Development of participatory solid waste management at Sirindhorn College of Public health dormitory, Khon Kaen Province

Abstract

          The purpose of this participatory action research was to study the generality of solid waste management of students and study the participatory processes in solid waste management of students at Sirindhorn College of Public Health, Khon Kaen Province.  This study compared the amount of waste before and after using the student participation process at the dormitory of Sirindhorn College of Public Health to study problems and identify obstacles. In order to conduct student participation activities to reduce waste in dormitories at Sirindhorn College of Public Health, the following steps were taken: 1) Study the knowledge and practice about waste management of students including collection of garbage and separation of garbage and waste. 2)  Students took part in planning by group discussion and in-depth interviews. 3) Students took part in workshops. 4) Students took part in evaluation by group discussion and interviews using deep and open-ended questions 5) Re-evaluate the knowledge and practice of student waste management including collection of garbage and separation of garbage and waste. Data of knowledge and practice were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Data from group discussions and in-depth interviews were assessed using content analysis.

          The study indicated that knowledge and practice of students involved in the garbage management study statistically changed (p-value <0.001). Participatory practices resulted in reduced waste as well as the improvement of the students' practice of waste management. Thus, educational institutions should encourage students to have better behavior in waste management through knowledge and participatory study events.