ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY: WASTE MANAGEMENT
30-Day Zero Waste Management Challenge
An Environmental Advocacy Presented
In Partial Fulfilment
of the Requirements in
Science, Technology and Society
Submitted by:
Azares, Marielle
Barrago, Deserie Pauline
Dungca, John Louie
Guarin, Allen Jason
Madiam, Edrian
Magabo, Aimee Ann
Maniago, Ralph Mari
Pamintuan, Ma. Celina
Santos, Jamico
Suing, Erika Mae
Tadeo, Justine
Submitted to:
Ms. Mariel Baldeo
INTRODUCTION
The rising standards of living and high rates of resource utilization have unforeseen and
adverse effects on the global climate, resulting in waste production well beyond the capacity
of municipal governments and agencies to handle. As a result, cities now deal with high waste
levels, associated costs, and waste adverse effects on our environment. Each day, the
Philippines generate around 35,580 tons of garbage. On average, each citizen in the country
generates 0.5 kg of waste in the urban areas and 0.3 kilograms of waste in the country's rural
areas per day. Due to its more modernized lifestyle, Manila generates approximately 8,636 tons
of garbage per day or 0.7 kg per person per day. In the Philippines, household waste accounts
for 74% of the total waste.
Furthermore, 95 percent of the total solid waste produced by households can still be
reused, recycled (43%), or composted (52%). Residues and special/hazardous waste no longer
available or biodegradable account for just 5% of the total (Castillo & Otoma, 2013). However,
these issues have enabled communities with a window of opportunities to identify solutions
and alternatives involving society, government, private sector, new technology, behavior
improvements, and awareness of the people to lessen the use of unnecessary waste. Zero Waste
Management, for example, is the recycling of all resources by responsible processing,
consumption, reuse, and restoration of goods, packaging, and materials without causing
pollution or discharges of soil, water, or air that endanger the atmosphere or human health
(United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2020).
I. Purpose
In order to raise awareness and to address these issues, the Zero Waste movement was
incorporated into advocacy entitled "30-Day Zero Waste Management Challenge," which aims
to achieve the following:
• to prevent the generation of waste (focuses more on eliminating rather than
managing waste)
• to recognize the importance of producer responsibility and product redesign
• to minimize excess consumption and maximize the recovery of solid wastes
through reusing, recycling, and composting.
• to reduce the waste which enters the landfills and incinerators to as little as
possible (zero is the goal)
II. Target audience
The 30-Day Zero Waste Management Challenge will be proposed to the barangay
officials of Angeles City, Pampanga, to efficiently reach the target audience: the said city
residents. The challenge is to be accomplished by the participants by doing the given 30 zero-
waste activities within a month or 30 days. They will be given a checklist/calendar of the
activities where their accomplishments within the month will be listed and monitored.
III. Activities
The following table shows the specific details of the advocacy—the activities and their corresponding objectives, specified activities,
resources needed, and expected outcomes.
Activities Objective Specified Activities Resources Needed Expected Outcome
1. 30-Day Zero Waste • To encourage the 1. Learn to segregate wastes • Eco-bag Participants should be
Management Challenge members of the 2. Say 'NO' to straws • Shovel (for expected to practice
(intended for individuals) community to practice 3. Bring a tumbler or a compost pit) accountability and
the different activities reusable container • Reusable discipline when it
under the Zero Waste 4. Bring an eco-bag containers comes to waste
Management 5. Declutter unused furniture • Tumbler
6. Build a compost pit in your management.
Program/Advocacy • Stationary
back or front yard materials
7. Bring home leftovers • Cloth
8. Repair usable furniture napkins
9. Visit thrift stores • Garbage
10. Buy Less bins
11. Pick up litter
• Any
12. Use cloth napkins
materials
13. Clean the backyard and
necessary
drainages
for the
14. Support local products
activities
15. Recycle
16. DIY Clothes
17. Search for usable school
supplies
18. Zero waste snacks
19. Buy enough meal for a day
20. Reduce waste in your
beauty routine
21. Do a trash audit
22. Walk or use a bike for
transportation
23. Save water
24. Plant trees
25. Avoid 'sachets'
26. Pack a lunch
27. DIY Magazines, Journals,
and Paper Products
28. Be responsible and
accountable
29. Start a Local Waste
Management Group
30. Be involved
2. ZWM Awareness: • To raise awareness to • Distribution of infographic • Manpower • Informed and aware
Information the community posters to every barangay in (Human community
Dissemination about Zero members regarding the Angeles City Resources) members regarding
Waste Management importance of Zero Zero Waste
Waste Management • Regular updates with • Infographic Management
barangay officials in posters
Angeles City concerning
• To encourage the
their respective barangay's • Social Media • Reduced waste
initiatives in attaining the accounts
community members to
"zero waste" goal
do activities that are • Clean surroundings
inclined in attaining the
"zero waste" goal • Conduction of seminars and
workshops about Zero
Waste Management in
every barangay in Angeles
City
• Posting of information such
as environmental laws and
ordinances, trivia and facts
about the environment, and
the like
3. Proper Waste Segregation • To encourage the • Distribution of infographic • Manpower • Properly segregated
community members to posters to every barangay in (Human waste materials
properly segregate their Angeles City Resources)
waste materials to
biodegrade-able, non- • Regular updates with • Infographic
biodegradable, and • Clean surroundings
barangay officials in posters
recyclable Angeles City with regard to
their respective barangay's
initiatives in proper waste
segregation
• Conduction of seminars and
workshops about Zero
Waste Management in every
barangay in Angeles City
PROBLEM ANALYSIS
I. Rubbish Disposal System
Waste management has been a significant problem in the Philippines and in many
countries since the introduction of non-biodegradable materials in the market. As a result, a
considerable amount of budget is allocated to ensure that waste can be disposed of
appropriately without additional landfills. However, typically, when people talk about wastes
and garbage, they immediately think of ways to dispose them right away rather than generate
creative and innovative ideas on how some can still be used. Therefore, it is essential to identify
the people's current practices regarding waste collection and disposal to suggest more effective
and efficient methods to address the waste dilemma at local and national levels.
Locally, the province of Pampanga made a partnership with Republic Cement's
resource recovery group, ecoloop, where nine local government units (LGUs), including
Lubao, Sasmuan, San Fernando, Mexico, Guagua, Floridablanca, Macabebe, Mabalacat, and
Porac have succeeded in reducing residual plastics that end up in landfills but instead diverted
these towards a more environmentally-friendly and sustainable recovery and disposal process
via cement kiln co-processing (The Manila Times, 2021). Many barangays in Pampanga
practice garbage collection twice a week, one for biodegradable waste and another for non-
biodegradable materials. Existing regulations are already imposed, such as the "No
Segregation, No Collection" policy. Each barangay within every municipality also has its
garbage collection schedule every week to decongest traffic in dumpsites.
The enactment of the Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management
Act of 2000, was done to protect human health and the environment while also trying to
encourage environmental sustainability and recovery and public cooperation and
responsibility. Among its key provisions were the formal decentralization of waste
management to local levels, specifically on barangays, the compulsory closure of illegal
dumpsites and financing in facilities, waste segregation at source in barangay levels, and the
reduction and proper treatment of solid waste (Republic of the Philippines, 2001).
In March 2020, a resolution was forwarded to the National Solid Waste Management
Commission (NSWMC) to ban single-use plastics countrywide and including them on the
priority list of Non-Environmentally Acceptable Products and Packaging (NEAPP), as required
by Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (Oceana, 2020).
Currently, 31 coastal local governments have signed the said nationwide petition to ban single-
use plastics—including Angeles City, Pampanga.
Froilan Grate, the Filipino nonprofit Mother Earth Foundation (MEF) president,
emphasized the significance of local officials' political will and commitment since support from
all sectors is needed to successfully address the waste dilemma (Mateo, 2019). As mentioned
in Republic Act 9003, implementation of waste management should start on barangay level. In
addition, they must initiate conducting waste management and segregation seminars to their
constituents so that proper knowledge about the waste problem will be known to them. Initially,
however, many municipalities struggled to implement this act, and up to this date, there is still
increasing volume of waste that needs to be managed appropriately across many towns.
Although primary reasons may be due to a lack of working facilities, financial constraints, and
haphazard compliance with the solid waste management law, waste is still not correctly sorted,
collected, and treated by local governments. (Gozum, 2020).
II. Cognizance on Disposal Systems
With the fast and vast development in every community, capitalism took over and
decided to do business with the people for economic success. Based on the speaker of a seminar
in Green Theology, the birth of sachets or Nutri-pack products happened during the eruption
of Mt. Pinatubo. As the population increases, people learned to subscribe to these plastic-use
products for fast use and convenience. Hence, with the growing compilation of trash in every
community, people are aware of the problems caused by the recklessness of dumping the
garbage. Because of this, whenever there is a storm, flooded areas will be expected because of
those problems.
Some are ignorant of what is happening to their surroundings, but it is not entirely their
fault why this 'ignorance' develops. It is the root of the misguidance of people who should know
better–the community's leaders. That is why in almost every campaign, the environment is
constantly being condemned to their priorities, and other things that do not value any human's
welfare at all are accomplished for clout. Sadly, some politicians are only doing the bare
minimum, and they are being praised for such. Consequently, they are the ones who must take
a step in accepting solutions provided by environmental and climate activists and scientists.
Prayer is not enough for the upcoming natural disasters. The government needs to conduct
many seminars to spread awareness to the people and include the environment in their
campaigns or propaganda to build a better community. They should also teach people the
causes and effects of climate change, floods, and other natural calamities that destroy families
and their homes. Nevertheless, they do not have the option to fail in doing this obligation
because most people listen to them. The citizens or community members should be educated
about the environment's responses to good and bad causes. Thus, the youth are not the only
ones obligated to do these things, but also the older generation who owes them a future.
Everyone must be taught how to protect the environment, even in small ways. One
should be aware that the simple reduction of trash and proper waste segregation contribute
significantly to environmental protection. Especially now, during the COVID-19 pandemic,
the hobbies people discover while in-home quarantine often help minimize the amount of waste
strewn around by reducing, reusing, and recycling. Examples are pots for plants made out of
plastic bottles, worn-out tires that can be used for plant nurseries, and more do-it-yourself
projects that significantly help promote the Zero Waste movement. Therefore, it can be
undeniably inferred that the problem regarding trash is not simply one community's problem
because it is everyone's. One must build a society where humanity is not at risk due to the
pollution caused by improper waste management and the greed of capitalists. Hence, the
leaders that people should vote in the next elections must not be only based on popularity, but
on their advocacies that focus on human development and the protection of biodiversity.
III. Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 7 and Zero Waste Management
Even before the 21st century started, issues regarding resources continue to be an
ongoing dilemma. As all individuals are aware, resources are the source of almost 'everything'
when it comes to human consumption. It is not only limited to necessities; it expands its
assortment to even our daily indulgences and conventional wishes. It is as if it is the beacon of
everything–resources. Without it, humans will strive to modify natural traces; they will be
forced to go beyond human boundaries and enter the realm of extreme scarcity. Needless to
say, the study of Economics was introduced. This field mainly delves into the analysis of the
shortage of resources. It dashes the optimum verdicts to conclude into the most acceptable way
of dealing with such an issue. And, inasmuch as the problem co-exists with constant factors,
the study of Economics reduces the adverse effects of scarce resources.
Imbalance, it is. Although the impetus of Economics is to aid the scarcity of resources,
it does not embody a wide array of the populace. This is actually the main concern when it
comes to studying Economics. It only describes and posits the 'conditions' of people, but it does
not necessarily address the problems experienced by most of the rural areas. Urbanization? No.
The idea of urbanization is not to aid the rural areas with low indexes. Instead, it is being done
for commercial purposes. This leads to significant complications when it comes to the
biodiversity of rural residents. Hence, as the poor become poorer, the rich become richer. It is
such a social matrix built due to multiple attempts to dominate the world of commerce.
Now, delving further into this commerciality and entrepreneurship, however, this does
not invalidate the clear visions of multibillion corporations which drive for a cleaner
environment. But there exists the ideology behind capitalism. In a movie called Captain
America (made by Marvel Cinematic Universe), a super-soldier serum makes a human more
of himself but excoriates its sole purpose. The good becomes better, the bad becomes worse,
and the great becomes Omni. In the world of commerce, this also does exist but in terms of
wealth and power. Money gives people strength and ability. Wealth even welcomes people to
create things unknown to humans. It corrupts most people's minds because of the idea that it
gives them a voice and access to whatever they want/wanted to do.
What does this all mean? Putting the cat out of the bag is the sole reason to establish
Millennium Development Goals (MDG). Economics alone cannot carry the burden of scarcity.
The sole reason behind shortage and insufficiency is the mindset of the people. The thing about
it is that the more they know that there is 'something' available, the more consumption will
continue regardless of what is needed and what is sufficient for their ingesting. Therefore,
MDG insisted that instead of letting Economics shoulder all the load of scarcity, the people
must also act accordingly. This MDG, specifically MDG 7, focuses on ensuring a sustainable
environment.
As mentioned earlier, commercial establishments flourish continuously not only in
cities but also in rural areas. These formations leave waste that is hazardous to the environment.
For example, chemical waste pollutes water, smokes coming out of the factories pollutes the
air, extractions pollute the land, and even noises pollute the area's natural environment. MDG
7 focuses on aiding this by limiting wastes coming from these establishments. This also focuses
on reversing the multiple resource loss contained and handled by the environment.
Furthermore, this also intends to provide safer drinking water and basic sanitation to
improve the living circumstances of slum areas in global settings. Last, to point with, this is
also in line with Zero Waste Management campaigns because the latter promotes the use of
safer materials when it comes to wastes. It also encourages the cliché Reduce, Reuse, and
Recycle (3R's) movement. This proposes not only waste reduction but also a safe environment
for carbon-based lifeforms.
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS
I. Poster
II. Calendar/Checklist
REFERENCES
Castillo, A., & Otoma, S. (2013). Status of Solid Waste Management in the Philippines.
https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jsmcwm/24/0/24_677/_pdf#:~:text=About%2035%2
C580%20tons%20of%20garbage%20is%20generated%20every%20day%20in%20the
%20Philippines.&text=For%20Metro%20Manila%2C%20it%20is,in%20the%20Philip
pines%20at%2074%25.
Gg, K. K. (2017, September 25). 31-day zero waste challenge. Going zero waste.
https://www.goingzerowaste.com/blog/31-day-zero-waste-challenge-1/
Gozum, I. (2020, December 9). Communities bear the weight of the Philippines' plastic waste
problem. Rappler. https://www.rappler.com/environment/tackling-plastic-waste-from-
communities.
Larracas, A. (2020). Practice Zero Waste Lifestyle Everyday. WWF.
https://wwf.org.ph/resource-center/story-archives-2020/zero-waste-lifestyle/.
Mateo, J. (2019, April 23). San Fernando fighting waste as well as mindsets. Philstar.com.
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/04/23/1911843/san-fernando-fighting-waste-
well-mindsets.
Republic of the Philippines. (2001, January 26). Republic Act No. 9003: GOVPH. Official
Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines.
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2001/01/26/republic-act-no-9003-s-2001/.
The Manila Times. (2021, February 5). Pampanga LGUs participate in cement-for-trash
program. The Manila Times. https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/02/05/public-
square/pampanga-lgus-participate-in-cement-for-trash-program/837216/.
United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2020, September 23). How Communities
Have Defined Zero Waste. EPA. https://www.epa.gov/transforming-waste-tool/how-
communities-have-defined-zero-waste.
Oceana. (2020, November 22). 31 LGUs sign nationwide petition to ban single-use plastic.
Philippine Information Agency. https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1059646.
