The environmental watchdog group BAN Toxics, along with other environmental advocates, has announced “Zero Waste” as a principle and practice to reduce toxic and waste pollution in the Philippines in time for Zero Waste Month. We are calling on the state to promote
January has been declared Zero Waste Month by Executive Order No. 760, signed in 2014 by former President Benigno Aquino III. This declaration facilitates the design and management of products and processes to systematically avoid and eliminate the volume and toxicity of waste and materials. It also aims to preserve and recover all resources rather than indiscriminately discarding or burning them.
According to Proclamation No. 760, zero waste is an ethical, economic, efficient and visionary goal that encourages people to change their lifestyles and practices to mimic the sustainable cycles of nature. A guide, where all discarded materials are designed to become resources that can be used by others.
“It has been ten years since Executive Order 760 was enacted, but the problem of poisons and waste still exists. To achieve and embrace zero waste in our lives, , we must work together by implementing and promoting toxics and waste reduction programs, especially at the community level,” said Rey San Juan Jr., Executive Director of BAN Toxics.
Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 was enacted to adopt a systematic, comprehensive and ecological solid waste management program.
1. Ensure the protection of public health and the environment.
2. Utilize environmentally sound methods that maximize the use of valuable resources and promote resource conservation and recovery.
3. Solid waste through source reduction and waste minimization measures, including composting, recycling, reuse, recovery and green charcoal processes, before collection, treatment and disposal in an appropriate and environmentally responsible manner. Solid waste management facilities following ecologically sustainable development principles that set guidelines and targets for material avoidance and reduction.
4. Ensure proper segregation, collection, transport, storage, treatment and disposal of solid waste through the development and adoption of best environmental practices in ecological waste management other than incineration.
5. Promote national research and development programs for improved solid waste management and resource conservation technologies, more effective institutional arrangements, and indigenous and improved methods of waste reduction, collection, separation and recovery.
6. Promote private sector participation in solid waste management.
7. Maintain primary implementation and responsibility for solid waste management with local government agencies, establishing cooperative efforts between central government, other local government agencies, non-governmental organizations and the private sector.
8. Encourage cooperation and self-regulation among waste generators through the application of market-based instruments.
9. Institutionalize public participation in the development and implementation of national and local integrated, comprehensive and ecological waste management programmes. When,
10. Strengthen ecological solid waste management and resource integration
Incorporate conservation and restoration topics into academic curricula in formal and non-formal education to promote environmental awareness and action among citizens.
This law requires Local Government Units (LGUs) to prepare and implement a 10-year solid waste management plan consistent with the national solid waste management framework. Local governments shall divert at least 25% of all solid waste from waste disposal facilities through reuse, recycling, composting activities and other resource recovery activities, with a waste diversion target every three years thereafter. shall be raised to
“Zero waste is an ecological way to reduce the problems of toxic and waste pollution in this country. We need to integrate,” added BAN Toxics.
