Promoting Environmental Justice: A Case Study of E-Waste Management Practices in Selected Public Schools in the Philippines

Abstract

Proper waste management, aimed at making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable, has been one of the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This, in turn, contributes to quality education and environmental justice. Thus, this study examined e-waste management practices in selected public secondary schools in the Philippines. A qualitative descriptive case study was conducted to explore e-waste management practices. Purposive sampling was used to interview nine key informants from teaching and non-teaching personnel in three selected public secondary schools in Sorsogon Province, Philippines. The findings revealed that school-based waste was mainly collected without proper sorting, observing the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle), or establishing composting areas. The challenges in e-waste management practices were revealed to be a limited understanding of government e-waste policies and laws, weak program implementation and insufficient e-waste and recovery facilities. Although opportunities include promoting proper sorting, monitoring practices and sustaining the 3Rs, based on the results of the study, to achieve environmental justice and translate it into praxis (i.e., action and reflection), the study recommends enhanced training and EducAction, policy to praxis, and improved infrastructure, facilities and resources.