Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice toward Solid Waste Management among Coastal Communities in Banate Bay, Iloilo, Philippines

Resumen

Solid waste management (SWM) in coastal communities is vital to protect marine ecosystems, public health, and local livelihoods. Despite recent government investments in Banate Bay, Iloilo, including a P4.9 million garbage compactor, community knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward SWM remain insufficiently studied, limiting policy effectiveness.

This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to solid waste management among household heads in coastal barangays of Banate Bay and examined the relationships among these variables. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted with 12,308 household heads selected through purposive and simple random sampling. A validated 30-item questionnaire covering knowledge, attitude, and practice of SWM was administered face-to-face in the local dialect. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation to explore relationships among KAP variables. Respondents showed strong knowledge of waste types, environmental impacts, composting, and national legislation (RA 9003), though awareness of local laws and recyclable waste differentiation was uneven. Attitudes were generally positive, with strong support for community participation, government efforts, and policies such as banning single-use plastics, despite mixed views on individual responsibility. Practices revealed high compliance with waste segregation, proper disposal, hazardous waste management, and composting; however, waste burning remained prevalent. Strong, statistically significant positive correlations were found among knowledge, attitude, and practice (r = 0.922 to 1.00, p < 0.05), indicating that enhanced knowledge is associated with more positive attitudes and better waste management behaviors. The Banate Bay coastal community demonstrates high environmental awareness and commendable waste management practices, supported by government initiatives and community engagement. Nonetheless, gaps in legal awareness and the persistence of harmful practices like waste burning highlight the need for targeted education, policy reinforcement, and improved infrastructure. The strong interrelationships among knowledge, attitudes, and practices emphasize the importance of integrated educational and behavioral interventions to promote sustainable solid waste management in coastal areas.