Adaption of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (3RS) among market vendors in municipality of Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur

Waste generation in public markets have built up rapidly due to economic and population development which have resulted to harm the environment. This study was undertaken to determine the socio-demographic profile of market vendors specifically in terms of age, gender, civil status and ethnic origin, the adaption of reduce, reuse, and recycle of respondent’s base on socio-demographic profile, the problems encountered in solid waste management and the significant relationship between demographic profiles of the respondents. The study was accomplished through the use of quantitative method in a correlational research design. A sample of 150 respondents in Santa Cruz Public Market, Davao del Sur were identified as the primary source of information through the use of total enumeration sampling technique. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect the data which was developed by constructing a three part form, (1) demographic profile, (2) adaption of reduce, reuse, recycle (3R’s), (3) problems encountered in solid waste management. Data gathered from the survey were analyzed by the use of the following statistical tools mainly; mean, relative frequency, standard deviation, and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Result showed that most of the respondents were female, 38-47 years of age, single, Cebuano in nature and been actively engaged in business operation for 5-15 years. Most of the respondents prefer to adapt the reduce practice followed by recycle and least was reuse. Furthermore, data showed that adaption to 3R practice varies on the demographic profile of the respondents. Highest age group who often adapt the 3R practices were from 48-57 years old (4.23), least were from the ages 28-37 years old (3.37) who tend to adapt sometimes. Based on the data, highest gender who often adapt the 3R practices were male (4.17) over female (3.64). In terms of civil status, separated (4.50) respondents denotes the highest to adapt the 3R practices and least were widow (3.28). Results also revealed that in terms of ethnic origin highest to adapt the 3R practices were the Tagalog (4.55) and least were Chinese (1). Highest to adapt the 3R practice in terms of number of years in business operation were 1-4 years (4.15) and least were 16-25 years (3.40). Accordingly, most common problems encountered involved in the storage facility sanitation, improper segregation, storing and disposal and inadequacy of storage facility as well as segregation. Most common solid waste respondents chose to reduce, reuse, and recycle were plastics and least were metals. Hence, the study revealed that there is no significant relationship between demographic profile and its solid waste management. On the basis of these findings, the researcher suggested that the Local Government of Santa Cruz must develop an effective and efficient policy that can aid local implementation of waste minimization and conforms to the national law. Utilization of funds for public market maintenance, trainings, seminars and sanitation projects must be prioritize.