Exploring the Effects of Pandemic Personal Protective Equipment Wastes in the Selected Tourist Destinations in Quezon Province: Basis for the Sustainable Waste Disposal Practices in the Tourism Industry

The study aimed to explore the effects of pandemic Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) wastes in the selected tourist destinations in Quezon province. The study also sought to determine the responses of the participants on the questions regarding the types of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) most commonly collected for disposal at the tourist site in terms of facemask and fabric facemask, current state of tourism destinations on waste disposal practices in terms of waste segregation, allocation of waste bin for personal protective equipment, and the collection of garbage by schedule. The responses of participants on the effects of Protective Personal Equipment’s (PPE) waste as perceived by the respondents in terms of safety protocols adaptation and aftermath effect of PPE waste as well as the implementation plans used by selected tourist destinations on sustainable waste disposal practices in the tourism industry formed an integral part of the study. In order to answer the different questions stated above, the researchers devised a research instrument followed by a thematic analysis that was answered by two (2) participants from six (6) selected tourist destination in Quezon province namely: Quezon National Park in Atimonan, Kamay ni Hesus in Lucban, Perez Park in Lucena, Cagbalete Island in Mauban, Polilio Island in Polilio, and Minor Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel in Tayabas. In the effects of pandemic Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) wastes in the selected tourist destinations in Quezon province, the researchers concluded that face masks were discovered to be the most common PPE waste in the semi-structured interview. It was also discovered that tourism sites are capable and practical enough to embrace the long-term implementation strategy in order to effectively maintain their productivity and safety. It is therefore recommended to implement alternative sustainable waste practices, which would allow each site to keep its natural beauty while combating the detrimental effects of poor PPE waste disposal. In addition, the tourism destination implemented a system that focuses on following the 3 R's policy when handling acquired PPE, as well as adding more trash bins for PPE wastes and producing reusable and marketable products, such as fabric face masks, to create a more dynamic and engaging environment for tourists and employees alike.