The Urban Environment and Community-based Ecological Solid Waste Management

Abstract

The ecological approach emphasizes that the problem of solid waste management involves not only technical but social solutions as well. People generate wastes but they can also be the source of solution to the problem. Although non-government organizations have long been advocating the ecological approach - mobilizing and training communities on the rudiments of sorting, segregation, recycling and composting, only recently did the government recognize the importance of the approach through legislation. Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2001" recognizes the role of the public in solid waste management and that change in individual and community behavior is needed to improve our waste management. The paper examines the implementation of the, ecological approach in certain community settings by a number of academic, institutions, NGOs and local governments: It found that social factors - people, leadership, mandates or authority, political will and commitment - constitute the foundation of the initiative. Community organizing and social preparation should take place from the inception and throughout the different stages and processes of implementation. The technical know-how and resources must be available for the system to be operational. The management factors- structures, policies, manpower,
funds and other resources, the supervision and monitoring processes - or the instruments that will put the initiative in motion, should also be present. A weak or missing element in the initiative would make it falter or even cease operations.