Exploring the Awareness of Waste Disposal and Suggesting Future Suggestions for managing waste: A Case Study in the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna

Abstract

Abstract- Wastes are categorized into several types such as commercial waste, solid waste, construction waste and medical waste. Waste management is currently one of the most important aspects in each society that should be paid attention. In traditional concept waste has no value and is unavoidable. Growing population and rapid urbanization in each country, increases solid waste products. Basically, generated solid waste is related to the population’s lifestyle and the economic situation in which the people are engaged. This research aims to study the present waste disposal methods and current program about the waste management in the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. The major objectives of the study were to find out the relationship between gender and area of residence with the awareness of three waste disposal methods; namely reuse, recycle and reduce. As the waste problem is a critical problem in the faculty at present, finding solutions is needed for the development of a sustainable waste management system in the faculty. All final year students (143) in the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna were interviewed using a pre-tested questionnaire. To analyse the collected data descriptive and correlation co-efficient analyses were used. According to the data, the highest percentage (40%) of respondents were in 25 yearage group. From the participants 67% of respondents were female and 33% were male. Out of the female population 87% of them were aware of three waste disposal methods and the awareness of the male population was 67%. Apart for the present waste disposal methods in the Faculty, students preferred to collect in one place or basket, burn and land filling. Moreover, they suggested waste separation, handing over suitable waste to collecting points, introducing a reuse system to the faculty and cattle waste for bio gas production. According to the correlation coefficient analysis, results revealed that, there is a strong, high marked association (Cramer’s V 0.787) between area of residence and the awareness of three waste disposal methods, but there is no significant association between gender and awareness of waste disposal methods.