Your Definitive Guide to Solid and Hazardous Waste Management in the Philippines

The Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (RA 9003) defines solid waste management as “the discipline associated with the control of generation, storage, collection, transfer and transport, processing, and disposal of solid wastes.” The same policy mandates the establishment of solid waste management (SWM) plans and sets the guidelines for solid waste-related activities such as collection, transport, and disposal.

On the other hand, regulatory measures on hazardous wastes or substances which pose threats to human and/or environmental health as well as the risk of disasters like fires or explosions, are covered under the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990 (RA 6969).

Pursuant to the aforementioned laws, we hereby present answers to your questions on:

1. Solid Waste Management (SWM) plans
2. Requirements for SWM operations namely:Waste segregation and storageWaste collectionWaste transportWaste treatment and disposal
3. Guidelines and criteria for final disposal facilitiesControlled dumpSanitary landfill
4. Hazardous waste managementDefinition and classifications of hazardous wastesRequirements for waste generator registration and renewalRequirements for waste transporter registrationRequirements for Treatment, Storage, and Disposal (TSD) Facilities registrationHazardous waste transport record (Hazardous Waste Manifest System)Prescribed Fees for the Different Hazardous Waste Management Activities?

Solid Waste Management (SWM) Plan

Solid waste refers to “all discarded household or commercial waste, nonhazardous institutional and industrial waste, street sweepings, construction debris, agriculture waste, and other non-hazardous or non-toxic solid waste.” Clearly, it does not include wastes that are hazardous (for example, dangerous chemicals), infectious (such as clinical waste from hospitals), and contaminated (like soil from mining areas).

As part of the national solid waste management program that aims to ensure the protection of public and environmental health by addressing the solid waste problems in the country, local government units and all other concerned sectors are mandated to establish solid waste management plans to be implemented within their respective jurisdictions.

Solid waste management plans should be consistent with the National Solid Waste Management Framework (Figure 1). RA 9003 further prescribes that an SWM plan must have the following components:

• Profile of the community and area of implementation
• Waste Analysis and Characterization (WACS)
• Collection and transfer
• Processing
• Source reduction
• Recycling and Composting
• Solid waste facility and final disposal
• Education and public information
• Resource requirement and funding
• Incentive programs

Profile of the community and area of implementation

This shall provide information on the present and projected population of the community where the SWM Plan will be implemented. It also includes the estimated solid waste generation and inventory of present or proposed waste management facilities. A map showing the said facilities within the area of implementation is also necessary.

Waste Analysis and Characterization Study (WACS)

Waste characterization is defined as the identification of the materials that comprise solid waste (Section 17, RA 9003). WACS is a benchmark of data-driven decision making as it classifies waste based on material composition (Table 1), by volume or percentage in weight (or volumetric equivalent), and source of generation (Table 2). It further presents waste generation rates (weight or volume per capita in a particular area over a given time).

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