Waste Characterization and Management

Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000

aims to protect public health and the environment through systematic, comprehensive, and ecological solid waste management programs

Solid Waste

• trash, refuse, garbage, or rubbish

• any unwanted material that is discarded because it has reached the end of its usefulness or no longer desired by the owner

• “…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.” - Republic Act 9003

Biodegradable

naturally decompose over time

Non-Biodegradable

cannot be broken down by decomposers

Municipal Solid Waste

each locality has to deal with solid wastes generated from households, commercial establishments, institutions (ex: schools and offices), and industries

Functional Elements of Solid Waste Management

the discipline concerned with the control of the generation, storage, collection, transfer and transport, processing and disposal of solid waste in the interest of protecting public health, economics, engineering, conservation, aesthetics and other environmental considerations

Generation

• first functional element of solid waste management

• where it all begins

• most crucial to manage

• it is important to quantify and characterize the solid waste by the locality: amount, source, nature and types of solid waste

• increase in waste generation = increase in environmental and health ricks

Storage

• second functional element of solid waste management

• waste must be stored prior to collection

• domestic solid waste is usually stored in plastic bags or directly into trash cans

• why is waste segregation important?

  • easier to recycle materials properly - mixed wastes contaminates recyclables

  • reduction of landfill waste - amount of grarbage that ends up in landfills is minimized

  • lower pollution - keeps hazardous materials out of landfills

  • supports circular economy - resources are reused and recycles rather than discarded; allows materials to be recovered, reused, and reintegrated

Collection and Transport

• third and fourth functional element of solid waste management

• gathering waste from the sources for transport to recycling facilities or disposal site

• most LGUs administer their own collection systems or contract out this service to private contractors

  • nationwide: 40-85% solid wastes generated is collected

  • Metro Manila: 85%

• uncollected wastes ends up in streets, vacant lots, and bodies of water

• effective solid waste collection

  • accessible and convenient collection routs

  • collection schedule for each type of waste - encourages segregation

  • collection time is set

  • protective gears for the garbage collectors

  • careful planning of collection time and routes = efficient transport and collection and cheaper costs

Landfill Category 1

receives residual waste weighing less than or equal to 15 tons per day (5 garbage trucks)

Landfill Category 2

receives residual waste weighing between 15 tpd to 75 tpd (5-25 garbage trucks)

Landfill Category 3

receives residual waste weighing between 75 tpd to 200 tpd (25-66 garbage trucks)

Landfill Category 4

receives residual waste weighing more than 200 tpd (66+ garbage trucks)

Processing

• fifth functional element of solid waste management

• potential processing and recovery of resources at recycling plants

• may employ technologies:

  • volume or size reduction of bulky recyclable materials

  • magnetic separation of metallic refuse

  • drying and dewatering of wet garbage

  • disinfection of infectious wastes

• may also start in households

Disposal

• sixth functional element of solid waste management

• in the Philippines, solid waste disposal methods are guided by the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (RA 9003)

Sanitary Landfills

• type of solid waste disposal method

• engineered sites where waste is covered with a layer of soil on a daily basis

• designed to safely contain waste and minimize environmental impact

• include systems for leachate management and gas collection

• 296 sanitary landfills in the Philippines as of 2023

Controlled Dumpsites

• type of solid waste disposal method

• less sophisticated than sanitary landfills but are managed to reduce health and environmental risks

• minimum considerations for the establishments of controlled dumps

  1. regular inert cover;

  2. surface water and peripheral site drainage control

  3. provision for aerobic and anaerobic decomposition

  4. restriction of waste deposition to small working areas

  5. fence, including provisions for litter control

  6. basic record-keeping

  7. provision of maintained access road

  8. controlled waste picking and trading

  9. post-closure site cover and vegetation

  10. hydro geological siting

Recycling and Composting

• type of solid waste disposal method

• materials recovery facilities (MRFs) sort, process, and store recyclable and compostable materials

Waste-to-Energy

• type of solid waste disposal method

• involves burning the waste in a furnace at high temperature converts materials into usable heat, electricity, or fuel

• however, it produces ash and other GHG emissions during combustion process (recall: The Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999)

• as of now, there are 13 WtE plants registered with DOE, with capacities ranging from 100 kM to 12 MW. six are currently operational

Hierarchy of Waste Management Options

• much of the solid waste problems lies in the huge amount of waste that is generated

• best approach (inverted triangle)

  • reduce waste at the source

  • reuse or recycle solid waste

  • treatment

  • disposal

Ways to Reduce

• Conscious Consumption

  • consider whether you need the item before making a purchase

  • avoid impulse buying and choose long-lasting products instead

• Avoid Over-Packaged Goods

  • opt for items with less packaging or buy in bulk

• Food Waste Reduction

  • avoid overbuying groceries and wasting food

  • plan meals and store food properly to prolong freshness

Ways to Reuse

• donate or sell

  • donating items and clothes to charity or selling them to someone who can use them

• use reusable products

  • choose reusable products that can replace disposable items, such as switching to reusable shopping bags

• repurpose

  • use some old materials at home, get creative, and find new uses for items that you might throw away

Recycle

• collecting and processing materials to turn then into new products

• involves sorting and cleaning the materials, breaking them down into raw materials, and using them to manufacture new products

• essential to sustainable environmental practices and and waste management

• by actively participating in recycling efforts, you can help minimize the waste sent to landfills

Ways to Recycle

• electronic waste recycling

  • electronics contain valuable materials that can be recycles, but they must be safely disposed of

• buy recycles products

  • purchase products made from recycles materials and choose these options whenever possible

• composting

  • composting organic waste is a form of recycling that diverts food scraps and yard waste from landfills