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8/14/2019 Waste as an environmental issue in the OECS - results of a KAP study
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Waste Management
Waste as an Environmental issue in the OECS: results of a KAP study
by
Peter A. MurrayOECS Environment and Sustainable Development Unit
Morne Fortun
P.O. Box 1383Castries
Saint Lucia
and
Tecla FontenardOECS Environment and Sustainable Development Unit
Morne Fortun
P.O. Box 1383Castries
Saint Lucia
AbstractAn environmental knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) survey was carried out in theParticipating Member States of the OECS Protected Areas and Associated Livelihoods project.
A total of 1,479 interviews were conducted: 1,334 household and 145 departmentalrespondents. Data collection was facilitated by structured questionnaires and administered by
trained local interviewers with country-level supervision. Different questionnaires were used foreach of the two categories of respondents. Household sampling was nationally representative,
using enumeration districts stratified by parish. Respondents were full household residents aged15 to 74 years who also satisfied other eligibility criteria. Department/agency representatives
were selected via convenience methods targeting appropriate entities.
Few individuals claimed to be very familiar with environmental issues (18.0%), the majority
instead regarding themselves as somewhat familiar. Individual respondents perceived threatlevels pertaining to the environmental events showed improper garbage disposal as being one of
those seen as having the most impact. Most respondents saw individuals having a role inenvironmental maintenance but, at the same time, saw this overall as being governments
responsibility. In all countries most respondents accepted that responsibility for environmentalproblems remains mainly with residents of the country.
Specifically with regard to improper garbage disposal, most respondents accepted it as a high
threat to the environment this was more so in Dominica and least in St. Vincent and theGrenadines. Across the countries, the perception of improper garbage disposal as a high threat
was most noticeable among the 35-44 age group, yet lowest among respondents that had no morethan skills training or vocational education. The largest group of persons who saw improper
garbage disposal as being a major environmental threat saw themselves as being very familiarwith environmental issues. Similarly, persons who considered themselves very concerned about
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environmental issues shared this view. Recycling was stated as being practiced most by personswho claimed to be familiar with environmental issues, females and persons with at least
secondary education. No interactions among the afore-cited categories were considered.
The findings suggested that direct exposure environmental issues seemed to increase perceived
impact the use of recycling as a waste management tool follows a similar trend. These resultsare worthy of consideration mindful of the commitment by OECS Member States, pursuant tothe Revised St. Georges Declaration of Principles for Environmental Sustainability in the OECS
(the Revised SGD) and within the context of the draft New treaty of the OECS.
Key wordsenvironmental threats solid waste disposal knowledge, attitude and practice
BackgroundThe OECS region is characterized by a rich biological diversity, which in combination with itsisolation from other areas, has resulted in relatively high rates of national and regional
endemism. In addition to exhibiting differing degrees of endemism, the islands of the region also provide habitat and nesting sites for non-endemic migratory species. A 2003 survey conducted
by Conservation International identified the Caribbean as the fifth ranking hot spot and one ofthe highest priorities in any global strategy for biodiversity conservation and sustainable
management.
Recognizing the importance of the sustainable management of its natural resources and rich biodiversity, the Governments of the OECS Member States have made significant commitments
to protecting their countries' resources. Some of these include their status as signatories tointernational conventions, the formulation and adoption of policy statements, legal and
institutional instruments, recent environmental programs, and financial support of conservationactivities through budget allocations. At the sub-regional level, the OECS Member States in the
year 2000 issued and subsequently endorsed the St. George's Declaration of Principles forEnvironmental Sustainability in the OECS
1(the SGD), which includes a commitment to the
conservation of biological diversity and the protection of areas of outstanding scientific, cultural,spiritual, ecological, scenic and aesthetic significance. This commitment is also consistent with
the OECS Development Charter2.
The Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Survey objectives and methodologyThe OECS Secretariat, in 2007, conducted a survey on environmental awareness to assess
peoples knowledge of, potential attitude to, and practices, in relation to the environment3. This
Knowledge-Attitude-Practice (KAP) Survey was seen as part of a broader commitment to
advance and promote the cause of environmental management based on sound research andthrough the delivery of a comprehensive programme of training and education on the
environment4. With the practical data captured, the OECS Secretariat expects to be better able to
1 OECS, 20012
OECS, 20043
OECS, 2007b.4 The private firm of Cultural Marketing Communication (Caribbean) Ltd. was contracted to manage the survey and
analyse the data gathered
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develop the targeted environmental awareness strategies and management programmes, whichwill ultimately lead to the desired increase in public support for (and awareness of) biodiversity
conservation and sustainable management of Protected Areas Results of the survey are toserve, not only as a resource for future public awareness program, but also to guide the
development and improvement of environmental management activities and for informing policy
development.
The overall goal of the survey was to assess public knowledge on environmental issues and
concerns and to seek to determine the extent to which environmental agencies and organizations place emphasis on communicating with the public on the environment. Specifically, the survey
was designed to help the OECS Secretariat gain knowledge of:
Peoples opinions on environmental issues Peoples attitudes in respect of the environment
Satisfaction levels on information received on the environment Preferred information/media sources
The survey was initially designed to allow for broad-based participation based on a cluster
sampling plan that would capture an estimated two hundred and fifty (250) respondents perMember State, this was subsequently changed to 225 due to cost considerations. The survey
instrument included a series of questions in the form of (a) multiple choice, and (b) open endedwith answer choice grids provided where applicable. Other considerations for the sampling plan
include:
a. Wide in-country geographical distribution b. Age ranges proportionate to population age distribution
c. Gender in proportions mirroring population ratiod. Broad educational distribution, where possible
e. Broad economic distribution, where possible
Nationally representative household samples were selected via four (4) stages: (i) obtainingdescriptions (i.e. Enumeration Districts (EDs)) per country (ii) identifying a single regional
sampling approach (iii) selecting samples based on above and (iv) preparing maps and boundaries for field use. The EDs were stratified (parish), a random start point assigned, and
further selections made from population generated intervals, but taking into account requisitenumber of country interviews (n = 225). Final EDs were clustered (approx. three (3) each),
allowing for parish spread, and proportionality-to-population-size. Target households wereselected from random start within EDs, target respondents being selected on a last birthday basis.
At household level, one member was selected and screened for eligibility. Only one (1) callbackwas instituted, after which any failures to locate the target respondent resulted in replacement
(within-household, according to next-birthday or next household, in any event ofvacant/ineligibility/refusals).
A total of 1,479 interviews were conducted: 1,334 household and 145 departmental
respondents. Data collection was facilitated by structured questionnaires and administered bytrained local interviewers with country-level supervision. Different questionnaires were used for
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Individuals have a role in environmental
maintenance
0
10
2030
40
50
60
70
ANU DOM GRE SKN SLU SVG
%re
sponses strongly agree
agree
neither
disagree
strongly disagree
each category of respondents. Household sampling was nationally representative, usingenumeration districts stratified by parish. Respondents were full household residents aged 15 to
74 years who also satisfied other eligibility criteria. Department/agency representatives wereselected via convenience methods targeting appropriate entities.
Table 1. Number of Interviews completed per country
Households Departmental
Antigua & Barbuda 209 18Dominica 222 25
Grenada 229 25St. Kitts & Nevis 224 25
St. Lucia 225 27St. Vincent & the
Grenadines
225 25
Data analyses used the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), with data imported
into that programme from the ASCII format in which entered. No interactions among categorieswere considered.
ResultsThe results following were from the household survey
5. While, across the study area, some
individuals claimed to be very familiar with environmental issues (18.0%), the majority (58.1)
regarded themselves as somewhat familiar. Figures 1 and 2 show the distribution of perceptions regarding the roles and responsibility for environmental maintenance, whether
individuals or government respectively.
Figure 1
5 OECS, 2007b.
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Government is responsible for maintaining the
environment
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
ANU DOM GRE SKN SLU SVG
%r
esponse
strongly agree
agree
neither
disagree
strongly disagree
Most environmental problems caused by people
inside the country
0
10
20
30
40
50
ANU DOM GRE SKN SLU SVG
%r
esponses strongly agree
agree
neither
disagree
strongly disagree
On average across the six countries studied, more persons (45.8%) accepted the individuals role
in environmental maintenance than thought that government was responsible (27.2%).
Figure 2
Figure 3 indicates acceptance that responsibility for environmental problems remains mainly
with residents of a country. This view was shared by 34.9% of respondents, on average acrossthe countries studied.
Figure 3
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Perceived change in solid waste in the past 5
years
67.8
15.36 6.1 4.9
0
20
40
60
80
increase decrease no change both increase
and decrease
do not
know/not
sure
percieved change in solid waste production
%r
espondents
Perceived threat level average
82.4
14.71.7 1.2
0
20
40
60
80
100
High Low none not sure
perceived threat level
%
responses
The following results from the household survey relate to the issue of garbage disposal. Figure 4shows respondents perception with regard to the change in the amount of solid waste produced.
Figure 4
Figure 5 shows that on average, across the study area, most persons thought that impropergarbage disposal is a threat to the environment. This view was most prevalent in Dominica,
followed by Saint Lucia and least in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (figure 6)
Figure 5
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Perceived high threats by country
79.8
90.5
79.3 79.3
89.8
75.6
65
70
75
80
85
90
95
ANU DOM GRE SKN SLU SVG
%r
esponse
Figure 6
The perception that improper waste disposal is an important threat to the environment was mostprevalent among the 35-44 year age group and least among the 15-24 age group (figure 7).
Figure 7
Perceived high threats by age range
79.1
82.7
87.1
81.7
74
76
78
80
82
84
86
88
15 - 24 25 - 34 35 - 44 45 +
age range (y)
%r
esponse
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Perceived high threats by stated education level
89.1
82.7 82.7
76.380.3
84.886.7
6570
75
80
85
90
95
Noform
al
prim
ary
seco
ndary
skills
/voc
Colle
ge
Univ
Post
education level
%r
esponse
Percieved high threat by level of familiarity with environmental
issues
90.8
82.7
75.7
65
70
75
80
85
90
95
very somewhat not
stated familiarity with environmental isues
%r
esponse
This perception was also least among those whose education was limited to primarily the skills
or vocational level and highest among those who had no formal education (figure 8).
Figure 8
Most persons who considered themselves familiar with (figure 9) or very concerned about(figure 10) environmental issues, perceived improper waste disposal as posing a high threat to
environmental maintenance.
Figure 9
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Percieved high threat by level of concern about environmental
issues
46.2
72.583.1 84.6
87.7
0
20
40
60
80
100
none little average high very high
stated concern about environmental issues
%r
esponse
Figure 10
Figure 11 shows that greater familiarity with environmental issues tended to lead to a slightlyhigher tendency to recycle waste.
Figure 11
Recycling as a function of familiarity with
environmental issues
74.569.7
59
25.5 30.3
41
0
20
40
60
80
Very Somewhat Not
stated familiarity with environmental issues
%r
esponse
Yes
No
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Recycling as a function of gender
63.770.5
36.329.5
010
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Male Female
gender
%r
esponse
Yes
No
Recycling as a function of educational level
attained
66.753.5
72.7 67.773.8
85.6 80
33.346.5
27.3 32.3 26.214.4 20
0
20406080
100
Noform
al
Prim
ary
Seco
ndary
Skills
/Voc
Colle
ge
Unive
rsity
Postgrad
stated educational level
%r
esponse
Yes
No
Females tended to recycle a bit more than males (figure 12)
Figure 12
The tendency to recycle increased with educational level attained (figure 13).
Figure 13
DiscussionWe have presented these results as a point of departure for further discussion. It is of note
however that improper waste disposal is generally accepted as threatening the environment andthis perception appears to increase with exposure to information on, and familiarity with,
environmental issues. Whether this is as a consequence of age, education or otherwise is a matterworth investigating further. What is also interesting is that most of the respondents with no
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formal education saw improper waste disposal as a significant environmental threat. This begsthe question whether this is a consequence of their acquiring hands-on experience in this
regard, yet respondents with mainly vocational training were least concerned with waste disposalas a threat to the environment. We would not be so precipitate as to suggest that this may be a
consequence of the fact that vocational trades in the region are solid waste generating.
The use of recycling as a waste management tool follow a similar trend to the perception ofimproper waste disposal as a threat to the environment except that respondents with secondary
education are among the more frequent users of recycling. It may be suggested that this is aconsequence of the fact that a number of secondary school curricular propose waste recycling as
either a civic duty or an environmental management activity.
We commend these results to your consideration, mindful of the commitment by OECS MemberStates, pursuant to goal 3 of the Revised St. Georges Declaration of Principles for Environmental
Sustainability in the OECS (the Revised SGD)6, to develop policies and strategies to address
creative and sustainable management of solid waste by 2010 and within the context of the draft
New Treaty of the OECS
7
, in which the Revised SGD has been enshrined.
ReferencesOrganisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), 2001. St. Georges Declaration of Principles
for Environmental Sustainability in the OECS. Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States,Saint Lucia. 35p.
Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), 2004. OECS Development Charter: Our
Vision of the Future. Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, Saint Lucia. 48p.
Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), 2007a. St. Georges Declaration ofPrinciples for Environmental Sustainability in the OECS: Revised 2006. Organisation of
Eastern Caribbean States, Saint Lucia. 30p.
Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), 2007b. Environmental Awareness in the
OECS: Report of a KAP (Knowledge, Attitude and Practice) Survey conducted in Six
OECS Member States. Final Report 18 August 2007. OECS Environment and SustainableDevelopment Unit, Saint Lucia. 191p.
Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), 2008. The Organisation of Eastern
Caribbean States: Draft of the New Treaty. Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, SaintLucia. 68p.
World Bank, 2004. OECS Protected Areas and Associated Livelihoods Project: Project
Appraisal Document. Caribbean Country Management Unit, Environmentally and SociallySustainable Development Sector Management Unit, Latin America and Caribbean Region.
6OECS, 2007a. Goal 3 of the revised SGD is to achieve the long-term protection and sustained productivity of the
regions natural resource base and the ecosystem services it provides one of the desired outcomes of this goal beingthat environmental quality is not diminished by pollution and waste.7 OECS, 2008
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Report No. 28621. International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the World Bank),Washington, DC. 121p.