EDUCE EUSE ECYCLE ESPOND
Everyday the amount of solid wastes wastes in our city is increasing. According to City Public Service Office (cited in UP Planades, ZC Masterplan 1997-2012), Zamboanga City disposes of of 350 to 450 cu.m of solid wastes wastes daily and only about 70 to 72 % i s collected. We can do a lot to help solve this growing problem of our city. This booklet describes how we can do our share in helping our environment. We do not need special training or education to contribute to the solutions of the increasing problem of trash. Our government cannot solve this problem alone. What we need is our earnest desire to save our deteriorating environment. It needs our participation!
What’s
in our trash?
Let us look at what made up our trash. The study conducted by Consoer, Townsend & Associates (cited in EMB, DENR, 1996) shows the following composition of the solid wastes in the Philippines: IBD
Table 1. Average Composition of Solid Wastes in the Philippines Component % by weight Yard and Field Waste 33.5 Fines and Inert 12.9 Wood 11.5 Food Wastes 11.0 Paper and Cardboard 10.2 Plastics and Petroleum Products 9.8 Textiles 4.1 Metals 3.3 Glass 1.9 Leather and Rubber 1.8 Total 100.0 The table indicates that some waste components have the potential to be reduced, reused or recycled. For example, yard and field waste which is the highest component, can be recycled through the process of composting. Paper can also be recycled. Hence, we can really substantially reduce the amount of waste we dispose of. Less waste means less of a waste problem to deal with. Less waste will also improve the collection efficiency of our solid waste collection system. Less waste will create a “domino effect” in the other functional elements of the solid waste management system.
The Functional Elements Solid Waste Management
of
Solid Waste Generation Storage
This where the solid waste generated is placed before collection. A good onsite storage system must meet the following requirements: it must must isolate isolate the the wastes wastes from from the the environment to prevent health hazards, it must be aesthetically acceptable, and it must facilitate collection.
Collection Transfer & Transport
Onsite Storage
Processing Processing & Recovery
Disposal
Solid Waste Generation This is defined as those activities in which the materials are identified as no longer being of value and either thrown away or gathered for disposal
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Collection
Involves the gathering and hauling of solid wastes to transfer stations, processing and recovery stations, or to final disposal sites.
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cost of collection is usually 40 to 80 % of the total SW Mngt. cost.
Transfer and Transport
A transfer station is place where the wastes from smaller collection vehicles are loaded into larger transport vehicles. It is normally economical to put a transfer station if the disposal site is quite far.
Processing and Recovery
This is a landmark legislation that seeks to address the alarming problems we have over our solid wastes. By instituting mechanisms of WASTE MINIMIZATION, MINIMIZATION, RESOURCE RECOVERY, APPROPRIATE COLLECTION AND TRANSPORT SERVICES, SERVICES, and ENVIRONMENTALLYSOUND TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL, DISPOSAL, this new law seeks to address the major causes of the current solid waste crisis in Metro Manila and to arrest similar problems throughout the country.
HIGHLIGHTS FEATURES 9003 (Arroyo, 2001)
Recovery of resources, conversion products, and energy from solid wastes
of
RA
Stresses the importance of environmentally sound techniques of waste minimization, such as but not limited to: resource conservation segregation at source recycling resource recovery reuse, and composting
Sanitary Landfill
An operation in which the wastes to b e disposed of are compacted and covered with a layer of soil at the end of each day’s operation.
RA 9003 – Ecological Waste Management Management Act of 2000
Solid
Last January 26, 2001, President Gloria Macapagal signed into law the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. IBD
It provides for the mandatory mandatory segregation of waste at the household level with collection vehicles to have appropriate compartments of sorted wastes or separate collection schedules for specific types of wastes. It prohibits the the open dumping of solid wastes and the establishment of sanitary landfills for final disposal.
It mandates mandates the establishment establishment of recycling centers centers at every barangay nationwide.
It calls calls for for the integration of of solid waste management concerns in the school curriculum, starting at the elementary level, high school and up to the tertiary level. CALLS FOR THE INTEGRATION OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT It directs an an inventory of existing markets markets for recycled materials and compost. It requires the preparation of ten-year solid management plans by all local government units. The law also empowers local government units to effectively pursue their respective solid waste management systems in their area of jurisdiction by providing them the needed policy and technical support.
Source Reduction: Solution
A
Basic
As a nation, we are starting to realize that we can’t solve the solid waste dilemma just by finding new places to put trash. Simply put, source reduction is waste prevention. Source reduction is a basic solution to the garbage glut: LESS WASTES MEANS LESS OF A WASTE PROBLEM. It actually prevents the the generation of waste in the first place. It includes actions that reduce the overall amount or toxicity of waste created.
Advantages of Source Reduction IBD
conserve resources reduce pollution help cut waste disposal and handling cost cost
TIPS FOR REDUCING WASTE (USEPA, 1992)
SOLID
Reduce
1. Reduce the amount of unnecessary packaging. Packaging materials serve many purposes - protect and contain a product, prevent tampering, provide information, and preserve hygienic integrity and freshness. However, some packaging is designed largely to enhance a product’s attractiveness or prominence on the store shelf. Since packaging materials account for a large volume of the trash we generate, they provide a good opportunity for reducing waste.
For example:
A peanut butter of the same quality, one is placed in a box the other without packaging material. Choose Choose t he one without the necessary packaging material.
2. Adopt practices that that reduce waste toxicity Use nonhazardous or less hazardous components to accomplish the task. Learn alternative to household items containing hazardous substances. If you do need to use products with hazardous components, use only the amount needed. For products containing hazardous components, read and follow all directions on product use.
Look for items that are available in refillable containers. Take only what is needed. Think about reusables to reduce solid wastes
For example: Use a pen with refillable ink. Not only that the it reduces wastes, it is also cheaper to buy refill i nk than buying a new pen.
4. Maintain and repair durable products. Although durable products sometimes cost more initially, their extended life span may offset the higher cost and even save money over the long term than items/products that have to be thrown out and replaced frequently.
For example: Use of battery with no mercury. Normally, the label will show whether its mercury-laden or not.
5. Reuse bags, containers, and other items.
Reuse
3. Consider reusable products. Many products are designed to be used more than once. Reusable products and containers often result in less waste.
Many everyday items can have more than one use. Before discarding bags, containers, and other items, consider if it is hygienic and practical to use them. Reusing products extends their lives, keeping them out of the solid waste stream longer. For example:
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The plastic bags used for wrapping goods when we buy from a department store can be used again as containers when we go to a wet market.
8. Choose recyclable products and containers and recycle them.
6. Borrow, rent, or share items used infrequently. Seldom-used items, like certain power tools and party goods, often collect dust, rust, take up valuable storage space, and ultimately end up in the trash. Consider renting or borrowing these items the next time they’re needed. Infrequently used items also might be shared among neighbors, friends or family. Borrowing, renting, or sharing items saves both money and na tural resources.
7. Sell or donate goods instead of t hrowing them out. One person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Instead of discarding unwanted items try selling or donating them. Reusing them will keep them from being throw n away.
Cope in can
Consider products made of materials that are collected for recycling locally (example aluminum, glass, steel, etc.) Producing goods from recycled materials typically consumes less energy and conserves raw materials. materials.
Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to keep a 100-watt bulb lightingfor almost four hours or provide power to your television for t hree hours (ODNR, 2001). Recycling one glass bottle saves enough energy to a light a 100watt bulb for four hours (ODNR, 2001). 2001).
9. Select products from recycled materials For recycling to succeed, recyclable materials must be processed into new products, and those products must be purchased and used .
For example: Used clothing can be given, donated to a charity or sold to potential buyers.
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Recycle
10. Compost yard trimmings and some food scraps.
Backyard composting of certain food scraps and yard trimmings can significantly reduce the amount of waste that needs to be managed by the local government or put into a landfill. When prope rly composted, these wastes can be turned into natural soil additives for use on lawn and gardens, and used as potting soil for house plants. Finished compost can improve soil texture, increase ability of the soil to absorb air and water, suppress weed growth, decrease erosion, and reduce the need to apply commercial soil additives.
There are many ways to reduce the amount and the toxicity of solid waste. By thinking creatively, many new uses for common items and new possibilities for reduction and recycling can be discovered.
Respond
11. Educate others on source reduction and recycling practices. Make your preferences known to manufacturers, merchants, and community leaders. Share information about source reduction, recycling, and composting with others. Encourage them to learn more about solid waste issues and to work toward implementing and promoting source reduction, recycling, and composting. We all have the power to influence others and help create the type of world in which we want to live.
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12. Be creative – find ways to reduce waste quantity and toxicity.
References 1. USEPA (1992). The Consumer’s Handbook for Reducing Solid Waste. 2. Republic Act 9003 – – Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. 3. UP Planades (19 98). Zamboanga City Master Development Plant, 1997-2012. 4. EMB, DENR (1996). Solid Waste Management for Local Governments. 5. Arroyo, G.M. (2001). Speech delivered during the signing of RA 9003 last January 26, 2001.
