Solid Waste Disposal Practices of the Atis (Aeta) of Boracay

Abstract

The rising quality of life and high rates of resource consumption patterns had an unintended and negative impact both on the urban and rural environments and even on indigenous communities. Cities are now grappling with the problems of high volumes of waste, the costs involved, the disposal technologies and methodologies, and the impact of wastes on the local and global environment. This study is entitled Solid Waste Disposal Practices of the Atis (Aetas) of Boracay. The study was conducted to identify the Solid Waste Disposal Practices of the Atis in Boracay in terms of method of garbage storage and their methods of garbage disposal. It also seeks to identify activities/ programs implemented or practiced in the community to minimize improper waste disposal practices of every household in the community. The researcher to gather the information needed to be utilized a survey questionnaire. Interviews with 25 households and observations were conducted to further validate the authenticity of the data. Findings revealed that in terms of household garbage storage the respondents stored their garbage in a plastic bag, in an open container, and others pile it in the yard especially those biodegradable wastes. Concerning their garbage disposal practices, every household practiced proper segregation of waste. For their food waste, they put it in basket compost, while plastic containers, bottles, metals, and glass were segregated properly and disposed to a dumpsite through garbage collection. Trashes such as papers/cardboards were used for cooking by the Atis. Yard trimmings were used as compost as organic fertilizer. A once a week community cleaning is conducted by the Atis to maintain the cleanliness of their community where proper segregation of wastes was also monitored by the community organizer. In partnership with the Department of Agriculture Atis of Boracay were trained on basket composting to manage their biodegradable wastes. They were also guided by the policy of the Local Government Unit of Malay on proper wastes disposal.