Solid Waste Management | calledtoserve

IMPROPER SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

The global community recognized that Solid Waste Management (SWM) is an issue that requires serious attention. The aggressive pursuit for economic growth, by developing countries like the Philippines, has resulted in the manufacture, distribution and use of products and generation of wastes that contributes to environmental degradation, global climate change and indirect consequences to community health. (Alicia L. Castillo, 2013).

Hundreds of tons of solid waste are generated daily in the Philippines. Most of it ends up in open dumps, contaminating surface and ground water and posing major health hazards. Furthermore, in poorer areas, uncollected wastes accumulate at roadsides, are burned by residents, or are disposed of in illegal dumps which blight neighborhoods and harm public health (USAID, 2009).

Barangay San Jose is the second largest barangay in the Municipality of Mahayag with a total land area of approximately 513.19 hectares. As of the year 2017, 503 households are residing in the barangay. With the increasing population of Barangay San Jose, the amount of waste being generated also increases. Hence, the collection, transport, and disposal of solid wastes have become a relatively difficult problem to solve for those responsible for their management.

During the ocular house-to-house survey conducted last January 2018. The results of the survey showed that majority of the community residents segregate their wastes; 70.55% segregates their wastes while 29.45% do not. However, it was observed that waste segregation among households was not properly done.

Most of the community residents used burning as their way of waste disposal without proper segregation. These practices can be attributable to the poor enforcement of the solid waste management project and the non-compliance of the people to the said project along with their knowledge deficit regarding the importance and the benefits Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP).

To address the problem, ADZU-SOM Students primarily plan to assess the knowledge and practices of the community with regards to the existing Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) of the barangay through conducting house-to-house surveys, and be able to establish a database on identified knowledge and practices of proper waste management of the community residents. Thereafter, problems identified will be presented to the community residents, and by then, a core group will be formed. Moreover, proposed projects will also be presented for approval and support.

To increase compliance of the community residents to SWMP, the ADZU – Medical students in collaboration with the other related sectors will initiate and aid in the subsequent activities: a garbage collection scheme will be established, a modified waste holding facility will be constructed, trash bins/containers will be labeled with the following: Biodegradable, Non- Biodegradable, and Recyclables, and the construction of compost pits for final disposal of biodegradable wastes. Lastly, junk shops and/ or buy-back centers will also be tapped for the collection of the recyclable materials.

General Objective

Cues

To increase the number of households practicing proper solid waste segregation from 70% to 90%, composting practices from 38% to 50% for biodegradable wastes and use of garbage collection system from 18% to 50% for non-biodegradable wastes in Barangay San Jose by the year 2020.

Segregation Practices:

70.55% (206 out of 296) segregate
29.45% (86 out of 296) do not segregate

Waste Disposal Methods:

Biodegradable Waste Disposal
- ✓ 38% (114 out of 296) make use of composting
- 19% (59 out of 296) make use of burning
- 9% (26 out of 296) open dumping
- 3% (14 out of 296) make use of collection system
- 2% (8 out of 296) of other methods
Non- Biodegradable Waste Disposal
- ✓ 24% (72 out of 296) make use of burning
- 18% (54 out of 296) make use of collection system
- 13% (39 out of 296) of other methods
- 11% (33 out of 296) of open dumping
- 6% (19 out of 296) make use of composting

Knowledge on the Existence of SWM Project
- 94.52% (276 out of 296) are aware
- 5.48% (16 out of 296) are not aware

Updated Cues

The segregation practices among the community residents has increased from 70% to 78% from the year 2017 to 2018. The number have continuously raised to 82% by the year 2019
The disposal practices of the community residents depend on the disposal technique:
- The composting practices among the households for biodegradable wastes was noted to be at:
  - 38% on the year 2017.
  - 49% on the year 2018
  - 45% on the year 2019 since most of the residents opted to use their biodegradable wastes to feed their animals (cats, dog and pigs).
- Adherence to garbage collection system, which is scheduled to be on the last Wednesday of the month was noted to be at, for non-biodegradable wastes was noted to be at:
  - 18% on the year 2017
  - 13% on the year 2018 due to the inconsistent collection schedule of the garbage truck at the municipal level.
  - 22% by the year 2019 due to the utilization of the barangay’s 4-wheeler pickup truck
- The burning practices of the barangay was noted to be at:
  - 43% upon primary survey on the year 2017
  - 32% on the year 2018
  - 50% on the year 2019 due to the inconsistent schedule of the collection scheme, at the level of the municipality.
- The open dumping practices among the households was noted to be at:
  - 20% on the year 2017
  - 16% on the year 2018
  - 21% on the year 2019 due to the overlooked garbage collection at the municipal level.

It is also worth mentioning that the municipality currently has one (1) garbage truck to collect garbage from all 29 barangays in the municipality of Mahayag. This is one of the reasons for the inconsistent and missed collection of garbage in the barangays.

January to March 2020
- The Barangay San Jose Council initiated a Solid Waste Management Program.
- A Barangay Solid Waste Management Committee (BSWMC) was also established to maintain and sustain the activities and projects for solid waste management in the barangay.
- The Barangay Council is drafting a new, and more comprehensive barangay ordinance on Solid Waste Management. Moreover, the council is also planning to have a Modified Collection Point in each purok for the temporary storage of solid waste per purok. At the scheduled date, the garbage will be brought to the gymnasium for weighing

IMPLEMENTED

House-to-House Survey (January 2018)

Conducted Waste Analysis Characterization Study (WACS) with the help of Engr. Romeo Soria, LDRRM Officer and Sir Ponciano Solatorio from MENRO (July 08, 2018)