Assessment of biowaste reuse practices in Metro Manila [Philippines]

Solid waste generation in Metro Manila [Philippines] is currently estimated at 7,205 tons/day. Waste analyses show that one third to almost one-half of the solid waste in Metropolis is kitchen/food waste. Despite the tremendous volume of biodegradable waste which potentially can be composted, the bulk of this biowaste is simply disposed in dumpsites. Biowaste reuse in the Philippines is one of the major components of Republic Act (RA) 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, the basic legal of framework adopting a systematic, comprehensive, and ecological solid waste management (SWM) program in the country. REA 9003 had been the basis for the various policies and ordinances related to SWM implemented by the local government units (LGUs). In general, compliance with the RA 9003 by the LGUs in Metro Manila is low and this is particularly noted in the provisions related to waste segregation at source and separate collection, handling, processing, waste diversion and disposal. Among the various reasons for non-compliance are: general lack of knowledge and information regarding RA 9003 among the concerned stakeholders, lack of political will on the part of local government executives to enforce the law, negative attitudes and behavior of households on waste volume reduction and segregation at source, and lack of technical know-how and financial support in composting of biowaste. Composting is mandated by the law to effect waste diversion. Although several initiatives have been done by various barangays [villages] in Metro Manila, compost production in Metro Manila is dismally negligible, only about 4 tons/day. Composting ventures are also found to be not financially viable. The 'polluters pay principle' is not observed in Metro Manila and the Philippines in general, hence, the burden of financially supporting SWM initiatives has been dependent on the cash-strapped LGUs or loans/grants from international donors. Compost utilization is also beset with problems. Compost application in farms surrounding Metro Manila is found to be minimal and this was mainly attributed to the lack of knowledge and information about compost and the lack of supply. Financial analysis of fertilizer use reveals that application of inorganic fertilizer in combination with nutrient sources of organic nature such as compost enhanced yield and income relative to the use of inorganic fertilizer alone. However, the poor quality of compost (which is largely affected by the technical problems encountered during processing) generated in Metro Manila is also perceived as an important barrier that would curtail its widespread use. As a whole, key problems beset the different components of the biowaste reuse chain in Metro Manila capability, governance and technology need to be developed to address the problems.