Chapter I

INTRODUCTION

Context and Rationale :

Waste management involves the processes of waste collection, transportation, processing, as well

as waste recycling or disposal. Sustainable waste management systems include advanced management

strategies to minimize environmental challenges and protect resources (Demirbas, 2011).

Waste management is an integral part of the supply chains that our global economy relies on. Due

to exponential growth of population there has been a remarkable increase in everyday waste wherein

improper treatment and disposal cause serious socio-economic downturns. This became a major

concern to many of developing countries where safe and sustainable practices are scarce and waste

management has not been adequately regulated. COVID- 19 led to the abrupt collapse of already under

stress waste management system due to shortage of manpower and the control measures being taken

for infection control. With increase in usage of personal protective equipment and sanitary products,

biomedical waste is on rise which requires a resilient waste management system that is ecologically

sustainable and economically viable. To make an attention of bio based eco-friendly methods towards

recycling of waste, this book chapter begins with an introduction to COVID-19, types of protective

systems that are being used, generation of different wastes and also explains the methods which are

being used for recycling of biomedical waste with future prospective.(Lakshmi Mounica Kondepudi and

Pameela Kandra ,2022)

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Philippines has

endeavored to improve its management of solid waste through the passage of RA 9003 or the Ecological

Solid Waste Management Act that provides for a systematic, comprehensive and ecological waste

management program to ensure the protection of public health and the environment. It mandates the

bureau to provide secretariat support to the National Solid Waste Management Commission in the
implementation of the solid waste management plans and prescribes policies to achieve the objectives

of the National Ecology Center that is in charge of information dissemination, consultation, education

and training of various local government units on ecological waste management. The ecological solid

waste management program is expected to assist Local Government Units in implementing RA 9003 or

the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act particularly in the development of their 10 yr. SWM Plan,

closure and rehabilitation of dumpsites, establishment of Materials Recovery Facilities, and an

environmentally sound disposal system.

The issuance of Guidelines and provisions of technical support in the establishment and operation

of Waste To Energy facilities will enhance the sustainability of disposal system for municipal residual

wastes to all provinces and highly urbanized areas. The significant contribution of this project is

expected to enhance the economic development of the country through formalizing the waste

collection and recycling, and promotion of job opportunities. It also helps the economy to reduce

reliance on imported oils and increased in power generation. 

Republic Act 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2001) prohibits open dumpsites.

Yet municipal LGUs were all practicing the ‘hakot-tambak’ system. The province generates

approximately 278,452 kgs. of daily waste. To solve the waste disposal problem, the Provincial Solid

Waste Management Board (PSWMB) was organized with the governor as chairperson. Northern Samar

was the first province in the country to champion the ‘zero-waste’ model of solid waste management

(SWM).

Northern Samar is also the first province in the country to formulate a 10-year Comprehensive

Solid Waste Management Plan, which outlines the future ecological solid waste initiatives of the

province from year 2008 to year 2017. The plan was formulated and endorsed by the PSWMB on 11

December 2007, reviewed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environment

Commission (NSWMC) in 2009. 

In 2008, PGENRO partnered with the international NGO, Health Care Without Harm (HCWM), which

advises  on health waste issues. Northern Samar was the first province to mainstream health waste

concerns with municipal solid waste management programs.  It ensures that health care wastes which

are classified as hazardous, infectious, and toxic (HIT) are confined only within health care facilities. Five

district hospitals (Allen, San Antonio, Gamay, Laoang, and Catubig) have availed of needle crushers from

[Link] of the lethal effects of mercury on humans and the environment, PGENRO has also

teamed up with HCWM in conducting environmental health fora in the province, advocating against the

use of thermometers, sphygmomanometers, and other health care gadgets that contain mercury.

Mercury spill kits were also provided to the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital and San Vicente District

Hospital. Coastal resources management protects and manages the living and non-living components

in the coastal areas in a sustainable manner. “The coastal environment as an open-access resource

should be protected from wanton use and exploitation,” is Governor Daza’s burning call to Nortehanons

towards sustainable use of natural resources. 

In the last three years. Lavezares has effectively managed its waste disposal. Policies on waste

segregation have been implemented down to the barangay level. What used to be a 4-hectar dumpsite

at Barangay Macarthur is now converted to an Integrated Ecofarm. Lavezares has been recognized by

local and national agencies as a model LGU in the area of solid waste management. But there are some

barangays that has no particular place to depose their waste. Especially in Barangay, Balicuatro,

Lavezares, Northern Samar. Many people are just throwing their waste in the sea which is not good.

Some are burning their waste, especially the plastic.

This study aims to determine on how people segregate their waste properly and this

study will be guided by the following questions :

1. What are the ways of disposing waste among the residents of Barangay

Balicuatro?

1. Is there a significant relationship of the demographic profile to the waste

disposal management?

Hypothesis

1. There are some ways of disposing waste such as landfills, incineration,

waste compaction, and composting.

1. There is no significant relationship of the demographic profile to the waste

can dispose their waste properly.

Scope and Delimitation

The study focuses on how the residents of Barangay, Balicuatro manage their waste. The

study would focuses on the proper waste disposal and how it affect to the residents in the said

locale. Moreover, the study would look into the recurring behavior and approach of the

residents in their Barangay.

The participants of the study would be limited to the selected residents. Another

limitation of this research was the area covered where in the researchers focused only on the

residents of Barangay, Balicuatro, Lavezares, Northern Samar.

Significance of the Study

The result of this study will be beneficial to the following :

To the Residents - The study will be beneficial to the residents as this will help them

have more knowledge in proper disposing of their waste.

knowledge about the importance of proper waste disposal.

To the Future Researchers - This study will serve as reference to the

future researchers who would like to conduct the same study in the future.

Definition of Terms

This are conceptually defined.

Waste - are unwanted or unusable materials.

- is any substance discarded after primary use, or is worthless, defective and no

use.

Disposal - the action or process of throwing away or getting rid of something.

Proper Waste Disposal Management - can be done by applying

the 3R - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Reducing means lessening the amount of trash/garbage

produced. Reusing refers to using materials more than once while recycling means creating new

material or product out of trash/garbage.

Theoretical Framework
This study denotes the understanding of the researcher in the ideas of the different

researchers and articles. The concept of this is the current situation of the use and disposal of
garbage like plastic and Styrofoam in Barangay [Link] study also focuses on the waste

management of the residents in terms of their waste segregation.

This study by (Eva Pongrácz a, 2004)The Theory of Waste Management, as

differentiated from waste management practice, represents a more in-depth account of the

domain and contains conceptual analyses of waste, the activity upon waste, and a holistic view

of the functions and goals of waste management. Waste Management Theory is founded on

the expectation that waste management is to prevent waste to cause harm to human health

and the environment. The proper definition of waste is crucial to constructing a sustainable

agenda of waste management. It is largely the case that current legislation attends to existing

waste.

Waste Management is affected by two reasons discipline and waste segregation.

Without this two reason the waste management will not be properly manage or control the

waste of the community. It affected the application of the waste control. Discipline is practice

of proper waste management, without discipline people cannot manage things successfully and

properly.

This study aims to show the demographic profile of the residents that will guide the

researchers.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
 The framework below shows the conceptual framework that will used by the researchers in

conducting the survey. The process figure shows the procedures that will guide the researchers.

Preparing questionnaire, gathering and identifying respondents, collecting data, sorting and examining

the data collected, and evaluating data will be the procedures.

Demographic Profile
- Age
- Gender
Waste Disposal
- Educational
Management of the
Attainment
Residents
- Economic Status