ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS TO GARBAGE

PROBLEM OF PANABO CITY

In partial fulfillment of the Requirements in

Science, Technology and Society

By

Mantabote, Joselyn

Rovie Gonzales

Tulio, Exekiel Albert Y.

March 2019
Definition of Terms

Solid Waste- any garbage, refuse, sludge from a wastewater treatment plant, water supply

treatment plant, or air pollution control facility, and other discared materials including solid, liquid,

semi-liquid.

Waste Management- Are the activities and actions required to manage waste from its

inception to its final disposal.

Scavengers- A person who searches for and collects discared items.

Incinerators- An apparatus for bruning waste material, especially industrial waste, at high

temperatures until it is reduced to ash.

Global Warming- Is a long-term rise in the average temperature of the Earth’s climate

system, an aspect of climate changes shown by temperature measurements and by multiple effects

of the warming.

Deteriorating- Becoming progressively worse.

ABSTRACT
THE CASE

Minister Motohiko Kato, Embassy of Japan’s Deputy Chief of Mission, will attend the

turnover ceremony of “The Project for Acquisition of Garbage Compactors for Panabo City” on

August 26, 2010. The project was funded through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human

Security Projects (GGP) with a grant of US$52,748 (approximately P2.4 M).

Panabo City is located in the Province of Davao del Norte and has a population of 150,000.

It has thrived into an important trading post for agricultural and industrial sectors, and has

facilitated smooth business transactions of investors. In recent years, the development and rapid

urbanization of the city has led to the influx of workers from its surrounding areas. As a result,

Panabo City faces the increase of population, and needs to deal with new challenges in providing

basic services for increasing residents. One of these challenges is to establish an effective garbage

collection system. Earlier, the city had only two trucks for garbage collection while the whole city

generated about 67 tons of garbage every day. The regular garbage collection was conducted only

for two major markets in the city, and the collection in residential areas was irregular. Residents

had to bear with bad odor from accumulating wastes, and the concern for sanitation had been

emerging.

To cope with these circumstances, Panabo City decided to seek assistance from the

Embassy of Japan. Under this project, the city was provided with a donation consisting of three

garbage compactors from Osaka City in Japan. The Society for Promotion of Japanese Diplomacy

(SPJD), a Japanese association which renders international cooperation and advocates global
issues in Japan, supported Panabo City in the reconditioning of the vehicles including the

conversion from right-hand to left-hand drive, and the transportation of vehicles from Japan to

Panabo City. The Embassy of Japan assisted the expenses for these conversion and hauling cost.

With the addition of three garbage compactors, the city’s garbage collection will be more efficient

and regular, which will provide better sanitation and improved environment for the residents.

The GGP was launched in the Philippines in 1989 for the purpose of reducing poverty and

helping various communities engaged in grassroots activities. As of March 2010, 434 grassroots

projects funded by GGP – ranging from roughly 1 to 4 million pesos – have been implemented by

NGOs, local government units and other non-profit organizations. The total grant for these projects

so far amounts to US$18,982,775. –end-

The barangay-based waste-collection system of Panabo City is proving to be just

sustainable until today after being used for the past 20 years.

“Compared to other cities where waste collection is done by the city governments, in our

city each barangay collects its own waste while the city government only collects the waste in

public markets, city roads, public plaza and government institutions,” Panabo City Environment

Officer Engr. Felix Jonases Senajon said.

He said this system started during the time of Mayor Versim Enad in the late-1990s,

when the barangays bought their own garbage trucks through a loan facilitated by the city

government.
“Now, all our 40 barangays are still collecting their own waste and getting income from garbage

fees,” he said.

All throughout, waste in the city collected daily reach to 40 tons to 50 tons. These are

collected by two dump trucks and three compactors of the city government, and 24 dump trucks

from various barangays.

The collected wastes are dumped on the city’s controlled dump site at Barangay

Malitbog.

Meanwhile, Senajon also bared that the city continues to have no mining activities except

quarrying in various sites in the Lasang River.

Panabo City is considered as the Cavendish banana capital of the Philippines owning

mostly to the vast plantations of Tagum Agricultural Development Co., Inc. (Tadeco).

However, Tadeco’s larger areas have been petitioned for land reform by agrarian-reform

beneficiary groups, while the joint venture agreement covering its 5,308 hectares leased from the

Bureau of Corrections is in danger of going back to the government due to aggressive legal

petitions of Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez.

 INTRODUCTION

In the world garbage has become one of the biggest problem since it is one of the main

cause of pollution. Garbage is an used things that is already meaningless or considered worthless

there are many types of garbage’s liquid or solid waste are household waste it has a general type

of household rubbish that can be called ‘municipalw waste’ ‘black bag waste’ ot can be solid or

liquid waste. Hazardous waste this type of waste is dangerous it may create public health issues.

Since it contains pharmaceuticals, mercury, solvents, some paints, aerosol cans etc. It may be

inflammable, toxic, corrosive or reactive and this type of waste is regulated by an federal type of

government. Electrical waste or also known as e-waste that contains toxic metals like lead,

mercury, cadmium, and brominated flame retardants. Since it contains harmful chemicals it is not

safe to the people. These electrical waste also comes from different electrical devices such

ascomputers and computer parts, printers, DVD and music players, TVs, telephones, vacuum

cleaners and so on. Recyclable waste it is a type of waste that can be reuse or it can make another

product out of the waste that is alreasdy used. Examples of recyclable waste are paper, cardboard,

beverage and food containers, metal and glass.

“We are now confronting a Massive volume of solid waste that people generate daily and

globally. Every person is a potential generator of waste and thus a contributor to this problem.

Waste is generated by, and from different sectors; domestic, commercial, industry and others,

Oakley and Msden (1984).” Like as usual

 Waste Management at a global scale, attention is mostly focused on establishing improved

waste management system in developing countries, such as collecting and delivering waste to

designated locations under a municipality’s authority and international cooperation as mentioned

by Mc Cornack (2012).

Most problems of every country like Norway, Philippines and Nepal is the unplanned

urbanization that resulted in various environmental problems. Deteriorating air quality, polluted

rivers, open sewage, piled up garbage and open dumping sites, inadequate water supply and poor

sanitation. Scavengers are working informally at open dump and waste transport depot on their

own risk. Asante (1997).

In the most of the world we do one of two things with our ordinary garbage, burn it or bury

it. Neither one is good for us or for the environment. Burning garbage in incinerators releases

dangerous gases and dust (particulate matter) which contribute to global warming and pollute

lakes,forest,rivers,oceans and cities half a world away from where they orginated. Most

incinerators in industrialized countries now remove large quantities of particles and pollutants,

thus ensuring cleaner air. But the bulk of what they remove ends up in a landfill.

As a students of Davao Del Norte State College(DNSC) and living in the Panabo city we

all can see the garbages and trashes every where plus the air pollution in the major road can really

affect your mood going anywhere the city. We observed some disposals bin around the city such

as in Park but still there are a lot of garbages and trashes around the park and around the city.
I. BACKGORUND / RATIONALE

Solid waste shall refer to all discarded household, commercial waste, non-hazardous

institutional and industrial waste, street sweepings, construction debris, agricultural waste, and

other non-hazardous/non-toxic solid waste.

Solid waste management shall refer to the discipline associated with the control of

generation, storage, collection, transfer and transport, processing, and disposal of solid wastes in

a manner that is in accord with the best principles of public health, economics, engineering,

conservation, aesthetics, and other environmental considerations, and that is also responsive to

public attitudes. Ecological solid waste management shall refer to the systematic administration of

activities which provide for segregation at source, segregated transportation, storage, transfer,

processing, treatment, and disposal of solid waste and all other waste management activities which

do not harm the environment.

Article 4 Recycling Program Section 26 of R.A 9003 Inventory of Existing Markets for

Recyclable Materials. The DTI shall within six (6) months from the effectively of this Act and in

cooperation with the Department, the DILG and other concerned agencies and sectors, publish a

study of existing markets for processing and purchasing recyclable materials and the potential

steps necessary to expand these markets. Such study shall include, but not be limited to, an

inventory of existing markets for recyclable materials, product standards for recyclable and

recycled materials, and a proposal, developed in conjunction with the appropriate agencies, to
stimulate the demand for the production of products containing post-consumer and recovered

materials.

Disposal shall refer to the discharge, deposit, dumping, spilling, leaking or placing of any

solid waste into or in a land.

Section 25 of R.A 9003. Guidelines for Transfer Stations. Transfer stations shall be

designed and operated for efficient waste handling capacity and in compliance with environmental

standards and guidelines set pursuant to this Act and other regulations: Provided, That no waste

shall be stored in such station beyond twenty-four (24) hours. The siting of the transfer station

shall consider the land use plan, proximity to collection area, and accessibility of haul routes to

disposal facility. The design shall give primary consideration to size and space sufficiency in order

to accommodate the waste for storage and vehicles for loading and unloading of wastes.

Solid waste management

In technical note, the term ‘solid waste’ is used to include all non-liquid wastes generated

by human activity and a range of solid waste material resulting from the disaster, such as general

domestic garbage such as food waste, ash and packaging materials; human faeces disposed of in

garbage; emergency waste such as plastic water bottles and packaging from other emergency

supplies; rubble resulting from the disaster; mud and slurry deposited by the natural disaster; and

allen trees and rocks obstructing transport and communications. Other specialist wastes, such as

medical waste from hospitals and toxic waste from industry, will also need to be dealt with

urgently, but they are not covered by this technical note (World Health Organization, 2011).
 The Municipal Council enacted an ordinance establishing solid waste management also known

as “Perkash Fashura Ordinance Na Isadanga.”The ordinance prohibits dumping of garbage

anywhere other than those recognized and established garbage facilities; dumping of unclean and

unsegregated waste at the redemption center/facility; discharging of human feces along the creeks

and rivers; throwing of wastes in creeks, rivers, public places such as roads, sidewalks and

establishments; and burning of garbage particularly non-biodegradable wastes. It also requires

residents to practice segregation of wastes at source. Reusable solid wastes such as bottles, plastics,

cellophanes and papers shall be brought to the barangay material recovery facility duly segregated

or directly to the agent-buyers. Non-recyclable materials and special solid wastes will be brought

to the material recovery facility, while hazardous wastes or chemicals will be disposed in

coordination with concerned government agencies according to prescribed methods. The local

government is responsible for collecting reusable, recyclable and non-biodegradable waste

materials from the material recovery facilities; and transporting them to the recycling centers and

or to the municipal material recovery facility. Collection of segregated solid wastes is scheduled

per barangay (Saley, 2012).

3R’s (Reduce Reuse Recycle)

The Environmental Protection Agency has determined a three tiered approach for managing

solid waste. Each of these should be practiced to reduce the amount material headed for final

disposal. They are in order of importance: REDUCE, the best way to manage solid waste.Don't

create waste in the first place! Buy only what you need. Use all that you buy. Avoid heavily

packaged products. Avoid disposable items like paper plates and plastic silverware. Buy the largest
size package for those items that you use are often. REUSE, the better way to manage solid waste.

Reuse items use them over and over until they are completely worn out. RECYCLE, the good way

to manage solid waste.Recycle means taking something old and making it into something new. In

Seminole County, all residents who live in a single family home can recycle right in front of their

house. Those residents who live in apartments or condominiums can drop off their recyclables at

several different locations. Old newspapers, #1 and #2 plastic bottles, green, clear and brown glass

bottles and jars, aluminum and steel cans can all be recycled at the curb. Simply rinse out

containers and remove lids. That's it; it's very simple and very worthwhile. Not only does it keep

items out of the landfill, recycling conserves natural resources (Seminole County Government,

2012).

Australia may be a large country, but we live in a throw-away society that is rapidly filling it

with our waste. Our insatiable desire to constantly upgrade disposable technology and consume

over-packaged products has continued unabated for decades. At the same time however, there has

been a trend away from both burning waste in incinerators and burying it in landfills. Waste

management policies now seek to minimize waste disposal by reducing its generation and by

reusing and recycling. This book reveals the extent of our growing waste problem and examines

the waste and recycling practices of households, and includes many tips on how to reduce, reuse

and recycle. Topics include green waste, plastics, glass, paper, metal and electronic waste (Healey,

2010).

DISPOSAL
 There are many stringent regulations governing the treatment and disposal of waste in the

UK, both onshore and offshore, and in most other countries as well. Facilities involved in waste

transfer and treatment require licenses, and all personnel who work at such facilities require the

proper kind of training that goes with the handling of waste that can often be dangerous if not

handled properly. Waste management facilities also need to be able to respond quickly to

emergency situations. By their very nature there is rarely any warning that an emergency is about

to occur. For that reason emergency response teams need to be on standby every hour of every

day, and every day of every year. Waste management disposal and treatment can originate from

both domestic and industrial sources (Rose, 2009).

A detailed investigation was made regarding the methods of practices associated with

sources, quantity generated, collection, transportation, storage, treatment and disposal of

Municipal solid waste in Mysore City. The data concerning to SWM in Mysore was obtained

through questionnaire, individual field visit, interacting with people and authentic record of

municipal corporation. Photographic evidences were also made about generation, storage,

collection, transportation, treatment and disposal of MSW. This study reveals that the present

system of MSWM in Mysore City is not satisfactory based on Municipal Solid Waste Management

& Handling Rules 2000 (Chandra, et al., 2009).

Another case study across North America conducted by Whoilistic Environmental

Consulting (WEC, 2007), yard and food waste make up over a quarter of all the ordinary garbage

we throw away. That's 25% by weight. In the U.S., that 25% is almost equally divided between

yard waste (32.6 million tons, or 12.8% of all MSW) and food scraps (31.7 million tons, or 12.5%).
And then there's all the other organic stuff that could be composted: all the clothing, towels, and

bedding made of organic fibers, plus wood, old furniture and sawdust. Then there's paper, which

at 83 million tons accounts for another 30% of municipal solid waste. As of 2006, the latest year

for which figures are available, over 64% of the yard waste we throw away was recovered and

composted, as was 54.5% of the paper and cardboard. Only 2.6% of food waste reached a compost

heap.

The experiences and practices of household waste management of people in a barangay

(village) in Manila, Philippines are documented. The data were gathered through an interview with

household members using open-ended questions. Interviews were also conducted with garbage

collectors as well as scavengers. Results showed that the households generated an average of 3.2

kg of solid waste per day, or 0.50 kg/capita/day. The types of wastes commonly generated are

food/kitchen wastes, papers, PET bottles, metals, and cans, boxes/cartons, glass bottles,

cellophane/plastics, and yard/garden wastes. The respondents segregate their wastes into PET

bottles, glass bottles, and other waste (mixed wastes). No respondents perform composting. It is

worth noting, however, that burning of waste is not done by the respondents. The households rely

on garbage collection by the government. Collection is done twice daily, except Sundays, and

household members bring their garbage when the garbage truck arrives. However, there are those

who dump their garbage in non-designated pick-up points, usually in a corner of the street. The

dumped garbage becomes a breeding ground for disease-causing organisms. Some household

respondents said that it is possible that the dumping in certain areas caused the dengue fever

suffered by some of their family members. Mothers and household helpers are responsible for

household waste management. Scavengers generally look for recyclable items in the dumped
garbage. All of them said that it is their only source of income, which is generally not enough for

their meals. Most of the respondents said that garbage collection and disposal is the responsibility

of the government. The results of the study showed that RA 9003, also known as the Ecological

Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, is not fully implemented in Metro Manila (Bernardo, 2008).

This study highlights the results of the study that was conducted to analyze the solid waste

management practices of the waste generators, and the extent of their compliance with the

Republic Act 9003, otherwise known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

The study was conducted in Bacolod City, Philippines in 2007. The findings of this study served

as basis in developing a handbook on solid waste management (Ballados, 2010).

The Motiong town government in Samar has vowed to intensify the implementation of its

Solid Waste Management Program after barangay chairmen here took at one-day seminar-

workshop on the program. The activity was held at the Legislative Building here last Wednesday,

August 29.Motiong Mayor Francisco M. Langi Sr. said 30 barangay chairmen of his municipality

attended said seminar-workshop sponsored by the town government conducted Municipal

Planning and Development Officer, Engr. NicasioPermejo. Langi said all the barangay chairmen

were educated on the provisions of the Solid Waste Management Act of 2003 so that they would

be acquainted with and help implement the law in their respective barangays and propagate

environmental preservation. He said the town government will strictly implement the “no

segregation, no collection policy” in all of Motiong’s barangays and urged the barangay officials

to put up a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) where they can segregate bio-degradable and non-
biodegradable waste materials. Such materials can be turned into a livelihood as, according to

Langi, “there is money in junk” (Abrematea, 2012).

OTHER SWM-RELATED LAWS AND POLICIES

There are also relevant laws enacted at the national level that affect the implementation of

RA 9003. These are summarized as follows:

Republic Act No. 6969 (Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Act of 1990).

The act calls for the regulation of and restriction on the importation, manufacture, processing, sale,

distribution, use and disposal of chemical substances and mixtures that pose risk and/or injury to

health and to the natural environment.

Republic Act No. 7160 (Local Government Code (LGC) of 1991). The act devolved certain

powers to the local governments units, including enforcement of laws and cleanliness and

sanitation, solid waste management, and other environmental matters.

Republic Act No. 8749 (Clean Air Act of 1999). The act directs all government agencies

to adopt the integrated air quality framework as a blueprint for compliance. Among its salient

provisions are the “polluters must pay” principle, and the prohibition of the use of the incineration

method, which is defined as the burning of municipal, biomedical and hazardous waste or the

process, which emits poisonous and toxic fumes. The act further mandates LGUs to promote,
encourage, and implement segregation, recycling and composting within their jurisdiction. It also

required the phasing out of incinerators by July 2003.

Republic Act No. 9275 (Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004). The act provides for the

protection, preservation, revival of quality of fresh, brackish and marine waters of the country to

pursue economic growth.

Republic Act No. 9512 (Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008). The act

promotes environmental awareness through environmental education. It integrates environmental

education in the school curricula at all levels, public or private, barangay day care and pre-school,

and non-formal, vocational, and indigenous learning.

Republic Act 9513 (Renewable Energy Act of 2008). The act promotes the development,

utilization and commercialization of renewable energy and for other purposes.

Section 30 of RA 9513 provides for the use of “waste to energy” technology subject to

requirements of RAs 9003 and 8749 (Clean Air Act). Specifically, waste to energy technology

refers to “systems which convert biodegradable material such as but not limited to animal manure

or agricultural waste, into useful energy processes such as: anaerobic digestion, fermentation, and

gasification, among others, subject to the provisions of the Clean Air Act of 1999 and the

Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000”.

Republic Act (RA) 9729 (Climate Change Act of 2009). The act declares as a Philippine

policy the adoption of the ultimate objective of the UNFCC convention, which is the stabilization
of greenhouse gas concentration in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous

anthropogenic interference with the climate system.

Presidential Decree No. 856 (Code of Sanitation of the Philippines). The decree prescribes

sanitation requirements for hospitals, markets, ports, airports, vessels, aircraft, food

establishments, buildings, and other establishments. Refuse collection and disposal system in cities

and municipalities are described in Chapter XVIII of the law.

Presidential Decree No. 1586 (Environmental Impact Assessment Law). Approved on June

11, 1978, the law establishes and institutionalizes an environmental impact system where projects

to be undertaken would be reconciled with the requirements of environmental quality. This

requires proponents of critical projects and projects located in critical areas to secure an

environmental compliance certificate (ECC) from the President or his duly authorized

representative. The inclusion of the construction of Sanitary Landfills (SLF) as a critical project

was done later.

Presidential Decree No. 1160. The law vests authority in Barangay Captains (Barangay

Chairmen) to enforce pollution and environmental control laws. It also deputizes the Barangay

Councilman and Barangay Zone Chairman as peace officers.

Executive Order (EO) No. 774. Issued on December 26, 2008 the order calls for the

reorganization of the Presidential Task Force on Climate Change (PTFCC), headed by the
President, with all cabinet members as members of the Task Force. EO 774 created 13 Task Groups

that included solid waste management.

The Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010. In relation to

Climate Change program, the law supports the 3 R’s of SWM in promoting to consumers

avoidance of using the disposable and unnecessary products in order to avoid or reduce the solid

wastes generated by households, commercials, institutional, industries and all levels of

stakeholders.
II. ISSUES AND CONCERNS

1. Production of too much waste

One of the major waste disposal problems is attributed to the generation of too much waste.

America alone is responsible for the producing of about 220 million tons of waste annually. In

2007 for instance, it’s recorded that Americans generated nearly 260 million tons of municipal

solid waste. This is about 2.1 kg per person each day. The point is; if these are only figures in

America, let’s try to imagine the amount of waste produced by the rest of the population across

the globe.

According to the World Bank report, the average global municipal solid waste (MSW)

generation per person on daily basis is about 1.2 kg and the figure is expected to rise up to 1.5 kg

by 2025. It therefore means that every state and local authority suffer the problem of effective

waste disposal due to the generation of too much waste. The problem is that the present era is

driven by a throw-away consumerism with companies and producers striving to maximize profits

by producing one-time use products without prioritizing on reuse, recycling or the use of

environmentally friendly materials.

2. Most of the waste is toxic

The majority of the state and local authority legislations are generally lax on regulating the ever-

expanding manufacturing industries. On a daily basis, these industries produce toxic products that

end up getting thrown away after use. Most of the products contain hazardous and health-

threatening chemicals.
 A report by the U.S. EPA indicates that more than 60,000 untested chemicals are present

in the consumer products in our homes. There are even products known to contain toxic chemicals,

such as Biphenyl-A (BPA) – often present in plastic toys, but they are still poorly regulated.

Packaging is also one of the biggest and rapidly enlarging categories of solid waste which accounts

for 30% of MSW and approximately 40% of the waste is plastic which is never biodegradable. It’s

this level of toxicity together with the lax regulatory laws that exacerbates the problem of dealing

with waste disposal.

3. Landfills are a problem as well

Most landfills lack proper on-site waste management thereby contributing to additional

threats to the environment. In the long-term, landfills leak and pollute ground water and other

neighboring environmental habitats making waste management very difficult. They also give off

potentially unsafe gases.

Also, the laws and regulation guiding the operations of landfills are often lax at monitoring

and regulating the different types of wastes namely medical waste, municipal waste, special waste

or hazardous waste. With this kind of laxity of the laws in landfill waste management, the landfills

toxicity and hazardous nature significantly increases to a point where the landfill waste problems

often lasts for up to 30 years.

4. Regulations are based on vested interests

 Since waste disposal and management has become a profit making venture, those who

advocate for safe, quality and proper management of waste disposal are outmatched by industries

in the business. Large enterprises in the waste disposal business dictate all aspects of the market

from operating landfills, sewer systems and incinerators to recycling facilities. The corporations

simply aim at making profits regardless of the waste reduction requirements or the resultant

destructive environment impacts.

As such, they collaborate with vested interest regulators thereby creating a big problem in

the effective regulation of waste disposal, which has worsened the devotions to waste reduction

and recycling programs. To make matters worse, even some state officials work together with such

industry officials to expand landfills, increase waste tonnage, and develop new waste disposal or

recycling or treatment facilities to augment profits.

5. Reliance of dying technologies to reduce and recycle waste

Waste disposal and management facilities as well as state resources have continued to rely

on myopic and quickie solutions instead of developing effective recycling and waste reduction

programs. Consequently, it has created continued reliance on the use of outdated technologies to

deal with waste disposal. The problem is that most states are reluctant and less creative towards

advancing novel technologies for reducing the toxicity and volume of waste or enhancing

recycling, especially solid waste.

6. Some of the technologies marked as “green” are not true in actual sense
 Recycling technologies such as plasma arc, gasification, and pyrolysis are often marked as

“green” but the truth of the matter is that they are not 100% green. These recycling technologies

burn up waste with little or no oxygen and for this reason; it doesn’t differentiate them from the

traditional incinerators which produce energy from burning waste.

As much as burning waste to produce energy is considered green because it does not

involve the use fossil fuel, it still releases toxic materials into the environment. Also like the

traditional waste incineration systems, these technologies emit toxic ash into the atmosphere that

can potentially harm people’s health and the environment. Therefore, the technologies simply

divert concentration from the development of cleaner recycling and waste reduction technologies.
III. ALTERNATIVE COURSE OF ACTION

There are a lot of ways of alternative solution to the garbage problem of Panabo city that

have to be chosen among carefully depending on factors such as nature of waste, amount of waste,

and geographical factors. Here are the common waste disposal problems:

1. Production of too much waste

One of the major waste disposal problems is attributed to the generation of too much waste.

according to the world bank report, the average global municipal solid waste (msw) generation per

person on daily basis is about 1.kg and the figure is expected to rise up to 1.2 kg by 2025. It

therefore means that every state and local authority suffer the problem of effective waste disposal

due to the generation of too much waste. The problem is that the present era is driven by a throw-

away consumerism with companies and producers striving to maximize profits by producing one-

time use products without priotizing on reuse, recycling or the use of environmentally friendly

materials.

2. Most of the waste is Toxic

The majority of the state and local authority legislaltions are generally lax on regulating

the ever-expanding manufacturing industries. On daily basis, these industries produce toxic

products that end up getting thrown away after use. Most of the products contain hazardous and

health-threatening chemicals. There are even products known to contain toxic chemicals, such as

Biphenyl-A (BPA) often present in plastic toys, but they are still poorly regulated. Packaging is

also one of the biggest and rapidly enlarging categories of solid waste which accounts for 30% of
MSW and approximately 40% of the waste is plastic which is never biodegradable. It’s this level

of toxicity together with the lax regulatory laws that exacerbates the problem of dealing with waste

disposal.

3. Landfills are a problem as well

Most landfills lack proper on-site waste management thereby contributing to additional

threats to the environment. In the long-term, landfills leak and pollute ground water and other

neighboring environmental habitats making waste management very difficult. They also give off

potentially unsafe gases. Also, the laws and regulation guiding the operations of landfills are often

tax at monitoring and regulating the different types of wastes namely medical waste, municipal

waste, special waste or hazardous waste. With this kind laxity of the laws in landfill waste

management, the landfills toxicity and hazardous nature significantly increases to a point where

the landfill waste problems often lasts up to 30 years.

4. Regulation are based on vested interests

Since waste disposal and management has become a profit-making venture, those who

advocate for safe, quality, and proper management of waste disposal are outmatched by industries

in the business. Large enterprises in the waste disposal business dictate all aspects of the market

from operating landfills, sewer sytems and incinerators to recycling facilities. The corporations

simply aim at making profits regardless of the waste reduction requirments or the resultant

destructive environment impacts. As such, they collaborate with vested interest regulators thereby

creating a big problem in the effective regulation of waste disposal which has worsened the

devotions to waste reduction and recycling programs. To make matter worse, even some state
officials work together with the industry officials to expand landfills, increase waste tonnage, and

develop new waste disposal or recycling or treatment facilities to augment profits.

5. Reliance of dying technologies to reduce and recycle waste

Waste disposal and management facilities as well as state resources have continued to rely

on myopic and quickie solutions instead of developing effective recycling and waste reduction

programs. Consequently, it has created continuedreliance on the use of outdated technologies to

deal with the waste disposal. The problem is that the most states are reluctant and less creative

towards advancing novel technologies for reducing the toxicity and volume of waste or enhancing

recycling, especially solid waste.

6. Some of the technologies are marked as “Green” are not true in actual sense

Recycling technologies such as plasma arc, gastification, and pyrolysis are often marked

as “green” but the truth of the matter is that they are not 100% green. These recycling technologies

burn up waste with little or no oxygen and for this reason it doesn’t differentiate them from the

traditional incinerators which produce energy from burning waste. As much as burning waste to

produce energy is considered green because it does not involve the use of fossil fuel, it still releases

toxic materials into the environment. Also like the traditional waste incineration systems, these

technologies emit toxic ash into the atmosphere that can potentially harm people’s health and the

environment. Therefore, the technologies simply divert concentration from the development of

cleaner recycling and waste reduction technologies.

IV. Waste disposal solutions

Waste Disposal Solutions

Eco-responsibility – “Reduce, Re-use, Recycle”

Eco-responsibility pertains to the three Rs mantra of Re-use, Reduce, and Recycle. Local

communities, authorities and states need to put more efforts towards the education of waste

management. Essentially, the slogan can help reduce the levels of unsustainable waste that prove

problematic in various environments across the globe. With the implementation and consistent

practice of the three Rs, communities and local authorities as well as states will not only be able

to manage waste but also move in the direction of achieving zero waste. More emphasis should be

placed on responsible resource use with an objective of avoidance, maximizing recycling and

waste reduction methods. Avoidance and waste reduction involves techniques such as repair of

broken things instead of buying new, purchasing and re-using second-hand items, and designing

reusable and recyclable products.

Effective waste disposal and management

An effective strategy for municipal waste disposal and management can offer improved

solutions for the various problems associated with waste materials. It ensures there is gradual

improvement of new and cost-effective facilities which aim to encourage higher environmental

protection standards. An effective management strategy will also see to it that landfills are

purposefully located to ease waste collection, transfer, and monitoring or recycling. This can be

achieved through the implementation of waste disposal plan which must include proper monitoring
and regulation of municipal solid and food waste, livestock waste, sewage sludge, clinical waste,

and construction waste.

Control and monitoring of land filling and fly-tipping activities

Thousands of tones of construction and demolition materials are generated by various local

construction industries. In most cases, a large portion of these waste materials can be re-used,

reclaimed or recycled. With the control and monitoring of land filling and fly-tipping activities in

the area of public works, construction and demolition materials can be resourcefully reclaimed,

reused or recycled in other projects such as landscaping, village houses, recreation facilities or car

parks, or roads. By applying these techniques and monitoring fly-tipping activities, the

construction and demolition materials that sometime go into landfills which further worsen the

management of solid waste can easily be managed.

Waste Diversion Plans

A multifaceted approach on waste transfer and diversion in terms of more hygienic and

efficient waste disposal management can offer tremendous solution to waste problems. To address

most of the waste problems, especially landfills and sewer material, the local authorities and state

waste management facilities need to formulate waste diversion plans, with an objective of making

certain that there is convenient and proper waste disposal at landfills and waste transfer facilities.

Measures such as mandating equipment standards and rerouting of refuse collection/transfer can

enhance the environmental performance of waste disposal operations.

RECOMMENDATION

1. Eco-responsibilty – “Reduce, Re-use, Recycle, Recover”

Eco-responsibilty pertains to the the R’s mantra of Re-use, Reduce, Recover and Recycle.

Local communities, authorities and states need to put more efforts towards the education of waste

management. Essentially, the slogan can help reduce the levels of unsustainable waste that prove

problematic in various environments across the globe. With the implementation and consistent

practice of the four R’s communities and local authorities as well as states will not only be able to

manage waste but also move in the direction of achieving zero waste. More emphasis should be

place on responsible resource use with an obejective of avoidance, maximizing recycling and

waste reduction methods. More emphasis should be placed on responsible resource use with an

objective of avoidance, maximizing recycling and waste reduction methods. Avoidance and waste

reduction involves techniques such as repair of broken things instead if buying new, purchasing

and re-using second-hand items, and designing reusable ad recyclable products.

2. Effective waste disposal and management

An effective strategy for municipal waste disposal and management can offer improved

solutions for the various problems associated with waste materials. It ensures there is gradual

improvement of new and cost-effective facilities which aim to encourage higheg environmental

protection standards. An effective management strategy will also see to it that landfills are

purposefully located to ease waste collection, transfer, and monitoring or recycling. This can be

achieved through the implementation of waste disposal plan which must include proper monitoring
and regulation of municipal solid and food waste, livestock waste, sewage sludge, clinical waste

and construction waste.

3. Control and monitoring of land filling and fly-tipping activities

Thousands of tones of construction and demolition materiass are generated by various local

construction industries. In most cases, a large portion of these waste materials can be re-used,

recover, or recycled. With the control and monitoring of land filling and fly-tipping activities in

the area of public works, construction and demolition materials can be resourcefully recover, reuse

and recycle in other projects such as landscaping, village houses, recreation facilities or car parks,

or roads. By applying these techniques and monitoring fly-tipping activities, the construction and

demolition materials that sometime go into landfills which further worsen the management of sloid

waste can easily be managed.

4. Waste Diversion Plans

A multifaceted approach on waste transfer and diversion in terms of more hygienic and

efficient waste disposal management can offer tremendous solution to waste problems. To address

most of the waste problems, especially landfills and sewer material, local authorities and state

waste management facilities need to formulate waste diversion plans with an objective of making

certain that there is convenient and proper waste disposal at landfills and waste transfer facilities.

Measures such as mandating equipment standards and rerouting of refuse collection/transfer can

enhance the environmental performance of waste disposal operations.

5. Improvements of thermal waste treatment

Thermal waste treatments have benn proved no to be 100% green as they are normally

pronounced. Therefore, to mitigate the problems that come with thermal waste treatments ( issues

such as emission of toxic gasses with organic coumpounds such as furans, PAH’s, and dioxins)

local authorities can explore the possible developments with regards to advanced thermal waste

treatment techniques. Appropriate and improved thermal waste treatment technology is important

as a strategy for tackling the environmental concerns.

6. Polluter pays principle and eco-product responsibility

Polluter pay principle is where the law requires the polluter to pay the impact caused to the

environment. When it comes to waste management, the principle will require those who generate

waste to pay for the suitable disposal of non-reclaimable materials. For the effectiveness of the

pay principle, it should incorporate charging schemes on all waste disposal aspects including

construction waste and domestic waste through public fill reception facilities. Eco-friendly

responsibility policy, on the other hand, is a tool for waste reduction, recovery, reuse and recycling.

It is achieved by requiring producers, wholesalers, importers and retailers to share responsibility

for the collection, treatment, disposal and recycling of used products with an aim of cutting back

and steering clear of the environmental impacts caused by such products. All these measures must

have a view to reduce wastage and encourage re-use and recycling.

 REFERENCES

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2017/10/10/barangay-based-waste-collection-proves-sustainable-

in-panabo-city/

https://www.mindanews.com/press-release/2010/08/japan-turnovers-garbage-compactors-to-

panabo-city-davao-del-norte/

https://www.stevesrubbishremovals.com.au/7-different-types-of-rubbish-you-need-to-dispose-of/

https://emb.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/3-Solid-Waste-1.8.pdf