Japan aids Philippines in waste management

MANILA, Philippines — The Japanese government has collaborated with the Philippines to promote proper waste disposal as threats to public health and the environment continue to worsen.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Japan’s bilateral aid agency, and the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) are working to establish guidelines for the accurate characterization of wastes for the use of local government units.

A Waste Analysis and Characterization Study (WACS) manual was developed by the Ministry of Environment of Japan.

The manual sets technical standards in analyzing waste characteristics to guide LGUs in making and implementing waste reduction and management programs.

JICA Philippines senior representative Yo Ebisawa said implementing solid waste management programs requires serious policy investments.

“But, when you think about their impact on promoting a circular economy and effectively managing solid waste, such investments on solid waste management are definitely worth it,” he said.

Data from the government showed that biodegradable wastes make up 52 percent of the country’s total wastes generated.

The average per capita waste generation rate is around 0.40 kilograms per day.

Considering the increasing Philippine population, JICA said the total amount of waste in the country is expected to increase further which means that improper solid waste management can lead to serious health and environment consequences.

The Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) earlier said the Philippines was facing a waste crisis, perhaps of an “unimaginable scale.”

The country is producing 2.7 million metric tons of plastic waste per year, out of which 17 percent of the collected plastic waste and 31 percent of the uncollected waste is leaked into the ocean.

Government projections showed that generated waste would reach 23.6 million MT by 2025 from 21.4 million MT in 2020.

Aside from assistance in solid waste management, JICA has initiatives for environment conservation and management in the Philippines including cooperation in forestland management, coastal conservation, water improvement, septage management, and sharing of Japanese innovations in recycling technologies, among others.