Solid Waste Management Case Study

The biggest challenge to growing LGUs is to come up with solid waste and pollution control strategies that would effectively reduce the rubbish released to the environment. Unfortunately, this challenge cannot be effectively addressed by each LGU alone LGUs challenge cannot be effectively addressed by each LGU alone. LGUs need to combine their technical and engineering expertise, and their regulatory and enforcement powers with public education, awareness, and involvement campaigns to be able to properly implement solid waste and pollution control programs. Finally, a good solid waste and pollution control strategy will not be an effective one until it is fully implemented, accepted, and institutionalized by the people and institutions. As

The figures registered more than 30% increase in only ten years. (World Bank, Philippine Environment Monitor 2001 Solid Waste, 2001. 5) The National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) reports that the country’s solid waste generation per day is at 30,000 tons. It is composed of 73% from households, 26% from commercial establishments, industries, institutions and 1% from healthcare facilities (Aguinaldo, E. 2008, “National and Local Initiatives on Solid Waste Management and Implementation of 3Rs in the Philippines”, Environment and Livable Cities 08, Manila, Philippines). The disposal of solid waste is a problem. This problem continues to grow with the growth of population and development of industries. Disposal of waste in open pits has become routine in majority of places. Considering the importance of SWM and especially the need for proper waste disposal and sound treatment of organic waste to mitigate climate impacts, the urgency to provide solutions intensifies. However, many LGUs and private SWM operators still lack knowledge to plan, finance, implement and operate SWM programs efficiently. Consequently, cost recovery mechanisms to refinance municipal SWM services are seldom in place and their relevance is not recognized. Besides, many citizens expect that SWM is provided cost-free

Teresa Oliva, program officer of Miriam College’s Environmental Studies Institute, also raised the importance of developing a system that will guide and set people to action on the proper handling and disposal of garbage. “In the beginning, it might be hard but once a system has been put in place, residents will get used to it,” Oliva said, adding that programs launched in the city or barangay will all the more encourage people to become active participants in addressing the garbage issue. “As long as the four components of solid waste management are present: Education, Engineering, Enterprise and Enforcement, it means you have established a good program for your community,” Oliva said. Education, she pointed out, is when you make people aware or provides them with correct information on garbage and how to handle it properly. “Engineering is when you make technology work or fit in line with solid waste management while enterprise is when you become productive or develop livelihood programs out of the garbage we produce,” she