When I first
heard the term “Zero Waste,” I immediately thought of a garbage free planet
which was why I initially thought that it was impossible. Picturing a world
without trash seemed very idealistic for me. Each day, we all generate enormous
amounts of trash for disposal. It was only upon hearing the lecture of Mother
Earth that I was introduced to the true definition of zero waste. “Zero waste
can be achieved through designing discarded materials into resources that
others can further use. It aims to eliminate the volume and toxicity of waste
and materials.” Upon hearing this definition, I immediately changed my mind and
was convinced that zero waste is indeed possible.
Throughout my
internship I have come up with a to do list as to how zero waste can be put
into reality. First is to throw away the use of plastic from my system. As much
as possible, limit the use of plastic for plastics do not decompose. Throughout
my stay in Mother Earth, I grew fond of using eco bags which can come very
handy when it comes to shopping for grocery items and more. These eco bags can
be reused countless times unlike plastics that usually only accumulate inside
our houses after use.
During our
internship, we were able to witness a public hearing regarding the ordinance
regulating the use of plastic bags in the city of San Fernando. We were able to
gain knowledge about the subject matter and also voice out our opinions. It is
good to know that the local government of San Fernando is taking legal actions in order to preserve and protect the environment.
(Public Hearing on Regulating Plastic Bags in the city of San Fernando held on April 29, 2014)
(Speakers at the Public Hearing)
(Carlo, MEF intern, asking a
question at the Public Hearing)
(At the venue of the Public
Hearing on Regulating Plastic Bags in the City of San Fernando)
The next step on
my list is to learn how to properly segregate. Our job as interns included
being an information and education officer, a community organizer and a
monitoring officer. Through these tasks we were exposed as to how communities
manage their wastes. By being an information and education officer, we talked
to numerous households in every community regarding proper waste segregation
while being accompanied by a health and sanitation officer from the community. Most
households were very receptive towards proper segregation but there were still
times when we would hear their negative sentiments regarding the system of
waste disposal in their community. Their common sentiments include the
irregular collection of wastes by the collectors and illegal dumping of wastes
around their area. We did our best to transcend these sentiments to the
community officials in order for them to further improve their waste management
system. Through this task, the community officials and the citizens became
involved in the policy process and its implementation.
(Being an Information and
Educational Officer at Dolores)
(Attending a
Homeowner’s Meeting Regarding Waste Management at Villa Barosa, San Fernando)
(With the Kagawad and Homeowner’s Association at Rockville, San Fernando, Pampanga)
After informing
the community regarding proper waste segregation, a dry run is set by the
community officer in order to assess whether the citizens follow rules on segregation
imposed by their community. This is the next step on my list towards zero waste.
We all checked whether or not households segregate their waste while waste workers collected trash from
the entire community. This is a very physically exhausting task for not all
citizens have discipline when it comes to following rules. When the citizens
fail to properly segregate, we would once again remind them to segregate their
trash in order for it to be properly disposed. In this manner, the waste
workers, the community officials and the citizens are all part of the policy
process.
(Conducting a Dry Run at
Rockville, San Fernando, Pampanga)
(Preparing for a Dry Run at San
Agustin, San Fernando, Pampanga)
After
information dissemination and dry run in every community, monitoring their
Materials Recovery Facility or MRF is an essential step towards promulgating
zero waste in the community. We were exposed as to how trash is disposed from
each household until it reaches its corresponding treatment. An MRF is needed
in every community in order for their wastes to be properly handled and
disposed. As a monitoring officer, we observed and assessed the MRFs of
communities in San Fernando. We listed the problems found in every MRF and
suggested solutions as to how those problems could be addressed. Common problems found in the waste management system of communities in San Fernando would be the presence of mini dump sites, burning of wastes and lack of collectors and carts.
(Materials
Recovery Facility at Barangay Maimpis, San Fernando, Pampanga)
(Model MRF at
Pilar Village, San Fernando, Pampanga)
Mother Earth has
made me realize that working towards a zero waste Philippines is a duty of the
entire community – its public officials and most importantly, its citizens. I
was able to witness the process of how policy is put into action in a
community. Efficient management and consistency in the policy process are vital
in implementing and reinforcing laws such as RA 9003 Ecological Solid Waste
Management Act of 2000 in every community. The government must be firm and
authoritative enough when it comes to implementing laws for citizens to follow.
An efficient system of implementing rules will fuel a cooperative and well
informed community. The last step in my list towards zero waste is to remember
that everyone has a role in working towards a zero waste environment. We all have an obligation to protect and
preserve our environment for it serves as a home to all. We must all lead by
example to others. A zero waste lifestyle may seem impossible but with
consistent action and care towards our habitat, we can turn wastes into hope
for a better and sustainable environment.
San Fernando is
on its way to being a Zero Waste city. I hope that in time, the entire
Philippines could follow the footsteps of San Fernando as a pioneer of Zero
Waste in the country.
(UP Manila
Interns and Mother Earth Foundation Employees at San Fernando, Pampanga)
(With my mentor Ate Maie)
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