Implementation of Solid Waste Management Program (SWMP) in Public Schools: A Convergent Parallel Mixed Methods Research Design

Abstract

The concepts of Circular Economy (CE) and Solid Waste Management Program (SWMP) implementation are related to various qualities that may influence school stakeholders' participation in this program. This study investigated school stakeholders' awareness of Circular Economy (CE) concepts and the implementation of the Solid Waste Management Program (SWMP) in public schools. In order to uncover the relationship between these factors and relate stakeholders' experiences to their quantitative findings, convergent parallel mixed-methods research was used. The sample contained 370 respondents. The Awareness of Circular Economy Concepts Scaled Questionnaire (ACCESQ) and the Implementation of Solid Waste Management Program Scaled Questionnaire (ISWMPSQ) were modified for use as quantitative instruments, furthermore, for qualitative research, a validated interview guide was employed. For the quantitative analysis of the two factors, the weighted mean was utilized, and to identify the shape, direction, and strength of the relationship between the two variables, Pearson Product Moment Correlation, or Pearson “r” Coefficient was calculated. Moreover, the qualitative data was also analyzed using thematic analysis. Stakeholders' familiarity with Circular Economy (CE) ideas and the progress made on the Solid Waste Management Program were strongly correlated in every measure. Positive correlations were discovered between their encounters and the adoption of Circular Economy (CE) ideas and SWMPs. The results showed that climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution were all integral parts of sustainable waste management plans (SWMPs) for reusing, reducing, recycling, collecting, treating, and disposing of garbage. The more people understand CE principles, the more likely it is that the SWMP will be put into action, and the more closely the experiences of stakeholders will match the quantitative findings.