We cannot run a throw away society on a finite planet. - Paul Connett Posible ang Zero Waste!

“Zero Waste is a goal that is ethical, economical, efficient and visionary. It aims to guide people in changing their lifestyles and practices to emulate sustainable natural cycles, where all discarded materials are designed to become resources for others to use.

Zero Waste means designing and managing products and processes to systematically avoid and eliminate the volume and toxicity of waste and materials, conserve and recover all resources, and not burn or bury them.”

(Adapted from the Zero Waste Definition of the Zero Waste International Alliance) What’s Inside

About this book 3 Messages 4 Fifteen Stories Towards Success in Zero Waste 10 Zero Waste Ambassadors 34 About MEF 36 MEF in Photos 38 Resources 43 About Republic Act 9003 ESWM Poster and Waste Classification Ten Steps in Establishing a Community ESWM Program Ecological Solid Waste Management at Home

Artworks used are winners from San Fernando City’s Sining Kalikasan Poster Making Contest: 1st Place-College from Baliuag University; 1st Place-HS from the University of Assumption; 2nd Place-HS from San Lorenzo CSS; and 2nd Place-College from DHVTSU. Fifteen Stories Towards Success in Zero Waste

Batangas City: Dangal ng Lungsod Awards Zero Waste Expo: Out of the Box, Out of the Dumps: Innovative Solutions to Waste 6th Zero Waste International Conference: Zero Waste Solutions in the Face of Climate, Chemical and Financial Crises Puerto Princesa City: Citywide ESWM Program MEF and CRACMES: Sowing the seeds for environmental care and protection USAID – Rotary Pasig River Improvement Project: Establishing Model Barangays in About This Book Quezon City In celebration of our Fifteenth Year Anniversary, MEF Environmental Education: is publishing this book “MEF@15: On The Road To Zero Project Water Education for Teachers Waste” to showcase and highlight some of our projects in the past 15 years. and Project Learning Tree USAID – ECO-Asia These stories, from our partner local government units, Sanitation Program: our campaigns and advocacies, our regular programs and Promoting Access to Urban Water and projects, and our events, represent MEF’s contribution to Waste Water Services the Zero Waste movement in the Philippines and in the The Senate MRF: world. From Legislation to Action These stories, presented chronologically in this book, also Pinatubo Hazard Urgent Mitigation demonstrates the changes and development in MEF’s Project (PHUMP III): approach to promoting Zero Waste. From giving simple ESWM Modelling in 15 Barangays workshops to barangays in Batangas, to establishing models, i.e. schools like CRACMES, barangays like Brgy. Zero Waste Youth Festival: Fort Bonifacio, and cities like San Fernando, Pampanga, Popularizing Zero Waste - MEF is constantly innovating in its approaches and Fort Bonifacio: strategies. Community Based ESWM Program Plastic Ban: We hope these stories will inspire other LGUs and institutions to do their part in achieving a Zero Waste From Muntinlupa to Manila Philippines. Angeles City: Zero Waste City Hall Each of these stories represent one piece of the Zero San Fernando City, Pampanga: Waste puzzle. While each of these featured communities On the Road to Zero Waste are still on their way towards Zero Waste, together they demonstrate that, indeed, Zero Waste is Possible!

MEF@15: On The Road To Zero Waste 3 Message from the Chairman Greetings from Mother Earth Foundation (MEF), your partner in working towards a Zero Waste Philippines!

Since our organization’s inception in 1998, MEF has gone forward from being a small group of friends who wanted to get rid of waste properly, to become a tireless voice in the fight towards the protection of our environment, specifically through the ecological management of waste.

We reminisce with nostalgia the learning curves that we had to tackle during our infant years. We can proudly say that we have learned greatly from our experiences and from working with other NGOs, communities, the academe, and local government units.

As the world’s population increases and our resources get depleted, we cannot just watch. We must work actively to protect, and save, our environment. Let us all work together to make our country and our Mother Earth a better place to live in -- for ourselves, our children, and the future generations. As Indian Chief Seattle said “We did not inherit the Earth from our forefathers, we just borrowed it from our children”.

And the best place to start is with Chairman in Action ourselves. We in the MEF Board of Trustees and our staff “walk our talk” in our plastic bag-free campaign. We bring our reusable cloth bags with us all the time; we use bayong and reusable bags and containers in the wet markets and supermarkets, we don’t use straw in our drinks and we use reusable cups and drinking glasses, nito plates lined with banana leaves or washable plates during our meetings.

I wish to thank everyone who made our first 15 years a success; to our partners for continuing to trust us, to our friends from the Zero Waste network, to our dedicated Board of Trustes who are all volunteers and to our hardworking staff, maraming salamat po! Clockwise: With Miss Earth winners at the Pista y Kagueban in Puerto Princesa, Palawan; delivering a speech at the San Fernando citywide river clean up; at a ZWIA conference in Naples, Italy with Goldman Prize awardee Sonia Mendoza Rossano Ercolini; at the signing of the Climate Change Law of 2009 in Malacanang.

4 Messages Message from the President Isang maka-kalikasang pagbati!

Mother Earth Foundation is celebrating its 15th Year Anniversary and I feel privileged to have been part of MEF in the last 8 years. It is also a great joy to discover and hear from our original members MEF’s first seven years.

MEF has changed a lot and for the better. This is because of the hard work and dedication of the current Board of Trustees and staff, and also because of the contributions of everyone who came before us. Their experiences have taught us and continually guide us as we look forward to our next 15 years and beyond.

Compiling these 15 stories and producing this book has been a challenge. Aside from the amount of work that it entails, telling 15 years’ worth of story in less than 30 pages was almost impossible. The pages allotted for each story don’t do justice to all the hard work and sacrifices that were put into it.

But this book is not an instructional manual. Our goal for putting together these stories is to provide a snapshot of each effort and hopefully inspire others into action. President in Action My immense admiration for my fellow Trustees for their undying commitment to MEF, for selflessly giving not only their time and skills but in many instances their personal resources. Thank you to our staff for all their sacrifices and hard work. Thank you also to all our members, volunteers and partners from the environment and the Zero Waste movement. Of course, our special thanks to all our partner LGUs, schools and companies.

And to everyone, my deepest gratitude for your continued trust and support.

For love of Mother Earth,

Froi Clockwise: With kids from Baseco Compound; as member of the Philippine Delegation to the United Nations CSD; tree planting during Puerto Princesa’s Feast of the Forest; an interview with a local TV show.

MEF@15: On The Road To Zero Waste 5 Message from Sen. Loren Legarda

My warmest greeting to Mother Earth Foundation on the occasion of your fifteenth anniversary!

Congratulations for coming up with this book about the success stories on implementing zero waste programs by local government units (LGUs).

In 2001, Republic Act 9003, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, a measure I authored, was signed into law. Since then, I have been advocating for the national government’s strict implementation of and LGUs’ faithful compliance with the law.

The measure aims to create a clean and healthy environment using a system of solid waste management that includes segregation of garbage at its source, segregated transportation, processing, treatment and proper disposal of solid waste. It emphasizes on recycling so that less garbage is actually brought to the sanitary landfill and those brought to the final disposal siteare effectively maintained.

I am happy that Mother Earth Foundation came up with this book on best practices, which I hope will encourage more LGUs to work on their zero waste programs for the greater benefit of their communities.

Let us work together to redefine development—to change our way of thinking and our way of doing, and give nothing less than our wholehearted commitment to a safer and cleaner world, a more resilient human society for many generations to come.

Loren Legarda

6 Messages Message from Sen. PIA S. Cayetano

Warm greetings to the members, officials, and volunteers of Mother Earth Foundation (MEF) and congratulations on your 15th year anniversary!

Your fifteen years of existence, together with the launch of your book entitled “MEF@15: On The Road To Zero Waste,” prove the success of your organization’s Zero Waste and other environmental advocacies. Further, your dedication to mobilize people in addressing the pressing issues of our environment translates to concrete projects and programs that serve to involve and inspire others to do the same. I admire your encompassing efforts to save our Mother Earth.

Healing our planet is not an impossible task. The ultimate key to success is gathering together every human being in this endeavor, educating them and making them part of a cause greater than them. I salute your passionate take on this advocacy, as evidenced by every action you have taken through the years.

Your book is a testament to this. I hope that everyone learns and gets inspired by it so that more people will join you in this noble effort. Again, congratulations on 15 years of work and success and may you never tire in this worthwhile endeavor.

Thank you and more power!

Pia S. Cayetano

MEF@15: On The Road To Zero Waste 7 Message from SeC. Ramon J.P. Paje One of the most visible environmental problems in our society can be witnessed in the form of heaps of municipal solid wastes. Garbage scattered all around the market places, streets, canals, drainages, waterways, rivers, and lakes only prove either the ignorance or unconcern of many people to such unseemly condition of our environment. Without serious education, awareness, and advocacy to promote proper solid-waste management, this environmental problem can result in health hazards, environmental degradation and disasters, and further aggravation of the current global climate change problem.

It is in this challenging task of educating, motivating, and inflaming the conviction of members of our society towards a cleaner environment that we deeply appreciate the role played by the Mother Earth Foundation (MEF). In its 15 years of partnership with DENR, the MEF has proven its credibility in addressing waste and toxic pollution, climate change, and other health and environmental issues- having been instrumental in the establishment of more than a thousand material recovery facilities nationwide through its conduct of ecological and solid waste management workshops and seminars.

We, therefore, give our highest regard and commendation to the men and women of the Mother Earth Foundation. This book, entitled “MEF@15: On The Road To Zero Waste,” launched as part of MEF’s 15 Year Anniversary celebration, will tell the stories: of their works and successes to achieve their aspiration for a “Zero Waste Pilipinas”

Mabuhay kayong lahat sa Mother Earth Foundation!

Ramon J.P. Paje Secretary Department of Environment and Natural Resources

8 Messages Message from Von Hernandez First of all, congratulations to our comrades and fellow travellers at Mother Earth Foundation (MEF) for completing 15 years of meaningful and trailblazing work in the field of ecological waste management.

The impact and outcomes of MEF’s work in the last 15 years is well-documented and captured in this book, with each of the 15 different success stories offering significant insights and lessons to inform our continuing drive towards a zero waste future. More than ten years after the passage of the Ecological Waste Management Act, the Zero Waste vision continues to inspire us, and if there in one thing that these stories prove – it is that Zero Waste is possible. It is not an unrealistic goal – and in this age of increasing scarcities, it probably stands as the most viable way by which human societies can provide for future needs without tipping the balance further towards ecological destruction and calamity.

We do accept that the journey to a Zero Waste future is not going to be an easy one. The road is littered with numerous challenges ranging from uninspired, shortsighted, and corrupt leadership in the government sector, an aggressive commercial agenda that promotes an over-consuming and wasting culture, and public indifference to environmental issues.

The work of MEF, captured in these success stories show that breaking through such barriers is possible. It is also the right thing to do, especially in the face of rising anger against the widespread corruption and misuse of our public funds.

Our society stands on the brink of a massive transformation. We hope that our shared enterprise of cleansing the public sector is sustained and results in more profound changes in the way we Filipinos manage our planet’s finite resources.

I remain confident that it is juts a matter of time when the Zero Waste framework will dominate the approaches by which local governments and communities deal with their discards. We remain optimistic because of the commitment of groups like MEF, together with our allies and partners in the Ecowaste Coalition.

Onwards and upwards with Zero Waste!

Von Hernandez President, Ecowaste Coalition Executive Director, Greenpeace Southeast Asia

MEF@15: On The Road To Zero Waste 9 Batangas City’s DANGAL NG LUNGSOD AWARDS: 105 Communities, 1 Green City

Bringing environmental governance down to the barangay level, and providing them with support and incentives were keys to Batangas City’s success.

The Dangal ng Lungsod Awards is an incentive-based project for community development under the Clean and Green Program of the City Government of Batangas. The following criteria are used to judge which are the most livable communities in the City of Batangas: Greening and Beautification; Food Production (Gardening); Operation of the Material Recovery Facility (MRF); and Community Mobilization.

Monthly monitoring, evaluations, and regular feedback determine the most livable and noteworthy barangays. The winning communities take home cash incentives to fund more barangay improvement projects. Recognition plaques and citations are also awarded to barangays with exemplary features and practices.

The most valuable intangible benefits the community reaps as a result of this project are the more livable surroundings and healthier neighborhood relationships or “samahan” among the people.

With the annual Dangal ng Lungsod Awards, the lifestyle of the Batanguenos has definitely changed for the better. The project motivates each barangay to compete for the top prize and the result is a MRFs were established not only in every barangay but in every school win-win for the whole community as they gain in the City as well. environmental sustainability, community harmony, and good health.

10 Fifteen Stories Towards Success in Zero Waste Reaping the rewards of being green: A healthier and more livable community Solid Waste Management The various greening, gardening, and MRF operation • Waste segregation at source : “No Segregation- promotes a healthier lifestyle among the residents No Collection” policy is enforced by the of Batangas. Below are some of the benefits being barangay solid waste haulers. enjoyed by Batangas residents: • Banning styrofoam and regulation on the use of • Decline in respiratory diseases with the banning plastic as food / beverage containers of open burning and charcoal-making. • Operation of the barangay and / or school • Lessened collected residuals and decreased Material Recovery Facility (MRF) incidence of urban flooding due to drainage • Practice of 3Rs (Reduce / Reuse / Recycle) clogging with the prohibition of Styrofoam use • Banning the open burning of solid waste and regulation of plastic bag usage. • A significant drop in the occurrence of dengue • City-wide clean-up and coastal clean-up have fever through regular clean-ups which prevented become regular activities by the students and the accumulation of stagnant water. active barangays sectors such as the youth, the elderly and women’s group • General improvement in the quality of air and water in the city through the greening efforts and • Responsible management of swine / poultry the proper solid waste management system in all business through the installation of septic the communities. tanks. Bio-gas digester installation and the use of alternative fuel are mandated to all big • Healthier children and fitter adults through producers. backyard and roadside gardening. Natural Resources Conservation Bayanihan in action: Greening the city • Tree and mangrove planting are the most in unity common environmental activity for students. Everyone is a stakeholder and a key player in the The project has encouraged the promotion project. The barangay councils partner with academic, of environmental education in schools. In business, and religious sectors to run information the barangay level, the project has pushed campaigns. The youth, women and elderly members the concern on residents and has gained the of the barangays are the front-liners in clean-ups and massive conduct of the activity. tree planting activities. The farmers act as the garden • Banning of illegal cutting of trees and logging harvesters. The barangay health workers and the • Banning of charcoal-making women perform the task of distributing the harvests. All households and residents, under the leadership of • Banning slash and burn practice the Barangay Solid Waste Management Committee, • Banning of mining and quarrying activities are trained in proper waste disposal and other • Coastal barangays ban the practice of illegal environmental best practices. The united efforts bring fishing and illegal marine resources (corals, out the best in each barangay and ecourage everyone etc.) extraction to strive further. • Using solar power in remote barangays

Aside from recognition and throphies, winning barangays also receive financial grants from the city. Student-made crafts created out of residual wastes

MEF@15: On The Road Towards Zero Waste 11 Out of the Box, Out of Dumps: Innovative Solutions to Waste

More than 20 volunteers, which includes students and MEF members who took a day’s off from work, ensured the success of the Expo.

The first ever ZeroW aste Expo was organized by the Mother Earth Foundation on May 13-15, 2008 to recognize and celebrate community solutions to waste. This brought together leaders of local government units from all over the country to discuss local solutions to the problems of waste.

Held at the Amoranto Theater in Quezon City, the event had three components – a two-day conference, an Expo, and an awarding of model communities. The conference became a venue for local leaders to share their experiences and discuss successful waste management technologies and strategies in implementing Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste management Act, in their localities. More than 300 local government leaders from all over the country The Expo, on the other hand, became a venue to attended the conference. display alternative livelihood products as well as an exhibit of available technologies, methods, and educational materials on ESWM. An eco-tour was offered on the third day to visit the model communities of Brgy. Bagumbuhay in Quezon City and Teresa, Rizal.

One community recognized during the Expo was the Municipality of Sta. Barbara in Iloilo for being the first LGU in the country to ban plastic bags. Then newly-elected governor of Pampanga, Gov. Eddie “Among Ed” Panlilio, was Keynote Speaker at the conference.

12 Fifteen Stories Towards Success in Zero Waste 6th International Zero Waste Conference

Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn receives a certificate of Appreciation from MEF Chairman Sonia Mendoza and ZWIA Chairman Ric Anthony for hosting the conference .

The 6th Zero Waste International Conference, the first one to be held in the Philippines and in Asia, was organized by Mother Earth Foundation and the Zero Waste International Alliance. Held in November 18 to 21, 2009 at the Puerto Princesa City Coliseum, it was attended by more than 800 participants, including representatives from various local government units, schools, businesses and environmental and civil society groups.

With the theme “Zero Waste Solutions in the Face of Climate, Chemical and Financial Crises” the conference was organized in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the National Solid Waste Management Commission, and the League of Municipalities of the Philippines.

Speakers to the conference were members of Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA) from the US, UK, Australia, Italy, South Africa and India.

Sisters from the Health Care Ministry of the St. Paul de Chartres (SPC) Foreign participants had their picture taken with the cultural group who shared their best practices on hospital waste management. performed during the welcome reception.

MEF@15: On The Road To Zero Waste 13 Puerto Princesa City: Citywide ESWM Program

A member of the monitoring team inspects one purok (village) eco-shed/ MRF as part of the regular monitoring conducted by the City and MEF.

No village too far. This was the motto of MEF staff assigned in Palawan as part of Mother Earth Foundation – Puerto Princesa City Partnership on Ecological Solid Waste Management. MEF was tapped by Mayor Edward Hagedorn to assist the 66 barangays of the City in complying with the provisions of Republic Act 9003, particularly on the establishment of a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) and at-source segregation. In 2010, by the end of the 10-month project, more than 100 MRFs and more than 500 eco-sheds were established all over the city.

Barangay leaders are tasked with developing their own Solid Waste Old tires are used in composting and urban gardening. Management Plan after attending a seminar provided by MEF.

14 Fifteen Stories Towards Success in Zero Waste Women on Waste: How Women Leaders Excel in Grassroots Waste Management

They are strong. They are feisty. They are determined. And they deliver.

While some of their male counterparts complain and whine about the lack of budget and hard-headed Rural households were encouraged to build their own eco-sheds to constituents, these four women Punong Barangays store segregated waste. The barangay collects from these eco-sheds (2010) showed that it can be done. and waste are brought to the central MRF. The Woman Who Started the Trend “Susunod at susunod po ang mga tao, basta naipaintindi natin sa kanila at tayo mismo ang nangunguna.” - Emily Eleazar, Brgy. Manalo

Political Will Personified “Hindi ko na iniisip ang eleksyon. Ang iniisip ko na lang, ang tungkulin kong ipatupad ang batas.” - Zaida Sayson, Brgy. Liwanag

The top performing barangays on ESWM were awarded over One Million Madam Alternative Pesos by the City during its Earth Day Celebration. “’Hindi pwedeng sabihin mo sa tao bawal ang ganito, bawal ang ganoon, kung walang ibibigay na alternative.” - Nelia Baquiao, Brgy. Matahimik

Lady of Conviction ”Mahirap po talaga sa umpisa, pero dahil alam kong ito ang tama, hindi kami sumuko.” - Marilou Poligrates, Brgy. Maoyon

More than 200 trainings and consultations were conducted in the 66 barangays of Puerto Princesa City.

Surprises and Twists: to hire a full time collector so they would have to do Local initiatives from the barangays it themselves. But since they can only collect once a of Puerto Princesa week, smelly waste would be accumulating in every household. What’s a hanger got to do with implementing solid waste management? A lot apparently, especially for In comes the hangers Brgy. Princesa. The ESWM Program of the barangay The residents are required to wash their residual calls for residents to manage biodegradables at home wastes, hang them to dry using the hangers provided and for recyclables to be sold directly to junkshops. for free by the barangay, and only then can they be That means only residuals should be collected by the put in the garbage bag for collection by the barangay. barangay. Being a small barangay, they cannot afford Smelly and mixed waste will not be collected.

MEF@15: On The Road To Zero Waste 15 MEF and CRACMES: Sowing the Seeds of Environmental Care & Concern

To support the solid waste program of the barangay, the students made banners and slogans and paraded around the community to signal the start of the barangay’s “No Segregation, No Collection Policy”

Like any typical Filipino children, the pupils of Cong. Reynaldo A. Calalay Memorial Elementary School (CRACMES) love going to fast-food joints. Fried chicken and spaghetti top their favorites. However, when CRACMES pupils dine at these restaurants, they request for plates or food boxes and refuse styro containers. Some even bring their empty lunchboxes. Plus, they always drink from the cup; you won’t catch them using any straws.

Kids bring recyclable waste to school as part of their “Basura Mo, Teachers and students of CRACMES doing a tree planting activity. School Supplies Ko Project.” Over P15,000 worth of recyclables were collected in 6 months.

16 Fifteen Stories Towards Success in Zero Waste This consciousness about the impact on the environment can be seen in the halls of CRACMES. Popularizing Green Greeting you upon entry are rows of healthy- looking potted plants and educational posters on Mother Earth Foundation put up the Mother topics like the Materials Recovery Facility and Earth Kids Club. At least five children from every grade (grades 3-6) make up the waste segregation. A board also lists their programs club’s core members. Meeting up regularly on environmental sustainability, which includes with four school advisers and Mother water and energy conservation. By no means was Earth Foundation staff, the club hosts team educating the community done overnight; turning building sessions, tree planting and have CRACMES into an ecologically responsive school regular discussions on issues concerning was a communal effort, made possible with the the environment. After each club activity, support of the Mother Earth Foundation, students, the student members discuss what they teachers and parents. have learned to their classmates in weekly MEF Kids Club classroom sessions. An end-to-end environmental education program From the beginning, what the Mother Earth Foundation set out to do was accomplish more Some MEF Kids Club members tell us than teaching the kids to segregate. That was what they have learned: just one priority. The goal was more holistic: to make environmentally-friendly practices a part “I always unplug cellphone chargers after use and of the lifestyle of the educators, the children I remind other members of our family about this and, eventually, the community by influencing energy-saving rule, too.” - Louie the pupil’s households. Central to Mother Earth Foundation’s approach was to arm them with “During summer vacation, I make sure to maximize simple how-tos of green living through a creative natural light in our home.” - Ina approach to education. “Straws are useless. They are also harmful because Mother Earth conducted Project Learning they clog many waterways.” -Keandra Tree and Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) workshops for teachers and “I always use glass when brushing. The MEF Kids moderated discussions that tackled how to Club also taught us how harmful plastic is.” -Jennica include environmental issues in their lessons. It was not easy at first. Mr. Froilan Grate, president of Mother Earth said, “At the beginning it was challenging because integrating environmental issues and lessons into the curriculum meant more tasks for the teachers. But they gamely responded to the challenge, cooking up creative ways to do this.”

The results were encouraging: teachers like Ms. Lourdes Cabrilles put up posters like “10 Simple Things You Can Do for the Environment” and “10 Ways to Conserve Energy.” Mr. Joey Robrigado worked with homeroom and made their own garbage facility. Since 2011, the whole school has continuously pitched in on efforts to segregate and reduce waste, from the first to the last sections, from grade 1 to 6. Ms. Nancy Annie B. Dela Paz, the new principal, continued the environmental projects started by Dr. Zenaida Mallillin like regular In 2011, CRACMES was recognized as one of the cleanups and the greening program finalist to the National Search for Eco Friendly Schools.

MEF@15: On The Road To Zero Waste 17 USAID – Rotary Pasig River Improvement Project: Establishing Model Barangays in Quezon City

MEF considers the Materials Recovery Facility or MRF as the heart and soul of ecological solid waste management, like this one in Brgy. Del Monte.

Rotary International, in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development implemented the USAID – Rotary Pasig River Improvement project to help restore the Pasig River to its pristine past. Part of the project was the establishment of Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) along the To generate support for the barangay’s ESWM program, MEF con- river and its tributaries. ducts a series of trainings and consultation with various stakeholders.

To ensure the integrity of the STPs, and to address the solid waste clogging the waterways, one component of the project was to establish model barangays on solid waste management. Brgy. Del Monte and Damayan were chosen as pilot areas.

In the baseline survey conducted at the start of the Officers and representatives from USAID and Rotary attend an MRF project, 75% of the residents admitted to throwing blessing. mixed waste in the city trucks and 30% admitted to throwing kitchen waste in the river.

After a massive Information and Education Campaign, and after implementing a system of regular door –to- door segregated collection, the barangays achieved 78% waste diversion within three months.

Local elections and change in leadership, however, Twelve informal waste pickers were tapped as barangay collectors for are challenges in sustaining the gains of the project. the project.

18 Fifteen Stories Towards Success in Zero Waste Environmental Education: Project Water Education for Teachers Establishing Model Barangays in Quezon City and Project Learning Tree

Public school teachers from Quezon City are certified educators after attending a one day training program sponsored by Manila Water.

Project Learning Tree is an Founded in 1984, Project award-winning environmental WET has long-standing education program designed for experience in water teachers and other educators, resources education, parents, and community leaders working with youth a proven methodology from preschool through grade 12. and a voice through its robust worldwide network of partners. Project WET’s At PLT, the goal is to teach students how to think, not what experience has allowed it to evolve, from providing to think about complex environmental issues. Recognized awareness of water resources to empowering as a leader in environmental education for more than 35 students to take action in their communities to help years, PLT enhances critical thinking, problem solving, and solve local water-resource issues. effective decision-making skills. On a worldwide scale, Project WET helps students recognize the relationship between the availability of clean water and global stability. Project WET is active in more than 50 countries on five continents.

Project WET and PLT utilizes hands-on and whole boy activities in teaching environmental concepts.

The activities in these programs can be used not only in Science Learning about the environment can be fun, for kids and adult alike. subjects but also in music, arts, language and math.

MEF@15: On The Road To Zero Waste 19 USAID-ECO-Asia Sanitation Program: Promoting Access to Urban Water and Waste Water Services

Residents of a resettlement site in Calauan receive water containers that they can use to get drinking water from the cooperative.

When families displaced by Typhoon Ondoy arrived in Calauan, they found that their homes had no electricity nor running water. Most families drew water from shallow wells or from the nearby spring. A cooperative supported by Manila Water offers treated water for Php 2 per gallon. Most residents find this beyond their budget, and prefer to get water from the shallow wells despite the risk to their health.

Funded by USAID- ECO-Asia, MEF implemented a promotions campaign utilizing the Ten Step Promotions Toolkit to empower the members of the cooperative and improve their services, gather data on the prevalence of water-borne diseases, and develop campaign materials to create awareness among the residents on the importance of ensuring the quality of their drinking water.

The Clean Water Act mandates the desludging of septic tanks every five years, and water concessionaires in Metro Manila are tasked to offer this service to its customers. However, many are not aware or have chosen not to avail of this desludging service.

MEF supported Manila Water in developing a promotions campaign using the Ten Step promotions Toolkit to encourage greater participation in this program. Residents report high incidence of water-borne diseases.

20 Fifteen Stories Towards Success in Zero Waste The Senate MRF: Promoting Access to Urban Water From Legislation to Action and Waste Water Services

The Senate was able to achieve 75% waste diversion thru its “No Segregation, No Collection” Policy and the establishment of an MRF.

In 2009, four trucks of waste were collected from the Senate every month. Aside from selling a few recyclables, all of the non-recyclables and most of the biodegradables are collected and thrown in the landfill. Total income from When Senator Pia Cayetano tapped MEF to sale of recyclables implement an ecological solid waste management program for the Senate, a “No segregation, No Year Pesos collection” policy was implemented. The transfer station that was used to store mixed waste was turned 2009 43,801.00 into a fully functioning Materials Recovery Facility. 2010 62,316.00 After 6 months, only 2 trucks came to collect the waste and this year, the MRF was only producing one 2011 92,268.75 truck of waste per month. The Senate’s decision to use 2012 90,156.00 reusable glasses and utensils during events and public hearings contributed to this. This figure is expected 2013 76,429.00 to further go down with Sen. Loren Legarda’s plan to Jan - Sept implement a “Plastic Bag Free Senate”.

The façade of the Senate MRF. Senate personnel and staff from the office of each senator attend MEF’s ESWM training

MEF@15: On The Road To Zero Waste 21 Beyond infrastructure: Equipping the barangays with a sense of ownership

MEF’s PHUMP III project concluded with an awarding ceremony for the best barangay, among the more than 20 recognitions given. The Pinatubo Hazard Urgent Mitigation Project (PHUMP), a Japanese loan project between the governments of Japan and the Philippines, was launched in 1996 to help mitigate the flooding situation in the Pampanga region. In 2012, PHUMP concluded its third and final phase with a soft component aiming to promote the longevity of the infrastructures and flood control measures built in the first two phases by training the community how to better preserve and protect their environment.

The eruption of Mt. Pinatubo When Mount Pinatubo erupted in 1991, the huge amounts of sand and sediment deposited in the Pampanga River made the low-lying parts of the region even more vulnerable to flooding. Making matters worse were years of continuous watershed degradation and river pollution by the surrounding communities. The PHUMP team realized that unless the community that directly benefits from the built bridges and improved roads consciously sought to put an end to river and waterway pollution, the structural improvements will never Regular consultation with barangay officials was crucial in developing a solid be sustainable and problems regarding waste program that is appropriate and responsive to the needs and resources of flooding will persist. the community.

22 Fifteen Stories Towards Success in Zero Waste Equipping the barangays with care for their infrastructure Tapping Mother Earth Foundation, PHUMP chose 15 barangays crucial to the ecological health of the Pampanga River to be trained. San Jose, San Fernando (SF); San Felipe, SF; Sta. Lucia, SF; Del Pilar, SF; San Juan Nepo, Guagua; Bancal, Guagua; San Agustin, Guagua; San Rafael, Guagua; San Nicolas 1st, Lubao; San Jose Gumi, Lubao; Sta. Lucia, Sasmuan; Sta. Monica, Sasmuan; San Matias, Sto. Tomas; Sto. Rosario Pao, Sto. Tomas; and San Utilizing locally available materials, this MRF in Brgy. Sta. Lucia, Jose Matulid, Mexico were all selected for a strict Sasmuan, is an example of MEF’s local, low cost solutions to waste. ESWM compliance.

“Really, the involvement of the people in the infrastructure is crucial. They should be aware of how to take care of the rivers (and the bridges). Hopefully that’s what we’re trying to build in them: ownership so that they will take care of it, guard it, so it will last longer.” To ensure continued implementation, regular monitoring and - PHUMP consultant inspection were conducted by MEF and PHUMP III team, as with this visit to Brgy. San Juan Nepomuceno, Guagua, awarded the best Daisy Novales-Morales Materials recovery Facility.

From October 2011 to 2012, the Mother Earth Foundation worked with the 15 barangays, their barangay council and their residents. Each community was guided on drafting barangay ordinances that supports the implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. Households were also trained how to properly manage wastes with a better segregation system. Furthermore, the community was equipped with the skills and knowhow of building and maintaining a Materials Recovery Facility to reduce the waste significantly. A Waste Assessment and Characterization Survey was done to ensure that the Barangay’s Solid Waste Management Plan will be able to The end result shows communities with a renewed address both the type and volume of waste generated in the barangay. sense of bayanihan- barangays that implemented ESWM in unity, barangays that sought to make While ESWM training is considered a “soft” part space for an MRF even amidst property constraints. of project implementation, the human factors that Some of the more immediate payoffs included impact the built structures is nonetheless crucial. clearer waters in the occasion of flooding, lessened Training the community the hows of solid waste theft of wood used to build bridges, and a drop in the management and why the river is no place for dump incidence of river pollution. ensures that whatever was built lasts a long time.

MEF@15: On The Road To Zero Waste 23 Zero Waste Youth Festival: Popularizing Zero Waste

More than 200 youth leaders and participants from the environment Zero Waste Youth Declaration sector attended the Zero Waste Youth Conference as part of the first ever Zero Waste Youth Festival with the theme We, the youth leaders from the Philippines call for policy Zero Waste: Like. Follow. Share. makers and decision makers from the government, private sectors, and civil society to: With the goal of popularizing Zero Waste and in engaging the youth, MEF organized the first ever ZeroW aste Festival in the Ensure integration of environmental education in the country. The Festival opened thru a conference co-organized school curriculum and work towards institutionalizing the same with the National Movement of Young Legislators (NMYL). It in both private and public schools. Promote timely, accurate and comprehensive environmental education covering a wide was followed by a series of forums held in four cities (Manila, array of topics and issues. Quezon City, San Fernando and Angeles City) that was attended by more than 5000 students and SK officials, and Utilize and maximize the role of social me-dia in was capped by a concert held at Marquee Mall in Angeles informing and educating the youth on relevant issues such as City. The highlight of the festival was the Zero Waste Youth climate change, zero waste and waste-to-energy technologies. Declaration which calls for the celebration of July as the Zero Push for policy reforms and lobby for relevant laws that Waste Month in the Philippines. will protect, conserve and preserve the environment. Provide opportunities for the young peo-ple to be full partners in the policy dialogue, monitoring and evaluation, and decision-making processes.

Ensure full implementation of Republic Act 9003 both in an official and individual capacity. Start by practicing waste segregation at home and encouraging family members and friends to do the same. Walk the talk and lead by example in any setting, whether at home, office, church, business establishment or any other institution.

Say no to dumping and burning. Uphold the people’s right to clean air and good health and strongly reject any proposal MEF signs a Memorandum of Agreement with the National Movement of or scheme using incineration or burying of residual waste, Young Legislators (NMYL) for the promotion of Zero Waste. including those in the guise of waste-to-energy technologies.

Establish linkages and form youth groups that are working Declare and celebrate Zero Waste Day. We urge local government together toward a common and shared vision of a sustainable units and the national government to officially adopt and declare July future. Demonstrate crucial leadership and meaningful youth as the Zero Waste Month and every July 10 as the National Day of participation in the fight against environmental degradation Remembrance for the Payatas tragedy that paved the way for the passing and in addressing climate change. of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. Set Zero Waste Target. We call on local government units and the national government to officially adopt a Zero Waste Approved and signed this 20th day of September 20, 2012, on the target by 2020. As a short term gosl, LGUs should aim for occasion of the Zero Waste Youth Conference, Intramuros, Manila, 100% recovery of recyclable and organic wastes by 2015. Philippines.

24 Fifteen Stories Towards Success in Zero Waste Brgy. Fort Bonifacio, Taguig

At source waste segregation can only be implemented through a decentralized door-to-door collection implemented and managed by the barangay. In Fort Bonifacio, 17 informal waste pickers were tapped as Barangay Eco-Aides whose duty was to collect segregated waste. Mixed waste are strictly not accepted.

A single step can produce an echo loud enough for a hundred villages to hear. Or, in the case of Brgy. Fort Bonifacio, to spark a change in all the barangays in Taguig and its hundreds and thousands of residents.

When then Barangay Chairman (and now Congressman) Lino Cayetano took up the challenge of transforming Brgy. Fort Bonifacio, he had two things in mind- the first was to turn the growing commercial hub into a model LGU for Ecological Solid Waste Management. The second was to offer a solution to a perennial problem of having a “transfer station” that transforms into an open dump site. By early evening, this dump site occupies two lanes of the four lane Pasong Tamo Extension.

Cong. Lino Cayetano (then Barangay Chair) signed a Memorandum of Agreement Tapping Mother Earth Foundation as a with MEF to implement an ESWM program for the barangay, including plan and partner in the project, households were ordinance development, Information and Education Campaign, MRF construction, trained to unlearn old habits of waste and livelihood training. disposal and adapt a waste segregation system where, as one resident puts it, “hindi na mukhang basura ang mga basura.” Complementing segregation was the low-tech and low-cost MEF@15: On The Road To Zero Waste 25 approach of daily garbage collection via barangay Before collectors and their tri-bikes. By maximizing the Materials Recovery Facility and with the help of the Community Organizers and Solid Waste Liaison Officers, the community soon had a working system for managing solid waste - kitchen wastes are funneled to a vendor for kanin baboy, the rest of the compostables are channeled to the compost pits; recyclables are stored in the storage space and then sold to junk shops, and only the residuals are collected by the city.

Aside from being a functional system, one big success After of the project was the Materials Recovery Facility. Once an abandoned space along Pasong Tamo Extension, the lot was full of garbage and had been a site for various petty crimes. Today, it proudly houses the community MRF and has been transformed into a mini eco-park with foliage, gardening, and an eco-store.

Before

To further decrease the volume of waste being collected by the City from the MRF, livelihood trainings were provided to the MRF personnel and barangay residents utilizing residual waste to create useable products.

After

Due to the success of its ESWM Program, Fort Bonifacio has become a famous Lakbay Aral site for other LGUs interested to implement their own ESWM program. Here, barangay officials from San Fernando City, Pampanga observed how Fort Bonifacio was able to implement at-source segregation.

26 About Mother Earth Foundation ONE year achievement: • 100% of the households are now covered by regular door-to-door collection, with 95% of residents complying with the at-source segregation policy within the first six months of the project • On the average, 80% of the waste collected is diverted through composting and recycling at the Barangay’s Materials Recovery Facility. Windrow composting and earthworms (African Night Crawlers) are used in the barangay composting center. From just four worms, they Only 20% has to be picked up by the city grew to more than a hundred in two months. Now, the MRF produces garbage trucks. enough to share with other LGUs. • Waste diversion rate for the whole community, including household composting and direct sales of recyclables by the residents, reached as high as 92%. • Use of garbage trucks dropped from 4 trips per day to 1 trip daily, leading to a savings of at least Php 15,000 on a daily basis from hauling and tipping fees. • From the savings, 23 residents were employed by the barangay as official Community Organizers, Solid Waste Liaison Officers and Barangay Collectors. The Barangay waste collectors, most of whom Aside from selling the compost they produce, the MRF also uses • them to grow plants for sale. Ornamental plants and herbs provide earned Php 50 per day as informal waste additional income for the MRF. collectors before the project started, now earn a minimum monthly salary of Php 8,000 plus all the proceeds from the sale of recyclables divided among themselves. • The Barangay MRF processes and composts around 300 tons of compostable waste per month, using ZERO fossil energy input. Local and low cost methods and materials are utilized like windrow composting, tower tire composting and vermiculture.

To ensure success of the project, a house-to-house education Residual wastes are stored in color coded sacks to monitor campaign was initiated with the help of MEF trained community compliance with waste segregation. Residual waste are collected by organizers and volunteer NSTP students from UP Manila. City Trucks at the end of the day.

MEF@15: On The Road To Zero Waste 27 Plastic Free Philippines: From Muntinlupa to Manila

Mother Earth Foundation, together with the other members of Task Force Plastic of the EcoWaste Coalition, celebrate with the councilors of Manila upon their approval of the City Ordinance banning plastic bags.

Plastic bags represent a major challenge in LGUs that have banned or ecological waste management. In recent Waste regulated plastic bags: Audits conducted by Mother Earth Foundation, Metro Manila: Other Cities: plastic waste can go as high 17% of the total Caloocan Antipolo waste generated in a particular community. Las Pinas Bacolod Local government spend thousands of pesos of Makati Batangas Mandaluyong Cabanatuan public funds in hauling cost and tipping fees. Manila Calapan Marikina Davao Plastic bags are made from polyethylene, which comes Muntinlupa Dumaguete from petroleum, a non-renewable resource. They are Pasay Legaspi ubiquitous. Between 500 billion and a trillion plastic Pasig Lipa bags are consumed world wide each year. However, Quezon Tagaytay less than 1% are recycled because it costs more to Municipalities: recycle a bag than to produce a new one. Binan, Calamba, Calauan, Los Banos, Paete, As such, the banning of plastic bags is one of MEF’s Kalayaan, Luisiana and Sta. Cruz in Laguna, Lucban core advocacies. Aside from working with our partner and Infanta in Quezon, Trese Martires, San Juan in LGUs, MEF also works with other NGOs, through Batangas, Imus and Carmona in Cavite, Sta. Barbara, our membership in the Task Force Plastics of the Iloilo; Odiongan, Romblon; and Burgos, Pangasinan EcoWaste Coalition, in pushing for a national law Provinces on banning plastic bags and in promoting the use of Albay, Bulacan, and Nueva Ecija reusable bags.

Members and volunteers of MEF joins the 2011 International Personnel from the Department of Environment of Makati City Plastic Bag Free Day. inspects compliance to its plastic bag ban.

28 Fifteen Stories Towards Success in Zero Waste Leading the way: Angeles City’s Zero Waste City Hall

Mayor EdPam, the City Council and the 35 barangays of Angeles signed an MOA with MEF on ecological solid waste management.

With the goal of providing leadership and at the same time show that it can be done, Mayor Ed Pamintuan of Angeles City tapped MEF to assist the City in implementing a Zero Waste City Hall Project. Aside from implementing waste segregation in the offices within CityH all, the project aims to make city employees models at home and in their own communities. Also as a test run for a city-wide implementation of a plastic regulation ordinance, the City implemented a strict prohibition on the use of plastic bags and polystyrene with the City Hall compound.

A series of seminars were conducted for all City Hall employees. Coco coir making as part of City Hall personnel’s lakbay aral in Las Pinas.

MEF@15: On The Road To Zero Waste 29 City of San Fernando, Pampanga: Working Towards Zero Waste

Model barangays were recognized during the Zero Waste Month celebration of the City. The City also received recognition from the National Solid Waste Management Commission for being the first city to establish an MRF for all of its barangays.

San Fernando City in Pampanga is the Innovative Components of CSFP’s ESWM Program embodiment of the saying “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” Fernandino Food Bank Based on the hierarchy of the 3Rs and the Best Use Decentralization was key strategy to the City’s of Resource Principle, CSFP has initiated a voluntary ecological solid waste management program. The program of matching edible food from restaurants City fostered an environment that supported and and supermarkets to groups conducting feeding encouraged each community to address their waste programs. problem. This resulted in model barangays, model schools and model businesses on ecological solid FESAP waste management. To further encourage recycling among the youth, the Fernandino Eco Savers Program awards points Section 32 of Republic Act 9003 mandates the for every kilo of recyclable waste brought to school. establishment of a Materials Recovery Facility in Points can be used to redeem school supplies at the every barangay but San Fernando went beyond that end of the school year. with more than 50 MRFs in its 35 barangays. Soon, there will be an MRF not only for every barangay, but Used Tire Exchange also for every private subdivision and every school in To discourage the hazardous recovery of metals the City. from used tires and to further reduce the volume of residual waste, the Used Tire Exchange enables Together with the City’s other innovative programs, MRFs to ask for used tires to be used in composting the involvement of various stakeholders will ensure (tower tires), fencing and beautification. the continued success of the program.

San Fernando Waste Workers Fernandino YES-O Network Association With the postponement of the Sanguniang Kabataan Waste workers from the 35 barangays in the City election, the YES-O leaders from each school in the are organized into a cooperative. The president of City were organized into a YES-O Network to ensure the coop sits as member of the City Solid Waste representation to the CSWMB and participation in the Management Board (CSWMB) City’s ESWM Program of the youth sector

30 Fifteen Stories Towards Success in Zero Waste Secrets behind the success of San Fernando’s ESWM Program

LEADERSHIP AND POLITICAL WILL Barangay based ESWM programs would succeed if fully supported by the city.

Then Mayor Oscar Rodriguez signing an agreement with MEF for the citywide Students join in a parade as part of San implementation of RA 9003 Fernando’s Zero Waste Month celebration.

CONTINUITY OF PROGRAMS ESWM programs usually backslide after an election, especially if there is a change in administration. The new mayor of San Fernando not only continued but also strengthened the City’s ESWM program.

Mayor Edwin Santiago during a tree planting activity. He pledged to plant 10,000 trees in his first 100 days in office.

ACTIVE SOLID WASTE BOARD San Fernando City has one of the most active and complete Solid Waste More than 50,000 volunteers participated in Management Boards in the country. San Fernando’s citywide cleanup, one of the activities in celebration of the Zero Waste Aside from government and industry Month. representatives, sectoral representatives are also active in the CSWMB.

AN MRF FOR EVERY INCENTIVE & FINANCIAL SUPPORT COMMUNITY Limited budget is a common complaint among barangay officials when tasked with implementing RA 9003.

CSFP gave P150,000 in financial assistance for each barangay who wanted to establish an MRF. More than 200 tri-bikes and pushcarts were also distributed.

INSTITUTIONALIZED CENRO Having a dedicated City Environment and Natural Resources Office helped CSFP to focus on the implementation of RA 9003. San Fernando City was recognized as the first city to comply with The dedicated staff of CSFP-CENRO Section 32 of Republic Act 9003 with MEF staff after the awarding which mandates the establishment ceremony in celebration of the Zero Waste Month of 2013 of a Materials Recovery facility in every barangay. There are DECENTRALIZATION currently more than 50 MRFs in Only in a decentralized collection system can the the city, one for every barangay. “no segregation, no collection” policy be strictly The City hopes to establish 100 by implemented. December 2013, with every school By utilizing pushcarts and tribikes instead of and every subdivision operating dump trucks, barangays are able to save on fuel their own MRFs. and assure its residents of regular collection.

MEF@15: On The Road To Zero Waste 31 The Masked Waste Collector Sum of the Parts: of Brgy. Maimpis A man in a mask dutifully accompanied MEF trainers Model Communities of San Fernando around Brgy. Maimpis during phase one of the implementation of ESWM. Like the health workers, Brgy. Alasas: Promoting purok leaders, and waste collectors, he knocked from a zero-waste mindset one house to another in the early morning and under among community micro- the hot sun, soliciting segregated waste, checking entrepreneurs segregation in households, and giving homemakers Complementing the Ecological Solid Waste tips by telling them what they did right and what they Management Act (RA 9003) was the plastic ban missed, handling garbage if necessary to demonstrate implemented by the local barangay council of Alasas where their right containers are. Homemakers later on headed by Hon. Alvin Mendoza. This prohibits sari-sari realize that the man teaching them how to segregate stores and local talipapa sellers to use the 3S-- sando correctly is Barangay Chairman Romeo S. Dizon. bags, straws, and styrofoam packaging. Through discussions on the impracticality of the 3S in terms of Hon. Dizon admits reluctance to implement RA 9003 at cost and environmental sustainability and the gains of first, but recalls thinking, “Bakit hindi subukan? Hindi zero waste trade against pollution and flooding, the naman mahirap subukan at gawin. Kung magagawa barangay council was able to rally community support. natin, meron naman akong nakikitang magandang kalalabasan, (Why not give it a try? It’s not very hard to try and execute. If we become successful, I think it will be beneficial).” Brgy. Sta. Lucia, San Fernando City: How project Two weeks after the segregation scheme in Brgy. documentation leads to Maimpis started, the original amount of garbage successful implementation being collected from houses dropped to 20%. This When Brgy. Sta. Lucia was awarded “Best Enforcement led to savings in garbage truck rentals and funds of ESWM”, key to their success was the meticulous were reallocated to hire waste collectors. When documentation of their Barangay Secretary (name?), the barangay introduced the pushcart collection, the whose involvement in ESWM implementation went waste being collected went further down to 10%, beyond simple record-keeping. She was involved in with the previous wastes generated recycled or every aspect of the project, capturing data such as details composted at the household level. of key events and narration of waste management violators and relevant actions taken by officials and Thankful that he decided to take the necessary steps residents. Documented in words and in photographs and towards ESWM, Hon. Dizon says, “Kung walang properly filed, Brgy. Sta. Lucia’s ESWM documentation political will, walang ordinansa. Sa isang ordinansa, assisted barangay officials in tracking the project’s may lima sa isangdaan ang tatamaan. The rest of the ongoing successes and challenges majority, magugustuhan yun (Without political will, there can be no ordinance implemented. In enforcing an ordinance, 1 out of 100 will resist. The rest of the majority will agree).”

No more dengue Mrs. R. Miranda, wife/ mother/ resident of Brgy. Malpitic shared that the most welcome effect of the improved waste collection is the reduced threat of dengue. Dengue used to be a major problem in their district, but since the strict implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003), the occurrence of MRFs were established not only in every barangay but in private subdivisions as well. This Eco-Shed of St. Jude Village was a this deadly disease has significantly dropped. partnership between the homeowners association and Barangay San Agustin.

32 Fifteen Stories Towards Success in Zero Waste Sum of the Parts: Always one step ahead: Zero waste best practices from Model Communities of San Fernando PCE Soap Manufacturing:

The Benedictine Canteen in St. 1. “Save Energy: this means you!” is posted beside every Scholastica (San Fernando City) power switch. A picture of a faucet leaking with a big X “What makes you a Benedictine school?” was a stands for the company’s “conserve water” campaign. question Sr. D. Q. Singian of St. Scholastica’s Academy 2. In the canteen, a cook serves home-cooked meals on in San Fernando, Pampanga never forgot. When she each employee’s own designated plate, glass, and took on the role as the school’s Canteen Manager, she utensils. applied this question to her task-- how can the virtues of 3. Plastic containers and amber bottles used by their St. Benedict be applied in a student canteen? suppliers are returned for re-use. Other recyclable materials are sold to junk shops with funds With 82 tables inside that can each accommodate generated used for their yearly employee party. about 10 students and more tables outside, the canteen used to be very chaotic and the maintenance staff were overworked. Taking inspiration from the Benedictine virtues, she told herself, “I’m in charge of managing the waste of the canteen. I would go for Pampanga’s Best: The story of ecological recovery, cleanliness, proper segregation the much-loved Tocino of waste, reusing and recycling.” At the end of one market day more than 40 years ago, a It wasn’t easy at first. “Para akong guardiya sibil. meat vendor approached Mrs. Lolita O. Hizon with some of Para kang pulis directing traffic- how to segregate, his unsold pork. Not wanting to let these spoil, Mrs. Hizon what to do with the leftovers, etc. (I was like a guard. came up with a formula to cure the pork meat by revising It seemed as if I was a policewoman directing traffic the traditional Capampangan pindang (fermented pork). pointing out how to segregate, what to do with the This lent unique salty-sweet taste to the meat. News of leftovers, etc.).” she said. how delicious it was and how long it kept soon spread in their community. Today, the changes are admirable. The Scholastican canteen greets its visitors with a “Hearty Welcome This cured pork became the tocino. What started out as to Our Litter-Free Canteen”. It has become more a neighborly gesture and an ingenious way to prevent pleasant with potted plants and creative signs. The food wastage has become the cornerstone of a staple use of plastic and boxes have been reduced. Most item on the Filipino breakfast table and the Pampanga’s astounding, however, are the changes in the students- Best food empire. they no longer just leave the dirty plates and utensils on the table. After a meal, each pupil stands up, goes to the designated leftover area to properly separate solid and liquid leftovers and put the dishes in the bins allotted for each vendor.

Model Homeowners Associations of San Fernando: Coneland Subdivision St. Jude Village Villa Barosa 1 Subdivision Waste Assessment and Characterization Survey (WACS) in Brgy. Villa Franda Subdivision San Agustin was useful in the drafting of the Barangay Solid Waste Management Plan and the City’s Ten Year Solid Waste Pilar Village Management Plan.

MEF@15: On The Road To Zero Waste 33 Mother Earth Foundation’s

Mother Earth Foundation introduces individuals who have championed the cause of Zero Waste in their own communities. These individuals are ordinary citizens like you and me, making the most out of their own resources to promote Earth-friendly activities, reduce the careless use of resources, and generate zero waste for a future that is pollution-free, inclusive, and sustainable. These individuals may not be as popular as your favorite actors, but we believe they can contribute in their own simple way. Do you know of anyone who could be part of our Zero Waste Ambassadors? Let us know!

Crucial in any projects are devoted employees who will be relentless in ensuring that it gets a proper follow through and is actually implemented. As part of City Enviroinment and Natural Resources Office of San Fernando City, Ms. Rodriguez is the point person in the project to convert the City Transfer Station of the City into an eco-park complete with a materials recovery facility Regina Rodriguez (MRF), biogas facility, large-scale composting center, training CENRO Staff center and a mini-forest. San Fernando, Pampanga

Describing why the project is important for her, she says “The eco-park will enhance the environmental protection of San Fernando City and maintain ecological balance through the proper disposal of residual wastes, as well as storage of toxic materials and low-value recyclables. Also, possible contamination of the environment and hazards to public health or safety will be avoided.” Another project Ms. Rodriguez is focusing on is promoting bio gas in San Fernando. The bio gas project processes organic waste from the two public markets into clean and renewable energy. This proposed development will enable the City to achieve more than 50% waste diversion and earn additional income in the process.

Ate Dina found herself with a new vice when she joined the project to implement the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act in Brgy. Fort Bonifacio. She shares that prior to joining, most of her time went to playing bingo or staying at home. Days passed her by without any agenda to check off any to-do list. And then, a barangay kagawad told her that Taguig is looking for residents to Dina Catapang join the project implementation that will clean up the barangay Community Organizer and MRF Supervisor Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City and help residents practice proper waste segregation.

34 Zero Waste Ambassadors Adults have a thing or two to learn from Teacher Lourdes’ pupils- they use permanent containers to pack lunch, refuse styros and straws from fastfood restaurants, and, since Teacher Lourdes has emphasized to them that each school supply is equal to an environmental resource, they are conscientious with their usage. Two sides of the pad paper are used and things like scissors Ms. Lourdes Cabrilles and pencils are taken care of, leading to less waste for their Model Teacher classroom and more savings for their parents. Cong. Reynaldo A. Calalay Memorial Elementary School

Hailed as Model Teacher for the Environment by the Mother Earth Foundation in 2012, Teacher Lourdes emphasizes that the secret in her effectiveness in teaching kids as young as 9 years old to care for the environment is walking the talk. “They need to see you do it, too. So, I’m very careful with my choices- I always bring green bags wherever I go and my co-faculty and I remind each other when we eat out to not use styros or straws. I’m conscious of the impact little actions create.”

Sir Jerome’s varied interests can be seen in the different subjects he teaches, such as World History, Asian Geography, Life and Works of Jose Rizal, and National Service Training Program (NSTP). Through his NSTP class, he sows environmental awareness among college students by teaching them about the harmfulness of little acts like using Jerome Ong straws, educating them about the perils of poor solid waste Professor University of the Philippines-Manila disposal, and encouraging them to practice zero waste.

Together with the Mother Earth Foundation, Sir Jerome leads his many NSTP students to do their share in taking care of the environment. As important as what they learn from Sir Jerome inside the classroom are their community-based activities outside. To encourage a spirit of volunteerism among students, Sir Jerome and his students have done house-to-house visits in Quezon City and Taguig areas to help inform residents about the importance of proper waste disposal and have taken part in the annual Manila Bay Coastal Clean-up Drive.

Eyes shining, she shares how much she started enjoying the company of other waste workers from Taguig and the coordinators from Mother Earth Foundation. While she was uneasy about handling garbage at first, she eventually learned and began to understand the importance of proper waste management. Her commitment to the building and maintenance of the Materials Recovery Facility was crucial. When needed, Ate Dina, together with her son, did not hesitate to stay overnight at the site to finish cleaning it or to paint a wall. We heard most of her bingo mates probably miss her, because until today, Ate Dina still devotes most of her time at the MRF.

MEF@15: On The Road To Zero Waste 35 Sonia Mendoza The People Behind MEF Chairman

Ms. Mendoza is the current Chairman and one of the founding members of Mother Earth Foundation. She was a former NGO Commissioner in the National Solid Waste Management Commission of the Philippines. Her membership spans across the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), the planning group of Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA), Philippine Network on Climate Change, the Philippine Green Building Council (as Founding Member) and Philippine Columbian Association.

Diana Barcelona MEF Board of Trustees and Staff with Founding Chairman Tes Choa during the 2012 Annual Treasurer Planning in Baguio City. Ms. Barcelona is a Trustee and the Treasurer of Mother Earth Foundation. A Business Administration graduate of the University of the Philippines, Ms. Barcelona had organized and financed several business establishments engaged in, among others, garment manufacturing, export of embroidered linens, real estate development, trading and marketing. Ms. Barcelona is also a Director and Incorporator of Consumers’ Rights for Safe Food. Mother Earth Foundation’s Board of Trustees MEF 2012 Staff L to R: Rap Villavicencio, Mercy Sumilang, Zen Borlongan, Froilan Grate, Grace David, and Rox Nicolas. Tootsie Vicente-Moreno Trustee

Tootsie Moreno Vicente has been a volunteer for the environment since 1996. She is an alumna of Maryknoll (Miriam) College and the University of the Philippines, and after retiring from The Candy Lion Philippines as Marketing Manager, she volunteered for Eco-spirituality workshops and other environmental activities with the Environmental Studies Institute of Miriam College. She joined Mother Earth foundation in 2009 and also sits on the board of Consumer Rights for Safe Food.

MEF Staff with the San Fernando CENRO Staff

36 About Mother Earth Foundation Froilan Grate Estelita “Baby” Reyes Arlen Ancheta President Vice President, External Vice President, Internal

An environmental educator and volunteer Ms. Reyes is the Vice-President for Dr. Ancheta is a Trustee of Mother Earth at heart, Mr. Grate first joined MEF as its Internal Affairs and a founding member of Foundation and is the organization’s Coordinator in 2006, after which he was Mother Earth Foundation. She has been a Secretary. She has a Ph. D. in elected as Vice President in 2007. Prior to trainer of Ecological Waste Management Environmental Science at the University joining MEF, he was the Program Director since 1998. She headed the Ecology of the Philippines and her area of of the Center for Environment Awareness Ministry of San Pedro Bautista Parish specialization is Social Theory and the and Education where he was first exposed and Talayan Chapel Council in Quezon Environment. A university professor, she to the transformative power of education, City in 2005 and thereafter became is currently Chairperson of the Humanities especially as a tool in making people act Consultant of its Ecology Ministry & Department, Faculty of Arts and Letters at positively towards the resolution of various Social Services’ Livelihood Program in the University of Sto. Tomas. Dr. Ancheta environmental issues. He is also the Chairman 2007. A retired interior designer, Ms. was granted a FAPE (Funds for Assistance of Add Up! Volunteers, a group he founded in Reyes is also owner/director of several to Private Education) scholarship for both 2003 with the goal of engaging the youth in family businesses. her masteral and doctoral degrees. active nation building.

Junie Quilatan Secretary

Through MEF Ms. Quilatan dis- covered her niche in environmental education. The advocacy on hands- on stewardship trained her to give talks to schools and other local communities. She presently pursues her Ph.D. in Environmental Education in Miriam College. A professor in theology at the University of Santo Tomas she integrates environmental principles in her lessons. Ms. Quilatan loves nature tripping and cycling as part of her advocacy in promoting clean air and care of Mother Earth Foundation’s Board of Trustees Mother Earth.

Molly Kraut Atty. Alonzo Ancheta Teresita Choa Trustee Trustee Founding Chairman

Ms. Molly Kraut is a businesswoman and an Atty. Ancheta is a Trustee and the Legal Ms. Choa is an environmental lobbyist, environmental advocate. Her love for travel Counsel of Mother Earth Foundation. lecturer editor and workshop facilitator. has inspired her to do her share in preserving He is Co-Founding Partner and Senior She is a former Director of the Concerned Mother Earth. When she is not busy with Consultant of the Quasha, Ancheta, Peña Citizens Agonists pollution (COCAP). She MEF, she indulge in her passion of playing & Nolasco Law Offices and currently the was also Governor of the Soroptimist tennis. She is also a member of the Philippine President of Zobella & Co. He specializes International Philippines Region and Columbian Association. on Intellectual Property Law and President of the of the Soroptimist Commercial/Corporate Law. He is also a International of the Americas. She Member of the Board of Trustees and the has held key positions in the World Corporate Secretary of St. Lukes Medical Association of Girl Guides and was the Center. Atty. Ancheta graduated with the past National President of the Girl Scouts degree of Bachelor of Arts (magna cum of the Philippines. laude) and Bachelor of Laws (cum laude) from the University of Manila.

MEF@15: On The Road To Zero Waste 37 MEF@15: In Photos

Plastic ban monitoring, Muntinlupa City Ugu for Mother Earth, Tiaong, Quezon Meeting with Bishop David, Angeles City

General Assembly 2011 8th ZWIA, California, USA

MEF Kids Club members Plastic Free campaign, Quezon City Environmental awareness for Museo Pambata kids

2009 Board of Trustees with SC Justice Presbitero Velasco GAIA Organics Tour, Bangladesh and India Meeting with Bishop David, Angeles City ESWM Training, Albuquerque, Romblon Training for JCI Angeles

ESWM Training, Siargao, Surigao Christmas Party 2008 Environmental Awareness seminar for kids

Environmental awareness for Museo Pambata kids NMYL Convention, Cebu City With USAID and Rotary representatives

Manila Bay Waste Audit FEU NSTP Sessions MEF 2008 Planning, Tagaytay MEF 2012 Planning, Baguio City 2011 General Assembly, Pasay City MEF 2011 Planning, Tagaytay City

Training for SK Officials, Romblon ESWM Training for Senate employees

Eco-tour, Las Pinas City With DENR Sec. Paje, San Francisco, CA DENR awarding, Quezon City

ESWM Training for Romblon Vice Mayors League Paris Zero Waste Conference 2004 MEF 2011 Planning, Tagaytay City International Plastic Bag Free Day ESWM Training for PPA

Ugo for Mother Earth 2012 Trainer’s Training, Quezon City Environment Youth Summit, Quezon City

DENR awarding, Quezon City With US Ambassador Harry Thomas GAIA Regional Meeting, Bangkok, Thailand

Batangas City Earth Day 2010 celebration MEF Board with Miss Earth winners With Mayor Ed Hagedorn Mother Earth Foundation, A brief history ME (For Love of Mother Earth) Foundation, Inc. also known then as Mother Earth Unlimited (MEU), was founded as a non-stock, non-profit association in September1998 by a group of environmentalists. It was registered at the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 9, 1998.

The Board of Trustees were: Teresita Choa, Chairman, Raul Contreras, President, Len Berroya, Vice Chairman, Chito Bertol, Vice President, JM Rebueno, Vice President, Atty. Mimi Sison, Corporate Secretary, Becky de los Reyes, Corresponding Secretary, Sonia Mendoza, Treasurer, Baby Reyes, Assistant Treasurer, Trustees Narda Camacho, Roy Alvarez, Rani San Juan, Von Hernandez and Marie Marciano.

MEU offered trainings on ecological solid waste management to interested barangays. To fund its operations, MEF organized its first Ballroom Dancing fund raising at the Club Filipino in September 1999.

In April 26, 2000, Barangay Libis, a pilot site of Mother Earth MEF’s 2004 Board of Trustees Unlimited, won the “Cleanest and Greenest Barangay” award in the category of “Depressed Areas” after only 4 construction of the Manila City College at the Mehan months of implementation of Eco-waste Management. Gardens. In August 13, 2001, Mother Earth sponsored a Also in year 2000, Barangay Talayan Eco Center was Roundtable Discussion on Medical Waste together with established by Bgy Captain Mercy Sumilang and MEU Greenpeace. Treasurer Baby Reyes. In September 2000 MEU organized its 2nd Ballroom Dancing fund raising at the Club Filipino. Barangay Escopa 2 eco-waste management and MRF was inaugurated on April 18, 2002. This was established After the Payatas Trash Slide in July 2000, Congress through the sponsorship and guidance of ME Unlimited drafted the Solid Waste Management Law. Mother Earth and the funding of the ADB Staff Community Fund. Foundation was intrumental in changing the title of the law on solid waste management from “Integrated” to In June 2002 MEU President Sonia Mendoza attended a “Ecological”. MEF lobbied the late Senator Raul Roco 3-week Zero Waste Fellowship at the Berkeley Ecology and he made an omnibus amendment to the law to put Center. In September 2003 MEU held its third Ballroom the word “ecological” before the words “solid waste” Dancing fund raising at the Camp Aguinaldo Officers in the law. Club. A fourth Ballroom Dancing fund raising was held on September 2004 at the same venue. Republic Act 9003 was signed into law by President Gloria Macapagal in January 2001. MEF Director Sonia Together with the EcoWaste Coalition, MEF initiated the S. Mendoza was appointed by President Macapagal Waste-Free SEAGames in Metro Manila, Cebu, Bacolod, as the NGO Commissioner to the National Solid Waste Subic on Nov 27 – Dec 5, 2005. Management Commission in September 2001 for a 3 year term. She served up to 2005. In 2006, MEF facilitated the Provincial Government of Northern Samar’s declaration of zero waste management In June 5, 2001, Mother Earth together with the Heritage (ZWM) as its framework and long term goal for the province Conservation Society, launched a Green People Power thus becoming the first province to have a province wide campaign to gather one million signatures protesting the Zero Waste Management Plan.

42 About Mother Earth Foundation Huwag Ano ang dapat Magkompost na makita sa MRF? Magsunog! 1. Eco Shed for Recyclables Dito iniipon ang mga malinis at nakahiwalay Bakit kailangang magkompost? Ang Ang insinerasyon na recyclables bago ibenta sa mga junk pagko-kompost ay nakakatulong o pagsusunog ng shops. para magkaroon ng matabang lupa, magkakahalong basura ay mas matabang pananim, maayos na nagdudulot ng polusyon sa 2. Compost Pit Dito pwedeng i-kompost ang mga nabubulok na kalusugan at kapaligiran, at dagdag na hangin, tubig at lupa, gawa ng basura. Maaari ring gumamit ng ibang paraan kita. mga lason na ibinubuga nito at ng pagkokompost tulad ng vermicompost mga toxic residues o mga abo (bulate), composting drums at paso. Mga paraan ng pagko-kompost: na puno ng lason katulad ng: 1. Compost pits o magkatabing hukay 3. Compost Heap 2. Pasu-paso Ang ganitong paraan ay para lamang sa mga 1. Dioxins and furans basurang nabubulok pero hindi namamaho, 3. Gulong na pinagpatung-patong 2. Mga metal na nakakalason tulad ng mga damo at dahon. 4. Composter drums na bukas ang (lead, cadmium, mercury) ilalim 3. Particulate matter 4. Containment Area for Residuals 5. Composter na sako Dito iniipon ang mga malinis at tuyong latak 4. Acid gases (hydrogen na basura para kolektahin ng City (siyudad). 6. Vermiculture o paggamit ng bulate chloride at sulfur dioxide) na nagbubunga ng ulan na 5. Organic Garden Mga dapat tandaan sa pagko-kompost: asido Dito pwedeng gamitin ang mga kompost para 1. Siguraduhing nabubulok lamang na pataba sa mga gulay at bulaklak. 5. Carbon monoxide at basura ang ilalagay sa compost pit. nitrogen oxides 6. Collection Cart 2. Siguraduhing sapat ang lupa na 6. Abo Ito ang gamit sa pangongolekta ng itatakip para hindi maamoy ng mga nakahiwalay na basura. Maaaring gumamit alagang hayop o mga peste ng kariton, tri-bike, motorsiklo o ano mang 3. Kung gumagawa ng compost para sa sasakyan na naaangkop sa lugar. organic farming, siguraduhing walang 7. Perimeter Fence kemikal sa mga ilalagay na basura Dapat bakuran ang buong MRF upang hindi mapasok ng mga bata o alagang hayop. 8. Label Dito nilalagay ang pangalan ng MRF. MGA KLASE NG BASURA AT ANG WASTONG PAMAMAHALA NITO

Mga Uri ng Panapon Mga halimbawa Paano bawasan? Ano ang gagawin sa Sino ang Ano ang gagawin? Saan dapat dalhin at Saan pwedeng umpisa? mamamahala ? papaano? gamitin? Nabubulok • Mga tirang pagkain; • Huwag magsayang ng • Ihiwalay agad. • Bawat bahay / barangay • Ipakain sa alagang hayop. • Mas mainam kung magko- • Ang kompost galing sa (Compostables) • Mga hasang ng isda, itlog at tira- pagkain. • Huwag hayaang mahalo • I-kompost ang matitira at kompost sa bawat bahay. ating mga kitchen at garden tirang buto; • Magluto at maghain sa ibang basura. mga hindi pwedeng ipakain • Kung walang lugar, pwedeng waste ay mainam na pataba • Mga pinagbalatan ng gulay at lamang nang sapat at sa hayop. dalhin sa composting area sa ating organic vegetables at prutas; kayang ubusin. ng barangay / purok MRF o alagang halaman. • Mga dahon, pinutol na sanga ng • I-ref ang matitirang alamin ang oras at araw ng kahoy, at damo; pagkain upang pwede pang paghahakot ng nabubulok na • Mga dumi ng hayop o patay na mapakinabangan. basura. hayop; • Mamalengke nang sapat • Mga napkins at diapers (na upang walang masayang na tinanggalan na ng plastic liner) gulay.

Nareresiklo • Lahat ng lata at bakal; • Bumili nang mas • Siguraduhing malinis. • Barangay o accredited junk • Kokolektahin lang ng • Ipunin sa eco shed ng MRF at • Ang mga nakolektang (Recyclables) • Lahat ng klase ng bote (glass), malakihan; mas • Ang naipong recyclables shops ng barangay barangay o ng mga ibebenta sa mga junk shops. recyclables ay gagamiting kahit mga basag makakamura rito kumpara ay hindi dadagain at accredited junkshops. • Depende sa barangay; muli sa paggawa ng mga • Mga piling klase ng plastic (hard sa pagbili nang patingi – lalanggamin kung ito ay pwedeng dalhin nang diretso bagong produkto ng mga plastics tulad ng PET bottles, tingi. malinis. sa MRF o ipakolekta sa eco aid pabrika. lalagyan ng ketchup, upuan, • Gamitin nang baliktaran ng barangay. balde, atbp.) ang papel bago itapon. • Mga tuyong papel at karton • Gamitin ang mga bote (glass) bilang lalagyan ng kape, gatas, sangkap sa pagluluto, atbp.). Latak • Mga sando bags at plastic • Iwasan ang paggamit • Hanggat maaari, iwasan • City • Pwedeng gawan ng • Ang mga latak ay dapat • Ang nakalulungkot, wala (Residuals) shopping bags; ng plastic bag, magdala ang plastic. Kung meron pansamantalang paraan kolektahin at pamahalaan ng nang silbi pa ang mga latak • Mga sachets ng shampoo, ng sariling bayong kung na, gamitin muna uli at tulad ng paghahalo sa tiles, city government. na basura kaya dapat talaga toothpaste, toyo, suka, atbp.; mamamalengke, at sariling huwag agad itapon. paggawa ng “zesto bags”, • Maaari ring ipunin ng itong iwasan. • Mga plastic wrapper/ foodwrap/ reusable bag kung mamimili • Siguraduhing malinis at atbp. barangay sa MRF para dito • Ang mga solusyon dito foil; sa grocery. tuyo para di mabaho pag na lamang kunin ng city sa ngayon ay stop-gap o • Mga balat ng kendi, biskwit, at • Iwasang bumili ng sachets naipon. government. pansamantala lang talaga. chicheria; - ang binabayaran mo lang • Straw na gamit sa pag- inom ng dito ay ang packaging. juice o softdrinks; Sa pangmatagalan, • Tetra packs at lalagyan ng ibang mas makakamura kung kagayang inumin malakihan ang pagbili.

Delikado/ • Hospital wastes (mga maaaring • Hanggat maaari, ipaayos • Kung talagang hindi na • City / Province • Ibenta ang pwede at • Pwedeng maglaan ng ibang • Pinaghihiwalay ang mga Nakakalason makahawa at magdulot ng sakit, muna ang mga sirang maaayos, ihiwalay ito sa • Maaaring maglaan ng isang siguraduhing nakaipon ipunan sa MRF para dito na parte na pwede pang (Special/ Hazardous) mga gamit sa operasyon, atbp.); appliances kung pwede pa ibang basura at pansamantalang lalagyan nang hiwa-hiwalay kukunin ng city government. mapakinabangan pero ang • Mga lumang thermometer na naman kaysa itapon agad. siguraduhing hindi sa barangay MRF para dito mga accredited recyclers lang may mercury; • Huwag nang gumamit ng mababasa. na lamang kunin ng city o ang dapat gumawa nito. • Mga paint cans at thinner; mga thermometer na may provincial government. • Mga bote ng pesticide, insecti- mercury; ang mga bagong cide at chemical fertilizer; klase, tulad ng digital, ay • Mga pundido at sirang ilaw; mas ligtas at kasing bisa rin. • Mga electronic wastes (sirang • Sa mga ospital, TV, ref, radio, computer, cell- dapat ihiwalay ang phone, atbp.); mga nakakalason at nakakahawang panapon sa mga ordinaryong basura.

44 Resources MGA KLASE NG BASURA AT ANG WASTONG PAMAMAHALA NITO

Mga Uri ng Panapon Mga halimbawa Paano bawasan? Ano ang gagawin sa Sino ang Ano ang gagawin? Saan dapat dalhin at Saan pwedeng umpisa? mamamahala ? papaano? gamitin? Nabubulok • Mga tirang pagkain; • Huwag magsayang ng • Ihiwalay agad. • Bawat bahay / barangay • Ipakain sa alagang hayop. • Mas mainam kung magko- • Ang kompost galing sa (Compostables) • Mga hasang ng isda, itlog at tira- pagkain. • Huwag hayaang mahalo • I-kompost ang matitira at kompost sa bawat bahay. ating mga kitchen at garden tirang buto; • Magluto at maghain sa ibang basura. mga hindi pwedeng ipakain • Kung walang lugar, pwedeng waste ay mainam na pataba • Mga pinagbalatan ng gulay at lamang nang sapat at sa hayop. dalhin sa composting area sa ating organic vegetables at prutas; kayang ubusin. ng barangay / purok MRF o alagang halaman. • Mga dahon, pinutol na sanga ng • I-ref ang matitirang alamin ang oras at araw ng kahoy, at damo; pagkain upang pwede pang paghahakot ng nabubulok na • Mga dumi ng hayop o patay na mapakinabangan. basura. hayop; • Mamalengke nang sapat • Mga napkins at diapers (na upang walang masayang na tinanggalan na ng plastic liner) gulay.

Nareresiklo • Lahat ng lata at bakal; • Bumili nang mas • Siguraduhing malinis. • Barangay o accredited junk • Kokolektahin lang ng • Ipunin sa eco shed ng MRF at • Ang mga nakolektang (Recyclables) • Lahat ng klase ng bote (glass), malakihan; mas • Ang naipong recyclables shops ng barangay barangay o ng mga ibebenta sa mga junk shops. recyclables ay gagamiting kahit mga basag makakamura rito kumpara ay hindi dadagain at accredited junkshops. • Depende sa barangay; muli sa paggawa ng mga • Mga piling klase ng plastic (hard sa pagbili nang patingi – lalanggamin kung ito ay pwedeng dalhin nang diretso bagong produkto ng mga plastics tulad ng PET bottles, tingi. malinis. sa MRF o ipakolekta sa eco aid pabrika. lalagyan ng ketchup, upuan, • Gamitin nang baliktaran ng barangay. balde, atbp.) ang papel bago itapon. • Mga tuyong papel at karton • Gamitin ang mga bote (glass) bilang lalagyan ng kape, gatas, sangkap sa pagluluto, atbp.). Latak • Mga sando bags at plastic • Iwasan ang paggamit • Hanggat maaari, iwasan • City • Pwedeng gawan ng • Ang mga latak ay dapat • Ang nakalulungkot, wala (Residuals) shopping bags; ng plastic bag, magdala ang plastic. Kung meron pansamantalang paraan kolektahin at pamahalaan ng nang silbi pa ang mga latak • Mga sachets ng shampoo, ng sariling bayong kung na, gamitin muna uli at tulad ng paghahalo sa tiles, city government. na basura kaya dapat talaga toothpaste, toyo, suka, atbp.; mamamalengke, at sariling huwag agad itapon. paggawa ng “zesto bags”, • Maaari ring ipunin ng itong iwasan. • Mga plastic wrapper/ foodwrap/ reusable bag kung mamimili • Siguraduhing malinis at atbp. barangay sa MRF para dito • Ang mga solusyon dito foil; sa grocery. tuyo para di mabaho pag na lamang kunin ng city sa ngayon ay stop-gap o • Mga balat ng kendi, biskwit, at • Iwasang bumili ng sachets naipon. government. pansamantala lang talaga. chicheria; - ang binabayaran mo lang • Straw na gamit sa pag- inom ng dito ay ang packaging. juice o softdrinks; Sa pangmatagalan, • Tetra packs at lalagyan ng ibang mas makakamura kung kagayang inumin malakihan ang pagbili.

Delikado/ • Hospital wastes (mga maaaring • Hanggat maaari, ipaayos • Kung talagang hindi na • City / Province • Ibenta ang pwede at • Pwedeng maglaan ng ibang • Pinaghihiwalay ang mga Nakakalason makahawa at magdulot ng sakit, muna ang mga sirang maaayos, ihiwalay ito sa • Maaaring maglaan ng isang siguraduhing nakaipon ipunan sa MRF para dito na parte na pwede pang (Special/ Hazardous) mga gamit sa operasyon, atbp.); appliances kung pwede pa ibang basura at pansamantalang lalagyan nang hiwa-hiwalay kukunin ng city government. mapakinabangan pero ang • Mga lumang thermometer na naman kaysa itapon agad. siguraduhing hindi sa barangay MRF para dito mga accredited recyclers lang may mercury; • Huwag nang gumamit ng mababasa. na lamang kunin ng city o ang dapat gumawa nito. • Mga paint cans at thinner; mga thermometer na may provincial government. • Mga bote ng pesticide, insecti- mercury; ang mga bagong cide at chemical fertilizer; klase, tulad ng digital, ay • Mga pundido at sirang ilaw; mas ligtas at kasing bisa rin. • Mga electronic wastes (sirang • Sa mga ospital, TV, ref, radio, computer, cell- dapat ihiwalay ang phone, atbp.); mga nakakalason at nakakahawang panapon sa mga ordinaryong basura.

MEF@15: On The Road To Zero Waste 45 Ang Sampung Utos ng Republic Act 9003 I. Si Kapitan ang bida. VI. Huwag magsunog. II. Basura Mo, Bawasan Mo. VII. Sa kolektor lang, please. III. Hiwalay kung hiwalay. VIII. Ihiwalay ang delikadong IV. Ang pinaghiwalay na, panapon. huwag ng pagsamahin pa. IX. MRF sa bawat barangay. V. Mga tambakan, isara na! X. Nasa kamay mo ang kapangyarihan.

Salient Features of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act

1. Section 10 mandates the decentralization of waste 6. The law prohibits all forms of burning, even backyard management. In its Implementing Rules, barangays burning of garden wastes. The Clean Air Act, are mandated to establish a Barangay Solid Waste meanwhile, prohibits incinerators. Management Committee 7. Waste should only be given to authorized waste 2. Section 20 mandates a waste diversion rate of 25% collectors and haulers. Illegal dumping and within the first five years. Diversion rates should be disposal in open spaces, creeks, canals, rivers and increased every year. other bodies of waster are strictly prohibited.

3. Section 21 mandates segregation of waste at source 8. Special and hazardous waste should be collected and and the “No segregation, no collection” policy. stored separately.

4. Some of the prohibited acts are the following: 9. Section 32 mandates that a Materials Recovery - Collection of mixed waste Facility should be constructed in every barangay or - Mixing of segregated waste clusters of barangay. - Permitting the collection of mixed waste 10. The Citizen’s Suit provision in Section 52 empowers 5. All open dumpsites should be closed within three (3) anyone to file a civil, criminal or administrative case years, and all controlled dumpsites should be closed against anyone who violates the provisions of the within five (5) years. law, fails to comply with the requirements of the law, or anyone who issued an order that is contrary to the provisions of Republic Act 9003.

46 Resources Composting How-Tos: 1. Segregate biodegradable from non-biodegradable wastes. 2. Chop or cut biodegradable wastes into small pieces for easy decomposition. You can mix wet and dry biodegradables so that the mixture is neither too wet nor too dry. easy steps to reduce 3. Put a layer of soil in the bottom of your pot or container. your waste at home 4. Put the chopped biodegradables on top of the soil, then 5 cover with another layer of soil. Repeat this process until Know the type of waste that you produce. Monitor your final layer of soil is almost level with the top of your the volume and frequency of disposal. container. Depending on the size of your household, it 1 will take about 2-3 days to fill a large pot. 5. Sprinkle the compost pile with a small amount of water. Use different containers for each type of Make sure to add just enough water to keep the pile moist. waste. There should be one for recyclables, residuals, 6. Cover your pot or container, and let the compost mature. If biodegradables and special wastes. If you have a home done properly, it will take 3-10 days for a large pot to mature. 2 office, put a separate box for papers.

Remember you 3Rs. It’s actually a hierarchy: REDUCE the amount of waste that you produce, especially your residuals; REUSE what you can at home; 3 RECYCLE your glass, metals, paper and certain plastics.

Start composting. More than 50% of the waste that we produce are biodegradables, so you’ll be able to 7. If you’re worried about liquid run-off from your compost, cut your waste by half just by composting. As a bonus, put a pan underneath your pot or container to catch it. 4 having compost might be the perfect to start your own Unlike leachate from mixed wastes however, compost home garden and grow your own organic vegetables! liquid is non-toxic and may be poured back on top of your compost pile. RETHINK! A lot of the waste that we produce are products 8. Aerate the pile by turning it once in a while, but inserting of our mindless consumerism. Think twice before you a vertical tube (made of bamboo or old pipes) in the buy, plan your meals to avoid spoilage, be mindful of your middle of the pile, or by punching a few small holes portions to avoid leftovers, and think where a product came 5 along the sides of your container. from and where would go after you use it. 9. Check your compost’s temperature. When the interior of the pile is no longer hot and the biodegradables have turned into dark and dry soil, composting is finished. 10. When your first pot or container is full, get started on the 5 Alternatives to plastic next one and repeat steps 1-9. (Courtesy of EcoWaste Coalition) Old canvass bags, backpacks, unused schoolbags – go digging around your old stuff, you ways to avoid 1 may be surprised that you can bring old bags to life and use them as shopping bags. 5 plastic everyday Keep an ecobag handy. Calculate how many bags Bayong – this native alternative is spacious, you need to bring before stepping out. 2 fashionable, and sturdy. As a plus, you also support 1 the local weaving industry. In case of emergency purchase, refuse plastic bags Ecobags or reusable carry out bags – 2 and maximize the space in your own bags. lightweight and foldable, they come in wide array of Use lunchboxes to buy ulam from the canteen or for 3 design, color and size. to take out leftovers. 3 Newspapers or banana leaves – to sensationally In cafes, choose glass or ceramics instead of disposable and securely wrap produce like dried tuyo or fresh meat. 4 4 plastics. Try to bring your own mugs or tumblers. Reusable containers – for meat, fish and other wet 5 produce. Say no to plastic drinking straw. 5

MEF@15: On The Road To Zero Waste 47

Mother Earth Foundation Lifetime Members Board of Trustees Ancheta, Alonzo Kraut, Mona Lisa Barcelona, Diana Ku, Jerome Sonia Mendoza Berroya, Len Lee, Juanita Chairman Choa, Catherine D. Li, Alfredo T. Froilan Grate Choa, David George Jr. Marciano, Marie President Choa, David Lorenzo Mendoza, Luis Choa, Holly Mananzan Mendoza, Sonia S. Estelita Reyes Choa, Lea Dimaano Mendoza, Tonette VP, Externals Choa, Lope Carlos Ortega, Aurora L. Arlen Ancheta Choa, Michael Ian Pelagallo, Matilde VP, Internals Choa, Olive Ascalon Quilatan, Ma. Sanita Alva Choa, Teresita Bermudez Rebueno, JM Diana Barcelona Choa, Tristan Ronald Reyes, Danilo Treasurer De Lola, Zenaida P. Reyes, Estelita Del Rosario, Erlinda O. Reyes, Genaro Junie Quilatan Escaño, Helen Reyes, Ismael Secretary Gamboa, Priscilla Songcayawon, Vince M. Al Ancheta Garcia, Cora G. Shafir, Izabella Trustee Garcia, Sonya Sison, Mimi Garcia, Ted Tefsky, Helen S. Tootsie Vicente – Moreno Hicks, Marietta S. Vicente, Maria Paz Moreno Trustee Molly Kraut Trustee Regular Members Staff Marcelina Sumilang Abejuela, Armando; Aboy, Gemma; Almario, Rolisa; Ancheta, Arlen; Senior Trainer Ancheta, Lorenz; Ancheta, Martin Louie; Ancheta, Mikhail John; Ancheta, Bella Caridad; Ancheta, Benilda; Ancheta, Krishna; Aranez, Rap Villavicencio Aida; Arevalo, Brian James; Balatbat, Trinidad; Balderas, Luzviminda; Community Coordinator Barinaga, Eugene Lee; Barinaga, Lionel Shadrach; Barinaga, Rochelle Marie; Barinaga, Sigrid Aguirre; Barrera, Angelina; Basas, Allan; Grace David Bendana, Aurora; Bohol, Joanne; Causapin, Hannah Catherine; Project Assistant Coloma, Maria Carmelita; Constantino, Girly; Corotan, Connie; Corral, Tin Gonzales Victoria; Danila, Dominador; Datu, Lina; Datu, Renato; De Castro, Administrative Support Imelda; Dela Cruz, Carmencita; Dela Cruz, Celso; Dimalanta, Edmund; Doma, Crescencio; Escote, Learni; Escueta, Flordeliza; Fomoso, Jimmy; Fomoso, Lulu; Galang, Elizabeth; Galang, Roberto; Galicha, Rodney; Garcia, Moises Norman; Garcia, Ma.Rosario Virginia; MEF@15: On The Road To Zero Waste Gotauco, Consuelo; Grate, Froilan; Herradura, Alan; Hidalgo, Carmina; Justiniano, Marissa; Ladon, Reynold Patrick; Lagura, Raenerio; Froilan Grate Lasala, Sr. Joseline; Libre, Mylah Hizon; Lim, Manuel; Lim, Numero; Content, Design and Overall In Charge Limpo, Ma. Rita; Lintag, Rhodora Lynn; Lumbao, Lisa; Mateo, Fe Manyel Oyek Esperanza; Matias, Cecilia; Mendoza, Alexander; Mendoza, Carmen; Contributing Writer Mendoza, Dr. Helen; Mendoza, Ma. Victoria; Mercado, Gloria; Molina, Monaly; Morada, Noel; Nabong, Anne; Nabong, Ma. Lourdes; Jason Losito Nabong, Ma. Pilar Partricia; Narisma, Chit; Osea, Vangie; Pacleb, Layout and Design Judy; Pascual, Enrica; Paras, Lorna; Pesayco, Corazon; Pesayco- Sedillo Marian; Ramiscal, Rommel; Ranola, Ma. Victoria; Redona, Additional copies of this book may be ordered thru Mother Earth Joy; Reyes, Angelo; Reyes, Ceenaro; Reyes, Eduardo; Reyes, Lourdes Foundation. For comments, suggestions or questions on the content (Lulu); Reyes, Marcelita; Reyes, Miguelito Antonio; Reyes, Philip of this book, please contact us at [email protected], Ricardo; Reyes, Rosanna; Reyes, Wilhelmina; Ricafort, Chit; Ricafort, telefax 4345381 or mobile 09278822271. Teresita; Roco, Sonia; Salandanan, Jose Arsenio; Santua, Ramon; Copyright @ 2013 by For Love of Mother Earth, Inc. All rights reserved. Sarmiento,Francis Lynn; Shafir, Isaak; Solidum, Norvic; Subido, Joy Angelica; Tan, Josephine; Tañada, Zenaida; Thia, Estelita; The contents of this book may be reproduced and used by the public Tiu, Kristel Francine; Tobia, Helena; Trasporte, Aletha; Tuazon, for non commercial Purposes. Any use or reproduction of this book or any of its contents for commercial purposes requires prior permission Marilou; Vergarra, Christina; Vicente, Patricia; Villasenor, Benjamin; from MEF. Vinoya, Celia; Ynson, Janet;

50 About Mother Earth Foundation Training Events Consultancy

Services Offered: Trainings Offered:

• Solid Waste Management • Teacher Training on Programs for: Environmental Education:

• Local Governments • Project Water Education for • Subdivisions and HOAs Teachers (Project WET) • Schools • Project Learning Tree (PLT) • Businesses • Ecological Solid Waste • Waste Assessment and Management Characterization Survey • Inner Ecology (WACS) • Composting • 10 Year SWM Plan and • Livelihood Ordinances • Outdoor education • MRF Construction and camping • Eco-Park Development • Environmental Leadership • Bio-gas Installation Training • Composting Facility • NSTP Seminars

Contact Us! Zero Waste Academy Room 201B, PhilDHRRA Building 59. C. Salvador St. Loyola Heights, Quezon City www.ZeroWasteAcademy.org [email protected] Telefax: 02 4345381