Methodology
The mounting garbage is an eyesore. But there is an even more harmful effect of the garbage - Mother Earth is grieving. People had been taught on the proper disposal of trash yet they continue to do their own convenient way. The polluted environment has caused many diseases and some even resulted to death. Waste management is now a giant problem facing our nation. So what are we going to do?
Reducing waste is one of the most important parts of waste minimization. Avoiding the unnecessary use of resources means there is less wastes to manage. The aim of waste reduction is to eliminate waste before it is produced. The next most cost effective means of minimizing waste is to reuse waste material in its same form. Reusing an item means it doesn't go in the rubbish and end up in the landfill. It also means that you don't have to buy a new product and so you are saving the energy and resources that would have been used to make the new product.
.(http://ecan.govt.nz/advice/sustainable-living/waste/pages/managing-waste-sustainably.aspx) Composting is a natural process in which plant and other organic wastes are broken down biologically to produce a nutrient-rich material. At home, put yard and kitchen waste such as leaves, grass clippings, and fruit and vegetable scraps in a bin. This will eventually decompose and produce a mixture that can be used for soil improvement in individual gardens. Municipalities can treat waste in the same way. Recycling is one of the best ways of waste management. It helps in reducing pollution, saving natural resources and conserving energy. Recycling newspapers, plastics, glass and aluminum also helps in saving money. Recycling other materials such as tires, batteries, asphalt, motor oil, etc. reduces pollution (otherwise these would end up in landfill). In order to reduce trash, it is necessary to encourage and implement recycling at all levels of society
(Debashree Sen).
In this study, we focused on segregating waste materials .Waste segregation means sorting from biodegradable to non-biodegradable. Why is it necessary? Waste segregation is necessary because if the waste is not separated properly, it will mix up in landfills, this will lead to ground water and contaminate it. It can also release methane gas which is highly flammable; this gas is also a green-house gas that ultimately leads to climate change and droughts. The impact of climate change on the world is already there for everyone to see. A lot of materials in every day waste are recyclable. When waste is not segregated, it is difficult to pick out these materials for recycling. This leads to a lot of wastage of valuable resources. Toxic waste can seep into the ground and contaminate our water supplies, and sometimes cause widespread disease. Even non-toxic waste causes pollution that contributes to global warming and a general negative impact on the public health. EPA studies suggest that global warming could make earth almost inhospitable by the end of the century. In that manner, we are in need of proper segregation of waste materials to prevent the drastic effects that can result in improper disposal of trash. Segregation of wastes is very important. This is the gauge to proper waste disposal which when done by men can make the environment free from toxins and pollution. .(www.pals.in)
City of General Santos agreed to pass the City Ordinance No.12, series of 2008,also known as the “ General Santos City Ecological Solid Waste Management Ordinance of 2008”.The Goals, Provisions and objectives are very much alike with the Republic Act 9003. This was an effort to create awareness among the public on the importance of environmental protection and preservation. The barangay shall be responsible for the collection, segregation, recycling of biodegradable, recyclable, compostable and reusable wastes.(http://spgensantos.ph/2011/10/ordinance-12-series-of-2008/#).
Brgy. Fatima has adopted this ordinance. We conducted a community service at the barangay hall of Brgy. Fatima to segregate the garbages on the landfill. We classify those garbages from biodegradable to nonbiodegradable.We also collected garbages around the barangay gym to make it look clean. We can start to practice this proper waste disposal within our selves and in our community.
There are ways in segregating wastes. First, classify garbage as wet and dry. If possible, make a mini recycling center in your backyard. Place similar items in one container. Then, share your recycling interest and experience with your friends, neighbors. a. Wet garbage includes animal feeds and organic matter. Animal feeds are leftover foods, vegetables, fruit peelings and others that can be used as feeds for animals like pigs, chickens, and dogs. Place animal feeds in plastic or metal containers. Organic matter actually includes unused animal feeds, rotting fruits and vegetables, leaves and grasses, twigs and others that rot or decay. b. Dry garbage may either be organic or inorganic such as glass, metal, plastic, rags, wood pieces, paper and others which can be used or sold for recycling. Compost organic materials right away. Build a backyard compost pit or install a home composter. If possible, talk with the professionals about putting up a composter. If the community produces more than 25 kilograms of wet garbage, initiate the installation of a biogas digester with professionals.Reuse the materials that you can still use. Donate or sell to junkshops those extra recyclable materials. Junkshops are recyclers. They buy recyclable materials and sell them in bulk buyers.
Garbage segregation can make our streets cleaner, it can help us recycle things, reduce the use of certain raw materials and hence in making our country and planet a better place to live in.
Garbage segregation can make our streets cleaner, it can help us recycle things, reduce the use of certain raw materials and hence in making our country and planet a better place to live in.