Rubber Slippers and Environmental Effect in KCB School in Bhutan

Abstract

This paper reports the findings from the project implemented in one of the center schools in western district in Bhutan to enhance waste management behaviour among the students. It took the case of using rubber slippers which the Bhutan government provides to center school students for free as an object of focus for studying students’ awareness about the effect of rubber and plastic waste on health and environment. The baseline data were collected from grade 10 students (N=30) using questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. Based on the baseline findings, intervention activities were formulated and implemented for a month. Posters were distributed and online sessions were conducted. Besides, an alternative to rubber slipper was explored and experimented on 15 participants to draw comparison in terms of cost, comfort and durability. Post-intervention data were collected using the same tools used for baseline data. Data were analyzed employing descriptive analysis by counting frequency for quantitative data and content analysis technique for qualitative data. The project found that students’ perspective toward the rubber waste changed after the project intervention. And it can be concluded that this change is a positive sign that rubber slippers could be replaced by alternative footwear which would reduce waste production contributing to the health and environment significantly.