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Zero Waste Schools Programme
Baseline Survey
A: School Solid Waste Management Instrument
Instruction: To be filled out by the interviewer in consultation with school coordinators, surrounding
physical observations and consultation techniques may be used to fill in this format
Name of the interviewer:
Designation:
1. School Information
Classification (Please tick as applicable) Government Private School Public Private
School School
Date and Time of School Visit
DD/MM/YYYY:
HH/MM:
School UDISE Code
School Name & Address
Primary Contact (Name & Position)
Telephone Number
Operational Hours
2. Waste management data and processes
Is there an operation record or disposition log YES NO N/A
for current waste inventory?
Is disposition and turnaround time of waste YES NO N/A
store on site reasonable?
Is there a certificate of disposal issued? YES NO N/A
Is the inventory labelled? YES NO N/A
Is the waste accepted in drums and the content YES NO N/A
emptied?
If so, specify how are the containers disposed
of:
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Additional Comments:
3. Waste Management
Please comment on any questions and/or concerns that may have come up from this section on the
Pre-Visit Questionnaire.
Safe Handling of Waste
All waste from Schools kept safe against:
Corrosion or wear of waste containers YES NO N/A
Accidental spilling or leaking or inadvertent YES NO N/A
leaching from waste unprotected from rainfall
Accident or weather breaking contained waste YES NO N/A
open and allowing it to escape
Waste blowing away or falling while stored or YES NO N/A
transported
Scavenging of waste by vandals, thieves, YES NO N/A
trespassers or animals
Segregation and Containment
All waste from Schools is suitably segregated and contained:
Different wastes are stored separately to avoid YES NO N/A
mixing of wastes
All the persons involved in handling waste are YES NO N/A
aware of the locations and use segregated waste
containers.
Waste containers suitable for the material YES NO N/A
stored in them.
Waste containers are suitably labelled to identify YES NO N/A
the type of wastes.
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Does the waste collection agency have a valid YES NO N/A
registration and permit from any authorised
government body to collect and transport
waste? (Attach copy of certificate)
Did the school ever perform Waste Audit YES NO N/A
Program
Additional Comments:
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B. Student’s Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Instrument on Solid Waste
Management
Instructions: Self-administered instrument
Student ID
Name of Student
Class and Section
Roll Number
Name of School
Gender
1. Waste Generation and Segregation
1.1 What are the main types of waste generated in your school? (Tick all that apply)
1. Paper
2. Metal (foil paper)
3. Sanitary Waste
4. Garden waste
5. Others (Specify)
1.2 How much do you know about biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste?
1. I am an expert
2. I have a good understanding
3. Know a little
4. Neutral
5. Don’t Know
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1.3 Which of the following is an example of biodegradable waste?
1. Plastic bags
2. Dead plants and leaves
3. Glass bottles
4. None of the above
5. All of the above
1.4 Match the following on which waste (Left side) goes to which bin (Right side):
1) Wet waste a) Blue bin
2) Dry waste b) Green bin
3) Hazardous waste c) Red bin
d) Black bin
1.5 Waste segregation at source is important because:
1. It reduces contamination of recyclable materials, making them easier to recycle and
improving the efficiency of waste management systems.
2. It allows all types of waste to be mixed together, which simplifies the disposal process.
3. It increases the amount of waste sent to landfills, as all waste is treated the same way.
4. None of the above
5. Don’t know
1.6 Which material is considered hazardous waste?
1. Food waste
2. Injection needle
3. Cardboard
4. None of the above
5. Don’t know
1.7 Managing waste in my school is the responsibility of
1. Teachers
2. Students
3. Cleaning staff
4. All of the above
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5. Others (Specify)
1.8 What are the possible consequences of improper waste management?
1. Air pollution
2. Health risks
3. Both A and B
4. None of the above
5. Don't know
1.9 School students should not participate in waste management efforts in schools
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree
1.10 Waste management is the job of females
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
1.11 I feel my classmates are cooperative when it comes to managing waste properly
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
1.12 I mix all the garbage in one garbage bin
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
1.13 I regularly separate my school waste into wet and dry waste categories.
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
1.14 My school conducts training sessions on solid waste management
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
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2. Recycling and Reuse
2.1 What does recycling mean?
1. Throwing waste away properly
2. Reusing/processing materials to make new products
3. Burning waste
4. None of the above
5. Don’t know
2.2 Which of the following items can be recycled?
1. Glass bottles, newspapers, and plastic containers.
2. Food waste, used napkins, and broken ceramics.
3. Plastic straws, chip bags, and polystyrene foam.
4. None of the above
5. Don’t know
2.3 The benefits of reusing items include:
1. Increasing the amount of waste sent to landfills and requiring more energy for recycling
processes.
2. Reducing pollution, conserving resources, and saving money by delaying the need for
new purchases.
3. Creating clutter in homes and making it harder to find space for new items.
4. None of the above
5. Don’t know
2.4 What does 3Rs stand for?
1. Reuse>Reduce>Recycle
2. Recycle>Reduce>Refuse
3. Reuse>Request>Recycle
4. Recover>Reuse>Reel
5. Don't Know
2.5 I think recycling is essential for environmental protection.
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
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2.6 I believe that using single-use bags is more convenient than using reusable bags.
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
2.7 I bring lunch in a reusable container.
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
2.8 I use single-use plastic bags or bottles instead of reusable ones.
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
3. Waste Reduction
3.1 How do you reduce waste?
1. Minimising the waste generated by using fewer resources and choosing products with
less packaging.
2. Disposing of waste in landfills without considering recycling or composting.
3. Increasing the consumption of single-use products to avoid waste.
4. None of the above
5. Don’t know
3.2 I think reducing waste should be a priority for individuals and communities.
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
3.3 I want to reduce my personal waste contribution.
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
3.4 I make an effort to reduce waste in my school.
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
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4. Waste Disposal
4.1 What is composting?
1. The process of breaking down organic waste, such as food scraps and garden waste, into
nutrient-rich soil manure through natural decomposition.
2. The act of throwing away food scraps and yard waste in the trash without further
processing.
3. A method of recycling plastic and metal products to create new items.
4. None of the above
5. Don’t know
4.2 What should be the final disposal destination of your school’s organic waste?
1. It should be dumped in the nearby river
2. It should be dumped in outer space
3. It should be burnt
4. None of the above
5. Don’t know
4.3 I believe that my actions can positively impact waste management in my school.
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
4.4 I think it is important to educate others about proper waste disposal methods.
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
4.5 I have composted organic waste at home or school.
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
4.6 I throw waste materials in common open dumps on the streets when i don’t find a bin
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
