RA 9003 - The Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000

An Act providing for an ecological solid waste management program, creating the necessary institutional mechanisms and incentives, declaring certain acts prohibited and providing penalties, appropriating funds therefor, and for other purposes

RA 9003

The short title of Republic Act No.9003

Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000

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

Ecological Solid Waste Management

The policy of the State to adopt a systematic, comprehensive and ecological solid waste management program that ensures protection of public health and the environment and promotes resource conservation and recovery

Declaration of Policies

All discarded household, commercial waste, non-hazardous institutional and industrial waste, street sweepings, construction debris, agriculture waste, and other non-hazardous and non-toxic solid waste

Solid Waste

A solid waste management practice of separating different materials found in solid waste in order to promote recycling and re-use of resources and reduce the volume of waste for collection and disposal

Segregation

A solid waste management practice of separating, at the point of origin, different materials found in solid waste to promote recycling and re-use of resources

Segregation at Source

The reduction of solid waste before it enters the solid waste stream by methods such as product design, materials substitution, materials re-use and packaging restrictions

Source Reduction

The treating of used or waste materials through a process of making them suitable for beneficial use and includes processes where solid waste materials are transformed into new products

Recycling

The process of recovering materials intended for the same or different purpose without the alteration of physical and chemical characteristics

Re-use

The controlled decomposition of organic matter by micro-organisms into a humus-like product

Composting

The reduction of the amount of solid waste generated or the reduction of overall resource consumption and utilization of recovered resources

Resource Conservation

The collection, extraction or recovery of recyclable materials from the waste stream for recycling or producing a product suitable for beneficial use, excluding incineration

Resource Recovery

A facility which includes a solid waste transfer station, sorting station, drop-off center, composting facility, and recycling facility

Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)

A waste disposal site designed, constructed, operated and maintained in a manner that exerts engineering control over significant potential environmental impacts

Sanitary Landfill

A disposal area where solid wastes are indiscriminately thrown or disposed of without due planning and consideration for environmental and health standards

Open Dump

A disposal site where solid waste is deposited in accordance with the minimum prescribed standards of site operation

Controlled Dump

A body created under the Office of the President to oversee the implementation of solid waste management plans and prescribe policies to achieve the objectives of the Act

National Solid Waste Management Commission

Fourteen members from the government sector and three members from the private sector

Composition of the Commission

To prepare the National Solid Waste Management Framework, approve local plans, monitor implementation, manage the Solid Waste Management Fund, and formulate policies and programs

Powers of the Commission

A center established under the Commission to provide consulting, information, training, and networking services for the implementation of the Act

National Ecology Center

The department that chairs the Commission and is responsible for enforcement, reporting, and issuance of rules and regulations

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

LGUs shall be primarily responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the provisions of the Act within their respective jurisdictions

Role of Local Government Units (LGUs)

Segregation and collection of biodegradable, compostable and reusable wastes at the barangay level

Barangay Responsibility

Collection of non-recyclable materials and special wastes

City and Municipal Responsibility

A board established in every province to develop and coordinate the provincial solid waste management plan

Provincial Solid Waste Management Board

A board formed by each city or municipality to prepare and implement a solid waste management plan

City or Municipal Solid Waste Management Board

A 10-year plan prepared by LGUs consistent with the National Solid Waste Management Framework

Local Solid Waste Management Plan

Identification of the constituent materials that comprise the solid waste generated within the LGU jurisdiction

Waste Characterization

A requirement that LGUs divert at least 25% of all solid waste through re-use, recycling, and composting within five years after effectivity

Mandatory Solid Waste Diversion

Waste diversion goals shall be increased every three years thereafter

Waste Diversion Goal Increase

Segregation of wastes shall primarily be conducted at the source including household, institutional, commercial, industrial and agricultural sources

Mandatory Segregation of Solid Wastes

Compostable, recyclable, non-recyclable, and special wastes

Waste Categories

Collection of solid waste shall prevent damage to containers and spillage or scattering of waste

Collection Requirements

Vehicles shall have covers and appropriate compartments and use separate collection schedules or trucks for specific waste types

Transport Requirements

A coding system for packaging materials and products formulated to facilitate waste recycling and re-use

Eco-Labeling

A recycling center that purchases or accepts recyclable materials from the public for recycling purposes

Buy-Back Center

There shall be a Materials Recovery Facility in every barangay or cluster of barangays

Establishment of MRF

No open dumps shall be established or operated after the effectivity of the Act

Prohibition of Open Dumps

LGUs shall convert open dumps into controlled dumps within three years from effectivity

Conversion of Open Dumps

Controlled dumps shall not be allowed five years following effectivity of the Act

Phaseout of Controlled Dumps

A permit required before construction or operation of a solid waste management facility

Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC)

Responsibility for compliance with standards rests with the owner and/or operator of the facility

Owner and Operator Responsibility