Sub Zone D, Clark Special Economic Zone, Sitio Kalangitan,

Barangay Cut-Cut II, Capas, Tarlac

January 20, 2014

I. INTRODUCTION TO METRO CLARK WASTE MANAGEMENT

CORP.

For the implementation of Ecological Solid Waste Management Philippine Republic

Act 9003, Metro Clark Waste Management Corporation is a sanitary landfill for final disposal
of the following:

Industrial Waste
Treated Toxic & Hazwaste
Municipal Waste
Healthcare Waste
Household Waste
Other Waste Similar to Ordinary/Normal Waste

In the Philippines, MCWM is the first engineered sanitary landfill.

MISION
To establish the benchmark for professional waste management with the best available
technologies without compromising the quality of life of the individuals and nature.
VISION
To achieve international best practice, Standards working in a highly regulated and
controlled environment.
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HISTORY OF MCWM

The Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ), located some 80 kilometers north of Metro
Manila, Philippines is comprised of a 4,400-hectare Main Zone and a 29,213-hectare SubZone. Currently, it is being developed into a model metropolis built around the Diosdado
Macapagal International Airport.
Its master plan has provided Clarks reconstruction as a residential neighborhood,
mixed-use business district, recreational and entertainment center, support and aviationrelated facility, parkway and rail link, industrial estate and the site of a world-class
international airport.

The Clark Development Corporation (CDC), a government agency tasked to manage

the Zone, solicited proposals from various waste management companies for the handling of
the solid waste generated by its locators companies. The bidding was won by a German
Consortium composed of Birkhahn Nolte GmbH and Heers & Brockstedt Umwelttechnik
GmbH.
The German Consortium later formed the company Metro Clark Waste Management
Corporation (MCWM) wherein 30% is owned by the Germans and the remaining 70% is
owned by various Filipino investors. The contract basically calls for the establishment of an
integrated waste management facility, to be operated for twenty-five (25) years, with focus on
landfilling for final disposal.

Some highlights of the integrated waste management center are the following:

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01 Jun 1998

06 Oct 1999

11 Jan 2001

06 Mar 2002

Pre-qualification bidding for Toxic Hazardous and Solid Waste

Management for the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ)
Signing of the Contract of Services between CDC and the German
Consortium
Issuance of the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) by the
DENR No. 0012-704-213
Incorporation of Metro Clark Waste Management Corp. (MCWM)
Issuance of the Tarlac Provincial Board Resolution No. 023-2002

25 Mar 2002

regarding the establishment of a sanitary landfill in Sitio

Kalangitan Capas Tarlac
Official start of construction of Phase I-A as mandated by the

10 Apr 2002

Provincial Board of Tarlac and by the CDC (approximately 5hectare development)

15 Dec 2002

Start of operations
Issuance of the resolution from the Municipal Council of Capas
Tarlac No.107-03 interposing no objection to the desire of other

01 Sep 2003

municipalities and cities outside the Province of Tarlac to use the

sanitary landfill in Sitio Kalangitan Barangay Cut-Cut II Capas
Tarlac
Issuance of the resolution from the Municipality of Bamban
Tarlac League of Barangays No. 07-2003 supporting the Sanitary

02 Sep 2003

Landfill Project and further endorses to accept waste materials

coming from other municipalities and cities outside of Tarlac and
Pampanga

03 Sep 2003

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Issuance of the resolution from Barangay Cut-Cut II Capas Tarlac

No.15-2003 expressing no objection to the operation of the sanitary

landfill in Sitio Kalangitan Barangay Cut-Cut II Capas Tarlac and

to allow other cities and municipalities outside the Province of
Tarlac to use its facilities
Issuance of the Tarlac Provincial Board Resolution No. 108-2003
interposing no objection to the expansion of the established sanitary
06 Nov 2003

landfill in Sitio Kalangitan Cut-Cut II Capas Tarlac and to the use

thereof by other cities and municipalities outside the Province of
Tarlac including Metro Manila

09 Nov 2006

Summer 2009

Summer 2010

Start of construction Phase 1Bb (15000 m2) with integrated cell

for treated industrial waste
Issuance of the TSD permit through EMB allowing the disposal of
treated Waste classified in accordance to RA 6969
Construction of Phase 1Ba (25000m2). Available disposal volume
now 1500000 tons

The MCWM Sanitary Landfill became officially accepted as facility

October 2010
Table 1: Historical Highlights of Metro Clark Waste Management Corp.
which contributes significant to the reduction of Greenhouse gases.

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II. SERVICE OFFERED

Metro Clark Waste Management Corporation provides, promotes and maintains

environmentally responsible practices of waste disposal. The object of their service is to
benefit their customers, consumers, employees, communities and the environment by doing
the business in ways that protect and demonstrate good stewardship of the worlds natural
resources. Also, MCWM continually seek new ways to address the environmental cost and
impact of their landfilling activities, products and services.

Development and Construction of a Cell on the Year 2013

MCWM is dedicated to developing sustainable solutions for minimizing the

environmental impact of urban development and energy production projects. Our team works
both in Europe and Middle East to develop Clean Development Mechanism projects and
reduce greenhouse gas emissions and saving energy.

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As a landfill, MCWM produces by-products such as leachate and methane gas. For
this matter, the business provided a Leachate Treatment Pond to monitor and treat that
unwanted by-product so as to avoid any environmental impacts. With regards to the methane
gas which could be a source of energy, MCWM, on 2011 installed a methane gas collector.
However, upon the companys assessments, the amount of gas being collected is not enough
to build a power plant.

Landfill Gas Collection System installed last April 2011

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WHO ARE ALLOWED TO DISPOSE IN THE LANDFILL?

Every private or legal person is allowed to deliver recycling residuals, processing or
treatment residuals and Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) to the facility assuming they follow all
legal procedurals as required in RA 9003 and accept MCWMs terms and conditions for the
disposal of waste.

The disposal facility at Sitio Kalangitan, Clark Special Economic Zone, is a Sanitary
Landfill as stated under the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, RA 9003 and is
permitted through the DENR by ECC 0012-704-213.

The ECC states specifically that all kinds of waste are allowed to be disposed in the
landfill except liquid, hazardous and medical waste.

The ECC has also several governmental resolutions showing that the sanitary landfill
is allowed to accept waste from all over the Philippines.

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III. INDUSTRIAL WASTE HANDLING

WASTES ACCEPTED IN MCWM

1. Domestic/Household/Residual Wastes
Municipal Solid Wastes
Domestic Wastes and Residual Wastes form MRF
Biodegradable Wastes
Food and Kitchen Wastes, Green Wastes
Recyclable Materials
Bottles, Plastics, Paper, etc.
Composite Materials
Waste Clothing, TETRA Packs, Plastics, Bulky Wastes
Inert Wastes
Construction, Mining, Demolition Wastes, Rocks, Debris, etc.
Animal by-products, mortalities
Slaughterhouse wastes
Commercial Food Production Wastes
Expired Foods and Dairy Products
Sewage Wastes
2. Other Industrial and Commercial Non Hazardous Waste
Ashes
Light Materials
Styrofoam, Insulation, etc.
Commercial & Industrial Wastes with Non Hazardous Materials and Components
Non-hazardous Sludge, Filter cake, etc.

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3. Treated Miscellaneous Wastes

M501 Miscellaneous Wastes (Pathogenic or Infectious Wastes) Pathological Wastes
M502 Friable Asbestos Waste Wastes containing friable asbestos
M503 Pharmaceuticals and Drugs Expired Pharmaceuticals and drugs stocked at
producers and retailers facilities
Putrescible/Organic Wastes:

H801 Animal / Abattoir Waste All Wastes from Animal feed lots;

All wastes from commercial slaughterhouses;

All wastes from poultry farms

H802 Grease Trap wastes from Industrial or Commercial Premises

Immobilized Wastes:

K301 Solidified Wastes and Polymerized Wastes

o Wastes whose hazardous substances are physically immobilized by
consolidation to reduce the surface area of the wastes in order to meet
the waste acceptance criteria.

K302 Chemically fixed Waste

o

Wastes whose hazardous substances chemically immobilized

through chemical bonds to an immobile matrix or chemical
conversion to meet the waste acceptance criteria.

K303 Encapsulated Waste

Wastes whose hazardous substances are physically immobilized by enveloping

the waste in a porous, impermeable material In order to store hazardous wastes
until such time that a proper disposal facility is available.

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WASTE DISPOSAL PROCESS

Metro Clark Waste Management Corp. has a total land area of 100 hectares, to be used
for the following:

Landfill facility 70 has.

Recycling facilities 10 has.
Infrastructure 5 has.
Environmental buffer zone 15 has.

It has a designed to have a maximum capacity 20,000,000 tons with an operational

capacity 1,000 3,000 tons daily.

The disposal site itself will be built in phases/cells depending on the amount of waste
collected. Construction of the 4th cell (3 hectares), which is now operational, is now
completed. Subsequent cells to be constructed will be anywhere from 3 to 10 hectares each,
depending on the demand.
Step by Step Waste Disposal

1. Entering on a Contract with MWCM

Obtaining a contract allows the waste generator to dispose waste to the facility.
Some of the requirements for entering into a contract with MCWM are listed.

For Non-Hazardous Wastes

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An updated company Profile with the following valid permits and

certificates:
Certificate of Registration and Tax Exemption (for Locators) or Mayors
permit
SEC Registration (if applicable)
DTI
BIR Registration
Other Clearances or certifications

For Hazardous Waste Transporter

Documentary requirements of the Non-Hazardous Waste Generators
A valid Transporter Registration Certificate (TRC)
CCO Registration Certificate Transporter (for Asbestos)

For TSDs/Waste Treaters

Documentary requirements of the Non-Hazardous Waste Generators
Environmental Compliance Certificate
A valid TSD (Treatment, Storage and Disposal) Facility Permit that matches
MCWMs TSD for specific waste to be disposed of
EMB Certificate of Accreditation of Pollution Control Officer
Certificate of Product Registration for Equipment or Devices from DOH
(for Health Care Waste Treaters)
Technical Performance Evaluation Report issued by NRL-EAMC (for
Health Care Waste Treaters)
CCO Registration Certificate Service Provider (for Asbestos)

For PEZA-Accredited Residual Waste Collectors/Haulers

Documentary requirements of the Non-Hazardous Waste Generators
Certificate of Non-coverage for DENR-EMB

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 PEZA Certificate of Registration as Waste Hauler/Collector wherein

MCWM is stated as Final Disposal Site (certificate may follow for new
PEZA applicants upon its release)
Latest OR/CR of Authorized Transport Vehicle
Proof of Training on Waste Management under PEZA

2. Getting a Gate/Yard Pass

The delivery truck comes in the premise of the facility and obtain a Gate/Yard
pass. This is for tracking purposes.

3. Inspection
Contents of the hauler will be inspected to ensure that only the required waste will
be disposed in the facility.

4. Initial Weighing
The hauler/waste generator will pass through a weigh bridge. This will determine
the initial weight of the truck, that is the weight of the empty truck plus the weight of the
waste to be disposed.

5. Waste Disposal
After the type and amount of waste determination, the hauler/truck will then go to
the designated land fill area for that specific type of waste to dispose its contents. From
this point, heavy equipment machinery will facilitate to the proper land filling. That is, the
wastes will be compressed until a cell is completed. Compression of the wastes is in a
ladderized manner called benching to provide a sturdier structure. After compression, the
compacted waste will be flattened and then will be covered with clay.

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The landfill is well designed in such a way that no leachate will harm or

contaminate the groundwater. This is by using multilayered protective materials which

prevent leachate form passing through the soil thus avoiding the contamination of the
water reserves underground and a HDPE tube which sends the leachate to the Leachate
Treatment Plant. A more detailed description of the landfill can be read in the quality
control part of the text.

Solid Wastes Disposal

Compression of the Solid Wastes

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6. Washing
Washing of the truck will come next after the disposal. The wash water will be
directed into a pond where it will be treated. This step of the whole disposal process
assures the safety of the community surrounding the facility.

7. Final Truck Weighing

Another truck weighing will be employed after the washing step. This would
monitor the amount of waste being disposed (it can be computed by subtracting the weight
of the truck after washing to the initial weight of the truck) and thus, would allow the
determination of the disposal fee. The disposal fee is listed in the table.

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QUALITY CONTROL PROCEDURES

In order to provide the best quality service they can give, MCWM has the following to
control their process. These are:
1. Facilities
2. Strict Requirements for Disposal
3. Sanitary Landfill that Exceeds the Standards stipulated by RA 9003

Facilities
Some highlights in MCWMs integrated waste management center that could help
maintain the quality of their service are:
Entrance station with weigh bridge

Before entering the premise, waste generators must first obtain a gate
pass. This would allow MCWM to record and track all that are being
input in the facility.

Leachate storage and treatment ponds

Before disposing waste water in the environment, all are first treated.
To ensure that the effluent comply with the standard, tests are done
quarterly by the government. Some of the parameters being tested are
the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand
(COD) and color.

Environmental buffer zones / re-greening zones

Their environmental buffer zone is designed to monitor the safety of

the operation. This serves as an indicator whether their effluents,
specially the air, comply with the standards.

Administrative buildings

This would cater the needs for management functions.

Materials recovery facility (MRF)

The MRF would allow reusable materials to be recovered, thus

decreasing the amount of waste being disposed in the landfill.

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 Workshop

Workshops would help employees to understand more the rationale of

the operations being done. Understanding every aspect of the operation
would result to a more quality service.

Runoff water collection system

Retention basins
Recycling and waste treatment facilities

Strict Requirements for Disposal

Standard requirement for sludge and ashes which are out of industrial processing is the
TCLP analysis (US EPD Standard); it has to be within the described TCLP limits and
so far as necessary DENR confirmation as non-hazardous. Asbestos has to be
certified as NON-FRIABLE.
The waste generator has to provide MCWM with test results before finalization of
the disposal contract.
MCWM will conduct backup analytics on site for each delivered charge. If a charge
fails the limits or shows total different consistency of the delivered materials, MCWM
will have the right to reject the charge.
Furthermore, MCWM has the right to require additional tests, if necessary, to insure
that no hazardous materials are disposed in their facility.
MCWM has the right to reject charges due to operational reasons.
MCWM will provide the Generator / Hauler with a Certificate of Final Disposal /
Letter of Destruction in accordance to RA 9003.

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Sanitary Landfill that Exceeds the Standards stipulated by RA 9003

The SANITARY LANDFILL (SLF) in Sub Zone D, Clark Special Economic Zone,
Sitio Kalangitan, is build based on international accepted standards, which exceed the
standards as stipulated in RA 9003 substantially.

The protection layer which insures that no liquids (leachate) from the landfill could
harm the soil or the groundwater is basically based on a redundant liner system out of natural
and artificial materials with extreme low permeability. Further the local geology with very
dense clay material protect the groundwater, which can be found in the area of the landfill
about 60m below the surface.

Baby Landfill Showing the Parts of the Engineered Design of the Facility

T
he

technical protection layers are built out of a 0.75 m thick clay liner (implemented highly
compacted) and a 2.5 mm HDPE (high density polyethylene) plastic liner. An additional layer
of geotextile is placed to protect the HDPE from sharp wastes.

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MCWM opted to use German technology manufacturing and installation of the

HDPE liners.

The drainage system for the leachate is built out of a HDPE pipe system (which can
sustain more than 80m waste load) and a real gravel filter, which would insure that all
incoming leachate could be forwarded to the Leachate Treatment Plant. The pipe is spiral in
shape so as to ensure that the said pipe will not be destroyed easily.

The temporary Leachate Treatment Plant for the phases 1 + 2 is built as a ration
ponds with the additional utilization of specialized enzymes for the complete cleaning of the
water. Further filtration through a reed bed is planned.

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IV. ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT

WATER TREATMENT
Since Metro Clark Waste Management Corporation is an engineered sanitary landfill,
the only water they are to treat is the leachate produced by the solid wastes and the water used
for washing the trucks of waste generators who dispose in the facility. The leachate are
collected by the Drainage System installed in the landfill and are directed to the Leachate
Treatment Plant. The wash water are also directed to the said plant.

In the plant are ration ponds where specialized enzymes are utilized for treatment of
water. Aeration is also employed to increase the dissolved oxygen in the water. After that, the
water will pass through an adsorption reed bed where fibers of soft broom are placed plus a
secret ingredient discovered by their research team. After that, the water will pass through a
phytofacultative pond where in heavy metals are removed by water lilies.

ENERGY SOURCE
The energy of MCWM is being supplied by MERALCO.

WASTE TREATMENT
Metro Clark Waste Management Corporation provides a sanitary landfill for all
around the Philippines who comply with the requirements of RA 9003. The solid waste they
generate are being landfilled, the water are treated in the Leachate Treatment Plant and air
wastes are treated naturally, in the environmental buffer zone of the facility.

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V. ROLES OF A CHEMICAL ENGINEER

Research and Development Personnel

Chemical engineers have a place in the research and development division of the
company. They can contribute to provide sustainable solutions for minimizing the
environmental impact of urban development and energy production projects.
Administrative Jobs
Chemical engineers may also have the ability to do managerial tasksthat is leading
the corporation in order to meet its goals and objectives. In fact, the general manager of
the corporation is a Louisian and is a chemical engineer.
Quality Control Personnel
Because of the field of endeavor of a chemical engineer, he/she can also play a part in
the quality control division specifically on the testing of parameters in the effluents.
Environmental Engineer
Having a knowledge on water and air treatment, a chemical engineer can function in
supervising the treatment of the wastes obtained throughout the process.

Additional Reference: mwcm.net

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