Evaluation of the level of environmental awareness in solid waste management in the Santa Monica neighborhood, Manta
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47230/unesum-ciencias.v9.n1.2025.83-96Keywords:
Actitudes ambientales, Conciencia ambiental, Educación ambiental, Percepción social, Residuos sólidosAbstract
This study evaluated the level of environmental awareness in solid waste management (SWM) in the Santa Mónica neighborhood, Manta, Ecuador. The research employed a descriptive cross-sectional design and used surveys administered to 50 men and 50 women. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including Chi-square tests and multiple correspondence analysis. The results indicated that 26% of respondents considered themselves "quite aware" of the importance of SWM, while 28% admitted to having low awareness on the subject. Additionally, only 5% expressed consistent concern about the environmental impacts of waste, highlighting a low level of sensitization regarding the consequences of inadequate management. The analysis of attitudes toward waste separation revealed that 45% of participants considered this practice "quite important," with women assigning it greater value than men. Regarding environmental education, 58% acknowledged its necessity, emphasizing an opportunity to implement effective programs. However, knowledge about local regulations was limited, with only 2% of respondents considering themselves "quite informed." The statistical analysis showed weak associations between gender and the evaluated variables, suggesting that perception differences were not statistically significant. The first two principal components of the correspondence analysis explained 21% of the total variance, underscoring the multidimensional nature of environmental awareness in the population. These findings highlight the need to strengthen environmental education and awareness within the community, focusing particularly on subgroups with lower knowledge or negative attitudes. Furthermore, improving communication about local regulations is recommended to foster more effective solid waste management in the Santa Mónica neighborhood.
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