University Of Saint Anthony (Dr. Santiago G.

Ortega Memorial) City of Iriga

Proposed Solid Waste Management Technique for the University of Saint Anthony

An Action Research Presented to the Research and Extension Services Office

ENGR. PORTIA O. IBIAS Faculty Member College of Engineering Architecture and Technology

University Of Saint Anthony (Dr. Santiago G. Ortega Memorial) City of Iriga Introduction Our country at present is encountering various environmental problems. Flood, landslide, pollution related diseases and a lot more. Different kinds of wastes are

generated each day from domestic consumption and commercial and industrial activities. For many years, rubbish or garbage has simple been dumped into open areas of ground, generally natural pits or hollows. When the site is full then earth was bulldozed over the top and the area left to settle, or the landfill was simply left as it was as an eye sore and health hazard. The waste can harm humans, animals and plants if they

encounter these toxins buried in the ground, in stream runoff, in ground water that supplies drinking water, or in flood waters. Solid waste is a telltale sign of how citizens lifestyles change as a result of economic development. Furthermore, the distribution of waste generation in the different regions of a country is indicative of its degree of urbanization. In cities, where standard of living is higher, there is usually a higher waste output compared to rural areas. This is reflective of the case of the Philippines where its capital and largest urban centre, Metro Manila, generates almost a quarter of the countrys total waste generation. Similar to a city or municipality, the degree at which waste is generated in an academic institution should not be left unattended. The University is a big academic institution, situated in a low lying part of Iriga City. It has an approximate population of over 3000 excluding teaching and non-teaching staff. The University maintains four

University Of Saint Anthony (Dr. Santiago G. Ortega Memorial) City of Iriga canteens to serve the students and employees and it is capable of producing nearly 500 kilograms of domestic waste every day. Although the Universitys dumping site is much lesser in size compared to dumping facilities in cities and municipalities, it may possibly still pose some environmental risks that need to be addressed. Leachate continues to drain from dumpsite, which can possibly collect to canals, or near springs, and through seepage in the groundwater. Methane is also being released to the atmosphere even its amount is lesser compared to landfills contributing to the amount of greenhouse gases. This paper discusses recommends some measures which can be adopted by the University to lessen the hazardous effect of improper waste disposal. Statement of the Problem This study attempts to recommend different solid waste management technique which can appropriately be used in the University of Saint Anthony. Specifically it hopes to answer the following questions: 1. What is composting? 2. How does composting relate to solid wastes, toxic wastes and hazardous wastes? 3. What is recycling? 4. What are the benefits from recycling?

University Of Saint Anthony (Dr. Santiago G. Ortega Memorial) City of Iriga Findings 1. Composting is the biological degradation or breakdown of organic material. Composting keeps wastes out of landfills. According to the Maryland Cooperative

Extension at the University of Maryland, 75 percent of materials being found in landfills and dumpsites can be composted. In addition, the materials being saved from the land fill are so useful. Compost saves money on fertilizers and soils and helps with

gardening. Composting improves overall lawn health by replacing nutrients in the soil, moderating temperature, controlling weeds and decreasing erosion. Composting also has educational benefits. 2. Wastes are nothing but misplaced resources, and those wastes are the solid, toxic and hazardous wastes. There are many methods of solid waste disposal, including landfills and incineration but each of which has associated problems. Composting for use as a soil amendment, fertilizer, or growth is important in many countries. Modern waste management stresses the three Rs: reduction, reuse and recycle including the open unregulated dumps are still the predominant methods of waste disposal in most countries, ocean dumping, landfills that are areas where solid waste disposal is regulated and controlled. 3. Recycling is the process of making or manufacturing new products from a product that has originally served its purpose. If these used products are disposed of in an appropriate, environmentally friendly way, the process of recycling has been set in motion.

University Of Saint Anthony (Dr. Santiago G. Ortega Memorial) City of Iriga 4. a.) Recycling helps protect the environment- recycling sharply reduces the amount of waste that gets deposited in our landfills or burned in incinerator plants. b.) Recycling helps conserve limited resources to put this benefit in proper perspective, lets consider this statement from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection: By recycling over 1 million tons of steel in 2004,

Pennsylvanians saved 1.3 million tons of iron ore, 718,000 tons of coal, and 62,000 tons of limestone. Through recycling newsprint, office paper and mixed paper, we saved nearly over 8.2 million trees. c.) Recycling can be financially rewarding if you just want to make money to get by in these hard times or start a home business, recycling is a profitable option. Its

relatively easy and inexpensive to start a home business. You just need to plan on what material you need to collect, plan storage, contact the recycling plant for pricing, and youre set to start collecting recyclables and reselling these to the recycling facility at a decent profit. The benefits of recycling to each one of us, to society and to the environment are our compelling reasons why we recycle. Recycling can be a way of life. Its a small but extremely vital component of environmental protection without recycling, all our efforts to protect the planet will be less effective, even futile. Lets continue recycling.

University Of Saint Anthony (Dr. Santiago G. Ortega Memorial) City of Iriga Recommendation: 1. Agricultural solid waste can be converted as a fertilizer through composting program that can be introduced to the barangays as a source of their income or for personal consumptions. Through the initiative of the university(through the office of the RCES), composting can be introduced to the community during community extension activities. 2. Recycling is at present being introduced in public elementary schools as a part of curricular requirements. The University can commission experts to introduce appropriate methods to be adopted and incorporated in the different programs as an elective subject. It can also be introduced to communities through the Research and Community Extension Services Office.

University Of Saint Anthony (Dr. Santiago G. Ortega Memorial) City of Iriga

End Notes

http://www.compost.org/natural.html Rebullida, Ma. Lourdes G., 2000. Resource Recovery in Solid Waste Management Republic Act 9003, Ecological Solid Waste Management Act