Abstract

This study addresses the persistent challenge of solid waste management in the Philippines through the lens of science education. Republic Act 9003 and Republic Act 9512 emphasize ecological responsibility in schools, yet classroom integration often remains limited. Anda National High School in Pangasinan implements Project ECO-LOVE, which illustrates how local initiatives can support environmental literacy and community participation. The study aimed to develop and validate a contextualized framework that embeds waste management principles into science instruction. Qualitative methods were used, including interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis. These methods captured the experiences of teachers, school leaders, and project implementers. The framework was anchored on national laws and DepEd policies and integrated the 5Rs and Ecological Solid Waste Management concepts into Chemistry, Biology, and Earth Science through constructivist and sociocultural approaches. Results show that project-based learning, curriculum mapping, and localized instructional materials improve lesson relevance, strengthen learner engagement, and encourage community involvement. Project ECO-LOVE demonstrated effective alignment of policy and classroom practice. The discussion highlights the importance of experiential learning strategies and partnerships with stakeholders in sustaining environmental initiatives. The validated framework offers a practical model for promoting environmental literacy and ecological stewardship within secondary science instruction.