Application of Waste Management Strategies of “Pivithuru Pasal” Program at Home

Abstract

Environmental issues are considered as a global concern which needs immediate actions to remedy the adverse effects. One measure taken so far globally is managing waste. Solid waste management has become a major environmental problem in many urban areas of Sri Lanka. Acknowledging this dilemma, the Western province has implemented a school based project in order to change the attitudes of young generation towards waste management, naming it “Pivituru Pãsal” program. The purpose of this study was to find out the success of this program in changing the attitudes of family members at home regarding waste management through their children. The sample of the study comprised of 300 students, 300 parents and 40 teachers from 20 schools in Colombo District. Data was collected through questionnaires and interviews. Findings conclude that (1) scouts/guides are the most promoters of the program (2) parents are aware of the program through their children (3)more than half of the students sample have attended workshops conducted by the waste management Authority in the Western Province, however, most parents are unaware of the workshops conducted by the school of their child (4)both students and parents are satisfied with the support they received to conduct the program in the school (5) the majority of students are agreed that their school administrators played an important role in implementing the grogram, but teachers are most satisfied with the support receive from the school (6) students seem to be well aware of the rules that are implemented by school (7) almost half of the schools have a system to sort waste in classrooms. On the other hand, (1) waste management at home seems to be very successful as waste at home is very well sorted (2) parents are especially glad about the home environment that is improved by the knowledge gained through this program (3) students seem to have changed their attitudes regarding environment protection which had made them to protest if anyone dumps garbage in inappropriate places.