We humans produce waste. The amount of our daily waste reflects the standard of living. As wealth and purchasing power increase, so does the consumption of goods, and ever more waste is generated. Waste is a by-product of urbanization. It is noteworthy, though, that the amount of municipal solid waste is growing faster than the urbanization rate.
Coping with rubbish is a huge challenge for every local government unit (LGU). Informal dumps are a big nuisance causing flooding, air pollution and many other public-health problems. Formal-waste management is needed. Typically, this is one of the most important municipal services, with great impacts on the functionality and sustainability of urban life. Many workers are involved, but all too often, they lack formal employment and any kind of social security. Labor standards and occupational safety matter in this sector as in every other one.
At the same time, many small-scale initiatives that deal with the collection, separation and recycling of waste provide income to poor people living in the dump sites or, in cases were waste-management/waste-to-energy projects are running, being employed by the companies running the projects.
Reducing waste is important, and so is reusing waste. Recycling is the third best option. For organic waste, composting is the way forward. Sound- waste management provides win-win solutions, generating employment, recovering valuable resources and reducing the space needed for landfills. Only what cannot be used or cannot be treated in waste-to-energy facilities at all anymore should be disposed of in landfills.
Industrial waste is more problematic than residential waste, since it often contains hazardous substances. Unless there is proper treatment, toxic waste pollutes the environment, contaminates water and harms human and livestock health. Responsible companies that are producing industrial waste are treating the waste before it is disposed off. The Philippine Economic Zone Authority management is watching its locators closely with regard to industrial waste handling.
Too often, digital devices that contain rare and precious earth metals are simply dumped, even though they need to be recycled. The imperative is to prevent waste, but the rich agglomerations basically excel at collecting it. The same goes for used batteries; they should be properly collected and treated, disposing of the dangerous acids and recovering the lead. The process of collection and treatment has also started for used cooking oil of thousands of restaurants, canteens and small eateries.
We, at the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, are supporting a more intense dialogue between LGUs and companies that can offer “waste-treatment/waste-segregation/waste-recycling and waste-to- energy” options that are in line with the rules set by the Clean Air Act, the interpretation of the Supreme Court when it comes to “incineration” and the emission values accepted under existing regulations.