A Gap Analysis in Selected Asian Countries, 3R Knowledge Hub ...

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3R Gap Analysis and Findings
URBAN MUNICIPAL WASTE
The rate of solid waste generation in the
Philippines is comparable to that of other low to
middle-income countries. Recent studies
indicate that the per capita waste generation in
Philippines is about 0.3 and 0.5 kg/day in rural
and urban areas, respectively. The National
Capital Region alone accounts for 23% while
the Southern Tagalog Regions contribute 13% of
the total waste generated annually. Asian
Development Bank (ADB) estimates indicate
that about 6,700 metric tons of waste is
generated every day in Metro Manila alone. The
figure below presents the major sources of
waste in the Philippines.
In terms of waste composition, a survey
conducted in nine cities and ten municipalities
under the Philippine Environmental
Governance Program of the United States
Agency for International Development reveals
that around 60% of the solid waste is
biodegradable materials. In a study conducted
at five Metro Manila cities under the Metro
Manila Solid Waste Management Project, it is
identified that of the sampled MSW, 60% are
biodegradable, 19% are considered as
recyclable, 18% are residual while 2% are
considered as hazardous or special wastes.
Source of MSW in the Philippines
source: www.3rkh.net
Segregation and collection of solid waste is
done at the village district or ward level for
biodegradable, compostable and reusable
wastes. Collection of non-recyclable materials
and special wastes is the responsibility of the
respective municipality or city.
Waste from public institutions, together with
those collected at the village district or ward
level, are then transported by the city or
municipality to disposal sites. It is estimated
that Metro Manila spends over PHP 3.5 billion
(USD 76 million) annually for the collection
and disposal of MSW. The League of Cities of
the Philippines survey in July 2005 reveals that
garbage collection efficiency in cities average
at 40% in terms of political area where about
56% of the cities’ population is served. Quezon
City has reported a collection efficiency of 99%
in 2005. In the same survey there were reports
that around 90% of the cities operate their own
waste collection fleets while 10% contracts this
to private haulers. Like other developing
countries, informal sectors, especially
scavengers play a significant role in the
collection, sorting and recycling of urban
municipal waste. Local Government Units
(LGUs) in 2004 achieved over 31% of waste
diversion to landfills/dumpsites mainly due to:
• Massive public education campaigns
• Distribution and implementation of
segregation system for recyclable and
compostable materials
• Technical and
logistical support to
townships and NGOs
Findings
In most cases, MSW is
prevented from going to
final disposal through the
institutionalization of the
Materials Recovery
Facilities. While some
LGUs employ manual
segregation, others have
mechanized material
separation features. Still, other LGUs promote
the “junkshop” approach, wherein the
recyclable materials are bought and sold by
certain individuals.