Japan to help RP solve waste mgmt problem

The Japanese government, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), will help the Philippines solve its waste management problem through recycling.

JICA is working with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in crafting the master plan and action plan for the development of an industry that will take charge of the recycling of different waste products.

The initial part of the action plan will require first a detailed study which is scheduled to be completed in February.

The study will enhance Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, as well as Recycling Guidelines for waste generators, dealers of recyclables and recyclers.

It covers two categories of recyclables. Category I includes paper, metal, plastics, and glass bottles while category II includes wastes of cellular phones, TVs, refrigerators and personal computers.

Under the study, three pilot projects will be implemented the output of which will be analyzed and integrated into the master plan.

These projects are recyclables collection and information, education and communication (IEC) pilot project, mobile plastics collection and recycling and the cell phone waste collection and recycling.

The recyclables collection and information, education and communication (IEC) pilot project intends to analyze the impact/result of the proper waste segregation practice among the target parties through awareness raising activities and review and assess the possibility of developing waste segregation, collection and recycling system in urban areas.

Mobile plastics collection and recycling seeks to evaluate the feasibility of mobile type plastics collection and recycling.

Cell phone waste collection and recycling aims to increase awareness on the proper disposal of cell phone wastes ( e.g., cell phone batteries, chargers, and cell phone unit) and assess the feasibility of establishing cell phone waste collection in designated areas.

The cell phone wastes collection and recycling pilot project was launched last week at Dusit Hotel Nikko, Makati City. The event featured the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the project partners composed of government (DTI, DENR), cell phone manufacturers (Alcatel, LG Electronics, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Globe Telecom, Smart Communications, and Sun Cellular), network service providers (Globe Telecom, Smart Communications, and Sun Cellular), selected mall owners (Ayala Malls Group, Ortigas & Company Ltd., and SM Prime Holdings), transport and storage facility (HMR Envirocycle Philippines), and JICA.

The said pilot project involves the installation of about 20 collection bins at Glorietta/Greenbelt, Greenhills Shopping Center, and SM Megamall.