Participation of Mahidol University Students in Solid Waste Management : A Case Study of Salaya Campus Nakhon Pathom Province

Abstract

This research aimed to study the participation of Mahidol University students in solid waste management. Factors influencing students’ participation in solid ware management were investigated. The problems, barriers, and suggestions towards participation in solid waste management were also explored. Quantitative research method was employed. The target population included 400 bachelor students in Mahidol University. Questionnaire survey was applied as a tool to collect data. The data was analyzed by using multiple regression, mean, and standard deviation. Most of the respondents were female (65.5%) and 19 years old (63.3%). Some 64.2 percent of the respondents were from Nonthaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Chonburi, Samutprakarn, and Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Most of the respondents was Buddhist (98.8%) and was studying Sciences and Engineering (45.3%). The study result found that the knowledge of respondents regarding solid waste management was moderate (59.3%). The level of participation in solid waste management was moderate (63.6%). The factors significantly related to participation in solid waste management included sex (p-value = 0.05) and knowledge (p-value = 0.01). This research recommended to conduct future study by surveying the areas of solid waste problems in order to place waste containers in those areas. Separate waste containers should be provided in the buildings and over the university. Since the knowledge of solid waste management was moderate, the training on solid waste management and biodegradable transformation process should be offered to the students. The awareness towards solid waste should be raised. The information on solid waste management should be disseminated via info graphic poster. The content in info graphic should be easy to understand in order to enhance effective solid waste management in Mahidol University, Salaya Campus, Nakhon Pathom Province.