Assessing sustainable solid waste management practices of students in selected senior high schools in the New Juabeng North Municipality

Abstract

Solid waste management has become a growing challenge in educational institutions due to increasing waste generation and inadequate disposal practices.This study sought to assess sustainable solid waste management practices in selected senior high schools. The study was conducted at New Juabeng North municipality and employed a descriptive survey design. The study also employed quantitative approach in data collection. The purposive and simple random sampling techniques were employed to select 80 senior high school students in the municipality, specifically, Pope John Senior High and Minor Seminary, Ghana Senior High School (GHANASS), Oyoko Methodist Senior High School, and Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Senior High School. An observation checklist and questionnaire were the instruments used to gather data on the types of solid wastes generated, students’ awareness, attitudes and practices towards sustainable solid waste management. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The findings of the study revealed that plastics and paper were the most common wastes generated in the selected schools. It was also revealed that students had high levels of awareness of sustainable solid waste management. The study also showed low level of students’ practices towards sustainable solid waste management despite their awareness. It was highlighted that students’ attitudes towards sustainable solid waste management were low. Based on the findings, it was recommended that school authorities in the New Juabeng North Municipality should collaborate with the Municipal Assembly to establish proper recycling units within schools to manage the waste streams effectively and prevent frequent accumulation of wastes generated. Moreover, the Ghana Education Service in the New Juabeng North Municipality should integrate more practical waste management activities, posters, and campaigns into the school curriculum and co-curricular programs to strengthen students’ awareness of sustainable solid waste management