Perception of the Selected Residents on Household Composting in a Highly Urbanized Area Manila Philippines

Solid waste is one of the major problems in any congested urbanized area. Metro Manila, one of the highly-urbanized cities in Southeast Asia, generated 3.596 million tons of solid waste in 2014. Generally, this study determined the perception of the selected residents on household composting in a highly urbanized area. Specifically, this investigation was able to learn the knowledge of the residents on composting and solid waste management; described the discouraging factors they encountered concerning composting activity; and identified the perceived benefits of the said environmental action. The researchers gathered data through a series of in-depth interviews that were conducted in Barangay 521, Zone 52, District IV, Sampaloc, Manila. Twenty (20) respondents were selected through random sampling technique. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the data collected. Findings of the study showed that the residents were knowledgeable about segregation and traditional composting. They were willing to do composting activity but they were not able to implement it effectively because of several discouraging factors such as the lack of space, time constraint, and unsystematic collection of waste. The residents perceived composting as a beneficial activity because it can produce compost for agriculture, improve sanitary condition, and reduce the risk of flooding. Consequently, if these discouraging factors would be eliminated, then they would be able to perform proper ways of composting. The Local Government Units should provide appropriate trainings on how to conduct composting activity properly using advanced technologies and scientific techniques.