PLASTIC WASTES DISPOSAL METHODS

IN BRGY. NAPNUD, LEGANES, ILOILO

Engr 223

Environmental Engineering

Engr. Sheila Mae B. Pingul-Ong

Instructor

Submitted by:

Kryzzha Pearl T. Frondosa

Elora Louise C. Hopilos

 INTRODUCTION

Plastic materials are commonly used in our daily lives.

It is one of the biggest problem that our country is facing.
Plastic bags, wrappers, and other related products were
introduced to substitute paper products. But now, different
problems arise because of the use of these materials. Land
and water pollution are most common. Those plastic materials
are improperly dumped and cause flood because plastic waste
takes years to decompose.

According to Wikipedia, plastic is a material consisting

of any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic
compounds that are malleable and can be molded into solid
objects. Because they are cheaper, easy to manufacture, and
impenetrable by water, plastics are used in a vast range of
products, from paper clips to spaceships. They have already
replaced many traditional materials, such as wood, stone,
horn and bone, leather, paper, metal, glass, and ceramic, in
most of their former uses.

Plastics are more productive in urban areas as they have

big population and they are more industrialized than the rural
ones. Though Brgy. Napnud, Leganes is located in a rural
place, plastic waste generation should not be ignored.

The objective of this study is to help prevent water

pollution that causes flood and simply reduce solid wastes,
by collecting and using plastic wrappers in making hollow
blocks.

This case study focuses only on plastic waste disposal

methods in Brgy. Napnud, Leganes, Iloilo and aims to introduce
a solution to increasing plastic generation with the
application of mechanical engineering.
 ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM

Nowadays, most of the materials we use are made of

plastics as they are the packaging’s main component- from food
wrappers to appliances in our homes. Because of
industrialization and urbanization, plastic waste generation
annually increases. The production of plastics has been
increasing over the past 20 years at rate of nearly 5% per
annum. (Unep.org,2009)

It is a common fact for all of us that plastics take a

long period of time to decompose. Most plastics are difficult
to dispose because they are made from oil and most do not
biodegrade. The average time for a plastic bottle to
completely degrade is at least 450 years though different
kinds of plastic can degrade at different times. Current
disposal methods of plastics include landfills,
incineration, dumping and recycling.

Just like what is happening all over the world, even

municipalities like Leganes is also affected by
industrialization. Because of this, plastic generation in
each of its barangay increases and this is where the disposal
of plastic comes in.

The municipality of Leganes collects wastes weekly

through a garbage truck that roam all around the municipality
to collect wastes from business establishments and Material
Recovery Facilities(MRFs) of each barangay. Though this is
implemented, only the town proper and the barangays nearest
to it is prioritized. Barangays like Brgy. Napnud do other
methods to dispose their wastes.

Like other barangays in the municipality, Brgy. Napnud

has three (3) MRFs installed. Residents segregate their waste
into biodegradable and non-biodegradable, where plastics
belong, before putting them in the MRFs. The barangay captain
is hiring a tricycle driver by the end of the week to get the
garbage from the MRFs and bring them to the municipal dumpsite
located at the Brgy. MV Hechanova, Leganes.

Other residents of the barangay turn to open burning as

a method to dispose their solid waste which plastic wastes
are included. This kind of waste disposal is prohibited (as
stated in the Section 48 of Republic Act No. 9003) as burning
of solid waste, specifically, may harm one’s health.

Burning plastics release toxic smoke into the air. This

smoke contributes to the air pollution and increases health
risks among humans. Open burning of waste also emits
greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and
methane. Although this happens, residents continue to burn
plastics because they think that this is the most convenient
method to get rid of them.

Another method that they are using is open dumping. As

the researchers observed, most of the solid wastes being
dumped is composed of plastics. Plastics cannot be easily
decomposed so these plastics contribute to water pollution
and can harm the organisms living on the area.

These are the residents’ method of plastic waste

disposal unless another solution is proposed.
 ENGINEERING SOLUTION

The solid waste management problems have been reduced

to great extent by reengineered plastics as there are research
works going on in making road pavements by using plastic
wastes as additives in bitumen mixes(used for road surfacing)
and other works involving plastic wastes.

This proposal attempts to give a contribution to the

effective use of waste plastics in concretes using a machine
that can produce a hollow block from plastic waste and to help
with the disposal of solid wastes, especially plastic wastes
in the barangay.

The proposed machine 1 will be a three in one type of

machine to lessen the number of hours needed to work on it.

The machine will be composed of a shredder, which is

where the plastic wastes will go first. (See fig.3)

Then the plastics will pass through the mixer, where the
they will get mixed up with the cement, fine sand and water.
(fig. 1)

1 Source: https://www.academia.edu/8738681/Plastic_-_Sand_Hollow_Blocks
 and lastly, the CHB(concrete hollow block) molder where
the final output will be produced and will be left to dry for
a few hours. After that, the blocks will be removed from the
molds and let to stand along one side for approximately 14
days while sprinkling water at regular intervals to avoid
cracking.
 CONCLUSION

It is very hard to avoid using plastics even if we want

to. They are simply used in almost everything. But because
they are one of the biggest contributors of solid waste
problems, the mankind should find ways to get rid of them by
not harming the environment.

With the machine, we can incorporate plastic waste on

the hollow blocks and use them for decoration or fences of
homes. In this way, we can decrease plastic wastes and can
help in waste management of the community.

Plastics do not affect the strength of the hollow block

thus it will cost less and it can be durable for small
constructions in the community.

In addition, water and air pollution will also be lessen.

Therefore, the barangay will be a healthier and safer place
for the residents.
 REFERENCES

Converting Waste Plastics into a Resource(2009)

http://www.unep.or.jp/Ietc/Publications/spc/WastePlast
icsEST_AssessmentGuidelines.pdf

Dangers of Burning Plastics(2015)

http://www.online-sciences.com/health/dangers-and-bad-
effects-of-burning-plastics-and-rubber-on-humans-and-g
lobal-warming/

Disposing of Plastics(2012)

http://plasticisrubbish.com/2012/09/21/disposing-of-pl
astic/

How Long Does It Take a Plastic Bottle to Degrade(2011)

http://www.postconsumers.com/education/how-long-does-i
t-take-a-plastic-bottle-to-biodegrade/

Plastic

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic

Plastics Sand Hollow Blocks

www.academia.edu/8738681/Plastic_-_Sand_Hollow_Blocks
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks and

gratitude to the Almighty God for providing everything and
everyone that we need, and for guiding us in every way.

Next, we would like to extend our thanks to our families

for providing us financially and supporting us morally and
emotionally.

To our friends, who helped us with the paper works and

alighting the stress brought by the case study.

To the barangay health worker, Mrs. Nenita C. Hopilos

for assisting us with the information needed.

To everyone who helped in any way possible that we failed

to mention, Thank You!
 DOCUMENTATION

Interview with the barangay health worker:

 Waste Disposal Methods

Using Dumpsites:

Open Dumping:
Open Burning:

MRF:
Segregation of Solid Wastes