper waste management is significant for having a clean and green environment, and of course for the health of the community people. This action research intends to highlight the proper waste segregation in school community in cooperation with the barangay. This is best advantageous to the environment for having it protected and preserved for the next generations. Scope and Limitation The action research was applied at Guihing Central Elementary School, Hagonoy II District, Davao del Sur on June 2011. This only focuses on the proper waste disposal and proper waste management in the said school in cooperation with the school community and the barangay officials

METHODOLOGY Preparation of Materials The materials used in the implementation of the action research were the following: garbage cans and garbage sacks for biodegradable, and for non-biodegradable garbage. Composting and Recycling Method

The Guihing Central Elementary School uses the method pf composting and recycling (through the collection of garbage of the barangay). Compost pit (or trench composting) is about as basic as it comes: dig a hole, throw in your organic waste, and cover it with soil. Composting underground to break utilizes down what the is known as anaerobic Anaerobic decomposition organic matter.

decomposition works without oxygen, so there is no need for turning or aerating the matter. Anaerobic decomposition works much slower than the aerobic process that takes place aboveground. Recycling is a resource recovery practice that refers to the collection and reuse of waste materials such as empty beverage containers. The materials from which the items are made can be reprocessed into new products. Material for recycling may be collected separately from general waste using dedicated bins and collection vehicles, or sorted directly from mixed waste streams. Known as kerb-side recycling, it requires the owner of the waste to separate it into various different bins (typically wheelie bins) prior to its collection. The type of material accepted for recycling varies by city and country. * Biological reprocessing i.e. Composting, Anaerobic digestion, Home composting Waste materials that are organic in nature, such as plant material, food scraps, and paper products, can be recycled using biological composting and digestion processes to decompose the organic matter. The resulting organic material is then recycled as mulch or compost for agricultural or landscaping purposes. Advantages: Anaerobic digestion of the organic fraction

of municipal solid waste (MSW) has been found to be in a number of LCA analysis studies to be more environmentally effective, than landfill, incineration or pyrolisis. The resulting biogas (methane)

though must be used for cogeneration (electricity and heat preferably on or close to the site of production) and can be used with a little upgrading in gas combustion engines or turbines. With further upgrading to synthetic natural gas it can be injected into the natural gas network or further refined to hydrogen for use in stationary cogeneration fuel cells. Its use in fuel cells eliminates the pollution from products of combustion. Waste gas from the process (such as methane) can be captured and used for generating electricity and heat (CHP/cogeneration) maximizing efficiencies. The intention of biological processing in waste management is to control and accelerate the natural process of decomposition of organic matter. Disadvantages: Before the wastes decomposed, there are times that it releases a foul odor, and thus, it attracts insects, rats, etc. This also takes a space or an area.

Steps and Procedures Each classroom has their garbage cans and garbage sacks which are labeled biodegradable and non-biodegradable. A biodegradable waste (nabubulok) includes wastes which can be broken down into substances by microorganisms, i.e. papers, foods, etc. Nonplastic biodegradable waste (di-nabubulok) includes wastes which cannot be broken down by simple means or by other organisms, i.e. bottles, cellophanes, etc. The teachers assign two students to throw the garbage before going home. The biodegradable wastes will be placed in a common area where all the biodegradable wastes in the school are being dumped into a compost pit. The non-biodegradable wastes, however, are placed in a common area where the garbage collectors will collect all the school garbage every two days, specifically during Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK The procedures applied in implementing the study were made up of several steps. The said are shown in the methodology flow chart.
Putting of garbage cans with garbage sacks inside of it outside the classroom and label it with iodegradable? and on-biodegradable? for (1 biodegradable wastes, and 1 for non-biodegradable wastes)

The teacher will assign students to throw the garbage before going home.

The biodegradable wastes will be placed in a common area where all the biodegradable wastes in the school are being dumped into a compost pit.

The non-biodegradable wastes are placed in a common area where the garbage collectors will collect all the school garbage every two days, specifically during Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Figure 1 Action Table Date expected to complete this Start of the Action Implementation (date): Step 1: Putting of garbage cans with garbage sacks inside of it outside the classroom and labeled with biodegradable and non-biodegradable Step 2: Assigning of students to throw the garbage before going home. Step 3: Placing of the biodegradable wastes in a common area where all the biodegradable wastes in the school are being dumped into a
st

Reward for completing this step will be

step by st 1 week of June 2011

Attainment of the 1st week of June 2011 goals and objectives set by the school. Attainment of the 1st week of June 2011 1 week of June 2011 goals and objectives set by the school. Attainment of the goals and objectives set by the school.

compost pit Step 4: The non-biodegradable wastes are placed in a common area where the garbage collectors will collect all the school garbage every two days, specifically during Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Table 1 Possible Problems and Solutions In the implementation of the action plan, possible problems might arise. These possible problems are the following: 1. The garbage collectors might fail to collect the garbage on the scheduled day. 2. Some students or people in school might not be able to put the garbage on the right trash can. The solution for these possible problems is as simple as being a responsible citizen. The teachers should also be responsible enough to teach their students on how to segregate their wastes and how to take care of the environment. 1st week of June 2011 Attainment of the goals and objectives set by the school.

ALTERNATIVE COURSES OF ACTION

The action research about the proper waste disposal and proper waste management in Guihing Central Elementary school use composting as the method of disposing the biodegradable wastes. Aside

from composting, other methods can be used to dispose wastes and recycling for non biodegradable wastes. 1. Landfill Disposing of waste in a landfill involves burying the waste, and this remains a common practice in most countries. Landfills were often established in abandoned or unused quarries, mining voids or borrow pits. Advantages: A properly designed and well-managed landfill can be a hygienic and relatively inexpensive method of disposing of waste materials. Many landfills also have landfill gas extraction systems installed to extract the landfill gas. Gas is pumped out of the landfill using perforated pipes and flared off or burnt in a gas engine to generate electricity. Disadvantages: Older, poorly designed or poorly managed landfills can create a number of adverse environmental impacts such as wind-blown litter, attraction of vermin, and generation of liquid leachate. Another common byproduct of landfills is gas (mostly composed of methane and carbon dioxide), which is produced as organic waste breaks down anaerobically. This gas can create odor problems, kill surface vegetation, and is a greenhouse gas.

2. Incineration Incineration is a disposal method in which solid organic wastes are subjected to combustion so as to convert them into residue and gaseous products. Advantages: This method is useful for disposal of residue of both solid waste management and solid residue from waste water management. This process reduces the volumes of solid waste to 20 to 30 percent of the original volume. Incineration and other high temperature waste treatment systems are sometimes

described as "thermal treatment". Incinerators convert waste materials into heat, gas, steam and ash. Disadvantages: Incineration is a controversial method of waste disposal, due to issues such as emission of gaseous pollutants. Particular concern has focused on some very persistent organics such as dioxins, furans, PAHs which may be created which may have serious environmental consequences. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS The action research in proper waste disposal and proper waste management implemented in Guihing Central Elementary School, Hagonoy II District, Davao del Sur was successfully implemented and had attained the desirable results. The school has reached its goals and objectives in having a clean and green environment, and was able to: implement a proper waste management; reduced the harmful environmental effects and health issues due to improper waste disposal; taught the school children and the school community on simple ways to dispose garbage; and educated everybody involved about the importance of having a clean and green environment, and the harmful effects of wastes.

10

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Based .on the results of the action research, proper waste disposal and proper waste management can be a helpful tool to have a better environment. Furthermore, there are still other ways of waste disposal aside from composting (biodegradable) and recycling (through the collection of wastes of the barangay garbage collectors). The use of these methods reduces the garbage problems and prevents the rapid environmental and health destruction. The 3Rs are also important for this action research Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Further researches are suggested for the pros and cons of such methods. In addition, other methods like creation of landfills, and incineration can be alternative courses of action which can be both possibly done in such institution.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

11

Boehlke, 2010 Comptons Encyclopedia Vol. 9, 1995 Custom Green Home Plans. A division of Gen1 Architectural Group Imagine Echo Projects, 2008 Philippine Republic Act 9003 www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waste_management

12