Contemporary Issues and Solid Waste Management in the Philippines

Flashcards covering the definitions of contemporary issues, waste categories, statistics from the 2018 NSWM report, and key environmental organizations in the Philippines.

Contemporary Issue

Refers to any event, topic, theme, opinion, or idea related to the present time, covering from the 20th century to the current period.

Social Contemporary Issues

A category of contemporary issues involving societal concerns such as the prevention of illegal drugs and the worsening of poverty incidents.

Health Contemporary Issues

A category of contemporary issues regarding health concerns, such as the spread of diseases like dengue.

Environmental Contemporary Issues

A category of contemporary issues concerning the surroundings, such as problems caused by climate change.

Trade Contemporary Issues

A category of contemporary issues involving commerce and economy, such as the importation of rice in the Philippines.

Republic Act 9003

Known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, it defines solid waste and provides the framework for waste management in the Philippines.

Solid Waste

Discarded trash from households, commercial establishments, non-hazardous institutional and industrial sources, street and construction debris, and agricultural sectors.

Residential Waste

Trash originating from homes, which according to the National Solid Waste Management Report of 2018, makes up $56.7\%$ of the country's waste.

Commercial Waste

Waste from private and public establishments, accounting for approximately $27.1\%$ of total waste, with markets contributing $18.3\%$.

Institutional Waste

Waste constituting $12.1\%$ of the country's total, coming from public offices, hospitals, schools, and the agricultural sector.

Industrial Waste

Refers to waste from factories such as boxes, chemical containers, and operational materials, making up $4.1\%$ of waste according to the NSWM Report 2018.

Waste Management

The proper collection, transfer, disposal, or use and monitoring of waste produced by humans to prevent negative effects on health and the environment.

Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)

A facility established under Republic Act 9003 to handle the recovery and sorting of waste materials.

Biodegradable

Type of waste that decomposes, such as vegetable and fruit peelings, leftover food, dry leaves, and tree branches.

Recyclables

Waste items such as paper, newspapers, bottles, plastics, and boxes that can be reused or converted into new products, making up $27.78\%$ of the total waste.

Special Waste

Waste consisting of hospital items (e.g., syringes, gloves) and broken household appliances (e.g., televisions, washing machines), making up $1.92\%$ to $9.2\%$ of waste.

Residual Waste

Waste coming from factories, the agricultural sector, and the industrial sector, accounting for $17.98\%$ of the total.

Electronic Waste (E-Waste)

Discarded electronics like computers, cellphones, and TVs that contain hazardous chemicals like lead, cadmium, barium, mercury, and polyvinyl chloride.

Mother Earth Foundation

A nonprofit organization that promotes zero waste through proper waste reduction and management.

Bantay Kalikasan

An organization that promotes environmental protection to achieve sustainable development.

Clean and Green Foundation

An organization involved in projects like the Orchidarium and Butterfly Pavilion, Gift of Trees, Green Choice Philippines, and Piso para sa Pasig.

Greenpeace Philippines

An organization that helps protect the rights of Filipinos to a balanced and healthy environment.

3Ps of Solid Waste Management

A mnemonic used to remember the strategy: Pamamahala (Management), Pagpapatupad ng Batas (Law Enforcement), and Pakikipagtulungan (Cooperation).