The Influence of Cultural Patterns on Solid Waste Generation and Management in the City of Santa Ana

Abstract

This research study aimed to analyze the influence of cultural patterns on the generation and management of solid waste in the city of Santa Ana. For this purpose, a survey was conducted to diagnose the population’s behavioral culture and its handling within the management model.

In addition, it was necessary to investigate the implementation of actions to classify both waste and solid residues into organic and inorganic bags; to reduce the consumption of energy and disposable products; to reuse daily-use materials as long as possible; and to recycle solid waste to obtain other products.

According to the survey results, most of the population does not classify waste nor know the color-coded bag system; they do not know the garbage collection schedule, and they throw waste in the streets. The population does not reduce, reuse, or recycle; therefore, polluters are not sanctioned. A cultural change is necessary, since Santa Ana deserves to be a clean city with a healthy environment.

Interinstitutional cooperation is required for integrated solid waste management, including addressing population behavior through environmental education processes in formal, non-formal, and informal contexts; through empirical practices such as classifying, reducing, reusing, and recycling solid waste. At the same time, techniques such as composting organic waste and disposing of remaining waste in sanitary landfills should be implemented.