WASTE MANAGEMENT

(ENRM 101)

Module 1
INTRODUCTION
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Module on Waste Management | Module 1 - INTRODUCTION


Introduction:
This module provides a brief background about ecological solid waste
management and systems. It provides a comprehensive context about the
Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (RA 9003) and its underlying
principles.
It consists of 4 (four) lessons namely:
 Lesson 1 - Ecological Solid Waste Management
 Lesson 2 – The Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003)
 Lesson 3 - Elements of Solid Waste Management
 Lesson 4 – Waste Management Hierarchy
Lesson 1 introduces fundamental concepts on ecological solid waste
management and systems, and provides definition the different types of wastes.
Lesson 2 gives a brief context about the Philippine Ecological Solid Waste
Management Act of 2000 (RA 9003). Lesson 3 dwells on the functional elements
of solid waste management. Lastly, lesson 4 provides a basic understanding on
the waste management hierarchy.

 Objectives:
After the completion of this module, you are expected to accomplish the
following:
1. Describe ecological solid waste management;
2. Understand the provisions of the ESWM Law;
3. Describe the functional elements of solid waste management; and
4. Describe the principle of the waste management hierarchy.

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 Lesson 1: Ecological Solid Waste Management

Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM) refers to 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.

ESWM also is the manner by which SWM activities conducted shall be in

accord with the best principles of public health, economics, engineering,
conservation, aesthetics, other environmental considerations, and public
attitudes.

“Ecological” – Ecofriendly or Environment Friendly

Figure 1.1. Linear and Ecological Solid Waste Management System Compared

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Integrated Solid Waste Management is the complementary use of a

variety of waste management practices to safely and effectively handle
municipal solid wastes with the least harmful impacts on human health and the
environment.

“Integrated” – Combined or Incorporated

Figure 1.2. Life-cycle perspective of Integrated Solid Waste Management

What is solid waste?

Solid waste refers to all discarded household, commercial waste,

nonhazardous institutional and industrial waste, street sweeping, construction
debris, agricultural waste and other non-hazardous and non-toxic solid waste.

Classification of Solid Waste

A. Compostable wastes. Compostable wastes are biodegradable wastes such

as food waste, garden waste, animal waste and human waste. They
undergo biological degradation under controlled conditions and can be
turned into compost (soil conditioner or organic fertilizer) by mixing them
with soil, water, air and biological additives/activators (optional).

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Examples are:
• Fruit and vegetable peelings
• Leftover foods
• Vegetable trims
• Fish/fowl/meat/animal entrails
• Soft shells
• Seeds
• Leaves
• Flowers
• Twigs
• Branches
• Stems

B. Recyclable wastes. Recyclable materials refer to any waste material

retrieved from the waste stream and free from contamination that can
still be converted into suitable beneficial use. These may be transformed
into new products in such a manner that the original products may lose
their identity.
Examples are:
• Newspaper
• Ferrous scrap metal
• Non-ferrous scrap metal
• Corrugated cardboard
• Aluminum
• Glass
• Office paper
• Tin cans

C. Residual wastes. Residual wastes are solid waste materials that are non-
compostable and non-recyclable. It should be disposed ecologically
through a long-term disposal facility or sanitary landfill.

Examples are:
• Sanitary napkins
• Disposable diapers
• Worn-out rugs
• Cartons which contain a plastic lining usually used for milk and
juice containers

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• Ceramics
• Candy wrappers/sachets
• Other soiled materials that cannot be composted and recycled

D. Special wastes. Special wastes refer to household hazardous wastes.

Examples are:
• Paints
• Thinners
• Household batteries
• Lead-acid batteries
• Spray Canisters
• Bulky Wastes such as:
o Large worn-out or broken furniture
o Lamps
o Bookcases
o Filing Cabinets
• Consumer Electronics which refer to worn-out, broken and other
discarded items such as
o Radios
o Stereos
o TV sets
• White Goods which refer to large worn-out or broken household
appliances such as:
o Stoves
o Refrigerators
o Dishwashers
o Clothes Washers
o Dryers
• Oil
• Tires

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7 GENERIC KINDS OF PLASTICS

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE)

Commonly found on soft drink bottles, water bottles, cooking oil bottles and
peanut butter jars.

High Density Polyethylene

Commonly found on detergent bottles and milk jugs.

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

Commonly found on plastic pipes, outdoor furniture, shrink-wrap, water
bottles, salad dressing and liquid detergent containers.

Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)

Commonly found on dry-cleaning bags, produce bags, trash can liners and
food storage containers.

Polypropylene
Commonly found on bottle caps, drinking straws, yogurt containers, aerosol
caps and drinking straws.

Polystyrene
which is ever-present as the “styropor” or “styrofoam” in our iceboxes, as
well as cushioning for electronic products cups, plastic tableware, meat trays
and take-away food clamshell containers.

Others
This is for the catchall category of other plastics not otherwise classified.
Commonly found on certain kinds of food containers like Tupperware.

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Approaches to Ecological Solid Waste Management

1. Segregation of wastes at source. All the members of the household must

be informed how to segregate wastes into compostable, non-recyclable,
recyclable and special or hazardous waste.

2. There must be a separate container for each type of waste. Segregated

recyclables must be properly cleaned before storing them in their
respective containers.

3. The use of special collection schedules and/or separate trucks or haulers

must be required for specific types of wastes.

4. Recyclable wastes materials should be taken to the Materials Recovery

Facility (MRF) in every barangay or cluster of barangays where they are
received, sorted, processed and stored efficiently and in an
environmentally sound manner. Compostable wastes on the other hand,
should be composted either in the backyard or the community composting
site. Hazardous wastes are further screened and sent to appropriate
hazardous waste treatment and disposal plants.

5. The residual wastes or the non-recyclable and non-compostable wastes

shall be transferred to a long-term storage or disposal facility or sanitary
landfill.

 Self-Test Activity
Provide an example of each of the different types of plastics that can be found
in your house. Attach a photograph of each of the type of plastic.

Type of Plastic:
1. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE)
2. High Density Polyethylene
3. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
4. Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
5. Polypropylene
6. Polystyrene
7. Others

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 Lesson 2: The Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA

9003)

Waste mismanagement has serious environmental effects making the

passage of the Republic Act (RA) 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management
Act of 2000 a landmark environmental legislation in the Philippines. The law was
crafted in response to the looming garbage problems in the country.

RA 9003 declares the policy of the state in adopting a systematic,

comprehensive and ecological solid waste management program that ensures the
protection of public health and the environment and the proper segregation,
collection, transport, storage, treatment and disposal of solid waste through the
formulation and adoption of best environmental practices. Moreover, it
illustrates the potentials and benefits of recycling not only in addressing waste
management problems but also in alleviating poverty.

RA 9003 was passed by the Philippine Congress on December 20, 2000 and
was subsequently approved by the Office of the President on January 26, 2001.
It contains seven (7) chapters sub-divided into 66 sections setting out policy
direction for an effective solid waste management program in the country.

Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000

RA 9003 describes solid waste management as a discipline associated with

the control of generation, storage, collection, transfer and transport,
processing, and disposal of solid wastes. The manner by which these activities
are conducted shall be in accord with the best principles of public health,
economics, engineering, conservation, aesthetics, other environmental
considerations, and public attitudes. The Act provides for a comprehensive
ecological solid waste management program by creating the necessary
institutional mechanisms and incentives, appropriating funds, declaring certain
acts prohibited, and providing penalties.

Guiding Principles
• WASTE as RESOURCE.
• WASTE PREVENTION is BETTER than waste regulation and control.
• Society as fundamentally responsible for solid waste management.
• There is no single management and technological approach to solid
waste. An integrated solid waste management system will best
achieve solid waste management goals.
• Those who generate waste must bear the cost of its management and
disposal.

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Salient features of RA 9003

A. Creation of the following:

1. National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC)
- responsible in the formulation of the National Solid Waste
Management Framework and other policies on solid waste, in
overseeing the implementation of solid waste management plans
and the management of the solid waste management fund.

2. National Ecology Center (NEC)

- responsible for consulting, information, training and networking
services relative to the implementation of RA 9003.

3. Solid Waste Management Board in every province, city and

municipality in the country
- responsible for the development of their respective solid waste
management plans.

B. Formulation of the National Solid Waste Management Framework;

C. 10-year solid management plans by local government units consistent with

the National Solid Waste Management Framework;

D. Mandatory segregation of solid waste to be conducted primarily at the

source such as household, institutional, industrial, commercial and
agricultural sources;

E. Setting of minimum requirements to ensure systematic collection and

transport of wastes and the proper protection of the health of garbage
collectors;

F. Establishment of reclamation programs and buy-back centers for

recyclable and toxic materials;

G. Promotion of eco-labeling in local products and services;

H. Prohibition on non-environmentally acceptable products and packaging;

I. Establishment of Materials Recovery Facility in every barangay or cluster

of barangays;

J. Prohibition against the use of open dumps;

K. Setting of guidelines/criteria for the establishment of controlled dumps

and sanitary landfills;

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L. Provision of rewards, incentives both fiscal and non-fiscal, financial

assistance, grants and the like to encourage LGUs and the general public
to undertake effective solid waste management; and

M. Promotion of research on solid waste management and environmental

education in the formal and non-formal sectors.

Institutional Mechanism

The establishment of a National Solid Waste Management Commission

(NSWMC) and Solid Waste Management Board (SWMB) in each local government
unit (LGU) is mandated by RA 9003 to be represented by public officials, in their
ex-officio capacity, and the private sector.

The Commission shall serve as the coordinating body and likewise develop
and implement the National Solid Waste Management Framework. The SWMB, on
the other hand, is directed to formulate a 10-year local Ecological Solid Waste
Management Plans instituting an effective and sustainable solid waste
management plan with primary emphasis on implementation of all feasible re-
use, recycling and composting programs. This is pursuant to relevant provisions
under RA 7160 or the Local Government Code.

Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plans

Waste Characterization and Segregation.

The solid waste generated within the area of jurisdiction shall be

characterized for initial source reduction and recycling element of the
local waste management plan. A separate container is required for each
type of waste for on-site collection properly marked as “compostable”,
“non-recyclable”, “recyclable” or “special waste”. Waste segregation
shall primarily be conducted at the source including household,
commercial, industrial and agricultural sources.

Source Reduction.

This refers to the methods by which the LGUs can reduce a

sufficient amount of solid waste disposed within five (5) years. LGUs are
expected to divert at least 25% of all solid waste from waste disposal
facilities through re-use, recycling and composting activities. The rate of
waste diversion is set to increase every three (3) years.

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Collection and Transport of Solid Waste.

The geographic subdivisions are taken into account in the coverage

of the solid waste collection area in every barangay ensuring 100%
collection efficiency within 24 hours from all sources. The plan shall
define and identify specific strategies and activities taking into account
the availability and provision of properly designed containers in selected
collection points while awaiting collection and transfer, segregation of
different types of waste, hauling and transfer of solid waste from
collection points to final disposal sites, issuance and enforcement of
ordinances for effective implementation, and provision of properly
trained officers and workers. All personnel directly dealing with collection
of solid waste must be equipped with personal protective gears for their
protection.

Recycling Program.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in coordination with

other concerned agencies, is directed to publish an inventory of existing
markets for recyclable materials, product standards for recyclable and
recycled materials, and a proposal to stimulate demand for the production
of recycled materials and products. Moreover, a coding system for eco-
labeling is expected from DTI.

Non-environmentally acceptable products shall be allowed within

one (1) year after public notice as alternatives available to consumers but
at cost not exceeding ten (10) percent of the disposable product. The use
of non-environmentally acceptable packaging is strictly prohibited by the
Act.

LGUs are mandated to establish Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)

in each barangay or cluster of barangays designed to receive, sort, process
and store compostable and recyclable materials efficiently. The residual
wastes shall then be transferred to a long-term storage or disposal facility
or sanitary landfill. All solid waste disposal facilities or sites in the country
shall be published by the Department of Natural Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR).

No open dumps nor any practice or disposal of solid waste that

constitutes open dumps for solid waste shall be allowed. The Act further
provides for conversion of existing open dumps to controlled dumps within
three (3) years.

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Composting.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) shall publish an inventory of

existing markets and demands for composts that is updated annually.
These composts intended for commercial distribution should conform to
the standards set by the DA for organic fertilizers.

Local Government Solid Waste Management

To encourage and facilitate the development of local plans, NSWMC is

mandated to publish guidelines for identification of areas with common waste
management problems and appropriate units for clustering solid waste
management services. This is to reinforce provisions of the Local Government
Code for all provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays to consolidate or
coordinate efforts, services and resources to establish common waste treatment
and disposal facilities.

📔Components of Solid Waste Management (5E’s)

✏️Engineering: the Backbone

✏️Education: The Mouth and Feet

✏️Enforcement: the Eyes and Hands

✏️Environmental Organization: The Structure that Houses the Program

✏️Equity: the Fuel or Energy Source

Incentive Scheme

An incentive scheme, pursuant to Omnibus Investment Code, is provided

by the Act to encourage participation of individuals, private organizations and
entities, including non-government organizations, in developing outstanding and
innovative projects, technologies, processes and techniques or activities in re-
use, recycling and reduction.

This includes 10-year tax and duty exemption on imported capital

equipment, vehicles, legacies, gifts and donations used for collection of solid
waste and tax credit equivalent to 50% of the national internal revenue taxes
and custom duties. Non-fiscal incentives are granted to businesses and industries

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engaged in recycling of waste in the form of simplified procedures for

importation of equipment, spare parts, new materials and supplies, and for the
export of processed products.

Other forms of incentives include extension of financial services to

individuals, enterprises or private entities engaged in solid waste management
and grant entitlement to outstanding LGUs. Those LGUs who host common waste
management facilities can likewise receive incentives.

Penal Provisions

Chapter 6 provides a comprehensive list of prohibited acts including:

1. littering, throwing, dumping of waste matters in public places;
2. undertaking activities in violation of sanitation operation;
3. open burning of solid waste;
4. causing non-segregated waste;
5. squatting in open dumps and landfills;
6. open dumping, burying of biodegradable materials in flood-prone areas;
7. unauthorized removal of recyclable material;
8. mixing of source-separated recyclable material with other solid waste;
9. establishment or operation of open-dumps;
10. manufacturing, distributing, using, and importing consumer products that
are non-environmentally friendly materials;
11. importing toxic wastes misrepresented as “recyclable” or “with recyclable
content”;
12. transporting and dumping in bulk in areas other than facility centers;
13. site preparation, construction, expansion or operation of waste
management facilities without an Environmental Compliance Certificate
and not conforming with the land use plan of LGUs;
14. construction of establishment within 200 meters from dump sites or
sanitary landfills; and
15. operation of waste disposal facility on any aquifer, groundwater reservoir
or watershed area.

Financing Solid Waste Management

The Act provided a special account in the National Treasury called the
Solid Waste Management Fund. This will be sourced from fines and penalties
imposed, proceeds of permits and licenses, donations, endowments, grants and
contributions and amount allocated under the annual General Appropriations
Act. The Fund will be utilized to finance products, facilities, technologies, and
processes that would enhance proper solid waste management; awards and
incentives; research programs; information, education, communication and
monitoring activities; technical assistance; and capability building activities.

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Figure 1.3. Conceptual Framework of RA 9003

 Self-Test Activity
Answer the following questions:

1. What are the different problems associated with the implementation of

RA 9003 in your locality?
2. How are these problems being addressed by the local government?
3. What can you do to contribute to the success of ecological solid waste
management in your locality?

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 Lesson 3: Elements of Solid Waste Management

Figure 1.4. Functional Elements of Solid Waste Management System

Functional Elements of Solid Waste Management System comprises of six basic

elements including:

1. Generation of the solid waste

2. On-site handling & storage
3. Collection
4. Transfer & transport
5. Material and resource recovery and
6. Disposal

Generation

Generation of solid waste is a result of natural, human and animal

activities. Knowledge of generation of solid waste is important in the planning,
designing and operation of solid waste management system. Generation has two
aspects: One is the quality of solid waste and the other is the quantity of solid

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waste. Quality includes the sources, types and typical composition of solid waste
along with its properties whereas the quantity represents the generation rates
and total quantities and volumes of waste generated.

The handling, storage and separation of solid waste at the source before
they are collected is a critical step in the management of residential solid waste.

The Philippine Solid Waste Generation

The Philippines’ waste generation continues to rise with the

increase in population, improvement of living standards, rapid economic
growth, and industrialization especially in the urban areas. The NSWMC
calculated that from 37,427.46 tons per day in 2012, the country’s waste
generation steadily increased to 40,087.45 tons in 2016 with an estimated
average per capita waste generation of 0.40 kilograms per day for both
urban and rural.

The National Capital Region (NCR), as expected, generated the

biggest volume of wastes for the past years due to its population size,
bigger number of establishments and modernized lifestyle. With an
estimated population of 12 million people, Metropolitan Manila generated
9,212.92 tons per day of wastes in 2016. It is followed by Region 4A with
waste generation of 4,440.15 tons per day (11.08%) and Region 3 with
3,890.12 tons per day (9.70 %) (NSWC).

Table 1.1. Waste Generation of the Philippines, 2012-2016 (Tons per

day)
Region 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
1 1,709.17 1,739.54 1,769.90 1,800.27 1,830.64
2 1,100.64 1,120.19 1,139.75 1,159.31 1,178.86
3 3,631.99 3,696.52 3,761.05 3,825.58 3,890.12
4a 4,145.52 4,219.18 4,292.83 4,366.49 4,440.15
4b 909.43 925.59 941.74 957.90 974.06
5 1,878.74 1,912.12 1,945.50 1,978.88 2,012.26
6 2,700.14 2,748.11 2,796.09 2,844.06 2,892.04
7 2,605.68 2,651.97 2,698.27 2,744.57 2,790.86
8 1,479.47 1,505.75 1,532.04 1,558.33 1,584.61
9 1,391.95 1,416.68 1,441.41 1,466.15 1,490.88
10 1,693.94 1,724.03 1,754.13 1,784.23 1,814.32
11 1,818.05 1,850.35 1,882.65 1,914.95 1,947.26
12 1,348.20 1,372.15 1,396.10 1,420.06 1,444.01
13 884.69 900.41 916.13 931.85 947.57
CAR 620.64 631.67 642.70 653.72 664.75
NCR 8,601.60 8,754.43 8,907.26 9,060.09 9,212.92
ARMM 907.64 923.76 939.89 956.02 972.14
TOTAL 37,427.46 38,092.46 38,757.46 39,422.46 40,087.45
Source: NSWMC

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The World Bank (2012), on the other hand, estimates that solid
waste being produced by Philippine cities will go up by 165 percent to
77,776 tons per day from 29,315 tons as a consequence of a projected
47.3-percent hike in urban population by 2025 and a projected doubling
of municipal solid waste (MSW) generation per capita at 0.9 kilogram per
day by 2025 from the current 0.5 kilogram, presenting a direct correlation
between the per capita level of income in cities and the amount of waste
per capita that is generated. This also indicates that the Philippines is at
the low end of waste generation in the region and among countries in its
income bracket.
Waste Sources. Solid wastes are generated from residential,
commercial, industrial and institutional sources. Residential wastes
accounts for more than half (57%) of the total solid wastes (e.g. kitchen
scraps, yard waste, paper and cardboards, glass bottles, etc.) Wastes from
commercial sources, which include commercial establishments and
public/private markets, accounts for 27 percent. Wastes from
institutional sources such as government offices, educational and medical
institutions accounts for about 12 percent while the remaining 4 percent
is waste coming from the industrial or manufacturing sector (NSWMC).
Waste Composition. The country’s solid wastes typically contain
more organic components than other materials. According to NSWMC,
disposed waste is dominated by biodegradable waste with 52 percent,
followed by recyclable waste which accounts for 28 percent and residuals
at 18 percent. Biodegradable wastes come mostly from food waste and
yard waste while recyclable wastes include plastic packaging wastes,
metals, glass, textile, leather and rubber. The significant shares of
biodegradables and recyclables indicate that composting and recycling
have great potential in reducing solid wastes.

Waste Handling

Handling refers to activities associated with managing solid wastes until

they are placed in the containers used for their storage before collection or
return to drop-off and recycling centers. The specific activities associated with
handling waste materials at the source of generation will vary depending on the
types of waste materials that are separated for reuse and recycling and the
extent to which these materials are separated from the waste stream. Depending
on the type of collection service, handling may also be required to move the
loaded containers to the collection point and to return the empty container to
the point where they are stored between collections.

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Waste Storage

The first phase to manage solid waste is at home level. It requires

temporary storage of refuse on the premises. The individual household or
businessman has responsibility for onsite storage of solid waste. For individual
homes, industries, and other commercial centers, proper on-site storage of solid
waste is the beginning of proper disposal, because unkept solid waste or simple
dumps are sources of nuisance, flies, smells and other hazards.

Collection

The term “collection” includes not only the gathering or picking up

of solid wastes from the various sources, but also hauling of these wastes to the
disposal site or transfer station and unloading there. While hauling and unloading
are similar for most collection system, the collection or pickup of waste varies
with facilities and locations.

Under RA 9003, collection, transport and disposal of solid wastes are the
responsibilities of the local government units (LGUs). At present, most LGUs
administer their own collection systems or contract out this service to private
contractors.
In Metro Manila, the common types of collection vehicles are open dump
trucks and compactor trucks. Nationwide, about 40 to 85 percent of the solid
wastes generated is collected while in Metro Manila it is 85 percent. The poorer
areas of cities, municipalities, and rural barangays are typically unserved or
under-served.
Uncollected waste ends up mostly in rivers, esteros and other water
bodies, thus, polluting major water bodies and clogging the drainage systems,
which results to flooding during heavy rains (NSWMC).
It is interesting to note, however, that the 85 percent collection rate of
Metro Manila is above the average collection rate of other countries in the
Philippines’ income bracket (around 69%) and among East Asia and Pacific
countries (around 72%).

Transfer and Transport

Transfer and Transport refers to the means, facilities, appurtenances used

to affect the transfer of wastes from one location to another, usually more
distant location. Typically, the wastes from relatively small collection vehicles
are transferred to larger vehicles and then transported to distant locations.

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Resource Recovery and Processing

Resource recovery is a partial solid waste disposal and reclamation

process. It can be expected to achieve waste reductions in future landfill volume
requirements. Resource recovery must recognize what is worth recovering and
the environmental benefits.

Disposal

Open dumping remains the general practice of waste disposal in the

country as controlled dumpsites and sanitary landfills (SLFs) are very limited
(NSWC). RA 9003 requires LGUs to close their existing open dumpsites by year
2006 and to establish controlled disposal facilities or SLFs.
Most of the organic content after segregation may be subjected to
bacterial decomposition with an end product called humus or compost. The
entire process involving both separation and bacterial conversion is known as
“Composting” Decomposition of solid waste may be accomplished aerobically or
anaerobically.

 Self-Test Activity

Based on your observation, draw a flowchart of how the solid wastes are
managed in your municipality/city from waste generation to disposal. In one
paragraph, describe the process of the waste management system implemented.

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 Lesson 4: Waste Management Hierarchy

The waste management hierarchy presents a systematic order of

managing waste according to what’s best for the environment.

Figure 1.5. The Waste Management Hierarchy

The waste management hierarchy is a conceptual framework designed to

guide and rank waste management decisions at both the individual and
organizational level. It gives top priority to waste prevention, followed by re-use,
recycling, recovery and finally disposal.

The hierarchy helps us rethink our relationship with waste based on five
priorities ranked in terms of what’s best for the environment. This is often
illustrated as a five-tier inverted pyramid.

The waste management hierarchy replaces the traditional waste

management approach of “the three Rs” (reduce, reuse and recycle), expanding
it into a five-step process where the most preferred actions are at the top and
the least preferred are at the bottom of the inverted pyramid.

The use of the waste management hierarchy came alongside the

emergence of life cycle thinking in waste management policy, which looks at the

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totality of a product or service’s environmental impact — from raw material

extraction, processing and manufacturing to distribution, usage and disposal.

Understanding Each Stage of the Waste Management Hierarchy

By following the waste management hierarchy, organizations can extract

the most benefits from their products and services while minimizing their waste
output.

A. Reduce
The waste management hierarchy places top priority on reducing
or preventing as much waste generation as possible. This stage
encourages industries, communities and governments to reduce their use
of virgin raw materials to produce goods and services.
The idea is to maximize efficiency and prevent the unnecessary
consumption of resources through steps such as:
1. Procuring raw materials that come with the least packaging or
require the fewest resources to refine.
2. Avoiding disposable or single-use goods.
3. Procuring materials that are recycled or can be recycled, repaired or
reused.
4. Optimizing inventory to prevent perishable goods (e.g., food) from
going to waste.

B. Reuse
Preparing materials for reuse in their original form is the second-
best approach to waste management. Aside from reducing landfill impact,
reusing solid waste also allows organizations to avoid spending on new
goods or virgin materials or paying a provider of waste disposal.

For example, office-based businesses can use these measures to prepare

common items for reuse:
1. Refilling toner and printer cartridges instead of buying new ones.
2. Using durable glasses, mugs, cups, plates and cutlery instead of
disposable alternatives.
3. Reusing envelopes, boxes and other packaging materials.
4. Donating or selling used furniture, computers and other office
equipment.
5. Generate income from items and waste that are valuable to other
organizations. For example, scrap stores will purchase scrap metals,
fabrics, plastics, paper and cardstock.

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C. Recycling
Recycling involves processing materials that would otherwise be
sent to landfills and turning them into new products. It’s the third step of
the waste management hierarchy because of the extra energy and
resources that go into creating a new product. For instance, scrap paper
can be recycled, but the process requires water and electricity to
transform it into pristine paper products.
To maximize recycling opportunities, there is a need to have the
proper recycling infrastructure in place, which can be an on-site recycling
facility (e.g., for grinding concrete into material for backfilling) or a total
waste management provider that can handle segregation, collection and
recycling.

D. Recovery
When further recycling is not practical or possible, organizations
can recover energy or materials from waste through processes such as:

1. Incineration

Incineration is the process of burning hazardous materials or

wastes at temperatures high enough to destroy contaminants.
Incineration is conducted in an “incinerator,” which is a type of
furnace designed for burning hazardous materials in a combustion
chamber. Many different types of hazardous materials can be
treated by incineration, including soil, sludge, liquids, and gases.
Although it destroys many kinds of harmful chemicals, such as
solvents, PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), and pesticides,
incineration does not destroy metals, such as lead and chromium.

Hazardous materials or waste materials must be excavated

or pumped into containers before incineration. They may require
further preparation, such as grinding or removing large rocks and
debris, or removing excess water. The materials are then placed in
the combustion chamber of an incinerator where they are heated
to an extremely high temperature for a specified period of time.
The temperature and length of time depend on the types of wastes
and contaminants present. Air or pure oxygen may be added to the
chamber to supply the oxygen needed for burning. The destruction
of contaminants will depend on:
- Reaching the target temperature: Depending on the
contaminants present, the target temperature may range from
1,600 to 2,500ºF.

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- The length of time the waste is heated in the combustion

chamber: Typically, solid wastes must be heated for 30 to 90
minutes, while liquid and gaseous wastes may only require 2
seconds.
- Mixing of the waste material. Mixing helps all of the waste to be
heated to the proper temperature.

Figure 1.6. How an incinerator works.

As the wastes heat up, the contaminants volatilize (change

into gases) and most are destroyed. Gases that are not destroyed
pass through a secondary combustion chamber for further heating
and destruction. The resulting gases then pass though air pollution
control equipment, which removes particulate matter (extremely
small particles or liquid droplets) and “acid gases.” Acid gases such
as sulfur dioxide are very corrosive.

Is Incineration Safe?
An incinerator that is properly designed and operated can
safely destroy harmful chemicals. Proper temperatures must be
maintained for complete incineration, and air pollution control
equipment must be monitored to ensure all contaminants are
removed from the off gases. Hazardous materials transported to
offsite incinerators are covered or contained to prevent their
release.

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However ， incinerators release various types of toxic

emissions including lead, mercury, dioxins and furans, particulate
matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, acidic gases (i.e., SOx,
HCl), heavy metals (cadmium, lead, mercury, chromium, arsenic,
and beryllium), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and chlorinated
and brominated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the
process. Direct exposure to such toxins risks the health of facility
workers and residents in nearby communities while indirect
exposure, through the food chain, poses global risks
([Link]
Health_final-[Link])

The Philippine ban on Incineration

The Philippines is the first and thus far the only country in
the world with a national ban on incineration, following the passage
of two landmark laws namely: the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999
and the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

2. Anaerobic digestion

Anaerobic digestion is the natural process in

which microorganisms break down organic materials.

In this instance, “organic” means coming from or made of

plants or animals. Anaerobic digestion happens in closed spaces
where there is no air (or oxygen). The initials “AD” may refer to
the process of anaerobic digestion or the built system where
anaerobic digestion takes place, also known as a digester.

The following materials are generally considered

“organic.” These materials can be processed in a digester:

• Animal manures;
• Food scraps;
• Fats, oils, and greases;
• Industrial organic residuals; and
• Sewage sludge (biosolids).

All anaerobic digestion systems adhere to the same basic

principles whether the feedstock is food waste, animal manures or
wastewater sludge. The systems may have some differences in
design but the process is basically the same.

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Figure 1.7. A typical design for a Biogas digester

3. Gasification

Gasification is a technological process that can convert any

carbonaceous (carbon-based) raw material such as coal into fuel
gas, also known as synthesis gas (syngas for short). Gasification
occurs in a gasifier, generally a high temperature/pressure vessel
where oxygen (or air) and steam are directly contacted with the
coal or other feed material causing a series of chemical reactions
to occur that convert the feed to syngas and ash/slag (mineral
residues).

Gasification offers an alternative to more established ways

of converting feedstocks like coal, biomass, and some waste
streams into electricity and other useful products.

The advantages of gasification in specific applications and

conditions, particularly in clean generation of electricity from coal,
may make it an increasingly important part of the world's energy
and industrial markets.

The stable price and abundant supply of coal throughout the

world makes it the main feedstock option for gasification
technologies going forward. The technology's placement markets

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with respect to many techno-economic and political factors,

including costs, reliability, availability and maintainability,
environmental considerations, efficiency, feedstock and product
flexibility, national energy security, public and government
perception and policy, and infrastructure will determine whether
or not gasification realizes its full market potential.

Figure 1.8. The gasification process depicting the wide range of products and
usefulness of gasification technology

4. Pyrolysis

Pyrolysis is a thermochemical treatment, which can be

applied to any organic (carbon-based) product. It can be done on
pure products as well as mixtures. In this treatment, material is
exposed to high temperature, and in the absence of oxygen goes
through chemical and physical separation into different molecules.
The decomposition takes place thanks to the limited thermal
stability of chemical bonds of materials, which allows them to be
disintegrated by using the heat.

Thermal decomposition leads to the formation of new

molecules. This allows to receive products with a different, often

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more superior character than original residue. Thanks to this

feature, pyrolysis becomes increasingly important process for today
industry – as it allows to bring far greater value to common
materials and waste.

Pyrolysis is frequently associated with thermal treatment.

But in contrary to combustion and gasification processes, which
involve entire or partial oxidation of material, pyrolysis bases on
heating in the absence of air. This makes it mostly endothermic
process that ensure high energy content in the products received.

Pyrolysis products always produce solid (charcoal, biochar),

liquid and non-condensable gases (H2, CH4, CnHm, CO, CO2 and N).
As the liquid phase is extracted from pyrolysis gas only during its
cooling down, in some applications, these two streams can be used
together when providing hot syngas directly to the burner or
oxidation chamber, more information is found here Directions of
hot syngas utilization.

During the pyrolysis, a particle of material is heated up from

the ambient to defined temperature. The material remains inside
the pyrolysis unit and is transported by screw conveyor at defined
speed, until the completion of the process. Chosen temperature of
pyrolysis defines the composition and yields of products (pyrolysis
oil, syngas and char).

E. Disposal
When all else fails, materials that cannot be reused, recycled or
recovered for energy will be landfilled and incinerated (without energy
recovery). This is an unsustainable method of waste management because
waste that sits in landfills can continue to have a damaging environmental
impact.
For example, one ton of landfilled food waste is estimated to
produce 450kg of carbon emissions. Landfills can also leak chemicals and
toxic liquids that can contaminate the soil and groundwater underneath.

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 Self-Test Activity
Answer the following questions:
1. What is the difference among these three: Open dumpsite, Controlled
dumpsite and Sanitary Landfill?
2. Incineration is prohibited in the country for what reason?

 Module Summary
In this module, the principles of ecological, integrated and linear waste
management systems were discussed. A definition of the different types of
wastes was given. It was also provided in this module a brief context about the
Philippine Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (RA 9003), and its
salient features and provisions. It was also discussed here the functional
elements of solid waste management and the waste management hierarchy.
1. Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM) refers to waste management
activities which do not harm the environment. Integrated Solid Waste
Management, on the other hand, is the complementary use of a variety of
waste management practices to safely and effectively handle municipal
solid wastes. These two concepts are integral to a successful waste
management system.
2. RA 9003 provides relevant requirements on the management of solid
wastes from generation, storage, collection, transfer and transport,
processing, and disposal.
3. The functional elements of solid waste management system comprises of
six basic elements including: generation of the solid waste, on-site
handling & storage, collection, transfer & transport material and resource
recovery and disposal.
4. The waste management hierarchy presents a systematic order of
managing waste

JOMAR J. LUCENA | Institute of Environmental Studies, DMMMSU-NLUC